weekend ready

Welcome Friday, it's so nice to see you again!

Yesterday an old friend from high school arrived on the island and will be here for a few days, I am hoping I will get to spend some time with her.

Anyway, with the weekend so close I decided to share some pictures of my last weekend.

the sandtruck

Yanique socializing with 2 tourist girls

Royal Palms Beach

lonely lounge chairs... wanna come over?

Isn't Seven Mile Beach awesome?

The ocean color is always amazing and don't think I'll ever get tired of it!

In other news, today I took kitty #7 to get neutered.

Long Tail a.k.a. "LT" is being coming sporadically to feed with our other kitties, but he sometimes gets on a fight with BTK who is the leader cat of our pack... We figure we can help him by getting him fixed and perhaps that would help with the "territorial problems".

Have yourself a wonderful weekend... Stay tuned for Monday as I am starting my very next giveaway!!!

invisible cat tricks!

I other day I found this image via Pinterest and I couldn't help but laughing out loud at both the creativity some people have to come up with this stuff and of course the kitties!

My favorite? The Invisible Window installation... How about your?

I hope you found it as amusing as I did!

Have a wonderful Thursday >''<

dinner last night

Lately I've been very organized when it comes to plan dinners ahead of time as I am trying to make very conscious food choices to loose weight and make my exercise worth it.

Of course sometimes it's easier to go for a delivery pizza, but it's just not healthy, so instead I am putting a lot of effort on making our own pizza (with a store bought dough), soon I even wanna try and make my own healthy dough.

Last night dinner menu was Szechuan Chicken with White Rice, it was yummy but I specially like it because it's such a super easy recipe, so today I decided to share it (the chicken part- not the rice!)

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (I didn't have any so I used White Balsamic Vinegar!)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 3 green onions, sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

 Directions:

1. Place the chicken and cornstarch into a bag or bowl, and toss to coat. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces and garlic, stirring constantly until lightly browned. Stir in the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and water. Cover, and cook until the chicken pieces are no longer pink inside, 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the green onion, and cayenne pepper, cook uncovered for about 2 more minutes. Serve over white rice.  

the final result

Perhaps the photo doesn't really show how good it really was, but it was yummy and so fast to make...

Happy Wednesday!

Car Wash

On Saturday I was not able to take Yanique on a Submarine ride, so instead we decided to go to the Cayman Islands Humane Society Shelter and walk some of the doggies as they are all day inside those kennel and are in the need of burning a lot of energy.

But before we went to the shelter, I asked Yanique if it was o.k. that I take my car for a quick wash?... So we went to the car wash.

I've been there many times before, but for her it was the first time, so right at the entrance she asked if we could stay inside the car and go through the machine. Of all the many times I have been there, I never knew it was o.k. to "ride" the machine... but this time we did!

Have you ever been through a car wash machine before? Well, if you haven't, then you have come to the right place and if you have, perhaps you will still enjoy our ride!

After the "car wash ride" we went to the shelter, walked 3 beautiful dogs and then head off to the beach.

I am still working in getting us a ride on the Submarine, hopefully for next week!

Have a great Tuesday :)

Mug Swap

There are many things I like about blogging; expressing myself, sharing my ideas and life with the outside world, meeting new people, giveaways and specially swaps.

Even though I've never done a swap via my blog, I have participated in a few in the past.

The latest swap I took part of was also my very first Mug Swap via Syndal's Synfully Delicious blog and hosted by both Syndal's blog & On the Front Porch blog... I loved participating and the end result, my new mug was the best part!

As a swap partner this time I got a very nice girl from Chicago (Shannyn), we both exchanges a few emails to give each other ideas of what we would like.

My cup arrived just last week (a couple of day after the due date to blog about it, so this post is a bit late).

Shannyn got my a beautiful Snoopy cup and the best part of it was that she even personalized it for me, how awesome is that?!?!? I have to say I just love my new mug and will share for a long time...

So, thanks Shannyn for my wonderful cup, I will share it for many years!!!

If you would like to see the mug I sent Shannyn, make sure to visit her blog, just click here!

Have a great day!!!

call me buttercup

Sometimes I just don't have it in my to post. Lately besides lacking real topics and inspiration, work is adding to the equation, spring break tourists are flooding the streets of George Town so we have been super busy every day.

But in a way, busy means sales and time sure flies when you are having fun, right?

On a different note, I am happy to report that I am totally back on my feet after last week's illness.

