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How are you? Instead of my random blog post I compiled a super short video. What do you think? Speak soon!
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 127 Blog Posts! This is my 8th blog post of 2018. Last year I blogged 127 times, that makes 10.58 blog posts per month, almost 2 blog posts per week. HEY THAT’S NOT BAD. Considering that it is a luxury to actually have time to sleep. I even made the effort to update the look of the website and added video headers, plus some new pages. I have also opted to add a few affiliate links. I’m actually not sure if I want to continue them, we shall see. I also tried to refrain from bitching about work and being constantly exhausted all the time. My 2018 new year resolution is blog at least 3 posts per week. I have never really cared if anybody reads this silly little blog, it has been more about documenting some of the places I’ve been and the insights I’ve had. So I am always surprised that people do follow. I want to say a BIG THANK YOU! 🙂 for your continued support. Okay back to reviewing 2017...  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...  No, actually it was a good year. I spent most of it in New Mexico.  Which is a state in the USA, not the country of Mexico. Confusing, right?  We are still in the same house. Which we love very much.. This is somewhat surprising. We are still here, on the outskirts of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. I post mostly landscapes and of course food picture from here or random selfies, lol. Honestly I am so in love with the mountains and the blue sky here and of course the house. We have a nice garden and mostly this feels like heaven. So I try to keep the house tidy and minimal even though it's big 2 story with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a huge bonus room I use for an office, but I don't actually talk much about the house. The kitchen is nice, much better than what we had in the UK, but not as well thought out as the kitchen in France. But it works for us, as you may have noticed I am sharing more food picts and recipes. More Vegan Food I have posted more and more vegan recipes and cooking stuff in general this past year. Mostly because I have been home more and have the ability to cook more. I still want to remind you I am NOT a food blogger.  #MsOneCooks  (Avocado pudding.)  (Mango & Chili Nice Cream) 2017 hair I think I have taken more selfies in 2017 than all the past years combined. Remember when you wondered what I looked like? Yeah, those days are long gone. But back to my hair, it is still blonde - And yes, I’m bored with it. I considered cutting it off this year, but I think I will wait another year. It grows pretty fast though and if I do not flat iron it you can see it is really thick. Using the flat iron may make the style look better - but I hate how thin and flat it looks. :(  See? It's everywhere.  Vs Flat Ironed and styled. Travel in 2017 Travel this past year was sparse. Well, compared to other years when I'm running back and forth to NOLA, Florida or France. But I did mange a few adventures...  Another day, another hotel room... Janurary here in central New Mexico started out snowing... I am still impressed with snow. It was fun for a few days and then it was over. #Goodtimes  Snow around my yard. Jan - left the odd snow storm and headed to New York City. It was dark, cold and snowing there too. But New York is always amazing no matter what the weather is like. This trip was part busines/part fun.  In February we left the dark and flew to Iceland. This was a destination that's been on my son's bucket list for years, but I was not that excited. But guess what? I LOVED IT!  It is so friggen' awesome! And totally not what I expected. It did snow while we were there, but we still managed a night trip to see the Northern Lights. We stayed 7 days and it was not long enough. I'm sure we will return soon.  There was much more Vegan food than I expected and while the shopping is costly you can still find inexpensive gifts too. March was a short Vegas get away and April was me at home planting a garden and experimenting in the kitchen. May I had company and showed them around the area here. You can read about it here. I also started a mini food diary to share what I eat (people still ask) and what I typically purchase at the market.  This is the Isleta Resort and Casino - which my guest always want to visit.  Where I seem to spend 99% of my time..  August I began "What Are You Reading?" A quick review of my recent reads and such. Work was still very busy, but I made my mind up I was going to make time to read and relax more.  I'm an eclectic reader, so people seem interested in what I've read and my reviews. It has been nice comparing notes with fellow readers.  I'm still doing book reviews here and there. September another review and of course the hurricane hitting my home in Texas. I actually didn't talk much about it. Maybe this year I will be able to share more, it's just completely overwhelming. STILL. October was Halloween and I was supposed to go to NOLA for a right old party, but I came down with a bug and spent it in bed. #FML (But look out this year!) November I blogged about American Myths and more book reviews. We debated on going somewhere exotic for Christmas, but decided against it. After spending the holidays in Europe and other amazing places it was nice to just stay in and chill for a change. We did explore around the area, here some. Check out this short video if you want to see an ancient Native American site we hiked. I also posted more about my not so secret love of flowers and house plants this past year.  The bright side of being home more is I am able to garden. So I posted more about gardens and houseplants than ever before. It's not quite an obsession, but almost.  Rescued succulents from the "dead" tray at Home Depot. So all in all it was a great year. We didn't travel as much as usual, but that's okay too. I'm so thankful we are able to live in a nice place, with lots of natural beauty and good people.
