i heart my elephant ears

No, I promise I didn't get plastic surgery on my ears to make them look like Dumbo's.

Also, don't worry because no Elephants were harmed in the making of this post....

To get my Elephant Ears I had to bug my husband for a few months, because I wanted a flower bed right in front of our downstairs window.

Yes, my Elephant Ears are a plant and now I know why "they" name it that!

I love big, luscious vegetation, specially around our yard, but unfortunately our soil is so freaking hard that we literately need a drill to make a whole.

But, I knew that creating our own raised flower bed and getting some good quality potting soil, will do the trick... And guess what? It worked.

After a few discussions (mostly because I had a vision and my husband had another), we ended up going with the better option, but don't ask who's was it, ok? At least I was the one that chose what to plant there, LOL!

So, my husband made the flower bed (and he did a fabulous job with the) and we planted the Elephant Ears on April 13th.

Now, a little over a month, this is how they look like...

Of course, if only it would rain as it's supposed to, they would be in much better shape, but they are still pretty HUGE and awesome looking.


In case you wonder how big the leaves really are, here's a pretty good comparison (I think!).

The above comparison is of my foot against the leaf. For your information- since you offered to buy me some shoes- my shoe size is 6 1/2 in American Sizing (will have to get back to my European fans about the exact size in their case).

So, yes, I don't have a huge foot, but even if I did, don't you think the leaf is pretty big anyway? I do, I do!

Oh, how I love my Elephant Ears and I am so glad we got them.

By the way, did I mentioned it is Friday? YEEEEEAH!!!!

Tonight I am going out with a group of girlfriend for a "Girls Bowling Night", it should be so much fun...

Have a HUGE, wonderful, Amazing Weekend!!!

Magical trees

Today, as I am writing this post, the Royal Poinciana Trees are in full bloom all around the island.

The bright orange colors of their flowers jump out of the scenery as if they're asking us to pay attention to them and celebrate their beauty.

They decorate the scenery as if they were little forest fires all over the foliage of the islands.

They can be found pretty  much are all over the island, our back yard included, unfortunately our two trees are too young for flowers, yet! Hopefully in the next years we will get some...

Back in March-April, it was the Yellow Birch Trees that bloom. In their case, it's like a little bit of sunshine just pours from the sky!!!

Oh My, I just love bright colors and how much they bright up the tropical scenery.

We humans are so lucky to have such an amazing planet to live in but in many cases we unfortunately fail to appreciate its beauty and importance it deserves in our life.

Today I am happy to say that I am one to notice such things and appreciate them as they should be.

I drive around this beautiful island in awe of so much beauty. Both the Royal Poincianas and the Yellow Birch tree are two of many other wonderful color vegetation that decorates my daily Caribbean life.

I feel as if living in a place like this, God gives me a gift through nature, but He also bless me with my eyes to see it, my nose to smell the perfume of the flowers and my ears to hear the birds singing in celebration of all this magic and beauty.

Do you have any magic trees or colorful nature where you live? Do you take time to slow down and smell the "roses"? Or do you just go by your day without noticing all these beautiful gifts of nature???

Have a magical day!!!

Window Shopping Wednesday

I love stickers, always have and probably always will.

When I was a kid I never wanted to stick them thinking that later on I would change my mind about were to put them.

But nowadays with the so call removable decals, it's pretty amazing the stuff that is out there and what you can do with them, specially the wall decals, I love them and I think are an affordable and funky way to decorate your place.

For example... How about giving some character to your laundry room?

source

Or this lovely enchanted forest for a very serene room...

source

I also love the kitties going up the stairs...

source

But removable decals nowadays also go beyond just wall decor, check out this funky ones!

For example, using this decal by the front door, to remind you of money, keys, credit card, phone and even your ipod!

source unknown

There's all sorts of laptop decals, for all kinds of taste and subject... like this one that I think is pretty cool.

And how about this awesome mustaches for your glasses?!?

source

 

or perhaps beer ones?

source

Aren't those so much fun? I would love to own some and use them when we have a party.

And last but not least...

Do you somethings feel somebody is watching while you are sitting on the toilet? Perhaps with this decal you will have a real reason to feel that way, LOL!

Well, that's it for my Sticker Window Shopping.

