Vieques trip Part 1

Our "Spring Break" destination this year was Vieques, Puerto Rico.  Planning for the trip began back in late July last year after a weekend spent with the Mathern's.  I think we may have actually invited ourselves along on their annual trip to the island (which we consider the Mathern's Island since they own land there). 

 Lance was the trip planning master which included booking flights, lodging, rental vehicle and excursions as well as a fabulous PowerPoint presentation showing highlights of the island.  And like a true planner, he kept all pertinent information housed in his trusty magic green folder.

 So we truly were able to just pack our bags and board the flight, knowing Lance had everything under control.  We had a 5 1/2 hr direct flight from Minneapolis to San Juan, Puerto Rico early Saturday, March 10th.  Steve was only one of us 4 who was able to sleep on the long flight while the rest of us made fun of him because we were super jealous of his mad-sleeping-skills.

 A quick 20 minute, puddle-jumper flight in the afternoon and the Mathern's island was in view.

We stayed the next week in this fabulous three bedroom Hilltop Hacienda, just outside of Isabel II, with views of the Atlantic ocean

 from the large veranda.

 This is the bedroom that Steve & I stayed in.  The windows were left open during the day to catch the ocean breeze, but we quickly learned that at night it was better to close the windows due to some barking battles some of the local dogs got into.

I loved that we could still hear and see the ocean from our room.  Saturday the 10th was pretty much a travel day for us.  We arrived in Vieques around 4:30 PM, but by the time we got our bright blue jeep and got checked in at the Hilltop, we were ready for a late supper (at Coconuts) and good night sleep.

March 11th, was our first official beach day.  After getting provisions at the grocery store, we got in about 5 hours at Orchid beach (aka Playa La Plata).  The soft sugar sand was amazing and the sound of the surf (on the Caribbean side of the island) was calm and relaxing. The mixed clouds kept us from getting very toasted, much to the disappointment of Denise & me.  Lance and Steve got in some snorkeling and spotted a stingray in between time on the sand.

Nothing beats a relaxing beach day like Bushwackers at a local restaurant in Esperanza called Bananas.  "Bushwacker down!" Our waitress, Tami from Wisconsin, was da bomb and kept treating us to extras.

Celebrating Steve

on his 29th 43rd birthday!  Steve got to indulge his sweet tooth with some homemade double chocolate brownies, Butterfingers (his favorite candy bar) & a delicious dessert at Bello's. A painted paperweight rock, compliments of Kippy, with his motorcycle gang inscribed on it and an iphone made his ibirthday complete. We all had fun spoiling our favorite "man guy" on his special day!

7 is HEAVEN

This little boy has our hearts since the second he arrived, on March 22, 2005.  His bright blue eyes, his mischievous smile & his amazing sense of humor are just some of the things that make our nephew so special.  We are constantly quoting this "ONE-GUY" in our daily lives and can't want to see him to wish him happy birthday in person in a couple weeks.

We know Abby is your "FAVORITE" and has been since you were a little toddler, just remember we all LOVE you.

Even when you show us your "ANGRY" face!

A very memorable wedding

We got to welcome a new member to our family this past weekend when Chad Carlson married our niece, Megan.  It was a beautiful wedding with a wonderful reception and fun dance.  Truly an amazing celebration.

Such a gorgeous couple and their love really shines and touches all those around them.

Proof that I should never take pictures after 2:00 AM.... blah!  Still a very memorable wedding even if we got very sleep deprived.

The 15 minute table runner

No joke.  15 minutes (maybe less) no cutting involved and only a minor amount of sewing!  My sister-chic, Lori, introduced the concept when we were visiting her house last weekend for our annual sister-weekend.  We whipped up 2 beautiful table runners in less than 30 minutes.  I couldn't wait to make one of my own.

 

The ingredients are really easy:  1/3 yard of fabric as the primary fabric (the fabric in the center) , plus 1/2 yard of a secondary/complimentary fabric (the fabric on the outside), plus 2 large buttons.  Heather helped me choose this fabric at our local Ben Franklin.  I was looking for something bright and "Spring-like".

Sew two long seems making a long rectangle and press the tube so that the primary fabric (peace sign print) is edged by the secondary fabric (purple stripe).  

Next fold the entire rectangle in half the long way with the primary fabric sandwiched in the center.  Sew each of the ends across, trim the seam and press.  This will form a triangle pocket at each end of the runner.  Next, sew a button to close each triangle pocket, press one more time and ta-da, you have created a 15 minute table runner!

 

These are the two adorable table runners created by JoyX3 (a.k.a. Lori, Heather & me) last weekend.

My peeps in our matching owl-tactic PJ's.

Our destination in less than 3 weeks is...

Vieques, Puerto Rico, which is a small island off of the main island of Puerto Rico.  We wouldn't know anything about this island if it weren't for our good friends Lance & Denise.  We went with them 4 years ago to the island of Culebra and are taking our second vacay with them to Vieques, March 11-17th.  Vacationing with L & D is like having your own travel directors combined with life long friends = Spectacular Moments.

 

This is a picture of the Villa we are renting in Vieques for the week with the beautiful views of the ocean.  I don't think we will have any random feral cats or chickens running through the place like we did when we stayed in Culebra.  I could definitely do without the giant cockroach in the shower, but it does make for a very funny story when I think back on it.  (Lance - you really do scream like a girl!)

  I found this description of the Island which really does make it sound like a slice of heaven:  "Vieques Island is surrounded with wonderful swimming beaches, glorious sunsets and rolling hills where wild horses roam. It is about 5 minutes from the main town of Isabell Segunda where there are many shops and restaurants as well as about 15 minutes from the town of Esperanza with a great boardwalk and more shops, restaurants and water sports. Pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, amazing snorkeling, beautiful sunsets, friendly locals, outstanding wildlife, fresh mangoes, coconuts, oranges, guava and an array of local fruit and vegetables, great restaurants, art galleries and museums await your arrival."

If I close my eyes and meditate for a few minutes,  I can almost smell the ocean!

Valentine Delights

The girls and I had a great time putting together some treats and goodies for Valentine's day.  Angelique really had her "craft-on" and made some little Chocolate Kiss mice for her classmates as well as custom Valentines for both Steve & me.  

Abby, Hannah and Kippy frosted and decorated heart shaped sugar cookies, which we gifted to some dear friends and their piano teacher after munching a few ourselves.

 

We had our traditional family Valentine supper with red/white/pink foods.  I even made these delicious sugared grapes for dessert.  It was super easy - just wash the grapes, then sprinkle with raspberry jello to coat and then refrigerate for 2-3 hours.  The coating made the grapes sparkle and added a real flavor punch!

Pinterest has continued to be a source of inspiration and creative outlet for me.  This adorable Valentine swag was made from colored felt (cut and sewn into hearts), felted pom-poms and some embroidery floss. 

I had so much fun making the hearts that I ended up with two swags!