Monday, December 27, 2010


Our Caribbean Cruise Vacation














Arriving in our Port City of San Juan, Puerto Rico
St. Thomas
Shopping and sampling at The Rum Lady's stand
The Guys going back out after dinner
on our 1st night...Jared won $19
Gambling!
(...but he lost it the next night)

The girls on the 1st formal night...no gambling for us!
St. Maarten

Our 2nd island visit ~ was the Dutch side of St. Maarten
Audra collected shells off the beautiful white sand beach
We enjoyed the views & relaxed here at this beach side bar...
We never went over to the French side of the island.

Next stop was Antigua where The girls shopped & watched people from under umbrellas in a port area bar; while The guys caught a cab to the other side of the island & visited a bustling historic harbor.

Then onto St. Lucia where it was dark rainy & WET,
so we took a tour by cab...
Up the twisting narrow roads to the top of the hill,
we looked back down on the port area & our ship
We saw these guys getting ready for their Christmas dinner...
no, I'm NOT kidding, he wasn't Just Out Walking This Pig!

We visited the pretty bay where the original Dr. Doolittle movie was filmed

and drove through banana plantations
(St. Lucia's #1 export item)
Jared & Audra got fresh banana shakes on this sticky humid day!

EVERY Night we enjoyed an Enormous,
FUN, Dining Experience on board the ship.
Marcos, our waiter
Pavel, our asst. waiter

Arnold, our sommelier
& the lovely, Memeesha, our adoptee
These members of the ship's crew
became 'our family' for 8 wonderful nights!

Next stop ~ The Spice Islands,
& our furthest destination
The beautiful land locked capital of Grenada
is frequently likened to Portofino, Italy 
Nutmeg so fresh it is still encased in Mace!
(Louis says it looks like Darth Maal from Star Wars)
Interesting, Fresh Produce Markets in this bustling city!
We took a LONG trudge UP the mountainous City Streets
& viewed the landscape around, with it's rich volcanic soil.
A panorama of St. George, Grenada from the dock
(we mailed ourselves a postcard from here)
The truest picture I have of the color 'Caribbean Blue'
So Pretty!
(I'm not really sure this photo does it justice though)
Barbados 

the day started out sunny & hot 

eating Flying Fish Sandwiches
and Conch
Unlike this person strolling along so casually...
We had to make a run for it...
 as our day ended in a DOWNPOUR!

A Final Day At Sea ~
Christmas Day we spent sailing up the Caribbean.

No presents under the tree or stockings hanging by a chimney,
but we still had a little gift exchange
And another lovely family Dinner for our last night on the ship.

Then we made it back to
where we had started,
~ in Puerto Rico ~
We had brunch where the locals go on Sundays

in Old Town San Juan.

We walked on the amazing 16th century old blue cobblestone streets
Visited the Fort & Old City Walls
We enjoyed seeing the architecture
& interesting balconies of the old neighborhoods
until our feet just couldn't take anymore!
 
 Happy Travelers...Flying Home

Thursday, December 16, 2010

My Big Birthday Boy!
powering up this morning for another day of finals

...but for lunch he's getting SUSHI...
We LOVE our Mother-Son Sushi Dates!
Grandma Carole came to sushi too
Then it was out again to dinner with Dad & Audra for PIES! (Chicken Pot & Apple a la Mode)
Finally, we're home for presents (& hitting the books for his last exam)
I think that expression is true...
 The way to a man's heart is through his stomach!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDDY 
St. Anthony's Christmas Musical
She got the leading female role
As 'the teacher'

And performed it beautifully!
 Great Job, Audra!



Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Oh What a Day!
Crafting with the Wilson Girls all Day....Such a Joy!
 
Helping Audra get ready for her Jr. Ball
And finally, Monday night's SNO (sister's night out) but this time, we had a little 18th Bday dinner for Jared too!



Friday, December 10, 2010

December's Cookie & Gift Exchange Party
This year's DARLING, handmade invitation...created by Nola!
Gathering ingredients for my recipe experimenting to begin...
...and after 4 days of baking, I am finally happy with the results.
My packaged Salted Caramel Drizzle Pecan Bars ready for exchanging!
My recipes to swap & cookies for all the Good Things Girls to taste.
My gift exchange present.
My sweet treats to give to each Good Thing Girl.
All the LOOT I had to haul to the party...
All the gift exchange presents we had to 'fight' over...
Our evening's Hostess with the Mostess...Nola-mom!
All the LOOT I got to haul back home...
What I exchanged my packages for...
& all the cookies that were inside.
Good Times at Good Things, yet again...
Merry Christmas!