ViVA MeXIcO

In celebration of our 3rd Anniversary (and me losing one whole pound during my office Biggest Loser run!) we spent 6 days in Playa del Carmen, Mexico! It was fabulous!
We went to the same area (Cozumel & Tulum) on our Honeymoon, and loved it so much that we were excited to get back there! Plus, I got a great deal at an All-Inclusive Resort...so Jordan was ExTrA happy about that! We'd never been to an AI before, but decided that we LOVED it! We never once pulled our wallet out while we were at the resort! Meals, drinks, activities, and even tips were included in the price we had already paid! It was wonderful!

While in Mexico, we decided we would not let the humidity deter us from an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza! And, although the humidity did nearly kill us while walking around the jungle ruins, we we were so glad that we went! It was so awesome to see the cities these Nephite/Lamanite descendants built, and the detail they put into everything. We could still clearly see the ornate carvings in the stone of jaguars, eagles, skulls, etc. It was awesome...we HIGHLY recommend it to anyone going...we also HIGHLY recommend NOT going in August!

In addition to leaving the resort to go to Chichen Itza, we also left for a day to go visit Isla Mujeres...The Island of Women! It's a teeny, tiny island off the coast of Cancun and it was beautiful! The south end of the island is a National Marine Preserve, but costs $35/person for admission. So we asked the local golf cart rental salesman if there were any other options, and he steered us to a locally owned snorkeling "park." We had so much fun snorkeling around the reef, and even saw several LARGE barracudas (which wasn't so fun for me, but Jordan loved it)! I must admit that the water in this area of Mexico is a prettier aqua blue and more clear than the water's I've seen in Hawaii...and that's saying alot, since I think my heart truely lies in the Aloha State!

All in all...it was an awesome belated Anniversary celebration! I'd go back to Mexico anyday...but preferably next time, it wont be in August!

ThREe FiRstS & a SeCOnD

First FiRSt...Last night I made my first ever batch of homemade salsa! After being gone to Mexico for a week, we got home and found that we had about 12 LARGE tomatos ripe at the same time. So...I decided, "Why not?" I went to the store, bought the large black canning pot, the jars, and all other required tools and came home to attempt my first batch of "Wonderful Salsa," (www.recipezaar.com/Wonderful-Salsa-9272 ). Aside from the very painful steam burns I got on both of my hands, I think it was a success! I may even try some more when the next batch of a dozen tomatos ripen at the same time!
Second FiRSt...For my birthday my sister gave me an herb garden, and those herbs have been growing like crazy! So, a couple weeks ago, I cut a bunch of my Sweet Basil and tried my hand at homemade pesto and it too was delicious! I still need a recipe for Sage, since it's growing like mad right now and I have no idea what to do with it! So, if you know of anything, pass it along!
Third FiRSt...After coming home from Mexico we noticed Elvis limping around the house. After a couple days, he wouldn't even walk on his right front paw, and it was swollen about twice as large as his other paw. So I made an appointment with the Vet, and took him in on Thursday. Luckily, it's not broken, but he did have a large, infected cut...so to keep him from licking it all day long, he get's to wear the "LampShade!" This is the first time I've ever had a pet in one of these, and it's HiLArIoUS! He's constantly walking too close to walls or cabinets and hitting his lampshade or getting stuck in the chair legs under the table! I haven't laughed so hard in quite a while! Luckily, he's already acting and feeling tons better, so I'm sure the antibiotics and lampshade are doing their job!
Finally, the SeCOnD...I brought the bangs back! I've had bangs like this before, but it was about a year ago, and I'd grown so tired of my hair the way it is, that I had to do something! It's a definate change, but I like them! Also, they help hide my larger than life forhead...you can't complain about that!