One of my perhaps quirks, which I prefer to think of as an endearing character trait is I do a lot of reflection every year end. Oh, sure, I think about New Year’s Resolutions and ways to grow mentally as a woman, but I know my limitations. I always try to bite off more than I can chew, so I try not to be too hard on myself. I know I’ll stumble and not achieve all my goals and dreams, but I do try to look back and learn a lesson or two along the path of life. Then it’s not for naught, right? Hmmm.

Anyway, I digress. Here we are in the waning days of 2011. I can’t help but look inward. Have I really changed so much from years gone by, or as the song goes, Am I the Same Girl? The more I “analyze” myself, the more surprised I am to realize I truly am the same girl in so many ways. I’ve been told I’m a “complicated” woman. Well, duh! I would hope by the time I’ve reached this age (herein referred to as “this age”) I would have added some layers to my whole being.

Food wise, I may add to or subtract some flavors from my palate of foods, but basically what I used to love to eat is even more appealing to me these days. I’m as passionate about chocolate as ever, but now Nutella has earned a place in my pantry, too. Whereas I used to love plain oatmeal for breakfast, I’ve now developed a craving for creamy Muesli loaded with cinnamon and juicy berries. See. Layers can be a good thing. And there is still nothing that would entice me to try escargots or liver. A snail is a snail is a snail, in my opinion. And liver? Seriously? Not in MY mouth.

I’m still the “little girl” that gazes at the lights on the Christmas tree and feels the magic. A small gift can send me straight to the moon as much as a large gift if it has meaning and is given from the heart. Yes, I’m still the “same girl.”

I still have the same interests that have woven their golden threads through my life – reading, writing, and cruising, to name a few. However, I was shocked the other day when I realized how my outlook on life has spilled over into what I like to read. When I was a starry-eyed teenager, Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, and Phyllis A. Whitney were three of my favorite authors. I was happiest curled up with a Gothic novel “starring” a young heroine running straight into danger. I picked up a Mary Stewart book last week. Of course, the tight, compulsive writing was there. It had to be! The difference wasn’t the book itself; it was my perception of life since I have now reached “this age.” Instead of the young woman running towards a scary attic, basement, cave, cove, forest…whatever…I wanted her to run the other way, grab her cell phone, and dial 911.

This brings me to another reflection. We are all the sum total of our experiences. My many years as a court reporter have definitely colored my outlook on life. They absolutely had to. Thus, the dark layer of reality I’ve acquired. I’ve honed in on what’s important and what really matters and learned to let the rest go. I totally “get” the fact that life is short and fragile and the need to love those you hold near and dear every single day. With that thought in mind, my wish for my family and friends is a beautiful, shiny 2012…a blank canvas ready to be painted with splashes of whatever colors you want to use. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Do you have any resolutions? Do you reflect on the year ending and think about the new one beginning?

I have so many interests that I love to pursue…reading, writing, cooking, beading (which has totally been put on a back burner), blogging and keeping up with friends, meeting friends for lunch, dinner or just great conversation, surfing the web for fun and educational purposes, traveling…well, you get the point.

Then there’s life…or survival. Working at a demanding profession (court reporting) + less free time (much, much less) = some semblance of survival.

Get the picture?

I haven’t even accounted for time “devoted” to laundry and housekeeping.

I want some play time…without having to focus on m-o-n-e-y. I am not even sure that is in the cards for me. I need a crystal ball .

How do YOU do it all and juggle the balls being thrown at you???

Okay, so I’m not a BARISTA, but I do enjoy coffee…a lot. My typical way to start the day is with a general mild to moderate wake-up morning blend.

Once I’m alert and going about my day, I reach out for more exciting flavors to tickle my taste buds. I live in South Florida and thrive on Cuban coffees. My favorite when I want something sweet is Cafe Con Leche, which is a sweet Cuban espresso mixed with milk. When I’m in a strong but sweet mood, I order a cafecito or Cafe Cubano, which is espresso brewed with sugar to be very sweet. Yummmm.

Switch the scene to my kitchen. Last year I bought a Keurig Mini to make single serve cups of coffee (I’m the ONLY coffee drinker in my home). I love this brewer for basic brews and a few flavors, such as French Vanilla, Donut House, and Caribou. HOWEVER, I’ve been itching to expand my repertoire to cappuccinos (espresso, hot milk, and steamed foam froth), lattes (espresso with steamed milk), and macchiatos (espresso stained with a bit of milk foam). Hmmm. Gotta love some of those fancy layered drinks with espresso and hot foamy milk.

Sooooooo, yesterday I purchased a Bosch brewer that was on a major sale at BB&B (think 20% off, big rebate, and other credits I had). When all is said and done, my $169.99 brewer cost me only $65. Not bad for something that is sooooo much fun and satifying my craving of the moment.

