the joy of baking

Baking is something I've always enjoyed, maybe I don't do it as often as I wanted but since I was a little girl I always loved to bake, specially with my Mom.

Today's photo challenge Day 81- Something that you baked.

So from this...

To this...

I baked this cake a few months ago, just after my husband finished working for the government, we had my brother and SIL over and she named it his "freedom cake".

The recipe is from my great grandaunt and it's kind of secret as my Mom won't let me share it... I do have to say is a very, very tasty cake... So, if you come visit me, I'll make sure to bake one for you!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

E.T. phone home...

With only twenty days left on my photo challenge, I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, LOL!

It's amazing how fast 100 days go by, but if I was to take a 100 day vacation, I am sure those days would go by much, much faster!

Today's photo challenge day 80 is to post- Your favorite childhood movie.

Although there are a few movies that might fall into this category, I believe the one that deserves my number one spot is not other than;

This movie is simply unique and wonderful; full of mystery, adventure and childhood emotions.

When I first watched this movie I was only 5 years old, and although at the time it scared me a little, it also opened my eyes to a wonderful world that even now as an adult I would like to believe in.

This movie made me laugh and made me cry; the connection and friendship that Elliot (specially) and Gertie develop with E.T. is stronger that most people can ever develop with an actual human being, and that is very special!!!

If I was to ever be visited or encounter an extra terrestrial, I sure would like it to be just like E.T.

Now after writing this post I feel like watching the movie again, I might do that this weekend!!!

So, how about you? Do you have any favorite childhood movies that bring back nice memories?

Have an extra terrestrial day!!!

been there, done that...

Photo Challenge Day 79 - A ticket from somewhere you've been.

During my life I've had the opportunity to visit the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, twice. 


The last time I was there was in June last year. For today's photo challenge here's a picture of the actual ticket they give you at the entrance.

On another note, I am very sadden about the currently situation so many people in Joplin, MO are living right now. The devastation left by the latest Tornado is terrible and I can't even try to imagine what people are going through; losing family or friends, their possessions and quite possible their faith in life and God... 

May they find strength in this difficult time and God gives them hope and will to continue in this journey of life.

To all those in Joplin and any other ares affected by this terrible tragedy,

photo by Debbie Scalise

Have a blessed day!!!

i wear my sunglasses at night...

Well, today's post title is not quite true... Although today's photo challenge day 78 is about- A picture of your sunglasses.

In past years I have to admit that I always used to wear cheapo imitation kind sunglasses, you know the kind that say "polarized" but c'mon it should be more like polar-ice!!! The reason I used to wear "cheapo" ones is because I was always very sloppy on taking care of them and in a matter of a few weeks I would scratch them or worse...

Last year at the store where I work, started carrying a whole line of Maui Jim sunglasses and although I hear about them in the past and most people that own a pair swear by them, I never really own a pair, until last December. I made a commitment to take good care of them as they definitely don't fall into the cheapo category, but that are sooo worth every penny!

Now I am the proud owner of an Alana model and I have to say they are simple fabulous and I love them with both my two eyes, lol!

photo @ Maui Jim

You definitely don't know polarize until you own a pair of these puppies, they are excellent quality and there are tons of style for every taste and need... If you are in the market for a new pair of "dark shades", you might just want to give them a try, I am sure you won't be dissapointed.


Do you have any special pair of sunglasses that you love? Or maybe you don't use any at all, well you don't know what you are missing, but you will if you get some Maui Jim's!!!

So yes, I do love my sunglasses, but not enough to wear them at night!

Have a great Monday and rest of the week : )

SunDay 77

Photo Challenge Day 77- The last thing that you bought.

Since I joined a gym about 2 weeks ago, I have been doing the effort to go at least 3 times a week, so far so good! Reason why the last thing that I bought was a pair of Sport Bras to use while I exercise.

I bought a light blue and a pinkish one (not showing on the picture!). Both are 100% cotton so hopefully this ones won't give a heat rash as the old ones are.

