lazy summer days

there has been plenty going on in my world as of late. bulletting everything wouldn't even begin to be enough. let's start off with the super duper fun things i can remember.

in my world, summer means this:

1)

 wine with friends. everywhere. beer with friends. everywhere. party party.

2.)

 planning future...plans. designs. events. publicities. ah, same old adventurous things that i'm in love with.

3.)

writing- and researching EVERYTHING! I have almost read an entire-library full of books this year...actually, two libraries. I'm moving in on the third library and am researching a fellowship i'd like to do. this and my upcoming book(s)- making me happy.

4.)

writing- the lists, the manuscripts, the notes. i'm writing it all and i have every facet available to me to do so. my house often looks like a school's study hall without the students and bad smell. i've discovered about myself this year that when i'm writing, i'm much more likely to do it swiftly with a pen in my hand rather than type it out. this has kept me motivated.

that and my haters.

there are so many good things going on around me that it's overwhelming to take in. i am thankful for so much all year round, but especially in the summer time. for me, a lot of reflection and friend-seeing goes on at this time of year. also, vacations and movie-watching (if you've been reading along ;) )

one of my beautiful friends is actually reading one of my books as we speak- and i am waiting to receive one of them back from a publisher. these past two years have been quite a whirlwind for me (and quite a few people around me) and it's all been for the better. i love karma and trust in God and the universe now more than ever.

more than my dreams have come true. i am so blessed.

and thankful thankful thankful.

more soon, and keep cool ;)

~the globetrotting gamine

tortilla cafe

best food ever!
see here

and here

we did all this after we hit
the eastern market!

we had porpusa's, burritos, plantains...
tamales...
drooooooool

and so much more i don't even remember!!

have you ever been??

~the globetrotting gamine

stewart's

i loved this place,
and the wait-staff was amazing!

honestly, one of the best parts
of our road trip!

~the globetrotting gamine

2012 Goals

little is better than mapping out a plan of action i think- BUT you have to accept the fact that things might not turn out exactly how you plan. so for 2012, i made the conscious decision that i will be open to whatever is thrown at me and i will rock it. thus, my goals for 2012 are not written in stone and are subject to change:

1. keep visualizing the lifestyle i'd like to lead, even though it's scaring the bejeezus out of me!
2. that one special project i'm waiting to hear back on- rock it.
3. finish writing and illustrating at least 2 more of my children's book ideas- because practice makes perfect and the time is right. (remember, you can find out all about that here)
4. travel more- duh. like you weren't waiting for that one ;)
5. minimize paper and mental! clutter
6. refine blog posts to stories, lists, menu's, photographs...pfft, like i'd ever run out of things to ramble on about anyway!
7. re-do my office. thus needing design and organizational ideas which i love!
8. buy that juicer and juice! juice, damnit!
9. be out of my comfort zone a little more, because i found that it's eye-opening.
10. keep to what my Momma taught me: "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all!"

mmm...
yeah, #10 is going to be a toughie.

hope you're 2012 is kicking ass so far,
the globetrotting gamine

something in the air...

family 2008

family 2008-n-family now- we changed quite a bit!

nothing changes but everything changes :)

no- i'm not wearing makeup. you noticed correctly.

there is something about
getting ready for the holidays
that can't be beat.

we don't feel the same way about christmas morning
the way we used to as little children
waiting for santa to magically leave you
a giftie under the tree...
or in your stocking.

now, for most of the people i've grown up with
a lot of us have our own children,
or dote on our nieces and nephews...
we live for watching their eyes light up,
and watching them squeal with delight
at a new toy that they really, really wanted...

of course, as we get older--
us without the children
have to endure hours of 'why me?' conversations
and arguments of ' why aren't you putting more on your plate?'

but in the midst of all that-
through the drama, and the card writing,
friends we love, and others we'll never see again...

through the sights of Christmas movies,
songs,
memories...

we'll always remember family.

merry christmas eve <3
do good.

ode to friends

(illustration by me! (duh) psst--that's me in the middle)

i stop and think to myself from time to time...
how much my life has changed,
and how much it hasn't.

i don't know if i am the only one who goes through this-
but for a long while now--
i have been so thankful to the universe
for the life it's given me
and the people in it.

i drew the picture above
inspired by my dearest friends
who I never even could have wished for...

that's how amazing they are.

Island Hopper Restaurant

While traveling around the great state of Massachusetts, we..well...
got hungry.

Venturing the 20 freezing steps from our hotel to the first packed restaurant we found- we flew into Island Hopper for some southeast asian cuisine to warm our tootsies.

