Key West with my Bestie

and our dog...

  Last year, on Shawn's birthday, we were in Ft. Lauderdale making the decision to move down here. A year later, we are deciding on a house to buy. And to top it off, I took him to Key West!

We stopped at the beautiful Islamorada for lunch. You must check out Anne's beach and feed some Hungry Tarpon. The water is so colorful.
My hubby looks so handsome eating a Cinderella yogurt. I got cute little napkins and plates. Even brought sparkle candles for the petite cakes, but kinda forgot  about them. I blame it on the views.

  We stayed at this cute 'lil B&B on a quiet street but very close to everything. Having Bully there allowed us to walk and explore the neighborhoods. Shawn took dozes of pics of houses and their front yards to get ideas for ours.

 We were into the flora. Look! Orchids growing wild on trees!

There was oyster happy hours, marina strolling, fish feeding, wave running, and beach time.

 Big Tarpons

Shawn in volleyball Action

  The island's unofficial bird

When in Key West, you must: Scoot

Go see this buoy. Get serenaded by a gentleman at the turtle museum.

 Stop by the Western Union

 We had a blast. How will I top it next year? Perhaps, a huge partay at our own house.... I've started planning the menu this morning ;)

Bully's new glasses

 Bully's old glasses, shown here, just needed an update. He now prefers a more mature look. He's now more Brooks Brothers, less Warby Parker.

He still is not happy to be photographed. He feels his new specs have to be specially adjusted.

"See?" He says, "They just go straight into my ears."

Well, now it appears that we have to find optometry that specializes in canine head shapes.

Thanks, Bully.

We needed a little laugh lately.

Farewell, Daddy

Virgilio Miranda Reynante 1937-2012

 I wish I could be there with you and Mommy to say good-bye.

I pray that you are resting in peace.  Someday Shawn & I will visit you. We love you.
Love,
Lala

Hey girl, Take some wedding advice from Ryan Gosling

I.     Just.    HAD.    to.     post.     this.  I never post twice in a day, but I just came across this goldmine.

http://practicalryangosling.tumblr.com/

Ryan Gosling is kind one of those men on the moment. He's in a few of the movies that Shawn & I have seen in the last month. Shawn's even made him a nickname, Rysling.

This blog, Practical Ryan Gosling, is so freaking hilarious. Not only does he give sound advice, but he dishes it out the same way he acts: with the widening and shifting of his eyeballs. Bully acts using the same method. The Rysling method, we're into it.

2012 so far, in pictures

This year brings us Shawn's big birthday (I'm not mentioning which one), a home search, and new family members, hopefully. I want a small Pomeranian, an old dog I can name Geri (short for geriatric), and a long haired German Shepherd. There is also the possibility of a little Shawlani. But that's getting a lot ahead of ourselves. All the other stuff has to happen first. I like order, or at least the illusion of it.

We started off the year with brunch. New year's day = brunch in my eyes. It's the perfect start to a year, and later that night I "fixed" a nice collard greens and black eyed peas dinner for a couple friends, because that is also how you start the new year. And yes, I'm wearing pajamas as clothing. Some do it in Milan.

A couple weeks ago, Shawn saw a that these planes were going to be at the Ft. Lauderdale exectuitve airport. It was so sweet to see the five year old in him.

 

 There are times when we spend Saturdays not at the beach. Shocker, I know. Shawn wanted to go to the Farmer's market and Nursery to get inspired about landscaping. And I love Farmer's Markets! This one is so close and they have excllent edibles. And large yard props.

He's intent on building a zen garden in the backyard. Speaking of which, We saw a house today that we totally love, so your good vibes and prayers would be much appreciated, if you can spare them. Thanks!

 Last year we transitioned. This year, we're settling. We're getting to know the place we will call home for the next 30 years, so bring on the adventure, and the occasional obligatory paperwork.

Do I need Valentine's Day? Ok, yes!

 

( image from i am baker, my new favorite blog)

I've come to the realization that I don't like Valentine's Day. I kind of feel like a guy: lost, rushed, unprepared. I think the holiday is a bit impersonal. I used to like it, but having a loving hubby who takes care of me deems it a not -as-important- as-I- though -it -was kind of holiday.

But I had a second realization. This day is not about presents or dinner. It's about love, plain and simple. I remember all the reasons why I love this guy, and try to show him in every way that I can. Be it our morning coffee, a text message that says "I love you," or a romantic dinner, he needs to know that I love him and mean it.

Um, isn't that tiny heat cake amazing? Go to i am baker blog. Right now. I wish I could eat with my eyes every time I look at this blog. Did you see the hi-hat cupcakes. OMG.