I am back on my gym routine and I have to say I am still enjoy it, but it's not getting any easier, in fact now I am doing 3 classes a week and I specially happy to be doing a boxing class on Tuesdays. 

The thing about boxing is that it's a great sport and it specially makes me feel like a "power puff girl", LOL!

So from now on, just call me Buttercup! 

It's been 2 weekend since I've seen my little sister Yanique and I feel pretty bad about that. First weekend I had to work and then after being sick and off work I ended up working again on Saturday.

So, tomorrow I am planning to make it up to her and perhaps take her on a submarine ride or go snorkeling again. I also bought her a book so we can start reading together (as she requested me before) to help her improve her reading skills!

Also this weekend I am very excited about the new movie based on the books "The Hunger Games". After reading the books about a year ago, the wait is over and I am going to try to watch the movie on Sunday. Can't wait and I hope it's going to be good!

Have you read the books? If not, I highly recommend them. 

At first when I started reading the books, I found them kind of weird but then I got caught up in the story and just after a few chapter I could not put them down.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and that the weather is fabulous wherever you are!

W[less]ednesday

photo by Sunshine

getting the shot

The following photo is a very good example of "what the eye see is not necessary what the camera captures".

Sometimes people say that I have "good eye" for taking photos and although that's definitely important to get good results, it's not all that is needed.

And although I am not a profession photographer, I do like to take pictures and I get some fairly good results most of the time.

But when it comes to get excellent results all of the time, it is true that you need more than a "good eye", specially if you are using your manual mode and staying away from the "auto" mode on your camera.

When taking photos we need to learn the basic concepts of photography; lighting and exposure, composition and angles, shutter times, etc, etc, etc... All of these, plus, having a good camera will get you results.

A friend of mine that is a professional photographer once told me that it bothers him when people says to him:

"Your photos are so great, you must have a very good camera". 

And to him that is just a very rude and wrong assumption. To him it's like going for dinner to somebody's house and after the meal saying to the cook;

"Your food was excellent, you must have a very good stove!".

So, that's the point I am trying to make, the camera is important but it's only a device that will take the pictures operated by somebody, right?

The other day while browsing on Pinterest I found this very interesting "cheat sheet" that I think is very helpful for those who would like to lay off the auto setting and venturing into the manual mode (like I do!)...

But, if auto mode is still the best territory for us, we at least have to our advantage, that when we don't get the expected results, we now live in the era of the digital imaging.

Nowadays with just the touch of a button we can delete a picture, re take it or perhaps once we take it and it's not quite what we wanted we can also recur to a program to enhance or retouch it, right?

So, no matter if you use auto or manual mode for your photos, always keep in mind that what the eye sees, will never be quite the same as what the camera captures.

Have a great day and happy photos!

back from nowhere...

After 3 days of rest last week, two shots + antibiotics I have to say that I am feeling like myself again.

Today I am ready to start another busy week and I'm already looking forward to go back to the gym tomorrow Tuesday.

This weekend I worked on Saturday, but it was my own decision as I was away form 3 days and we received a lot of product during the week, while I was away we were very busy and expected Saturday to be the same, but it wasn't.

Yesterday we went to the beach for a little while, it was a very hot day but most of the time we spend it snorkeling. I took my underwater camera and got a few pictures, here are the best of the bunch.

camouflaged flounder

coral head

fish'es!

my hubby

And my favorite of the day...

Elk horn Coral

Also as of this week I am back to my old "crochet self". For a few days now I've been working on what's going to be my next blog giveaway and I am excited about that because it's coming along really nice. During the weekend I also crochet a pair of headphone pads for my husband (which you can see right here).

Since it's spring break the island is quite busy and this week should be no exception, which means, I'm striking for some good sales, have a great Monday!!!

anything but common...

Lately I've been thinking about the term "common sense" A LOT and the reason why I've decided to completely eliminate it off my life.

Why, you might ask? Well let me try to explain myself why.

According to some online sources, the term "common sense" means:

"A Sense which SHOULD be common to everyone. Usually refers to any sort of logic that should be obvious to anyone." via Urban Dictionary

"The basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way." via Cambridge Dictionary

"Sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts". via Merriam Webster dictionary

Now, when I analyze the world we live on nowadays, there's so much hate, envy and many other negative actions done by some many, that I feel this is becoming the common type of thinking by many.

When it's common for people to abuse children, animals and the environment (among others)...

In a world where being the most popular, the richest or the most powerful regardless of whom or how many you are oppressing is what's acceptable... When you turn on the t.v. and it's all about what you "need" or who you "have" to be in order to make it in life... I find it unacceptable and I definitely don't wanna be part of the "common kind of thinking", aka "common sense".