This is what happy looks like:

i apologize for the quality of the photos. i used my ipod and there was no flash. we were also starved and cold, and extremely exhausted...

in a good way :)

nothing compares to a yummy pad-thai on a frosty night with beautiful company!

top to bottom: samosas, pad-thai, and kung pao chicken and rice.
love!

the eliot hotel

first off,

let me say that the eliot hotel in boston

is awesome like you have no idea.

this is what the room my girlfriends and i stayed in...

we learned a few things about each other when we were there:

• vegging out in front of the tv with a glass of wine is as much fun as going out for thai food
• that we can laugh and have fun...and not scare each other silly
• that i sleep with a pillow on top of my body when I am NOT with LML or my puppy.
• that one of us walks into walls
• and one of us needs to have the bed fixed at all times.
• we're clean freaks
• we like going to sleep at a reasonable hour.
• food, wine, exploring, photography? check check, check check.

i love them so <3

big love to my friends and the crew at the eliot hotel. you guys are "da bomb". hee hee

love!

i so love him

how can anyone be unhappy
with such a bundle of joy?

he is my life and i love him.

the best times

the best times are spent

with good friends

and good food

and good wine.

'nuff said <3

Veranda- you are awesome! There should be a wine and cheese sampler night...

because we probably could have stayed for much longer!

We never run out of things to talk about and

they

are

awesome!

statue of liberty

of course...

the day we go on a cruise around the statue of liberty...

it's all dreary outside.

still beautiful, though!

love me,

the globetrotting gamine

loving the monday-ness

hi :)

these past couple of months have proven (again!) to me that anything is possible. i will keep my ' i'm so happy ' sappiness to myself.

psst: if you haven't entered my summer giveaway, please click here and do so! sponsors are throwing giveaways stuffs at me for blog-land...and i need you to keep me on my toes :)
(you have until july 15th- eeps!)

july is going to be (as it's always been)

a month filled with happy events.

it's part of the reason that i love summer.

(the other part is august...yes, lame. but haha)

i am looking forward to so many things

that the space on this blog

is probably not enough...

so i will share what i can.

oh- a HUUUUUGE, GINORMOUS THANK YOUUUU

to one of my favorite people in the bloggie world,

Becks and the City...

i love her, i do...

and she's featured my tiny little children's book

on her fabulous blog here...

i wish she lived closer by <3

we have so much in common

and we'll hopefully collaborate

a book project one day ;)

thank you thank you, Becks.

Me and the pup LOOOVE you!

as soon as i get my camera back from my nephew, i will post more pictures and stories- i promise.
in the meantime, what have y'all been up to? i would love to know where you've been and what's been new <3

love me!
the globetrotting gamine

PS-

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY NEW FOLLOWERS, FOR THE FOLLOWING AND THE LOVE...

AND TO MY NEW AND UPCOMING SPONSORS- I CAN'T WAIT TIL SEPTEMBER...THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET ME ADVERTISE FOR YOU. I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR FREE MONTH TO BEGIN :)

i have discovered

this week  have discovered that:

• my to-do list should, pretty much, grow legs. it would be much easier to taunt me while it chases around my house and wherever.
• true friends are just that, and they make me happy.
• everyday should be mother's day, father's day, valentine's day. isn't there something wrong with celebrating important relationships only one day a year? i think so.
• vacations should be funded by the government and required at least once a year.
• people should really start looking at why they're miserable instead of making the happy also miserable. stop trying to get people down if your life sucks, and fix it. it's not the happy people's (or my) problem!
• there should be more hours in the day!
• there should be more time to drink wine, read, stare at flowers, take pictures, and smile.

happy monday <3
love me,
the globetrotting gamine

my squishies

if i could say anything to my 3 best friends/squishies it would be this...

Lee Ann Womack's I Hope You Dance Lyrics:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat

But always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances

But they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake

But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart

Leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out

Reconsider

Give the heavens above

More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a real and constant motion always)

I hope you dance

(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who)

I hope you dance

(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)

(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance

spiced mulled wine

excerpt taken from here:

GlühweinGlühwein is popular in German-speaking countries and the region of Alsace in France, former German Elsass. It is the traditional beverage offered and drunk during the Christmas holidays. It is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus and sugar. Fruit wines such as blueberry wine and cherry wine are rarely used instead of grape wine in Germany. Glühwein is drunk pure or "mit Schuss" (with a shot), which means there is rum or liqueur added. The French name is vin chaud (hot wine).




The oldest documented Glühwein tankard is attributed to the German nobleman and first Riesling grower of the world, Count John IV. of Katzenelnbogen around 1420. This gold-plated lockable silver tankard imitating the traditional wine woven wooden can is called Welcome.[1]



A very similar type of mulled wine is popular in the Czech Republic, particularly the mountains such as the Giant Mountains. It is called svařené víno ("boiled wine").