Have a great Sunday!!!

can you read me now?

Well, let me start today's post by saying that if you are in fact reading this today and you can still come by tomorrow and read my blog, you might wanna start re-evaluating your position between sinner or saint, LOL!

I guess the "so call" Rapture for some people, it is due today, around 6pm? So my question is, if you are in Australia a few hours ahead, what time is the rapture for those people?!?!?

Not that I am trying to be rude or disrespectful to those folks out there that truly believe this is it, but it's just that I think when God decides to call you either individually or with a big mass of people, I don't think he will be setting an specific date or time to do this.

The last rapture back in 1987 (when I was 10 years old) went by smoothly for me, so smooth and in fact it took me 24 year more to realized I was so close to it...

Anyway, back to my dear old 100 Day Photo Challenge, which by the way I hope no to get interrupted at all,  even by the rapture, LOL!

Today's photo challenge is day 76- A picture of something that annoys you.

Do you like Ice Cream? I bet you do, in fact I don't think I know anybody that doesn't like ice cream at all. Maybe there's people that don't eat it because of the lactose or other reasons, but I am sure there is at least one flavor they've tried and liked.

Well, I like ice cream myself, but the only ice cream I don't like it's the one that sells out of a truck, but not because of the actual ice cream itself, but because of the fact that the ice cream truck tune is SO annoying...

Here where we live the ice cream truck guy seems to love an enjoy driving around our neighborhood for a long time with that super, mega annoying tune that gets inside the deepest, darkest corners of your brain and then it bugs you for hours ahead... THAT really annoys me.

Of course I don't have an actual photo of the truck, but I was lucky enough to find an actual video in You Tube of another ice cream truck that plays the exact same tune as the one around here, [insert sarcastic tone here] yaaaay!!!!!

So, here it is, possible one of the world's most annoying tune played over and over and over, again...

Lovely isn't it? NOT! If you play it long enough you would find that perhaps "the rapture" would be a good option, LOL!!!!

Once we were in Tropical Storm Watch, it was pretty much raining cats and dogs out there, lots of rain and it was about 5:30pm, but the Ice Cream Truck was out there, playing his tune like it was lovely summer afternoon... Makes you wonder what kind and flavor of ice cream they sell, LOL!

Any who...Have a great rapture... I mean, Saturday!

F is for Friend & Friday!

"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves"

-Edna Buchanan-

Today's photo challenge (which by the way it's already) day 75, it's about posting a picture of me and a friend. In my case I've decided to post a picture of two of my best girl friends and me!

Aracely (on the left with the green top)and Claudia (in the pink pointy ears, wearing her chef jacket).
The picture was taken back in 2004 when I was living in Tulum, Mexico. This particular night we went to this local bar where they had an "Alux" Party (Aluxes for the Mayans are some sort of elves) so you were supposed to wear pointy ears.

Anyway, going back to the girls, they are both great friends, loyal, trustworthy, fun and the kind of friends that are always there for you (even if we are miles a part).

When I left Mexico in 2005 I still stayed in touch with both of them. Five years later (last July 2010) when we went back for a holiday and I got to see them again, it was like time never passed and it was the same wonderful friendship we've always had.

Although I miss spending time with them, our friendship is one of a kind and in a way they are my Mexican sisters!!! I love them both :)

Oh, and by the way, talking about one of a kind friendships, have you seen the following video? It's a wonderful display of animal connection and friendship, enjoy!!!

Well, today is Friday and I can't wait to have a nice, relaxing weekend... Wishing you the same!

Happy Friday! : )

look what I found

When I was a little girl, I had this thing about not being able to fall sleep with the lights on. I would see monsters coming out of the shadows of the furniture. I thought something was out to get me and if the lights were on I would see this horrific monster full face, coming right at me.