Happy Hump Day!!!

tasty tuesday

I've always being the kind of person that loves to try new foods and recipes.

I love experimenting and although the results might not be successful all the time, to me it's worth trying new things and discovering new flavors.

So, the other day while "browsing" around some blogs, I came about a new and exciting recipe of Kale Chips. Yes, you read it right, Kale Chips.

Have you ever eaten Kale before? Well, in my case I don't think I have (that I know of) until the day that I tried it this way.

So, like many other times, when in doubt, I decided to conduct my very own research, via google on all things Kale and it's properties. And that's when I came to find out all about this vegetable extraordinaire, so naturally  I couldn't help but feeling kind of tempted to try it.

I mean, when you read information like; "Kale is packed with Vitamin A, C and E", "Kale is an excellent source of fiber and calcium", "it is extremely sparse on calories and has no saturated fat"... among other wonders!

So, I decided to give the recipe a try. And Oh My! Did I fell absolutely in love with it? YES! I did.

So, here's the recipe, if you care to give it a try one day.

Kale Chips
1 bunch kale
canola or olive oil, for cooking
good-quality coarse salt

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Wash kale and dry it in a salad spinner or between tea towels. (Extra moisture will keep them from getting nice and crispy.) Cut or pull out the tough stems, tear the leaves into chip-sized pieces and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and toss with your hands to coat well; arrange in a single layer and sprinkle with salt. Roast for about 10 to 15 minutes, until crispy and starting to turn brown on the edges, but not too dark. Serve immediately or cool completely and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

If you would like to add other condiments other than salt, just think of it as potato chips that come in flavors of onion (use union powder), lime (use lime condiment), sprinkle a bit of vinegar or just like I like to do it, experiment until you find the right condiment for your taste buds.

Disclaimer: I do have to say that Kale is a pretty exotic taste, kind of earthly, but it's just delicious to my taste buds. Perhaps is because I am the kind of person that loves eggplant and hummus- just to give you and idea of what it might taste like.

Anyway, if you feel like trying something new, perhaps this might be a good option, to me it is delicious, healthy and crunchy recipe (just like I like it!). Hope you like it as well! Bon Appettit

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

tale of the weekend

I sometimes feels like Monday sneaks up on me because the weekend is way to short. The weekend feels like 4 hours and the weekdays feel like a month, ha!

I worked for a few hours on Sat. as yesterday was Father's day and we expected some good sales at the store. We did pretty good but I didn't really sell many big pieces, although sales have been pretty decent and we are on our way to hopefully reach our monthly target.

Last Thursday we went to a beautiful beach wedding ceremony. John (who got married that day to Diane) found Mark's blog a long time ago and although he has been to Grand Cayman before, this time he wanted to come back and get married here. It was the first time we both met him and his family.

John & Diane listening to his kids speech

It was very kind of him to invite us as we never met in person before and the ceremony was very small and private one, only attended by the couple's set of children (this was bride and groom second marriage and the wife has two girls and the groom too boys), John's brother & his family, Diane's sister and her best friend.

After the wedding with their kids

Best looking couple!

The afternoon was lovely, with a fantastic sunset to close to evening...

Me, putting the sun to rest for the day!

 Then we celebrated in a small reception at a local restaurant, it was a lovely night.

Dinner at Casanovas

On Sat. like I mentioned before, I worked for a few hours and then we just hang out at the house, with the dogs, which is always a good option... We watched a few movies, but nothing really good...

Well, now it's back to the reality that it is Monday and there's another week ahead of us... So, let's make the best out of it and have a great one!

happy daddy day!!!

photo found here

 "Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a Dad"

To all Fathers, Grandfathers and specially to my two amazing Dad's;

Happy Father's Day!!

Attention All!!!

I am very happy to announce that today, we have a

for the Picture Perfect Giveaway.

Randomly selected by RANDOM.ORG, it was chosen today at 7:19am (Cayman Islands Time).

Here's the winning number:

 

And the BIG WINNER is Jess from "This life is Mine", whoot, whoot!!!

I do have to say, this is pretty exciting because I've been reading Jess blog almost from the day I started blogging and I love her crazy, savvy and always entertaining life and occurrences.

Besides by following her blog I know that she just bought a house, so I think this little surprise will be very well enjoyed and used.

