Day at the Park

Today has really been a day of running around, but after everything we always manage to put things into perspective...family time at the park!

What did you guys do on this beautiful day?

I'm Back

This morning, my husband brought to my attention that I haven't blogged in a while. It was actually quite nice of him to notice. Otherwise, I would have never known that he actually read my blog.

So in honor of him I am back!

Funny thing is that when I first opened this thing he used to always say, "I don't know why you write so much if no one ever reads that." I swear he loves to test me!

I've been gone since about April. I became pretty sick and was unable to focus on anything. Luckily it's nothing too serious and I'm feeling a lot better and now I can enjoy things a lot more....like my babies.

This picture was taken by their aunt Annie, who took them to the movies to watch Madagascar 3. I have the best children in the world.

Last week I went shopping for shoes and meanwhile I am trying on shoes, guess who I found trying on shoes as well...yep, Sani! Isn't she such a girly girl?! I love it! She loves my jewelry and every morning when I am putting on my makeup to get ready for work she asks me to put some lipstick on her too.

Speaking of work, I had to go to a workshop in Key West, which I had never been. Seems like the closer you live to places, the less you visit. I wanted to share some pictures I took. All inspired by the hubby who requested I take some scenic photos. Here is what I came up with... 

A little seagull I saw when I arrived.

Lighthouse

90 Miles to Cuba- Loved this view

Sunset from my hotel room.

Reminds me of Finding Nemo, "mine, mine, mine." LoL.

A pier.

A pier in the middle of the water. How do you get there!? ;)

A man walking the pier.

Ocean view...

Which one is your favorite?!

Well, that pretty much sums up my break away from Blogger. See you soon! :)

Love Bangles

I saw these and could not resist posting...perfect for V-Day!

It's just so cute and simple to make. You can find the link to this website here.

Love Is In The Air

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day...The day of LoVe...

I usually don't celebrate Valentine's Day because I feel like every day should be full of love with your significant other. I am truly lucky and blessed to be able to say that my spouse loves me unconditionally every single day of the year.

I want to take re-take this picture like this when we're old & gray together.

So what does Valentine's Day mean? How did it come about? Do you know the reason for the holiday? If not, then allow me to explain.

St Valentine's Day was supposedly started in the time of the Roman Empire. In Ancient Rome, the date of February 14 was a holiday to honor the Queen of Roman Goddesses and Gods, Juno. Juno was known as the Goddess of women and marriage. The next day February 15 was the first day of the Festival known as the Feast of Lupercia.

On February 14 is was said that the young boys and girls of the villages would write down the names of every girl and place these names in a jar of which each young man would have to draw a name of a girl and this particular maiden would be their partner for the duration of the festival. Sometimes these parings would last a year and end up in marriage.

These rituals under the laws of Claudius were banned as the Emperor believed that the reasons why men would now go to war were because they did not want to leave their lovers or families. As a result all marriages and engagements were canceled as a result Saint Valentine a Roman priest was said to have married these couples in secret and for this he was executed on the 14th day of February.

While St Valentine was in jail it is said that he fell in love with the jailers’ daughter. By a miracle or some say by the prayers of Valentine she gained her sight and as a last farewell in a note he was to "From Your Valentine".

Another story as to the origins of Valentine's Day was that he was a priest who was also a physician and would cure the sick. He was also said to have tried to cure the jailers blind daughter, but, was arrested and on the day of his execution he wrote a note as a final farewell saying "From your Valentine" which some say is what caused her to gain her sight.

It is also said whilst he was in jail awaiting execution that he was sent little notes and flowers from the children whom he had helped when they were sick. This also may have been one of the reasons why he sent a farewell note to the jailers’ daughter and why we send valentines.

St Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 of each year; the reason why it is celebrated on this day is because this was the day that the Patron Saint of Lovers "St Valentine" was supposedly executed on. On this day lovers all around the world mark this occasion as a day for sending poems, cards, flowers or candy, etc. They might also be a social gathering or ball to mark the occasion.

Another Interesting origin is that St Valentine was the patron Saint of Epilepsy reason was that he was supposedly a sufferer and took a keen interest in those who suffered from this affliction and also that those who suffered this disease were suffering from Valentine's sickness.

Things I Love

Just felt like sharing with you some items that I <3 ... some of these I own, other of these I wish I did ;)

AimeezArts Mosaic Stained Glass Rings

Gnome Sweet Gnome

I found these cute little gnomes just in time for Valentine's day!!

I thought they were so adorable and I just had to share them with you guys. I know Valentine's Day is a month away, but time passes by so fast that I could not help to get your creative juices flowing before Valentine's day. Make your "Valentine" a special treat.

All you need is:

• Glue
• Googly Eyes
• Pen/Marker
• Felt
• 3/4" Office Dot Sticker or paper cut into a circle
• Hershey's Kisses
• Soda Can 
• Paper Clip(s)- to create multiple at a time.

Instructions:

1. Create a 3" circle of felt by pressing the bottom of the can into the felt and cutting along the impression it leaves. Cut the circle into quarters.

2. To form the hat, run a thin line of glue along a straight edge of one felt quarter and press it to the other straight edge. Use a paper clip to hold the edges in place. When the glue is dry, remove the clip. Save the other quarters to make hats for more gnomes.

3. Glue the hat in place on the kiss, then stick or glue on the eyes. Allow the glue to dry. Use a pen or a marker to write a dot sticker and press it to the bottom of a kiss.