The Most Beautiful and Truthful Wisdom Shared with Me

Today I was fortunate enough to receive one of the most meaningful and truthful thoughts of wisdom that I've read in a while, from a very wise and caring friend of mine. I thought I might share it with those of you who visit my blog this weekend.

Keep your thoughts positive,

because your thoughts become your words.

Keep your words positive,

because your words become your behaviors.

Keep your behaviors positive,

because your behaviors become your habits.

Keep your habits positive,

because your habits become your values.

Keep your values positive,

because your values become your destiny....

we must be in "Being good"

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

John William Waterhouse

The greatest protection is a loving heart. Protecting yourself, you protect others. Protecting others you protect yourself.

Dried Chili Peppers

This past summer I grew 6 chili pepper plants and had a wonderful yield.
Now that they're all dried out, I'm going to make crushed red peppers out of them, so needless to say, all my friend and immediate family will be receiving a jar.
Through out the summer and during harvesting time, I collected ripe chili peppers and placed them on a flat baking sheet to dry out completely.
Now that they're all dry, I'll place them in my blender and make crushed peppers. Once they're crushed I'll place them in small mason jars. For anyone who's never done this and may decide to try this in the future, be very careful of your eyes and wash your hands thoroughly each time you handle the peppers.
In the past I've found my homemade crushed peppers have been hotter than the store bought. I've also decided to make crushed habanaro peppers this past summer and they're great for adding a spicy kick to any dish you may want to make more exciting.

Alanis Morissette (Simple Together)

Alanis Morissette is one of my favorite musicians and I must say the song in this video is one of my favorites too.
I've been wanting my hubby to burn this song and a few others from Alanis. I really have to start getting on him about it, so I can have a nice little CD collection in my car. I get sooooo tired of listening to the radio all the time. It seems like they keep repeating the same ten songs over and over again, which becomes extremely annoying.
The song in this clip above is just so beautiful. Alanis's words and her music comes right from her soul. In my opinion she's one of the most talented musicians out there.

Tonight's Full Moon (The Snow Moon)

If you remember, and the night sky is clear, look up at the "Snow Moon" this evening.

Here's some interesting and fun information on November's full moon.

The "Snow Moon's" correspondences;

Nature Spirits: subterranean faeries

Herbs: verbena, betony, borage and thistle

Colors: grey and sea green

Blooms: chrysanthemum

Scents: cedar, cherry blossoms and peppermint

Stones: lapis lazuli and topaz

Trees: alder and cypress

Animals: unicorn, scorpion and jackal

Birds: owls and sparrows

Power of flow: Take root and to strengthen communication with the angels and guides who seem closest to you.

Our South Beach Vacation

(Our hotel)

Last week my family and I took our long awaited trip to Miami's historic art deco distric... South Beach. The weather was just perfect. It wasn't too hot or too cold. The humidity was also very low, so I didn't have many bad hair days during my stay...

( hotel's Veranda cafe/bar)

During the day while laying out by the pool, we would order delicious "Mojitos" from the bar displayed in the photo above. Our kids had a blast in the pool. This is where they chose to spend most of their days. I didn't mind at all, because I also enjoyed laying by the pool, sipping on cocktails. It was nice, quiet and relaxing just laying there soaking up the rays.

(Huge portrait of Coco Chanel in the hotel lobby)

On Halloween we took our children trick or treating at a pretty mall over on Coconut Grove. Needless to say they received tons of candy and had a wonderful time. Later that same evening we enjoyed an excellent meal at this ocean side restaurant in Coconut Grove. Even though I'm a strict vegan, I do make an exception to eat fresh seafood (mostly grouper and conch) and sushi while vacationing in Miami. Conch tastes so good, whether it be fritters, salad or cracked conch. I was fortunate enough to have it prepared all three ways this time. When we returned, it was so interesting sitting on the front steps of our hotel with a glass of wine, where we could admire all of the fabulous costumes as people walked by.

