Another year is starting, the pages of 2011's book are blank waiting to be filled with nice moments, adventures projects and goals... Today as everyday is the time to live, be happy and love.
Thanks You God for giving me the opportunity to start another book of experiences. Hope that 2011 will be even better year for you, me and all of Gods creations!!!
After much consideration I finally have my resolutions for the year 2011.
For 2010 I basically went back to my previous ones, analyzed them, decided to take some off some and add some, for this year I decided not to look back and just do what my heart feels like. Also for this year coming up I'm gonna try to be more in tune with what I need and what I want, so it goes something like this...
-Exercise more is a classic resolution, isn't it? So I just won't use it, and it's not because I don't need to exercise (God knows I do!) but because that just should be part of our daily life and not something that I need to resolute about, so instead this year, my resolution goes more like; Have more discipline. And that is Resolution #1.
- Eat less is also not one of my resolutions, mainly because I just love to eat, so my resolution instead will be Eat in smaller portions but more times a day and healthy as well, resolution #2
- Stay away from negative people just doesn't cut it, mainly because it is hard and some times you just have to deal with them whether you like it or not. So instead, I am going to focus this year on; Irradiating love and positive vibes with my mind and my spirit, Resolution #3.
- Now, the main question is; How am I going to irradiate love and positive vibes? Well, that takes me to my resolution #4, find time to quiet my mind (through meditation, silent moments and metaphysical thinking) and spirit. It seems to me that life is so hectic nowadays, I am constantly thinking, talking, worrying, analyzing, etc, so this year I really need to find the time to quiet my mind and my spirit, and to me a quiet mind/spirit = God, peace, harmony and love.
- Work harder is also not on my list, because this year I am going to concentrate on less procrastination at work which basically is more like a "reverse psychology" of "work harder", but oh well, that will be my resolution #5.
- Last year one my favorite ones was to read a book a month, well, I don't think I read 12 books but I did read a lot, so that one I intent to keep but I am going to try to go beyond my normal subject/styles of books and explore new areas; resolution #6.
- Resolution #7 is to be more organized/neat around the house but specially around the kitchen, I know this is a constant issue for my husband about me and I figure if I add it here and make my "messiness" public I will make a real effort to be better.
- I love to travel, I need to travel, it's just in blood and in my heart to go places, meet people, see the world, so this year another one of my resolutions is going to be even organized with our finances, save up for a little scape with my husband, resolution #8.
- Resolution #9; give, give, give, give... whether is love, advice, money, material things that I don't need but others might, I feel that the more I give, the more that comes back to me. In my heart there is a HUGE special place for animals and I would love to volunteer more for them... I have lot's of ideas that hopefully will develop into amazing project in 2011.
- My last resolution (#10) of the year is a "shared one" with my husband, we have been talking about a resolution of Weekly Date Night, and although all the details are not quite set up yet, basically it's going to be; One of us gets to choose a date night a week (no matter where we go, as long as it's out of the house) and one week he gets to choose and the next week I get to choose, the person that doesn't get to choose that week has to do what the other has chosen! It's going to be fun : )
I am all set to start partying this year and continue into the next... We are having a party tonight at home and it should be lots of fun!!!
So, here's to everybody having a wonderful end to 2010 and that the year 2011 will be filled with good intentions, love, health, peace, harmony and abundance of blessings!!!
Today I decided to honor my spirit of sharing and post the recipe for the wonderful dessert I made for Christmas Day, for those that are all about easy, tasty, chocolate desserts, this is a must.
Fudge Chocolate Trifle
1
box (1 lb 2.3 oz) fudge brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1
tablespoon instant coffee granules or crystals (optional)
1
box (4-serving size) chocolate fudge instant pudding and pie filling mix
2
cups cold milk
1
bag (8 oz) toffee bits
1
container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.
Make brownie mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs and adding coffee granules. Spread batter in pan. Bake as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
Cut brownies into 1-inch squares. Place half of the squares in bottom of 3-quart glass bowl. Make pudding mix as directed on box for pudding, using milk. Pour half of the pudding over brownies in bowl. Top with half each of the toffee bits and whipped topping. Repeat with remaining brownies, pudding, toffee bits and whipped topping.
Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Store covered in refrigerator.