In Poland, grzane wino ("heated wine") is very similar to the Czech variant, especially in the southern regions. There is also a similar method for preparing mulled beer or "Grzaniec" which is popular with Belgian beers because of the sweet flavor of that particular type of beer, which uses the same spices as mulled wine and is heated.



In Serbia, kuvano vino ("boiled wine") is made of red wine, sugar, cloves, nutmeg and served with a slice of lemon or orange.



In Croatia, kuhano vino (cooked wine), is made from red wine, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and orange zest.



In Romania, it is called vin fiert ("boiled wine"), and can be made using either red or white wine, sometimes adding sugar and cinnamon.



In Bulgaria, it is called greyano vino ("heated wine"), and consists of red wine, honey and peppercorn. Sometimes apples and/or citrus fruits, such as lemon or oranges, can be added.



In Moldova, the izvar is made from red wine with black pepper and honey.



In Italy, mulled wine is typical in the northern part of the country and is called vin brulé ("burned wine").



In Latvia, it is called karstvīns ("hot wine"). When out of wine, it is prepared using grape (or currant) juice and Riga Black Balsam.


my theory? spiced wine should be available all winter long. it should be enjoyed with good friends and beautiful setting (such as the one pictured above!)

<3

love me,
the globetrotting gamine

thank god for good friends

this was us a couple of weeks ago-

i still have swollen lymphnodes.

my grandma is still in the hospital and should be going back to the rehabilitation center today.

in these past few months, having solidified who my real friends are

and always were has been the only constant.

friday was a day from hell:

no good tidings from the hospital about my grandmother...

running to pick up one nephew...

then the other...

food shopping...

cooking...

i thought that i wouldn't be up for hanging out with the girls

because of the exhaustion.

i am so so so so glad i did hang out with them- we had so much fun.

wine and our hostess' picnic-style buffet (did i spell that right?)

i quite obviously didn't take pictures-

we had way too much fun

and i can't wait to do it again...

so thank you to my friends

(and family)

for a wonderful night

(and all the other times, too <3 )

and thank you to LML

and puppy

for a wonderful weekend

despite me still popping antibiotics...

you make happy

the sometimes crazy me

to all my bloggie loves,

for your reassuring e-mails and comments

and little notes...

wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for you...

you make me dream big...

thanks

<3

love me,

the globetrotting gamine

(my menu's and misc. coming up soon)

rambling february

 my little month of love was dotted with some trials and tribulations, but it's almost over. some of my favorite highlights from this month were....

seeing friends old and new...and spending as much time as i could with them...

my friend, that i call squillian.

me and my new and mushy friend <3

and my very own mushy baby with the big nose.

and this little guy that me and my friends waved too...

this does not include meeting Meow Meow.

then i tried my hand at baking...

my sad little attempt at a cigar cake...

we've eaten at a ton of new places...

drank gallons of different wines...

other than my present care,

i love life.

today, i am attempting organizing the rest of my photos

into a HUGE photo album LML purchased for me...

i am SO excited!!

how has your month gone so far?!

Meow Meow!

a few weeks ago, we welcomed a new addition to our family! A little boy cat, I'll call him Meow Meow came to live with my sister and her little family.

He likes cheesecake and rolling around with my best friend and nephew.

He'll only eat cat food.

He always wants to get petted in the face.

And my Pup sees him as an arch-rival.

Egads!

It's sad because I really thought they would get along :)

But they are both adorable!!

Welcome, Meow Meow!

Bloggie Love & GG Featured

It feels so great to have wonderful bloggie friends! Recently, my blog has been featured on these uber-spectacular blogs...

The ladies are awesome, so promise me that you'll stop by for a visit. These women are phenomenal!

The Novelista Barista- December 28, 2010

Becks and The City- January 21, 2011

they. are. amazing. please check them out <3

blessed.

everyday, i wake up and count my blessings.
this takes me a long time-
usually i will continue counting my blessings throughout the day...

and today was no exception.

today was not the first time i learned that i have a wonderful, fun and supportive family.
today was not the first time i thanked my friends for being there.
today was not the first time i nuzzled noses with my assistant.
today was not the first time i cooked dinner, crossed things off my to-do list, did some writing,
and told LML that i love him.

i am extremely thankful for so many things
that i don't have enough fingers and toes to count them.

i am VERY thankful to my bloggie friends <3 because you all make me smile
and support me
no matter what.

i am VERY thankful to whoever it was that has purchased my books- YAY! and Thank You!

i am also thankful that i get to be snowed in this weekend with my soulmate and furry friend, with my family just a phone call (or tiny walk) away!

what fun things do you have going on this weekend?!