Mexico - Revisited

Sooo, turns out that Azul Fives wasn't open and won't be until November of this year!! Severe construction issues...luckily we discovered that 2.5 months in advance and we were able to book at a new resort thanks to our travel agent, Colleen. I highly recommend that you use a travel agent when you are going to a new destination for the first time, especially out of the country. She basically saved our vacation.

We stayed at Secrets Capri just north of Playa Del Carmen, which was a seriously decadent and wonderful all-inclusive resort. The size was just right for us (290 rooms) and there were plenty of restaurants and bars to keep our taste buds singing and waistlines expanding for the short five days we were in Mexico.

By the time we left, we had taken over 600 photos. My sister is an "amateur" photographer and takes great photos. She always has a camera with her wherever we go to capture the moment and create the memories we can look upon later.

See our trip here.

Hola Mexico!

Soon I will be planted on a beach in Mexico, specifically Playa Del Carmen. I'm traveling in celebration of my big 3-0 in 2009. I'm excited to celebrate my birthday nine months early in Mexico.

We're traveling to a new, all-inclusive resort called Azul Fives Hotel. It is the first time we're not embedded in local culture and seeing as many sights as we can crammed into one day.

We're going to sit on our butts, soak up the sun and not worry about a schedule. While drinking. I'm so excited.

It's my first time visiting Mexico. Right now in the ultimate doldrums of winter in Minnesota, it's a bright beacon of hope to survive another winter here.

Blues Party

I’m hosting my first ever Election Party next week. I’ve got a lot to celebrate…I’ve been waiting for this moment for eight LONG years. Of course I know Obama’s victory is not certain at this point. If he wins, that would be the ideal outcome and make the champagne taste even sweeter at the end of the night. So I’ll be prepping the election night menu with all of the positive thoughts I can towards what I hope will turn into a victory celebration with my family.

The menu:

Roasted Corn Salsa with Blue “state” Corn Chips

Buffalo “Good Bye Right” Wings with Democrat Blue Cheese Dressing

Sweet “Victory” Potato Fries with Garlic Curry Aioli

Blue Velvet Cake with Crème Cheese Frosting

I’ll also carve a pumpkin to pay homage to each party. Of course, I’ll spend more time on the Democratic one.

Garlic Curry Aioli (dip for sweet potatoes):

1/4 cup light mayo or miracle whip

2 small (or 1 large) garlic clove, mashed to a paste with salt, or use garlic powder

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Dash of black pepper

1 tsp curry power, or more to taste

1 dash cayenne pepper

Sea salt to taste

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bissell/283443358/