Yes, it's that easy!!! And trust me, it is good, so enjoy and let me know how it goes?
Christmas is long gone and today I don't have much to post about. Weather is still pretty dark, gloomy and cold (for us!), work's not being very busy plus this week we had 2 holidays at the island.
Being that Christmas Day was on a Sat. and Boxing Day (that they also celebrate here) was on a Sunday, then the government "declares" the observance of Christmas and Boxing Day on Monday and Tuesday... To me it's just another reason to waste days and being even lazier during the season... I work on retail/tourism so most holidays don't apply.
I am already thinking about the New Year and new resolutions, to many resolutions are a waste of time, to me is another way to welcome a new year with better and new goals and projects, it's exciting!
Soon I will be posting about my new resolutions and I courage you to think of at least one, c'mon I know u want to!!!! Have a wonderful day.
It's been a while since I share my latest amigurumi project on my blog.
For this Christmas I made my biggest project yet. I made it for my friend Linda's little girl, Daniella...
Unfortunately I didn't carry my camera to the party so I don't have any pictures of her with her new Gromit, but I do have pictures of him... here it is.
I thought this was going to be my last project of the year but then I reconsider and now I have a new one started.
The thing is that a few months ago I found out that my cousin Maria Jose and her husband Jose are expecting a baby. After much trouble getting pregnant and a few doctors even told her it wasn't going to happen. Well, she always had faith and God listen to her and many of our prayers, so she is due in late May, having a baby boy, and guess who is going to the Godmother? Me, me, me!!! I am so excited...
Now I have started a new and hopefully the first of many projects for my "soon to be" Godson, Julian... This is what I am working on.
Pretty, uh? I think is so sweet... So far I have most of the Sun ready (only missing the rays), the clouds and one side of the rainbow. Will post some pictures of them later...
Well, today I am back to work, weather is pretty crappy, very windy and cold, don't think we are going to be very busy... Have a great day!!!
Our Christmas was very nice, low key but we got to spend it with family and friends, which is what really matters.
The biggest gift we got was for the house and our enjoyment, a set of Bose Companion 3 speakers. Our Toshiba TV has very poor audio so sometimes when we watch movies we needed to use this old speaker that my husband had and that were already broken.
These new Bose ones a very good quality and perfect to replace the old ones, the sound is super nice and crisp.
On Christmas Day we had a brunch with my Brother and SIL, to celebrate Christmas but also his birthday, we had a little chocolate birthday cake for him and we even sang Happy Birthday but at the time I didn't have my camera handy so I didn't take pictures, I know my SIL did, so I will share some soon!
Later than day we went to our friends Duncan and Linda's house, they invite us every year so this one was our 5th time there. We had waaaaay too much food, I took a dessert (like I do every year) but this year there were about 3 other deserts. Mine was a Fudge Chocolate Trifle and it was really good...
Dessert almost finished...
Today is my last day off, then I go back to work but I will still have the weekend off (1st and 2nd) then back to work on the 3rd for the rest of the new year, LOL!!!
We are having a New Year's Party at our house and I think this one will be the biggest since we started having one from 3 years ago, I am excited and I think it would be so much fun... Any plans on your end for the New Year celebration??? Come and join us if you'll like : )
Hope everybody in the Big White North is keeping warm and that snow and storms and not affecting them too back. Blessings to all!
Wishing that this Christmas and every day of your life, you'll find these presents under your tree...
Let's us enjoy this season and focus on honoring God and the good feelings inside ourselves, because without that, all those other presents are shallow and empty.
Best Wishes this Christmas to you and your family!!!
I don't want much for Christmas....I just want the person reading this to be happy.
Friends are the fruitcake of life. Some are nutty, some are sweet and some are even soaked in alcohol!. But mix them together and they add flavor to my life.
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To those reading this, all I can say is thanks letting me reach to you and share my random thoughts, comments, photos and anything that I can come up with everyday or just any day you come around...
In this era of technology I am so happy to say I feel like I have my own blogger family and my interaction with each and one of you is very important in my life.
So, for you and your loved ones I only wish that you enjoy this time with the best possible feeling in your heart; feelings of love, joy, peace, compassion and willingness to share with others that have less than us.