So for a few months my Mom would have to turn off the light and stay with me, sitting on my bed making sure that I fall sleep and that no monsters were out to get me. I made her promise me that she will be checking on me every so often even after I had fallen sleep.

Fortunately for my Mom I never had any problem falling sleep so she basically stayed about 2 minutes and maybe return to check on me only once or twice (as I am a pretty hard sleeper)! Months went by and then I was able to fall right to sleep without the lights off and on my own.

So once I had the lights on and off figure out, them it came the fear of a monster under the bed. At the time I would literary stand by the door of my room, take enough impulse and then jump right on the bed without touching the floor at all, that way the monster had no chance on getting me by the feet!

image @ Joshua Hoffine

Then one day I made the big mistake of letting my brother convince me into watch Rosemary's Baby and by then my monster moved from under my bed to behind the shower curtain (thanks Bro, owe you one!).

So to make sense out of this post, today's photo challenge Day 73 calls for- A picture of something you found under your bed. 

Well, believe it or not there's is nothing under my bed right now (well, besides dust). A few weeks ago I actually did a massive cleanse under there and mainly what I found was the odd sock I been missing and a couple of pairs of shoes, but no monsters!!! (maybe is because of the fact that we have two ferocious dogs to protect us at night!).

So, yeah, although I am relieve to say we do not have any strange creatures under there, I'm also happy to know no mundane things either!

How about you, have you check what's under your bed lately??? You better check and make sure, LOL!

Have a great Thursday!

let's do lunch?

Today's photo challenge comes at a very appropriate time, as day 73 requires to post a picture of my lunch.

In my case, I've been on a diet for almost 3 weeks and I'm sort of using Bob Green's The Best Life Diet. I bought the book a few weeks ago, read it from beginning to end and now I am really putting lots of effort to eat healthy, eat well portion sizes, add some exercise and still enjoy life as much as possible.

So lately I've been really health conscious. I've increased the amount of fruit and vegetables I eat every day, decrease the sugar, refine carbohydrates and even joined a gym where I go use the treadmill and walk about 2 miles (1/2 an hour) at least 3 times a week, yey for me!!!!

Now, here's the picture of today's lunch...

The menu? Well, since you've asked, I got: Whole Wheat Turkey & Spinach Lasagna, Baby Carrots and Mango Avocado Quinoa Salad, yummy!!!

I guess the hardest part for me when it comes to diet, is to get home in the evenings and plan a healthy yummy meal, some times I am so tired that I don't want to cook at all so we end up getting pizza (frozen or delivery) or even cooking massive amounts of pasta...

But not anymore, I am making a HUGE effort to actually plan meals in advance and buy many, many fresh natural ingredients to have a nutritious evening meal, also I am sticking to a cutting time of 7:30pm as the last time to have my meal, as Bob says it's better to have dinner at least 2 hours before going to bed.

So, what's for lunch on your side of the world? Hope it's something good and yummy, bon appettit!

Have a great Wednesday!

my own creations

Photo Challenge Day 72- A picture of a stuffed animal.

For today's challenge I cannot go with anything else but one of my own Amigurumi creations.

Although I do not make the patterns myself, I do the crochet, the adding of the eyes, the stuffing and I give them their very own personality and style!

Here is a picture of a few of my creations.

In the case of "Ant-nee" the tiger, that pattern was made for another animal (I think a bear), so I all I did was add "my own" stripes and a personalized face to make him a tiger.

I think he came out pretty cute, uh?

In another note, I am already thinking about my next giveaway and I think it's going to be yet another one of my creations, but a new one I've never done before... I am not sure when I'm doing it, perhaps to celebrate the ending my photo challenge, we shall see!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Bling Bling Monday

Photo Challenge Day 71- A picture of your favorite piece of jewelry.

Well, in my case my favorite piece of jewelry is no other than my engagement ring.

This amazing piece of designer jewelry, is not only gorgeous, as well as the most valuable piece I own, but it also symbolizes the day my (now) husband asked me to be his wife- probably the most romantic moment in my life.

