Key Largo

Our short jaunt to Key Largo was exactly that (too short) but also very relaxing. I rang in my thirties by lounging on the beach all day and then toasting with the husband as we watched the sun set. I think that's pretty much all a girl can ask for, no? We took a ton of pictures - I think we're to the point where we've been in the cold so long, the sun and warm weather had our heads spinning, "Oh look, we're wearing sandals! The ocean is so blue! I am not wearing long johns!" Sigh. I won't subject you to all of them, but here are a select few that pretty much sum up our trip...

Aside from a beautiful little beach, the hotel grounds had this great walking path that was scattered with adirondack chairs, hammocks, etc.

Whenever we go somewhere new, Brad scopes out a local diner where he can drag me to have breakfast. That man loves breakfast more than anyone I know. This particular diner was known for its pancake & waffle batter, so the picture below is Brad's answer to that. It was called "The Tower" and resulted in a large group of women pointing and laughing at us (and yes, he ate it all):

"If you like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain..."

Phew!

I think this past week was the first time I've really sat down and relaxed since Christmas. Brad and I both have birthdays right after the holidays, and for me this bday was a big one. I've officially bid adieu to my twenties...frightening, and at the same time I kind of like it. It's a strange feeling to say I am in my 30's but I kind of feel about my 20's as I do about high school. They were fine while they lasted but I can't say I am willing to go back and do it all over again!

We decided to take advantage of the milestone birthday with a last minute trip to Key Largo. We had never been there before, and I honestly don't think we can give a good review of the town even now, as we essentially just lounged on the beach all day and went to dinner at night. And it was perfect! There are many more pictures to follow, but for now I leave you with the view from my chaise on the beach...sigh...

TasteSpotting

Sometimes the creativity of the blogging world amazes me so much that I have to sit down and catch my breath. Yesterday I saw a post where someone cut up an old sweater and used it to make a lampshade (a really cute lampshade). I've seen people turn pillowcases into the cutest little dresses you can imagine. And then there are the food blogs - my God the food blogs. In the same way that I am a total sucker for good advertising, beautiful pictures of food actually make me salivate. Food blogs have really intensified my love for cooking and, let's be honest, the sense of accomplishment I feel when my dish looks remotely like the one in the picture is beyond compare (sometimes, there are victory dances).

All of this is to say that, my latest favorite site is TasteSpotting. All of those aforementioned food bloggers submit their delicious goodness to be featured with only a beautiful picture and a blurb describing what you're seeing. I am not kidding you, this is better than TV. My only warning is that this site has powers similar to those of a black hole, wherein you can look around days later and think - holy $#@*, is it Thursday?

Working on My Follow Through

People who know me in “real life” will tell you that when I get an idea in my head, I can have tunnel vision until it comes to fruition. I am stubborn. And, truth be told, when I really want something I will go to great lengths to get my way (let us all now take a moment and heave a collective sigh of sympathy for my husband).

But lately I’ve been noticing that when it comes to the really big decisions, those that require a somewhat substantial leap of faith, I hesitate. This little voice of self doubt begins to whisper ideas of inadequacy, disguised by the premise that they are actually logical thoughts, and clearly the “right” thing to do. And if I don’t listen right away those little thoughts will escalate into a resounding, “Who the hell do you think you are?”

For several months now I’ve felt like I am standing on the edge of some significant, life altering changes. I am *this* close to fulfilling dreams that have been years in the making. But here’s the thing - making those dreams come to fruition is going to require a leap of faith on my part. I’ve finally realized that I can no longer sit back and wait for things to change. To get the big results I am going to have to take a deep breath make that leap. I might fail (I might fail miserably). I might embarrass myself. I might wind up right back where I started. By saying aloud “this is what I want” I will be vulnerable. Clearly, the underlying current here is that I am afraid of failure.

So I am wondering - do any of you feel like this? Do you hesitate when it comes to those big decisions? Have any of you conquered your fears and taken a leap? I would love to know your thoughts…

{Photo via sfgirlbybay}

Baby, It's Cold Outside

These are our windows. I am no expert, but I am pretty sure windows aren't supposed to do that. Lucky for us we're being forced to pay out the nose to fix them in the spring (hooray for condo buildings with no reserves)! In the meantime I am thinking of getting myself a space heater to cuddle with.