I'm also thankful for you, taking the time to read my silly little blog. I appreciate it and the encouraging emails I get from ya'll. Thank you for your friendship and support! Do you have big plans for this year? I can't wait to see what adventures 2018 will bring! See you at the airport-  On 12/22/12 I started this silly little blog. My thought was it would be a good place to store my travel memories and also let my friends view my adventures while traveling. I never thought it would last this long or that I would have so many readers around the world. *feeling all shy and shit now. I'm pleased to report my pictures have gotten better. (Thank God!) And I feel when I do actually write the posts are better. (Maybe not a lot, but it is a work in progress.)  I have shared my wanderlusting adventures from:
The Azores Iceland Italy Scotland England France Spain USA And Mexico, the Caribbean, Switzerland and a few other cool places. Also there have been many reviews, because I do buy a lot of stuff and blurry food pictures, because I also eat a lot, lol. Also some random rants about great deals and stuff that angered me over the years. (Surprisingly you are still reading this!) Thank you for continuing to read these random posts and sending me nice messages. I am grateful for your friendship and encouragement through all this. Here's to another fun and travel filled year ahead! See you at the airport!  Happy Tuesday! Hope your having a great week. I'm not sure what I've been doing lately, but I can tell you I have been doing a lot of it...cause nothing is really getting done at home or at work, lol. Once I decided not to go anywhere for the holidays I just quit giving a fuck and things really chilled out here. #WIN I don't know about you, but I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. I love the fun, people, activities and hate the stress. Earlier today I was reading some of the older blog posts to write some sorta riveting anniversary entry, (December 22, makes 5 years!) And I really saw how much I overworked myself on the holidays. I never enjoyed them, I spent too much money, gave up all my free time, and stressed over every little detail. Why the HELL did I do this? (Do you do this too? Do we need a 12 step program? WTF?!)  One year I handmade ornaments for everyone...AND I MEAN EVERYONE! I made over 250 artistic pieces that people probably threw in a box in the back of the closet. Looking back I think I felt I was baking, cleaning, crafting, and giving so much to make it better for other people, you know? Making it a special occasion that they would remember. Which I think it did, because they started expecting me to do it every single year afterwards...#FAIL So the thought of staying up late reading and then sleeping in the next day, and having pancakes in bed, (before a Netflix marathon) sounds like the perfect Holiday celebration. Perhaps this will be the start of a new holiday tradition?!  #Shelfie (See it's a thing, I bet you thought I mispelled Selfie. *wink* Not this time!) Speaking of reading, new book reviews on Goodreads up soon, as time permits of course, those pancakes aren't going to eat themselves. I have this fantasy that I will be off work for a week and get EVERYTHING done on my list, including those 200 unfinished blog posts that are gathering dust on my lappy. But really we know I'm gonna read, watch Kodi and rest. I have a out of country trip coming up soon and OMG I'm so not ready! This is one of those trips that will require planes, trains, boats, buses, Uber, UKLetting, etc. It's so, so, so much to plan, but I am so excited!  But for today I'm not gonna worry about it all. I have other book nerd, type problems...You know that ones only one small bookcase in that photo. I have books in every room of this house. #Obsession
Me: Okay I'm gonna only buy books once a month and it's gonna be a purchase under $50! Me: *buys books at least once a week at a minimum of $40* Me: ...well shit...as I wait for today's Amazon book delivery Catch you later!  I hope your having a good week. It's craziness like always here, lol. But even so, I took the afternoon off to unwind and enjoy the thunderstorms, soon it will be ski season and snowstorms. Simple pleasures are really the best...you know? Soft, fuzzy sweaters, a big cuppa hot tea, a good book and add the delicate smell of amber candles for a prefect afternoon. Today has been relaxing and life is good. #win  Sending more Keurig Love! I think I owe you about 6-8 book reviews by now, (true story) but instead of writing them up, I'm busy reading more books and shopping on line. #MoreGoodtimes  Did you read any of these? If you follow me on Goodreads you know I've read 18 or so of my 25 books for the yearly reading challenge. I actually have read more, but I can't be bothered to update my file yet.  I really wish I had more time to read, but we do what we can, right? I also have about 5,000 road trips to write up. We have been taking advantage of the wonderful weather and exploring the desert and surrounding towns.  :D More about those adventures soon.  I so love living here. Also I have been fake baking and experimenting with new Raw Vegan dishes. Except more on that adventure very soon...  Meanwhile, I'm going to get back to reading. Catch you later ~
 Warning! Raw Food Porn ahead! LOL Are you on board for a raw August? Let’s go Raw together! The month is almost half over and it gets simpler every day to eat only raw! If you haven't started yet, that's okay too. Even just replacing one meal a day will help you. The best part of Rawgust for me, is all the great choices we have..so many fruits and veggies are in season! I have just finished the shopping today, having so much fun in the produce section of the market. Only buying fruits and veggies makes for a faster and more pleasant experience too! People complain that organic fruits and veggies are expensive, but when you are not buying other items (like cola, bread, cheese, etc.) you see that a $100USD buys so MUCH Goodness! And Speaking of Goodness...  Blueberry Love! Did you know one serving of blueberries contains almost 25% of your daily requirement of vitamin C? Vitamin C is necessary for growth and development of tissues and promotes wound healing. #WIN  Not to mention they taste great!  Breakfast bowl of bananas, caoco, coconut and blueberries! What a GREAT way to start the day! Blueberries are also high in manganese. Manganese helps the body process cholesterol and nutrients such as carbohydrates and protein. So eat your blueberries! Oh and thank goodness Cherries are in season too! 
