ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS

In Memory of our Mother

Albertina das Dores Vieira

November 25th, 1925 to January 29th, 2010

I give you this one thought to keep

I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still - in each new dawn

~~ Author Unknown ~~

Blog World Celebrities

I want to take this opportunity, to say that I have had the honor of spending some amazing time with the two women behind K-Line and Searching the Inner Me during their meeting at the Pantry.
Two amazing women, whom I have the greatest admiration for, having breakfast together and sharing their thoughts...
Thanks Kristin and Seeker for having me there with you!

SPECIAL MOMENTS

Any moment spent with my family is a Special Moment to me!
But when I have my Family and my Sister's Family together, that moment is even more special!
And that moment has happened, the two families together celebrating my baby sister's Birthday!
It was a week of celebrations that has taken us from the ROM to the Bowling Alley, through the SPA , the Jersey Boys and a few vegetarian and not so vegetarian restaurants.
It was a seven day moment that started with our Orthodox Christmas Eve and ended with the promise that we would find an excuse to get all together again and live another Special Moment!

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Happy New Year

To all my friends and followers with all my LOVE....

The Women behind my Strength

I believe that one of the reasons we come to the planet Earth is to learn from the interactions with others.
As I get older and as I try to understand my purpose in life, I find myself loving more and more humans and animals, although I still have a lot to work on one of my weaknesses, thinking that the world is against me when I don't get what I want!
I keep on reminding myself that whatever happens in life, what really matters are the lessons that we learn from every single situation and that all we need is PATIENCE to wait for the end results.
That's right PATIENCE... I said it.... PATIENCE... PATIENCE.... PATIENCE...
But, this is not about me....this is about the women that stand behind me, giving me the strength to find the PATIENCE that I came looking for in the planet Earth!
These three women that give me their unconditional LOVE, that becomes my STRENGTH are ( and not always in the same order, they take their places according to the situations) my Mother, my Sister and my Daughter.
I want to thank the three of you for being the WIND BENEATH MY WINGS!

LOVE FOREVER!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Every year I make the same wish:
Christmas in a warm country!
Coming back from the beach and having Christmas Eve celebrated under the stars with my family and friends!
After 34 years of "White Christmas", I would like to be able to experience, at least once, the "Sandy Christmas"!
I might not even like it... but until I'm able to compare, I will keep on wishing for it!
Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas with LOVE, Happiness & Friendship.

Joyeux Noel !

CHOCOLATE

Whenever I feel stressed out, the first thing that comes to my mind is "chocolate".
Not until I have done some research that I have realized that it's not just because of my " sweet tooth" that it comes to my mind. Chocolate contains alkaloids such as theobromine and phenethylamine, which have physiological effects on the body. It has been linked to serotonin levels in the brain,which has various functions, including the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep,etc...
Chocolate is produced from the seeds of the tropical cacao tree.After fermentation, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted, and the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. The nibs are then ground and liquefied, resulting in pure chocolate in fluid form: chocolate liquor. The liquor can be further processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Pure, unsweetened chocolate contains primarily cocoa solids and cocoa butter in varying proportions. Much of the chocolate consumed today is in the form of sweet chocolate, combining chocolate with sugar. Milk chocolate is sweet chocolate that additionally contains milk powder or condensed milk. "White chocolate" contains cocoa butter, sugar, and milk but no cocoa solids (and thus does not qualify to be considered true chocolate).
Chocolate has become one of the most popular food types and flavors in the world. Gifts of chocolate molded into different shapes have become traditional on certain holidays: chocolate bunnies and eggs are popular on Easter, chocolate coins on Hanukkah, Santa Claus and other holiday symbols on Christmas, and hearts on Valentine's Day. Chocolate is also used in cold and hot beverages, to produce chocolate milk and hot chocolate.When in doubt about what to buy me.... just remember this post!