just because... flowers

(above... flowers from the husband-o, just because.)

My super nice, and handsome husband brought these me these pretty flowers a few weeks ago. I am still enjoying what is left of them. (Sorry for the cell phone pics.)

(above... flowers from the husband-o, just because.)

This was in August of 2011, but I had forgotten the funny note, and had to post.

Love to have flowers every so often. 

Love them when it is a surprise.

Love all the colors.

Love my husband more.

Black and White Party 2012 { MLK Day }

This was the invite for our little Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

 Cruz was a huge help in getting everything set up and ready to go. I love to have a party, but he kind of gets stuck doing some of the grunt work. Thanks Love.

Our little gathering. Such a fun group... lots of laughing.

Cruz and I tried to get everything we could in a black or white serving bowl. 

 The food included: black bean soup, baked chicken with white creamy sauce, cilantro rice, strawberry spinach salad, black and white corn chips with white queso, and homemade oreos... all fabulous. 

 Everything was so yummy, and we got very full.

The table worked out perfect, I had just enough dishes for the group. The food looked pretty and tasted good too.

 Mustaches and milk. 

2012's black and white party was festive, and fancy... two of my favorite things.

Planning MLK day!

Monday is Martin Luther King day, it is also the day we usually do a BLACK & WHITE party. We usually only invite a few people over for dinner. We require them to wear black and white. We eat, we chat and play some games. This year I am thinking to do the same. I may just do a dessert bar, and not dinner... only time will tell. It is tricky since I have to work that day. :)

See ideas i am thinking about.... here.
{Don't you just love pinterest? i do.}

See 2011... here.

See 2010... here.

Christmas Memories { 2011 }

The Christmas season went so fast this year, but I loved it all the same. I love that it involves tradition, family and friends.

This year Alan's family was heading to San Diego for Christmas so we did a little Pre-Christmas party in the early part of December. My parents have continued with their tradition of giving nut-crackers for Christmas. This  year we got a adorable Santa one. 

Cruz is a HUGE fan of hot chocolate. We have at least one HOT CHOCOLATE party during the holiday season. 

A fantastic Christmas indeed. 

We had the biggest Christmas tree that I have ever had in my life.

We got our Christmas cards done, and put in the mail.

We visited with family all Christmas day, and learned that JJ really LOVES Cruz.

We had time off of work, 3 extra days was pure bliss.

We ate traditional Venezuelan food, and talked via skype to our family in Venezuela.

We played wii games, and laughed at ourselves.

We sang Christmas songs, even though we don't sing that well.

We went to Church with my parents, and heard their ward choir sing like angels.

We gave yummy treats to friends and neighbors.

We loved every second.

My highlight of Christmas was on Christmas Eve, when we were at my parents  home. At 7 pm, the neighborhood lighted Chinese lanterns for a lovely lady, a wonderful friend; who has cancer. She has been given 3-6 months to live. We (about 13 families) gathered outside her house, and then lit about a dozen of the lanterns into the air. (I guess, they do it in the movie tangled.) It is well wishes, good fortune and longevity. It was really simple, but such an overwhelming spirit of LOVE, friendship was there. It was seriously amazing. I believe it was a surprise for the family. Lots of hugs and well wishing took place. Something I hope not to ever forget.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

And for new years... we went to our neighbors house played a bunch of games, and laughed our guts out. Then toasted the new year with styrofoam cups with a little peach sparkling cider. Not fancy, but all good. Oh, and the peach flavor sparkling cider is super yummy. The sad part we didn't even take one picture.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS...

{ i am excited, and a little worried about #7. }

. . .

Oh, and did you know that the pantone color of the year is...

Tangerine Tango.

{Read more about it here.}

i love it.

(i really like the name.)

2011 goal feedback

It is day THREE of the new year. I haven't even made my new years resolutions, yet. I plan on working on it tonight. I actually take them seriously, and not so seriously at times. :)

I do think they are a good thing.
I do think if I put focus on them, I do accomplish them.
I do think they are positive.

Here is feedback on last years goals. 2011, I chose 11 things to focus on.

I would say I had a total success at: #3, #4, #7, #8, and #11.

1. Be Healthy: I did this well at points and NOT so well at others. In the end, not great.
2. Pray More: I found that when I made this a goal, it up-ed my morning prayers. YAY.
3. Be Clean: Done and done.
4. Travel More: Not only did we do a trip of a life time in EUROPE, we went to Vegas more than once, and to California too.
5. Be Nice: I think i did pretty good on this, I guess to get the truth ask my husband. LOL.
6. Listen more: I also think I became a better listener this year. I did miss out on the spirit telling me to transfer my pictures to our other hard drive, big loss there. I did however, listen to a friend and was able to surprise her with a fun gift.
7. Be Giving: I think i did do better on this. :)
8. Party More: HELLO, we for sure did this! May have caused the fail with #1. LOL.
9. Be Brave: yes, I did try some new things in 2011. Go me!!!!!
10. Read More: a little.
11. Be Happy: I really have never felt SO BLESSED!!

What a great year 2011 was. I welcome 2012, with excitement. I will be posting new 2012 resolutions this week.

How did your 2011 year go? 

Any thing you are working towards for 2012...?

 Any fantastic resolution ideas for me?