Now this ring together with my wedding band, make a couple as wonderful as we are.

Isn't my ring beautiful? My husband does have good taste (both in women and jewelry, LOL!)

Have a wonderful day!!!

it's not 50, or 60 but 70!

100 Day Photo Challenge Day 70- Something you borrowed from someone else.

The other day I went to some friends house to watch a movie and in their coffee table they had this cool book of sketches from the Cayman Islands.

Since the book looked really interesting I asked to borrow it, that way I can take my time and really look into it, this is it;

And here are some of the images from the inside.

old style Caymanian Home

Police Station

The Legislative Assembly Bldg. (which still looks pretty much the same)

A Church

Aren't those sketches pretty cool? I think so...

Now, I guess it's time for me to return the book!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday : )

something red

Photo Challenge day 69- A picture of something Red.

Well, here is it... Our very own Kool-Aid spoon, isn't it cute???

it's a little bent on the side because it had a minor encounter with heat one day, still I think it give it character!

I sure brightens our little utensil holder, right? Plus also using the "color accent" mode on my camera makes it look really nice.

Well, we are having some minor internet difficulties at home, but I am not it ain't nothing that my husband can't fix... So I am going to leave this post short and sweet!!!

Happy Saturday to all!!!

lucky to be here

The way I see it, Friday the 13th is a lucky day and not the contrary, I have many reasons to believe this, and with blogger being down today, I can proved it. 

Today's post is lucky to have survived publishing, unfortunately I can't say the same for yesterdays :(

On today's photo blog calls for- A picture of your favorite magazine.

Well, once again with the "favorites"... Why is it that on this photo challenge, everything has to be favorite, is it that difficult going on in life loving everything and equally. You know, like a grandmother that has many grandsons (granddaughters) and she loves ALL the same?

I guess if I have to choose a favorite magazine, my top 3 would be:

How about you? Any favorite magazines out there???

Well, hopefully yesterday's post will come back again... miss it already! LOL

Monday is a Holiday here on the islands, so I am sure to have a wonderful 3 day weekend, can't wait!!!

Have a great one!

field of dreams

Day 67- A picture of something green.

What can be greener than nature? What can be better than a photograph that makes you wanna dream; perhaps on a green field, a place where you can just lay down, forget about all your troubles and dream all the dreams possible.

Well, today I would like to share a image that kind of makes me feel that way, it's green and it's almost like a field of dreams.

Maybe I've already post this image here, maybe not, but it's definitely one of my favorite images, specially because this was just taken in my back yard.

It might appear as a beautiful field with amazing flowers, but it's really nothing but grass and weeds... although one can always dream, right?

Have a dreamy day!!!!

In my room

Photo Challenge Day 66- A picture in your room.

Took this picture in the morning, right after my dog Sheba woke me up with her barking right outside my bedroom window... Of course now she is acting like a "little angel"!

Happy Hump Day!!!!

BFF

Photo Challenge Day 65- A picture of you and your best friend.

A person can only hope that in life, when finding love, happiness and specially friendship; it comes wrapped as a husband or a wife.

In my case and at this point in my life it would be impossible to call anybody else my best friend.

Yes I have other friends who are great friends, but the person that knows me best, share daily life with me and gives me most of what my heart desires, its my wonderful husband.

Here's a little poem I wrote today for him:

Through Ups and Downs

happy or sad

having you in life

makes it all worth while

To most life questions

Love is the answer

Friendship the meaning

to daily coexistance

So as long as you are here

my days are full

nights restful 

and my heart grateful

Met you looking for love

found even more

because as a friend

you rock!!!

Have a great day!!!

where reality and fantasy meet

Photo Challenge Day 64- A picture of your favorite childhood book.

In my case, this book is definitely not other than "Cuentos de mi Tia Panchita" (original name in spanish), that translated to English would be "Stories from my Aunt Panchita".

