The Simple Things

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that put a smile on your face.

My latest favorite, Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut.... it's like Christmas in a cup.

And how can you not love the happy little life reminders on every tea bag?!

Happiness

If only it were that simple...

The Sand Man

It was such a gorgeous sunny Saturday...

So we decided to bury each other in the sand...

Then laid there and basked in the sunshine...

Getting up proved to be a little difficult...

And who can resist a sandy photo shoot!?

A morning surprise

I woke up this morning to this text message:

"Are you awake yet?

It's like 10am!

Come downstairs asap.

I have a BIG surprise for you!"

So I got up and went downstairs and found this deliciousness on the kitchen table waiting for me...

Chelsea surprised me and made my favorite treat from Kava Roots... Acai Bowl!

It was so good, what a good sister I have!

My Everything

This little girl is my everything. I love her so much. My life just wouldn't be the same without her. I wish I could smother her in hugs and kisses everyday. She's makes me so ridiculously happy. I can't wait to be with her this summer and have so many sleepovers and movie nights. Oh how I miss my Natalie girl.

A day to myself

A lazy Saturday spent at home all alone, baking cookies and watching the Travel Channel and Food Network... aaahhhh.

I could watch the Food Network and Travel Channel all day, every day... absolutely love Samantha Brown's Travel Channel, Giada Everyday Italian and Barefoot Contessa.

Now off to enjoy some homemade chocolate chip cookies...

Two Words

Coconut M&Ms....

... they will change your life.

Help Haiti

Just purchased this t-shirt here. It's only $15 (free shipping) and all proceeds go to Partners in Health, a medical organization that has been working on the ground in Haiti for 20 years providing basic health care for the most impoverished. Everyday they are fighting to save lives.

Please do what you can, every little bit helps.

Praying for glimmers of hope in Haiti...

Loving Mother Nature

Heart-Shaped Forest

This beautifully shaped forest can be found in Cantabria, Northern Spain.

Heart-Shaped Island

A beautiful heart-shaped, tree covered island can be found in Patagonia, Argentina.

Heart-Shaped Wetland

This heart-shaped wetland can be found in Guandu Nature Park in Taipei City.

Heart-Shaped Paradise

Tavarua Island is a stunning heart-shaped island paradise just off the coast of Viti Levu.

Heart-Shaped Island

This beautifully shaped island can be found just south of Zadar in Croatia, called Galesnjak.

Heart-Shaped Mangrove

Probably the most well-known heart-shaped piece of land is this incredible mangrove in New Caledonia, made famous by aerial photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand and featured on the front cover of his book, 'Earth From Above'. (I saw his exhibition while I was in New Zealand in 2007... amazing!).

Heart-Shaped Reef

Heart Reef is a naturally formed, heart-shaped collection of coral in Australia.

It's been one of 'those' days...

Today has been a difficult one for me... when it rains it pours!

But instead of dwelling on the negative and bad... I thought I'd reflect on a few things from Alaska that make me happy.

My cottage by the lake at Christmas time

Beach adventures with my beach buddy Chelsea

Four wheeling parties with the people I love

Gorgeous Alaskan sunsets

Playing on the beach with my most favorite little girl

Dip-netting for reds with my sisters across the bay in China Poot

My lovely family

Sunny Homer beach days with my beautiful nieces Natalie & Katy

Mom's pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

Smothering this girl with hugs and kisses

Lighthouse Love

My old college roommate and her family are visiting this week.

Oh how I have missed this girl!

So today we ventured over to the Windward side of the island and hiked up to beautiful Makapu'u Lighthouse.

50 First Dates has a scene filmed here.

It was a perfect day for a hike... cool and breezy.

And to top it all off, the views were absolutely incredible.

I just love lighthouses!

Everyday I have to pinch myself that I actually live here...

Seriously, how lucky am I??

February 14th, 2010

(photo credits)

I am currently accepting applications for my Valentine.

And the good news... I've decided to waive the application fee this year!

The month to celebrate LOVE

(photo credits)

Since this month is February (and I am single these days)...

I thought instead of hating Valentine's Day... I should embrace and love it.

So this month I will celebrate the LOVE that is in my life, all around me, everyday.

The secret is out... help spread the word

(photo credits)

The Cove tells the sad story of a team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers lead by Ric O'Barry, embarking on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Taiji, Japan; shining light on a dark and deadly secret...

The Cove exposes the brutal slaughter of more than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises in Taiji, Japan every year, and how their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as food in Japan and other parts of Asia, (often labeled as whale meat). The majority of the world is either not aware this is happening, or they look the other way and pretend it's not happening...

After seeing this eye opening documentary I wanted to do what I could to help end the illegal brutal killings of dolphins.... please help by doing your part:

-Rent The Cove, become educated and spread the word

-Visit the website and sign the petition, www.takepart.com/thecove

-Join and support the cause, www.facebook.com/thecove

-Text DOLPHIN to 44144