A Blog Challenge: Winter Getaways!

A Blog Challenge: Winter Getaways!

Warm seas, hot sand, salty breezes. These are the things that occupy my dreams when frost coats my windshield and icy winds find cracks to blow in through my house. At such moments I can close my eyes and remember the bounce of a catamaran over the waves just off the coast of Fiji or the feel of blazing sun warming my skin as I swam the crystal clear waters of Cozumel.

With such fancies dancing through my mind, I was delighted when my friend Cailin of A White Picket Fence invited me to join her in a blog challenge featuring warm winter escapes.

I’ve not had many winter getaways in my life, but oh how I cherish the ones I’ve had!

Walking the beach in New Zealand was glorious. Flowers dotting the sand dunes charmed me no end and I loved sitting there, gazing out to sea, letting the breezes toss my hair while the waves lulled me into sleepy peace.

Cancun was a wonderful escape. Traveling on the off season I spent hours on the nearly deserted beach swimming, resting, napping, looking, walking, just soaking it all in. Here’s a video I took with my phone that will give you a little visual escape to white sand and turquoise water.

Cozumel was one of my favorites. As soon as we left the main town, life slowed down beautifully and I loved driving the back roads, discovering flower-filled neighborhoods, deserted beaches, and lusciously cool waves crashing onto craggy rocks and dazzlingly white sand.

Next month I’ll be wending my way to Fiji and Australia for a true winter getaway with dear friends. It will be my first time to Australia and I can’t wait to explore that amazing place with people I love to bits.

What is your dream place to get away to?

Be sure to stop by Cailin’s blog today for excellent tips on planning a winter escape to the Caribbean. Click here to visit.

Cozumel: A (Very) Little Winter Escape

Cozumel: A (Very) Little Winter Escape

Good morning, dear ones! After waking at 4 a.m. (UGH!) to drive home from Seattle this morning, I had high hopes of arriving in time to write you a long, newsy post. Alas, dense fog, pouring rain, and heavy traffic threw those plans right out the window. Instead as I look out my window at the aforementioned fog and pouring rain, I’m going to conjure up my own little sunny vacation with a few pics of sand, sun and water from a past trip to Cozumel. I hope they cheer your heart as much as they do mine. 🙂

How are YOU? How was your weekend? What is your favorite memory of the last two days?

Exploring the Back Streets of Cozumel

Exploring the Back Streets of Cozumel

Brrr!! It’s been cold, rainy and oh-so-blustery today. I’m huddled under three quilts with a heating pad in my lap to keep me nice and toasty as the storm rages.

On such a night it pleases me no end to go back through my photo albums, looking at pictures of warm, sunny places with dear friends. So today I’m going to do just that, and drag you along on a stroll through the back streets of Cozumel, Mexico.

As much as I love stunning monuments and historical buildings like the tower below, I am always drawn to the side streets, back alleys, and neighborhoods of the places I visit. This is where the real citizens of a place live, shop, and visit with their friends.

I explored Cozumel with my friend Amy and we stayed at the lovely Allegro Cozumel all-inclusive resort. We were both exhausted upon arrival and spent our first few days on the beach snoozing and soaking up healing sunshine. Then we were ready to explore!

We went to the main strip of Cozumel, wandering past jewelry vendors, eying the fabulous lacy white hammocks that swayed enticingly all over the island and deciding that no, we really did not need to take any back with us. Then we headed down a side street and meandered happily through town. Amy loves to look at local pharmacies and grocery stores to get a feel for a new country, and I’m a fiend for Farmer’s markets and restaurants. We found plenty to delight us both.

I was intrigued by the gates and bars guarding every home we saw. By themselves they could’ve been austere, stark, and decidedly unwelcoming, but the instead the inhabitants planted flowering vines that clambered everywhere softening hard edges and making even security look beautiful.

It was a great way to spend an afternoon. What things make you feel like you’re seeing the “real” side of a city or country?

Cozumel Escape and Plum Lemon Sangria

Cozumel Escape and Plum Lemon Sangria

As my friend Amy and I drove along the coast of Cozumel, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the tumbling turquoise waves crashing onto the white sand beaches. The sun was blazing hot, toasting us the moment we stepped out of the car, but the salty ocean breezes cooled our skin and tossed our hair and all I could do was stare in awe and wonder.

I had just been through a gutting time in my life and my heart was raw and aching. Tears filled my eyes as I tipped my head back and looked up at the palm fronds dancing against the the bright blue sky, felt the hot sand cover my feet, heard the gulls shrieking as they swooped over the waves.

It was in this place, with a dear friend who tells me regularly: “You do know I’m your biggest fan right?” that I began to heal. The torn, gaping holes in my heart were soothed as I saw the waves pounding against the rocks, always shaping but never destroying. Deep inside hope took root, urging me to believe that life could and would be beautiful again. The painful memories were still there, but new memories were building on top of them, bringing with them that rich comfort of true-hearted friendship and the chance to start over stronger, wiser, and braver because of the pain.

It was also in Cozumel that I drank my first glass of Sangria on a sultry night by the beach. Sangria, that heady mix of red wine and fresh fruit that speaks to me of tropical breezes and fiesta music and renewed hope. Today I mixed a pitcher of Plum Lemon Sangria and oh, it cheered my heart and made me smile. Life indeed is beautiful again.

L’Chaim!

As promised yesterday, here are the three winners of the Artisan Salt Giveaway!

  1. Shenais
  2. Pat
  3. Barbara from Moveable Feasts

I will be having another giveaway soon and can’t wait to share it with all of you!!

In the meantime, is there a place that helped provide healing, hope or a new start in your life? I’d love to hear about it. 🙂

This is my contribution to Wanderfood Wednesday.

Plum Lemon Sangria
(serves 2)

Ingredients:
2 cup red wine (I used Malbec)
2 juicy plums, sliced thinly in wedges
1/2 lemon, sliced thinly in wedges
1-2 tsp real maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients and lightly muddle. Allow to sit 30-60 minutes for flavors to meld.
  2. Sip and count your blessings.