Now, for the big price this is what she gets:

4 already matted Cayman Islands Photos (2 underwater and 2 above), taken by yours truly!

1 Set of 8 Cayman Islands Coasters with art from a local artist- By the way, the art on one side of the coasters is the same beach that I included a photo of... Smith Cove, beautiful spot!

A few hand picked sea shells from our lovely Caribbean Sea plus a some of other little surprises!

Congrats to Jess for winning this fabulous giveaway, I hope that you like it... Now you will own a little piece of the Cayman Island, perhaps this will help so that come one day to visit us.

So, this goes to show that sometimes the lasts could be first, LOL!... As for me, I think today I will be buying some lottery in #19, what do you think?!?!?

And for those who didn't get to win today, don't worry I kind of already started planning my next giveaway and it's going to be awesome!

Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend!!!

Mirror, Mirror...

The gym I joined a few weeks ago is located at this strip mall that has lots of other stores in the same place.

Because it's a pretty busy area, for privacy, the gym has the main front windows covered with a decal that makes the windows into a one way mirror (meaning you can see your reflection from the outside but people on the inside still see outside as if it's just a window).

It is so much fun being on the treadmill and see people walk by and check out themselves on the windows.

Some I'm sure don't even realize this and can't even imagine that there's people right inside looking at them.

Most people walk by while pretty fast and although they don't really stop, they still check out themselves in the mirror, just cause it's there I guess...

Others walk by and once they've realize there's a mirror, immediately as a natural response, they start pushing in their tummy, ladies checking out their make up, if their pants fit right and some might even attempt to squeeze that one zit that is being bothering them all day.... yuck!

Trust me, while you are there sweating your ass off it's quite amusing to see this kind of stuff, even better than watching what's on the TV's; as it's usually some FOX show (NCSI, Criminal Minds or anytime of that matter) playing on one TV and CNN on the other. To me point of view, pretty depressing stuff to watch the news while you exercise...

So instead, I choose to just watch the people go by and see how they react to the "mirror, mirror on the window"....

And since we are in the topic of mirrors... What's up with those picture that people take of themselves in front of the mirror, most of the time people trying to act "all sexy"...  all I have to say is: What's up with that?!?!?  I find them stupid to say the least! LOL

Anyway, talking about pictures now...

Don't forget to sign up for my Picture Perfect Giveaway, there's still time until this evening at 12 midnight (EST)... Tomorrow I will be announcing the BIG WINNER as well as the BIG PRIZE!

Have a "picture perfect kind of a day"!!!

Now what?

The 100 Day Photo Challenge is finished... now what?

PLEASE STAND BY....

Just kidding!

I am ready to take over the world...

Because I was looking for a challenge.

Found it.

Then worked hard to make it.

Finally conquered, so this pretty much sums it all...

Today is a brand new day and I feel it's time to get back to basic and enjoy the fact that I am free, have a voice, own a computer and can type well enough to put my ideas into worlds and share them with the world...

Oh how blessed I am. Yes, I am!

And so are you for being here today and reading, Thank You for that.

Now, all I want to say to everybody out there; those being the writers or being the readers (or perhaps both at appropriate times) is;

Have a wonderful day!

I did it!

The final day of the 100 day Photo Challenge is finally here, this is been a roller coaster kinda ride, with some very nice up and popular posts and some low, not so exciting ones and all I can say is;

"It's been fun, thanks to all for sticking with me through this whole process!"

Now, for the 100th day it's all about posting my picture (again) and 15 facts about me, in no particular order.

1. I have been in the blogosphere for exactly 2 years today... and counting.

2. Animals, Trees and Plants are in my top 10 of most favorite things.

3. When I eat toast (or a sandwich on toast), I always eat the crust/sides first and then the inside which is the best part.

4. The only time I've ever ride on an ambulance is one time that I went partying with some friends. One my friends is an EMT so the only ride we had that night was the ambulance. We had a fantastic time, but I do have to say that my friend (the EMT) was on call so he wasn't drinking, he was the designated driver!

5. Back in 1998 when I backpacked around Israel and Egypt I had a really nice group of traveler friend from all parts of world (South Africa, Australia, Canada, UK, Yemen and Russia) with me. Still to the day I keep in touch with some of them.