God is the most important part of the Holidays and every day of our lives, nowadays it's all about the presents, the parties, the drinks and we sometimes forget what's vital in all of this, so God Bless you today and everyday!!!
The last tree I am featuring is not a tree on the island but one in my home country, Costa Rica.
The picture was sent to me by a friend that lives in California but was visiting CR for a few days, the girl in the picture is my friend's daughter Samantha.
It's already Dec. 22nd, for me it's kind of hard to believe it, we are super close to Christmas.
This year my Christmas is an extra special one. For the first time since I've been on the islands, I get to spend Christmas Day with some family (besides my husband and dogs).
Now that my brother Mau and his wife Gaylene live here, we are getting together on Christmas day for a double celebration, as it's also my brother's birthday!!! We are doing a Christmas Brunch at my house, with a special dish from my home country (Gallo Pinto), French Toast, Fruit, Mimosas (OJ and Champagne) and chocolate cake to sing "Happy Birthday" to him and Jesus!
Besides that, as I work at a gallery that also has a retail store, we have been pretty busy this past few days. Although getting closer to the holidays unfortunately doesn't mean people are in a nice Christmas Spirit. In fact, I am convinced that for some people, this time of year brings the worst out of them (sadly!).
Well, that's about all that's going on in my world today... Happy Hump Day and be good, naughty, or both!
Our dogs (like many other pets) are very blessed animals. The have a nice house, people that love and care for them, food & water, medical care (if needed), they go on walks when needed and even get treats every now and then.
On the other hand there are many, many domesticated animals that do not have the same privileges as our dogs do. Some are born to live in the streets, having to constantly look for food and shelter to survive. Whenever I hear about terrible snow storms, hurricanes and any other bad weather situations, I think about those animals that have no place to be safe.
Now, there are others animals that thanks to the love and care of certain people and organizations, have the opportunity to be in a shelter area where they are safe and can get fed. Maybe they would even have the opportunity to one day be part of a family that will love and care for them the way it should be.
So this being the season to give, let's try to focus on not only getting things for people that sometimes don't even need anything at all, let's not forget about others and specially those lovely animals in need of so much.
And that's why this year I decided to donate more than just money to the Cayman Islands Humane Society, because sometimes money can end up in the wrong hands or used for the wrong things.
This year I am buying a 52 lbs bag of food for the shelter dogs and a 30 lbs bag for the kitties, so they can have a few set meals to finish and start the year with a full belly.
As I can't adopt them all (even though I wish I could) I am also including a new resolution on my list for 2011 and it's to give them a bag every 3 months (if my budget allows it)... Have a wonderful day!!!
We are starting the week in a great way, today we are expecting family that will be visiting the island on a cruise ship, so exciting!
My husband's cousins; John, Carol and their son Grant from New Vienna, Ohio are coming on a Carnival Cruise.
from left: Me, Mark, Jim, Janet (my mother in law), Grant (w/ New Vienna t-shirt), Carol, John and Laura (Jim's wife)
Last time we saw them (and the first time I met them) was back in Ohio in 2007.
Unfortunately this time they will only be here for a few hours, but hey, I love visitors and specially if it's family so I'll take a few hours over no visits at all.... I have the day off so we will bring them to the house and spend as much time with them as possible.
Oh, by the way, did I mention I heart visitors? [hint!, hint!]. So, why don't you add a New Year's resolution to start saving up for the flight down here and come visit??? We will take care of the accommodation for ya'...
Yesterday was the first day in a few days that it wasn't very cold at night. Lately it's been around late 60's and that for us here in the Caribbean is quite cold. Of course I know that temperatures are all relative, I do not mean to say it's really cold if I compare it to places like Minnesota, but still, for us that we live in t-shirts, shorts and flip flops that is quite chilly.
Anyway, last night I came home I decided to prepare my favorite soup which is "Cream of Mushroom Soup" so today I am going to share this super easy, wonderful recipe.
Ingredients:
1 lb (16oz) fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3 tbsp of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup of half and half
1 can (14oz) chicken broth
1 tbsp dry sherry, if desired
Freshly ground pepper
1. Slice enough mushrooms to measure 1 cup. Chop remaining mushrooms.
2. In 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook sliced and chopped mushrooms in butter about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until mushrooms are golden brown. Sprinkle with flour and salt. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened.