(Downtown Miami skyline)

One morning we all went to "Big Pink" for breakfast. They cater to both children and adults. Everyone loved the huge breakfasts they received and the atmosphere was very nice and kid friendly. "Big Pink" is a must to try if your vacationing with children in South Beach.

(Me on the promenade)

Many times after spending all day by the pool, we all walked the promenade, which is great for people watching and has easy access to the crowded beach. Vacationing in this city is so interesting and fun, because it's so international and so diverse.

(The back of our hotel)

On Saturday evening, my hubby and I hired a babysitter (she was great with the kids) so we could have a night out on the town. My daughter ended going to sleep shortly after the sitter arrived at 8:00 pm, most likely from swimming all day long. My son was the only one awake and he said they played some games that she brought.

(A View of the other hotels nearby)

My hubby and I started our night out by having a before dinner drink at "Sky Bar" at "The Shore Club." We sat in the "Bamboo Garden," which was outside. The set up couldn't have been anymore intimate and romantic, with candles lit everywhere, comfy, pretty, white sofas placed under interesting trees and gorgeous Indian lanterns hanging from many of the trees.
We then went to "The Delano" for the best sushi dinner I've ever had. All the people working there were so nice and made us feel very welcome.
After our wonderful sushi dinner at "Blue Sea" ( Which is part of "The Delano") We had some drinks at their "Rose Bar." On both of our vacations to "South Beach" we wanted to make sure to spend time at "The Rose Bar." It's so pretty with a soft rose colored hew cast over the whole bar area. The people are all beautiful too. After having a few drinks, we went down to their "Florida Room" Which we enjoyed immensely. There was a great band playing there.
Before heading out we decided to finish up with a glass of wine by "The Delano's" pool bar. This is an absolutely beautiful hotel, with it's billowing white sheers hanging from it's very high ceilings right down to the gorgeous wide plank hardwood floors. All the furniture is so chic and white. I get such a dreamy feel when studying the decor inside this pretty hotel. I am also absolutely amazed by "The Delano's" food, drinks and wonderful staff. On both of my visits, I had a very nice experience.
After leaving "The Delano," we thought we would head back to "The Shore Club," before our night ended. While on our way, we noticed these red ropes up and a bunch of people standing in a line outside of this other club. Out of curiosity we just stopped real quick to ask the bouncer, who was very pleasant to us, what this place was and he let us right in as soon as we stopped. Come to find out it was a club called "Mynt."
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE IT WAS!!!!!!! This club is full of beautiful people. It was so packed and very fun. We spent the rest of our evening at "Mynt."
Our whole night out was very outstanding! Everyone we encountered was pleasant and friendly. We ended up going back to our hotel at 3:00 am, which is late for us, but early for South Beach's night life.


(Photo of palm trees)

Needless to say, when we woke up on our last full day in South Beach, ( the kids were up and ready to play at 7:00 am), we were whooped. The last day was a rainy one during the morning hours.
We ended up driving to "Key Biscane ," and once the clouds broke
we went out to the beach.
The waves were rough, so we told the kids they could only wade in the shallow water. A few minutes after my daughter started wading in the water, she walked up to me crying, because there was this red mark on her belly hurting her. My hubby brought her to the lifeguard station to have her belly checked out. He told my hubby that she had just been stung by a jellyfish. He put a bit of vinegar on it and said luckily it was very minor. We didn't realize that the lifeguards hang purple flags on there life posts to alert beach goers that there's dangerous marine life by the shore and not to swim.
We ended up leaving and going to "Joe's Tiki Bar" for lunch, which again was fabulous. Later we headed back to spend the last part of our trip watching the kids play at the pool, while we enjoyed a few cocktails.


(Photo of the beautiful architecture in South Beach)

The next moring was a sad one as we said goodbye to South Beach as sped off to the airport to catch our flight back to chilly, New York state.
Our pets were very happy to see us. I'm still getting back into the swing of things again. After being away it takes a week or so to get back into my regular routine.