  A few people have asked me what the hardest thing to give up was...Without a doubt it was coffee! I eat pretty good most days, usually enjoying at least one raw meal a day so going fully raw was pretty simple, except for no coffee. That's right NO COFFEE!  I do love coffee, but I dislike thinking that I could be addicted to it more. We are 13 + days into the month now and I really don't miss it all that much. (But I'm not going to lie..the beginning was tough!) But enough about coffee-- Many Veggies are also in season right now. So there is no excuse...we have HUGE selections of flavorful options to graze through, lol.  So don't forget your Greens! It seems odd that greens taste so good as raw wraps, but simple is sometimes best. I just cleaned out the leftover peppers, onions and added mushrooms/tomatoes for a killer supper wrap.  Get your greens! Spinach, kale, chard, romaine – whatever you like!  This was an amazing zucchini noodle salad with raw avocado garlic dressing!  And don't forget to eat the rainbow!  And did I mention how wonderful I feel?
OMG I have so much energy and feel so good! How about you? Are you doing the raw challenge too? I'd love to hear what you are experiencing. See you at the Farmer's Market~  Time Flies.. As I look back on this year, with the 4th of July just around the corner, I confess that 2017 has been a mild, mellow ride; I’ve celebrated wonderfully unforgettable moments but have also traveled far less than I normally do. This is a travel year for so many people, but for my family, it has been a year of healing and feathering the nest.  Adjusting to a new neighborhood in a new state...  But things are coming together, bit by bit. Life has a funny way of doling out surprises — one day is never like another. Some days I feel as though I’m resting atop a beautiful mountain and others I am sitting at its bottom, the only view uphill. Work has been changing for me, evolving and growing, which is great, but it is taking more and more of my time.  It's been a lot of late nights and early mornings. Don't misunderstand, I’m grateful and truly blessed. My family is healthy, happy and I’m doing what I love, but travel is taking a back seat. I’ve cancelled or postponed more trips than I have completed this year. But I did manage to go to Iceland and visit a couple of favorite spots so far.  Iceland was amazing!  Nature and city life existing well together. To read more about Iceland click here and here or hit the tag. Since I haven't left New Mexico much this year, most of my time has been spent learning more about the area via short day trips and weekend road trips. There are many cool parks, nature areas and events close by.  There is a lot to see and do in New Mexico!  (Shiprock)  Plus I'm tired and just wanna sleep, lol  I almost forgot... I did manage to squeeze some time out for fun in New York. Read about some of those adventures here.
I think next year will see us traveling much more and I know 2019 we will be leaving for Asia and MAJOR adventures there. #Excited So this time in New Mexico is much needed as we plan the trip and work out the details. I cannot wait to see what the next 6 months bring! See you at the airport~  “Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry.”
― Jack Kerouac Happy Birthday Jack Kerouac !  Hi, How are things? Between work and adventuring it's been a busy year so far! I have managed to write a bit of the Iceland adventure up in multiple post and answer some of the questions you have asked. Here is a list of the top blog post for February 2017 if you missed any.  Excuse my eye bags and messy hair - it's been a wild month! I'm not complaining though - I like adventure and It’s been a busy year so far, both for work and travel. The trip posts in Februarys were of course, relating to my trips to NYC and Iceland. Here are the top, most clicked post for February, encase you missed them.  (Iceland) Iceland Answers This post was mostly answering the questions people asked me most often about Iceland. "How Cold is it?" "What the hell do you eat there?" Etc. Mostly it was silly shite like that, with 31 random pictures of stuff in Iceland. What Are you Reading? Guess what this post was about? lol This post contains 7 pictures of the illustrations from the Japanese art book I was reading and a little information about the films/TV shows being filmed in my area. #OnPoint I was surprised so many people clicked it. Or gave a flip about what I was reading, although I do get asked often "off line".... Top 25 Travel Quotes Another Guess what this post was covering? LOL These are some of my favorite and most used travel quotes. I feel they convey, way better than I ever could, the joy, mystery and love traveling is for me.  Instagram Explained This was a random catch up to explain some of the craziness I have been posting on IG. Eight (8) random images and sort of an explanation. Scared of Solo Travel This was just a dumb meme/short post I wrote in January. It's popularity shows me you want more posts about solo travel, or my fears or something scary. I will endeavor to do all of the above shortly. The Week After Christmas Random post with 15 random pictures. I was wine shopping for a New Year's Eve party and bitching about the cold. #GoodTimes Thank you for taking the time to read my silly little blog. I hope you enjoyed these posts and found them helpful or at least funny!  Just wait till you see what's up next! March promises to be an amazing month!
See you at the airport~ |
AuthorJust a Woman in the World. Sometimes a lonely traveler, sometimes with the Krewe. Eating, shopping and meditating my way through life... 
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