I just simply love this book, it's all about fairy tales, stories from the woods, witches, magical places and situations, all very much based in Costa Rican folklore and legends, but all the stories have a moral that is definitely the best part of it.

Oh my how I used to love this book and since I started thinking about it for this challenge, now I really want to read it all over again, so if I go back home this year, I will buy it again, can't wait!

In another note, my weekend was great, as you probably read (or if not, you can still visit my Sat. post and read all about it), on Friday we went to The Wailers concert and it was fabulous. Saturday and Sunday were very low key, on Sat. I went to the bookstore and bought a book with a gift certificate that I had from my birthday!

Well, today is back to work, I hope all Mom's around the globe had a wonderful day yesterday!!!

Have a wonderful Monday and rest of the week...

Day 63

Photo Challenge of the day- A picture of a Sports Award.

It's pretty sad to think that I do not have many sports awards to be proud of.

Although back in 2007 when me and my husband used to swim 1/2 a mile in the sea (almost every day), I participated on the 1/2 mile sea swim that was held in Cayman Brac.

For this competition I won 1st place on my age category, yey!!! I don't have a picture of the actual day, but at least here is a picture of the "gold" medal won!!!

On another special note, today is Mothers Day in most places around the world (although not in my home country Costa Rica).

I want send a special greeting to all the Moms around the globe as well as our lovely Mother Earth; you all are very special, and to us (sons and daughters) you are like the sun and the water to the trees; you help us grown, make roots and keep us alive everyday!!!

I already talked on the phone with my Mom Lorena but since I cannot directly talk to my birth Mom in heaven, here's one my favorite Lenny Kravitz songs in her honor, just so she always know that I am Thinking of you, and loving you for ever!!!

Happy Mother's Day & Happy Sunday to all!!!

Satisfy my Soul

Yesterday's concert of The Wailers was simply AWESOME. I danced and sang my heart and soul away.

Also I was wearing my Bob Marley- Satisfy My Soul T-shirt and they even played that song as well as my favorite Bob song of all time "Songs of Freedom"... so they made it even more special, at least for me.

Last night event proved, that even if Mr. Marley is long gone from this physical life, his music, lyrics and believes, still live in the hearts and soul of many people. Those of us that share and understand the realities of this world, of the human nature and how well he was able to express such much of those realities through his music.

Here's a little video I took yesterday while dancing- before you watch it I have to apologize that at time it moves a lot, it was I just couldn't help to move to the awesome music!

Here are also a few more pictures of the night...

our crew at the beginning of the night

my brother and sis in law

Us with Mr. Bob in the t-shirt

I wanna jammin' with you

Satisfy my soul

Irie Mon'

at the end of the night...

In other news... Today is Day 62 of my photo challenge and it calls for- A picture of the last place to traveled to.

The last place I traveled to was back in Feb. when I went to Miami to work the Boat Show as well as the Coconut Grove Art Festival.

Well, that's all for today... Have a great day!!!

feels like yesterday

Photo Challenge Day 61- School Class Picture.

It feels like yesterday that I took this picture, but oh well, who am I trying to fool? It's already been 16 years since I graduated from high school. Although I can say that I still feel pretty young.

So, what do you think, have I changed much??? -Funny thing is that I was even wearing eyeliner in this picture and nowadays I barely wear any makeup at all... Oooh to be young, LOL!

In other news, tonight is The Wailers in concert and we are going to be there, can't wait to jam to their tunes and have a great time... Will take some picture to share!

Have a wonderful weekend :)

excited for 60

Yes, it is true, today is Day #60 of the 100 day photo challenge... now there's really less days to go than days I've posted.

Today's challenge is- A picture of something you are excited about.

Well, I am excited that tomorrow is Friday and I will have a 2 days weekend for the first time in a few weeks, the manager is back from her holiday so I don't have to cover her shifts on Saturday.

But, that's not all I am excited about, this weekend is Batabano Carnival so to kick off the celebrations tomorrow night The Wailer are going to be here in concert and we are going!!!

our ticket to the concert!

