It's Over

Is anyone else glad Christmas is finally over? I am, I can't wait for the year to be gone and done with. Our very, very green sunny Christmas down in the Caribbean was pretty good, and really relaxed... well mostly. There was still the crazy running around and cleaning, while still trying to find time to lay on the beach. I know hard life right? I can still say I missed our traditional snowy Christmas in Canada though, but no matter how far away from that we are, I think we still always have too much food.

Our pre and after Christmas activities involved mostly lounging around. We went to Tulum and had fun in the waves and the flour soft sand. The neighbors kids and all the ones we had over here made snowflakes to make our palapa seem more Christmasy, and I would have to say, when it got dark and you couldn't see the palm trees any more it felt quite snowy around here. We made Christmas cookies and had lots of treats. I was glad that I had some family here for Christmas as well it made it that much better.

As usual I'm sick after Christmas, probably from lack of sleep, too much excitement and well candy and junk.. lol but hey it tastes good, I just hope I get better soon. It probably wont be till after New years though. I also got really sore from all the volley ball I have been playing but I've taken a break and can't wait to start playing again.

My cousins left today and it's going to be a lot quieter around here. I miss them already. I'm not sure what we are planning on doing for New Years but it probably wont much because we watched Indiana Jones all night last year, which is pretty slack and now we are in Mexico. Well whatever it is I hope it's more fun than the school I'm going to have to start again.. fun fun.

MMMMM

This looks way too good




Candy Cane Bark

Prep: 25 minutes
Chill: 30 minutes





Ingredients
6 ounces chopped chocolate-flavor candy coating
3 ounces chopped milk chocolate bar
6 ounces chopped vanilla-flavor candy coating
3 ounces chopped white chocolate baking squares
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy canes

Directions
1. Line a large baking sheet with foil. In a small, heavy saucepan, melt chocolate-flavor candy coating and milk chocolate bar, stirring over low heat until smooth. Pour onto baking sheet and spread into a 10x8-inch rectangle; set aside.

2. In another small, heavy saucepan, melt vanilla-flavor candy coating and white chocolate baking squares, stirring over low heat until smooth.

3. Slowly pour white mixture over chocolate mixture on baking sheet. With a thin spatula, swirl white mixture into chocolate mixture. Shake baking sheet gently for even thickness.

4. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Chill 30 minutes or until firm. Use foil to lift candy from baking sheet; break candy into pieces. Makes 1-1/4 pounds.

To Store: Layer pieces between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days. Serve at room temperature.

Dashing through the ..Snow??

Well another week gone by in the Caribbean. I have become a kind of robot. Settling into a routine that I otherwise would avoid at all costs. Waking up at the unearthly hour of 7 and usually to the sound of a chain saw. Then helping Locklin with school and reading then a quick swim out to the reef. Then school, school and school and wait did I mention school? Bleh It's sickening. I can't say I dislike it either..strange.

My friends got here last week!!!!! YAY!!! It's nice having someone other than my family dearest or my buddy school work to hang out with. I have also been over at the restaurant a lot and know most of the waiters. I laugh every time we walk up and Rodolfo says "OMG four beautiful girls." Yesterday we got free Pina Colodas out of it lol. I think being around Spanish more often is helping, I'm slowing understanding more!

I have to say that the Christmas season has been strange. I miss the snow and the cold. Well not the cold that's in Calgary... maybe Utah lol. I can hear my snow board calling even though its far far away. I know I have said this a lot but there is just something weird about being tan in December.. even though next to my mother I’m WHITE. Listening to Christmas music is slightly depressing. There is no snow, no frosty the snowman and no need for cocoa or cider. I miss Canada, and everyone there. I will trade spots with anyone who wants to!

I am going to try to find time to watch Pirates of the Caribbean 3 this week or Pirates del Caribe If you want to say it in Spanish. But Ha I’m going to be in the Caribbean to watch it.. Okay. Well I should go. Idk what it is about sitting around and doing school work that makes me so tired but it does. I’m going to be so glad when the palapa is done next door.....

Truth

I know that all of you have read my mom's blog. Ever wanted to know the real story? Well I will tell it to you. My mom's short blog post's consists of mainly pictures and the happy story. I will give you all the dirty details, well... you know what I mean lol. Living in Mexico is even more interesting and not as dangerous as many people will tell you. Sure, its really different but I still manage to go shopping at a mall with clothes I like in it. I think part of reason for this is where we live, Playa Del Carmen. Most of this city has been built in the last five years. So much for lazy Mexicans eh? As I have learned and will be soon re-taught, they are everything BUT lazy. The last time I was here I was consistently woken up by a Mexican hammering away on our new bodega. Man If I had know how to say Get lost! or Shut Up! in Spanish I woulda said it. This time I thought I was going to get to sleep peacefully till at least 9 not 7. Well we have neighbors on one side of us and they are going to start building a palapa next week..... Will I ever again be able to rest peacefully? Between the sun, mosquitos and Mexican workers I’m starting to think not. Oh well, I guess even paradise can't be perfect.