6. One of the saddest day of my life is the day I lost my cat Tica, I still miss her every day and a part of my heart is always with her wherever she might be.

7. My favorite quote ever is "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today".

8. I've been to the lowest point in earth, being The Death Sea at an elevation of −1,391 ft below sea level, and at the highest point in my country Costa Rica, which is Cerro Chirripo with an elevation of 12,533 ft above sea level. (Next stop: Mount Everest. Yeah right!)

9. When I was a kid I used to suffer from asthma, I tried many remedies and one included eating Brazilian Peanut beetles... I know, don't ask details, LOL! But they cure me, believe it or not.

10.I love photography and what it involves to see something through the lens of a camera and be able to tell a story, make the beholder interpret what they see in their own unique way.

11. I am level 1 in Reiki, which is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.

12. When I used to live in Mexico, I worked at Yoga Retreat Resort that used to lodge many "yogis" as well as famous people, so I got to meet: Sienna Miller, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Julia Ormond among others.

13. I've had my few shares of good partying years, and I can even say that during my most "crazy"  years I've even kissed a woman (she is one of my best friends ever, so that kind of makes it worth it!)... We are still very good friends 'till the day and I am glad she's my only one!

14. I love movies and my favorite type are those based in real facts as well as a good comedy.

15. I love to blog and specially read other people's blog, learn about the way others live and how they share their lives with the readers... So I definitely plan to keep on blogging as well as reading for many more years if God allows me to!

Well, I guess with fact #15 I conclude the 100 day Photo Challenge, what an amazing experience this has been, I am so glad I decided to do it and God gave me the strength to do it all without missing a day!

Now, if you are reading this but for some reason did not visit my blog yesterday, please do not forget to sign up form my latest giveaway to celebrate my 2nd anniversary as a blogger as well as the Photo Challenge Finale.

So now, go back to yesterday's post and leave me a comment so you are up for a chance to win my wonderful giveaway... If you don't have time to do it today, don't worry, there's time until Thursday Midnight.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Picture Perfect

Photo Challenge Day 99- Something that makes you feel accomplish.

Well, obviously after 99 days of following up the 100 Day Photo Challenge and doing it as best as possible, without missing a single day, I feel quiet accomplished about that!

But, besides that, I feel very accomplished about this.

My very first post back in 2009

Today, after 580 posts (which of those, 99 are included in the 100 day Photo Challenge), my blog is turning 2 years old tomorrow... And that right there is my very big accomplishment!!!

So this celebrate both of these achievements, today I am starting my 2nd ever giveaway. 

This time I am giving away a one of a kind, personalized package that contains; photographs and momentous from the beautiful Cayman Islands among other little surprises!

Now, all you have to do to join/enter on the celebration, the main and only requirement is to be an official follower of Such Life in The Tropics.

For additional entries (meaning more chances to win the prize) you can do one or all of the following:

1. Be an "official" follower of my other blog "A Photo a Day".

2. Grab the "Such Life in the Tropics' button and place it on your blog.

3. Mention the "Picture Perfect Giveaway" on a post.

Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each one of the entries.

I will be announcing the big WINNER on Friday June 17th, so there's time to leave me a comment until Thursday June 16th at 12 midnight EST (in the USA)... And hopefully it would be YOU!!!

So, get right on it and best of luck!!!

Have a wonderful week :)

didgeriddo your nails?

Photo Challenge Day 98- Your favorite nail polish color.

I have to say I am not really into nail polish, but that doesn't mean I don't like manicures and pedicure, because I certainly do!

When it comes to painting my finger nails, I rarely do it, specially cause I don't even like to keep my nails very long.

In the case of my toe nails, I have to say I do it more often, mostly because living in the Caribbean I wear lots of open toe shoes and nail polish protects the nails from getting as dirty.

So, if I was to choose a favorite nail polish, it would definitely be any OPI brand, to me those are the best kind, excellent quality and an amazing amount of colors to choose from...  Even the names are quite fun!

If you visit their website (liked above) you will see all of their amazing collections (now even a Pirates of the Caribbean one) and colors...


One of the colors that I really like and owned (because the bottle suffered a deadly accident and now it's long gone) was the Didgeriddo Your Nails.