How awesome is that?

I am pretty happy and looking forward to see the one group that played with my favorite singer of all time. And although the most important member of the group Mr. Robert Nesta Marley, is physically long gone from this life, I am sure his spirit will be all around us that night!!!

So, yeah, that's what I am very excited about... Are you excited about anything special today?

Have a wonderful day!

dis & dat random

I continue to have random event with my eyes, they are swollen one day and not the following, some days it's the right eye, others the left, some times they are swollen right on the eyelashes area and others the top of my eyelid between the eyes and the eyebrows.

Well, yesterday I went to see yet another dermatologist, I feel that the whole consultation when very well, he was a nice doctor, very receptive about what I needed to say and explained my situation as best as possible.

After listening to my recall of the issues, he believes that what I have is (besides a very mild case of eczema) contact dermatitis. So, in order to find out what I am allergic to, he decided right there and then to give me a patch allergy test, which involves the placement of various chemicals onto the skin, so he taped my back with some special paper tape. I have to keep the tapes for 2 days and then on Friday I will get a reading of what could be affecting me... will share my results eventually.

In another note, today's photo challenge is day 59 and it calls for- A picture a random item that you own.

Since yesterday I wrote about how much I love animals and being that one of my many favorites is the Seahorse, today I want to share a lovely silver Seahorse figurine that my husband gave me a few year back.

Isn't it pretty? I love it... Have a wonderful day!!!

i heart animals

Photo Challenge Day 58- A picture of your favorite animal.

Now, that's easy, my favorite animals are DOGS!

Naaah... wait a minute, CATS!

Oh wait, not sure... maybe it's POLAR BEARS!

Mmhhhh, actually, maybe it's cute little LAMBS!

but, I also love COWS!

and I think CHAMELEON are pretty amazing creatures too!

Now, if I'm taking birds, then I really love WOODPECKERS (specially the ones that visits my back yard!).

Now, I also have a very special place in my heart (and skin- as a tattoo) of an amazingly beautiful animal, a SEAHORSE!

As well his somewhat relative, the unbelievably beautiful and exotic looking LEAFY SEA DRAGON...

Well, I guess that wasn't as easy as I thought... my point is I love animals and each one of them have a specially place in my heart!!!

What's your favorite animal?

Have a great day!!!

holiday, celebrate!

Day 57 on my photo challenge is- A photo of your favorite holiday.

Well, I do not have one, and that's mainly because most holidays that have lost their "mojo" a.k.a. their meaning, so I don't really a favorite one.

But if I am to choose one, I guess because of the meaning, I choose Thanksgiving, this Holiday is not really part of my Costarican culture but I just find it very important and vital in life to be able to give thanks at all times, so a day design just for that is got to be my favorite one!

As I mentioned yesterday, today is our anniversary, so tonight we are going out to celebrate. We are having dinner at a posh restaurant located at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, the name of the restaurant is "7 Prime Cuts & Sunsets", this will be another year that we celebrate doing something we've never done before... Looking forward to a romantic dinner with my amazing man!

Have a great day!!!

Day 729

Today is the 56th day of posting a photo for the photo challenge, and in today's case it requires to post- A picture of something that makes me happy.

Well, today marks the 729 day of us being married and something that makes me very happy is that tomorrow is our 2nd wedding anniversary!!!!

We got married on beautiful Saturday afternoon, May 2nd, 2009. In front of the sea (that we both love so much), in front of our family and friends, and specially in front of each other; we declared our love, commitment, respect, support and friendship; both of us together for as long as we both shall live.

Of course love and marriage is never a fairy tale. Love changes and evolves constantly, there are times were we need to add a little effort to daily living but it is always worth it, as long we are true to ourselves and each other.

So, yes, being married to a wonderful man makes me happy, he makes life much beautiful and enjoyable, our life together is great and I love him with all my heart!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!