I brewed my first cup a while ago…Skinny Cappuccino. My review is: I love, love, love my Bosch for specialty coffee…and My Keurig Mini for everyday, go-to-work beverages. The best of both worlds!

Cappuccino Anyone?

Peaceful Coexistence

More Than Enough Caffeine

If you’re unfamiliar with the work of this fabulous organization,  here is a brief quote from their site.  I happen to know the women associated with this organization and cannot say enough good things about them and their love for animals!!!  They’re the best!!!

Glimmer of Life, Small Dog Rescue of South Florida

Glimmer of Life is a 501(c)(3) 100% non-profit, no-kill rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of neglected, abused, sick, and injured animals whose devastating health conditions would have caused them to be euthanized anywhere else.

Over 11,000 animals are euthanized each day in the United States. Many of which could have been saved.

Check out their web site to better acquaint yourselves with the wonderful work this organization does for small dogs!

http://www.glimmeroflife.com/

It's Officially Spring

Spring is sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where the birdies is.
The bird is on the wing.
Gee, isn’t that a funny thing.
I thought the wing was on the bird.
How absurd!

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I read this wonderful editorial review on Amazon.com by Tami Horiuchi and wanted to share it.

“Letters to Juliet succeeds in being just what it’s meant to be, a feel-good romantic comedy about love lost and love found, in which love triumphs in the face of cynicism. Inspired by the book of the same name, and filmed against the beautiful backdrop of Verona, Italy, the movie tells the story of how troubled young women seek advice from Shakespeare’s Juliet by leaving letters tacked to a wall, where they are carefully answered by Juliet’s self-appointed “secretaries.” One such note is found 50 years later by Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), a young American woman who is soon to be married and who yearns to become a writer. Her heartfelt answer to the letter serves as a catalyst for an epic romantic journey that will span continents and generations. The success of the film lies in the powerful interaction between the wistfully romantic and fully mature author of the letter, Claire (Vanessa Redgrave); the romantically idealistic Sophie; and Claire’s overly pragmatic, downright cynical grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan), who grudgingly accompanies his grandmother on what he deems an insane quest to Verona to find her long lost love, Lorenzo. The filmmakers, writers, and actors all capitalize well on the comic possibilities of the situation, and there are more than a few good chuckles to be had at the absurdity of the interactions between these three very different characters, as they experience everything from hope and longing to disappointment and unexpected fulfillment. In the end, each character grows and changes profoundly as a result of their shared journey. Sure, the events portrayed in the film are highly unrealistic, but that doesn’t change the fact that the film speaks to that innermost part of us all that, despite all logic, makes us want to believe that true love really does exist and that it just might triumph in the end. –Tami Horiuchi”

Cobb Salad

Reuben Sandwich

Amazing Cheesecake, which I did NOT eat!

Bigggggg Cookie at BIG PINK

And then after lunch a walk to the beach to appreciate the perfect blue sky and scent of the briny breeze.  I live in South Florida and haven’t even been NEAR the ocean in a long time!

A perfect beach day!

 Music has become a way for my spirit to wing its way to another day and time…and sometimes just to savor and embellish the here and now.  A song doesn’t even have to have a deep underlying meaning.  Sometimes it’s just fixing a certain time/day/era that’s meaningful in and of itself.

 One such song is It’s My Turn, sung by Diana Ross.  I love that song!  The irony is I loved the movie as well, although it has taken some hard knocks by reviewers.  Art is so subjective!  I want a DVD copy of that movie sooooo badly, but it doesn’t exist.  I don’t understand why.  It would sell at least ONE copy…to me <g>.  If anyone ever comes across a copy, please let me know.

 It’s My Turn captivated me when it was released in 1980.  I can’t even tell you why.  I went to the movies alone, it held no attachment to anything going on in my life at the time, and yet I fell in love with the character-driven movie…AND THE SONG.    That’s the beauty of music.  Did I like the movie for the music or the music because of the movie?  Who knows.  It doesn’t matter WHY.  I just know I came away from that movie enchanted for all time for some reason. 

Fast forward to 2011.  It’s My Turn, the song, is still a favorite of mine and I listen to it whenever I feel like it…just because it makes me feel good.

Do you have songs that create a mood for you or take you away to last week, last year, or another lifetime?  What songs are YOUR personal time machines?

First up is my craving for some really good Cuban food.  The best I ever had was many, many years ago in Miami at a restaurant called Bilbao.  Has anyone heard of it?  Better yet, does anyone here remember it?  I enjoyed the BEST Paella and Sangria there.  That was my first time experiencing either, and I’ll never forget how delicious they were. I can almost taste the red wine and fruit in the Sangria even now. 

What Cuban food do you like to eat the most? 

As a tribute to my passion for Cuban food (which I really should learn how to make),  here is a recipe for Sangria that sounds really yummy.

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SANGRIA