3. Gradually stir in half and half and broth; heat until hot. If using sherry add now. Sprinkle with pepper. Enjoy!
When I make this soup I also like to make grilled cheese sandwiches to complement it, works out great!
Tomorrow is finally Saturday but I have to work and instead I am getting Monday off as my husband's cousins from Ohio are visiting the island on a cruise ship for a few hours, I am very excited to see them and spend a little time with them.
Wishing everybody a wonderful weekend and if anybody decides to give my recipe a try, please let me know about the results!!!
Since everything and everywhere is about Christmas right now, today I am posting a very fun Christmas video; for those who love cats, those who don't and those who wish to get a cat for Christmas...
As this is a shared video from You Tube it has a very annoying ad on the bottom, just click the X on the side to close it and you'll enjoy the video much better.
Today I dedicate the following video to anybody and everybody that ever felt that technology is taking over your conversation or quality time with the person next to you.
I am sure my husband will give faith that this is a constant issue for me, watch the following video and you'll be amazed of how common this is nowadays... I am not saying I am excluded but I do make a point of not let this happen to me when I am with people I care for.
The most amazing part of the video is that it is an actually commercial made by a telephone company and the end what is says is "use the phone appropriately"!
What do you think? Sad but true in many cases, right?
So the main message of the video to me is, for every day let's give priority to the people and the things that really matter, communication is better one on one.
I think I just added one more thing to my Christmas List (well, not that I really have one, but I guess a "virtual" one): I would like the opportunity for all to disconnect from the craziness of the world and connect with God, family, friends, nature and with ourselves.
I was tagged by Jessi at The Juici Life and although I don't do many of this lists, I decided to give this one a try.
List of Fours
1. Four shows that you watch: (I don't watch much TV but I like these shows)
~ Family Guy
~ The Simpsons
~ Bones
~ any CSI
2. Four things you are passionate about:
~ Living my life grateful to God
~ My family (including my husband and dogs) & Friends
~ Animals
~ Photography
3. Four words/phrases you say a lot:
~ Okely dokely neighbor
~ Eeeexcellent!
~ Cool!
~
4. Four things you've learned from the past:
~ Don't sweat the small things. ~The past is history, the future is a mystery so we need to live in the present
~ What goes around comes around.
~ Don't take things personally.
5. Four places you would like to go:
~ Hawaii
~ Iceland
~ Australia
~ Madagascar
6. Four things you did yesterday:
~ Had breakfast
~Made this list
~Went to the beach
~ Started a new crochet amigurumi
7. Four things you are looking forward to:
~ time off during the Holidays
~ New Year's Party at our house
~ More sales at work
~ Not gaining much weight during the Holidays!
It's already Friday Dec. 10th so if by now, the lights, decorated trees, ornaments, the smells and even the music are not helping you get into Christmas Spirit, I am sure this wonderful song will do the trick.
Isn't it amazing how people can make such great videos? I wish I had the imagination to come up with stuff like that and get about a million hits on you tube.
In case anybody noticed I changed a little widget (I think that's what it's called) on my blog that says "your comments feed my blog". Well, after I changed it then I started thinking that if I really want a lot of comments, maybe I should go for a stronger approach and make another widget instead, one that says "your comments feed my DOG"!!! I bet I would get a whole lot of people into the "comment spirit" that way, LOL... just kidding, my dogs have a big 'ol bag of dog food and treats right here, whether you guys comment or not!!!
Tomorrow Sat. we have a little get together at home with the girls from work and their spouses, it should be a fun little reunion, I will try to take some pictures and then share the love...
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the little video I just posted, I am sure somebody spent a lot of hours of their precious day to put it together for our enjoyment, so to them I say Thank You, I really enjoyed it!
I've been meaning to post about a little weekend project I had about 2 weekends ago.
A few months ago I bought a cheap outdoors plastic thermometer, but one day the rain or the wind knocked it down and broke the plastic part around the actual thermometer.
So, my husband that likes to take on some carpenter project made a new "holder" for the thermometer, he did a wonderful job making it new...
Then my part of the project was to paint it nicely... Finally I got around to do my part about 2 weekends ago, I think it came out alright... what do you think?