Many people claim that they have common sense. In many cases I have claimed to have it as well, but then if so many people think a certain way then that makes this kind of thinking "common", right?

So, as of today I shall not expect to understand others as I am not longer a member of the "common sense" practice but instead I am practicing a very "exclusive" kind of sense which is directly linked to be being loving, polite, friendly, helpful, caring and even empathic to others.

Makes sense, right? Just saying...

Have a great Thursday!

getting well... soon!

Tuesday has come and gone and I feel as if it was all a blur.

From Monday afternoon after I had lunch I felt my throat was bothering me, kind of itchy and harsh. By the time I got home all I wanted was some nice chicken soup, which I made and was great.

Tuesday I woke up feeling like crap, my throat on fire, my whole body aching and running a fever. So I stayed in, called in sick and slept most of the morning, got up, had some lunch, watch a movie and then off to bed again.

Today I woke up feeling even worst, so as soon as I was able to open my eyes fully, I dialed the doctors office and they told me that the only open appointment of the day was in half a hour!

Yikes! I literately jump out of bed, washed my face and drove to the doctor.

After two shots and some antibiotics, I am at home now and after a shower I decided to catch up on my blog and yours.. Feeling overall o.k. because of the two shots, I have a sick note for tomorrow so I should be back to work on Friday.

On another health note, I got the results of all my blood test done last week and according to the doctor, all is good, woo-hoo!

So, as far as my swollen eyes go, next weeks appointment should be about testing me for some food allergies, we shall see.

Happy Hump Day!!! 

this is it...

Yesterday was exactly one month since we came back from Costa Rica and with the past couple of weeks I've had at work, now I feel like it's time take yet another vacation...

But instead of taking vacation today, I am going to settle with sharing some pictures from when we visited the Pacific beach in CR where we have a property.

Ario is the name of the beach and this last visit I came to the realization that this is it for my happy place in the world.

It is such a wonderful place, filled with Almond trees that give an amazing shade, lots of sand with areas covered in shells as well as a very colorful rocks.

The three days we were there [this last time], we walked the beach many times, collecting shells, taking in the nice fresh air and just enjoying the ocean breeze.

The tides are very high or very low making the beach different in a matter of hours.

The rock formations are quite unique and you can't help but wonder what took place during their creation...

 

There are also other very unique natural structures found on the beach.

This time we found a HUGE tree trunk, I can't help but wonder how beautiful the whole tree must have been when alive.

So, yes it is a magical, beautiful place and although it's Monday and I am not there, I can still close my eyes and transport myself to all this... To my very happy place!

Have a great week, will share more pictures of my dear Ario very soon!!!

RIP week...

Last night on my way back home from watching "The Lorax" with Yanique - which was pretty good by the way- I drove by a dead black cat on the road, very close to our house.

As soon as I saw the black bulk on the road, my heart skipped fearing that it was an animal, then when I saw it was a black cat, my heart sunk thinking it could be our own Shadow.

Shadow

But Thank Goodness it wasn't.

Unfortunately, it was another black kitty that have been around our house before... He was dead.

And that's the thing about outdoor cats, there are much more vulnerable to the dangers of the roads, people and other predators. In the case of our 6 cats, I think that perhaps they don't go very far anymore as we find then hanging out around the house most of the time... where they need there's food waiting for them!

Anyway, we can't really prevent those things to happen and although I fear for their safety I also know that if God allowed us to rescue and care for them I know he is also keeping and eye on them at all times.

RIP little black kitty.

Have a great weekend!

I am woman

If you are a woman reading this today, Happy International Women's Day to you and the women in your life...

If you are a man reading this today, perhaps you should be wondering why there isn't a International Men Day? LOL... But instead of getting depressed about that, how about treating the women in your life like the queens they are, and perhaps they will give back to you in ways that would make you feel like a King?!?!?... Anyway, u get the idea.

To honor today's Women in the world here's a song that describe us in many ways...

Although the lyrics of the song express power and strength I am not sure if it applies to my lately...

It's been more than a month since the last time I crochet anything.

I guess I could say that I have some ideas of possible projects but I just feel way to exhausted when I get home to do anything of the sort.

Perhaps my next project should be a pillow so after I finish it I could go right to sleep, LOL!

Again with the tiredness I am.

It wasn't that long ago that I posted about being extremely fatigue here and it's back with a vengeance.