It's a fresh, modern and not too out there color for every day use... Hope I can get myself another bottle soon!

 

So, that would be my pick.

Now, did I mentioned that I am on day 98 already? And did I mention there is a very nice giveaway coming to celebrate not one, but two major accomplishments... I think I did, so stay tuned!

Have an awesome Sunday... I am off to the BEACH now!!!!

like a beating heart

Photo Challenge Day 97- Something heart shaped.

Once while swimming in the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea in 7 Mile Beach, I found me a heart.

Perhaps is one of the many hearts that the sea  possess and which makes so many of us fall in love with it.

Or maybe it's just a heart that the sea was giving in proof of his/her love for me?

I love the sea and everything that is part of this wonderful world, but I also know I am not the only one...

So I hold its heart for a few minutes, then gave it back but not without declaring how I love it back, hoping it will always stay near and that it might live clean and healthy for many years.

Have a wonderful Saturday!!!

on Friday I went to...

Photo Challenge Day 96- A place you went today.

Well, it is Friday,  and as every Friday, I am working.

So, it is kind of obvious that today I am going to work and that's where I went today!

(although since the weekend is starting, hopefully I will be going to other much more interesting places, Ha!)

GH Gallery in George Town, Grand Cayman

Tomorrow we have some friends arriving on the island and although they are not staying with us, we are going to meet them at the airport and hope to hang out with them for a couple of days.

Monday is a holiday on the island as "we" celebrate the Queen Birthday, so it's a 3 whole days weekend for me, yay!

Exciting stuff to say the least!

On another exciting note, if you have been reading my blog for at least a day, you would have notice that I am almost done with my 100 day photo challenge.

So on the last day of the 100 DPC, besides celebrating that, I will be also celebrating my blog's 2nd anniversary, go figure! I have to say that this was not planned at all... it was just a very amazing coincidence that I believe is very special.

And because of this, I will be celebrating with ya'll with a super duper special giveaway that I will be announcing very, very soon... I believe it's going to most special giveaway yet to take place here (although only one giveaway has ever taken place before, LOL!)....

So, stay tuned!!!

On a last note, if you like blogs, coffee and meeting new exciting bloggers, make sure to grab a cuppa of Joe and link up with Coffee Talk at For the Love of Blogs.

Now, have yourself and wonderful weekend, filled with lots of sunshine, laughter happiness and more...!!!!

hellow 95!

Photo Challenge day 95- Something Yellow.

A few months ago I walked into Vigoro nursery, which by the way is my favorite nursery on the island, and right where they usually have all their glass bases and indoor planters, in the middle of some very usual object, there I found the most unusual, funky and beautiful bowl/planter.

As soon as I set my eyes on it was love at first sight and right then and there I got it... oh, how I love my hippy bowl.

It is yellow, it is hip and it's posing on my husband's hand made yellow table!!!

Also, in the same note things yellow, I want to share a picture of yesterday's sunset after a very, very rainy day... And, it's sort of yellow too!

Now, that marks one more day off this challenge, it's kind of unreal and in many ways exciting to think that I am almost done... how cool is that?!?!?!?

Have a great Thursday : D

the power of NOW!

Photo Challenge Day 94- What you are doing right now.

Well, right about now I am lounging on the beach, I have a good book, and just finished a delicious margarita on the rocks, but not before applying enough sunscreen to manage a few more hours of sun soaking...

The view of where I am? well, funny you ask, because it's quite an o.k. view, I guess...

Jealous much? Well... sorry about that.

Now that I have your full attention, here's what I am really doing right NOW.... T Y P I N G!!!

What else would I be doing?!?!?

Well, other than dreaming about being at the beach, lounging with a delicious margarita, perhaps a book and lot of sun filled hours...

Aaaaaaahhh! And to think it's only Wednesday!

Oh well, Have a nice Hump Day : D

window view

Today is Day 93 of the 100 Day Photo Challenge and it calls for- The view from your bedroom window.

It was kinda hard to take a picture to show the actual view, so I took 3 and then paste them together to give y'all a better idea of what the view is like.

Sorry that the actual final product isn't very "professional"... did the best I could.

This is our view from 1 of my bedroom windows that faces the street.

Have a great day!!!