Although I am exercising twice a week (quite hard) the events and stress of last week at work, left me with a feeling of total fatigue, one that I have not been able to get rid of.

But besides the exhaustion part, my eyes are still swollen at times and although I already know I have a severe allergy to nickel, I know for a fact that this is not the only thing that is affecting me, so yesterday I went to the doctor.

After explaining all of my symptoms to the doctor plus how long this situation is being going on and what have I done about it, Dr. B decided that I need: a TSG, Free T4, CBC, ESR and an ANA with reflex test done.

So what are these test for? Mainly to find out how my Thyroid is working,to know if there's any possible disease developing (like Lupus) and possible infections anywhere in my body.

While we wait on those results, I am supposed to take some pills for a few weeks just to find out if there's any improvement on the eye situation.

So other than the exhaustion and my eye situation, there isn't much going on in my life at the present time. 

Oh yeah, I just remembered tonight I am planning to take Yanique to the movies to watch The Lorax- hope to be able to stay awake during the whole movie! 

Have a great day!!!

Wordless Wednesday

  

Happy Wednesday!!!

ready to reconnect

Some times when things fail the only viable option is to disconnect to then reconnect to get things back on track...

Well, that's how I've been feeling for the past couple of days, I feel like the only way to connect again with my blog is by disconnecting from it for a few days... and that's why I've been sort of MIA.

The 5th anniversary events from last week were good, the very first one at the theater was super busy, the gallery one was a success with lots of great networking and possible future sales, but not many done that night.

Saturday was our family fun day and I think everybody was having fun, specially the kids at the "Duck Pond".

Also the kids really enjoyed painting with Mr. Harvey... I think they did a fantastic job, don't you agree?

Here's the final master piece...

This week should be a bit less hectic... looking forward to some of that.

Have a great day!!!

Event-full!

One event down, two more to go... Last night was sort of mayhem but overall the event was a success.

We had plans to premier a documentary at a local movie theater and initially we had set up two showings, but it was so busy we ended up putting in another show at the very last minute and still had to send people away, crazy times!

The theater holds 180 people, so you do the math (as I am currently too tired to do it!) of how crazy it was
with 3 showings FULL HOUSE!

yesterday's 3 cruise ships out of 6 we had in port!

Well, tonight is the BIG gallery event and I hoping and expecting good sales, wish me luck! I need some good comi$$ions!

Have a great weekend!

the fine art of mustitasking

Today, tomorrow and Saturday we are having 3 events to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Shoppe and Gallery where I work.

Our "BIG" bosses will be here, to "help" but that sometimes that only really means that they will be here to put even more pressure to the whole lotta work that is going to be taking place around here... (Don't get me wrong, my bosses are nice, but they are still bosses, LOL).

So, as of today of a few days now, I have been mastering the "fine art of multitasking"...

Now, if only I could drink coffee, while sending orders, while selling art, while giving the extra mile service to customer I will be good to go...

Oh! but wait a minute, that is exactly me, every day of my life, LOL!...

I guess my "fine art" has become my "everyday art", LOL!!!

Have a great day!

Leap, jump, bounce...

February 29th comes only once every 4 years, so let's make today count for the next four...

Have a wonderful day!!!

missing but not forgotten

One of my greatest fears in life is to loose any member of my family or a friend.

When the time comes seeing them go it's going to be very hard, but I also understand we are in this life for just a while and our overall goal is to one day reach eternal rest next to God.

Now, this is a completely different story in the case of Nathan Clarke, originally from the UK but recently a resident of West Bay in Grand Cayman (the same town where we live).

Last Saturday evening, Nathan was at a local beach bar with his girlfriend and other friends, at arounf 9pm they were ready to walk home on the beach side, while saying their goodbyes to friends his girlfriend Lisa turned around and notice he was already gone... she then assumed he had already started walking so she will meet him down the beach, but then he was nowhere to be found.

So far it's been more than 48 hours and he has sort of vanished without a trace.

Friends that were with him that night, say everything happened in less than 5 minutes but nobody saw anything suspicious.

I never met Nathan personally, but he is a person just like any of us, he was also a primary school teacher (who according to his colleagues, his kids loved him), I am sure that his loved ones right now are having a very hard time thinking and missing him.

Yesterday after work I went to volunteer my time as part of the search team, unfortunately we didn't find anything.

Please keep Nathan and his family/friends in your prayers, this is got to be one of the worst nightmares for anybody, I think nobody deserves going through this and not being able to say a proper goodbye to their loved ones.