Category: fiestas

2020 · familia · fiestas · Quirky · usa

A different turkey day

GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

It’s almost Thanksgiving. But alas, a different one this year. Many people are opting to stay within immediate family and nobody more. And that is a smart choice with Covid-19 going out of control in the USA. Of course it’s sad! But you can still have a wonderful (but maybe quieter) Thanksgiving time with your family or close friends. Maybe it will be time to start a new tradition or make a new Thanksgiving dish that you’ve always thought about.

Either way – stay safe, keep wearing a mask and don’t forget that hand sanitizer!

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Adios Christmas Stress

GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

It’s that most WONDERFUL time of the year again! Or is it? The Christmas spirit is in the air but you just feel like you want to curl up in a ball and slip into your bed until the new year is here. I totally get it. There is a lot of pressure to have this amazing time with family and friends, not to mention buying gifts, maybe attend a Christmas party or two and then what about the decorations, the perfect dinner. It can stress out even the best of us who handle stress like a charm.

Here are a few of my tips, how I decompress from all the Christmas madness.

  • Let’s Remember The Reason For The Season And it’s not about the present. It’s about love and celebration. I’m trying to minimize the amount of presents everyone gets. One big present for my brother’s family – a game or a picture of them or blanket, something that they can all use and enjoy. And that’s it! My parents get one gift each, same with the other family members. And if you have a big family, maybe suggest a Secret Santa – everyone draws a name and that’s their person to give a present to. And they don’t even have to be store bought. The best gifts, in my opinion come from the heart and are handmade. And don’t forget that online buying is your friend. A few clicks and DONE.
Homemade Potpourri is so easy and smells SO good!
  • When It’s Just Too Much, Get Out! Keep up your exercise routine, go for a walk around the neighborhood or if you’re lucky enough to live by nature, go there. Breathe in the fresh air from the sea or the woods. Look around and find the beauty that is everywhere. A hike in the forest or mountains or walk on the beach gets anyone’s mood lightened.
  • Make A TO DO List It’s good to see what you need to do on paper and when you can do them. These past two weeks I’ve made a daily list. It really helps on managing your time and helps you feel more grounded and not spinning out of control. Add days with the times you are going to do these things.
  • Be Easy On Yourself You didn’t get Christmas cards out on time? Let it GOOOOOO. I never mind getting a Christmas card from a friend in January, heck sometimes it’s the better time to get it. But if you didn’t get it out at all, guess what – It’s OK! Try to schedule yourself some me time in that TO DO list as well. A massage or facial or pedicure will give you some pampering time to relax. And last but not least, it is okay to say no. Don’t feel like you need to accept every Christmas get together. You don’t even need to accept the family get together. You want a Christmas with just you or just you and your husband, boyfriend, girlfriend – enter significant person here – then that is what you do. Be easy on YOU.
  • Be One With The Moment When the time is upon you, your friends have gathered or your family is around, take the time to be in that moment. Embrace the happiness and the love that you are surrounded by. Don’t stress about getting to the kitchen to start that turkey or if the house isn’t clean enough or if everyone is happy. Everyone is with you because they love you. Sit down and take it in. Look around and smile, rejoice and remember. Grab a loved one to give them a kiss, give them a hug, say thank you for being there. Time passes so quickly and before you know it, we will be back at our regular day life. So enjoy this moment that is finally here. Look at those lights, sip that eggnog, and feel all that love.

Have a very Happy Holiday season y’all. xxoo -k

animals · beach · catalonia · fiestas · let's learn spanish · Majorca · Mallorca · menorca · spain

Sant Joan Festival

GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

It’s that time of year again! Sant Joan festival in Spain. Many different versions around Spain – tonight in my sleepy Mallorcan town we will be heading to the beach for some BBQ, lighting LOTS of candles around us and possibly dip our toes in the ocean. This is all to celebrate the summer solstice.

BUT the best one to experience is in Menorca. The Sant Joan festival in Ciutadella. Which is CRAZY! Looks super cool but I would rather have the tamer version of it. And it allowed me to come into full contact with the horses! Something I doubt would be possible for me at the Sant Joan festival.

Check out these pics from the Sant Joan festival in Ciutadella. Insane in the membrane.

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and this …..

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Wowzers. That is A LOT of people. But that is the Sant Joan fiesta. Es normal.

The smaller festival that I attended the other year in Menorca was in Es Mercadal and called Sant Marti. The horse is the common hero of all the local saint’s day festivals celebrated in all the Menorcan villages during the summer and clearly shows how authentic the island customs are. The drivers and horsemen, dressed up in the outfit called “de just” (of the just man) in a combination of black and white and they ride Menorcan-race stallions in a long procession or parade (qualcada) which goes through all the main streets and squares of the town.

During the two days of the holiday, strict protocol is observed, mixing religious acts which are closely observed, with moments of collective fun especially during the “jaleos” which take place in the main square and where the horses, horsemen and public take part to an equal extent in the show.

And this Jaleo is what we went to on Sunday morning at 11 am in the Plaça Constitució. It was, in a word, fantastic. First, the riders rode in a procession through the street showing off themselves and their gorgeous horses. And then the fun begins! They ride into the public circle in twos while the spectators (me!) try to touch the horse while it rears up. This went on for about an hour. I am allergic to horses. Seriously, all I have to do is look at a horse and I start to get welts on my face and arms. But after 15 minutes I was ready to get into the game. Screw allergies! It was so much fun.

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and

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and

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If you get a chance to go to the Sant Marti or the Sant Joan festival I highly recommend it. And make sure you wear clothes that can get dirt, sand, horse slobber and more on it. NO HIGH HEELS! No. Muy ridiculo – and don’t think I didn’t see it.

Happy Summer Solstice! xo

fiestas · just do it already · lists · Things and Stuff

New Year’s Non Resolutions

GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

I used to make New Year’s resolutions. When I was a teen it was one of the first things I did on in the new year. Of course it was usually – get good grades, lay out my school clothes the night before (it was always so stressful to do in the morning because I was always running late, shocker), be nicer to my brother and practice new ways to do my hair and make-up. You can thank that last one to my crimped hair in high school.

Later my resolutions changed to some of the usual – exercise more, don’t go out and party during the week, detox plan and save money. I think “be nicer to my brother” was always on the list somewhere. 🙂 Past couple of years it’s been put e-book up on Amazon!!, only drink 3 nights a week, no buying more shoes and ALWAYS exercise more. And you know what always happens. You don’t keep these promises. And then you feel like shit. One more thing you didn’t do well enough, fast enough or just not at all.

Now, I do believe no resolutions are the way to go. I still know what I’d like to do better. And I’ll do them … on my own timeline. Not the NEW YEAR timeline. Because there’s already too much pressure in life. Too much stress. Make time to take a look around, enjoy life, you don’t always need to DO DO DO, GO GO GO. And I need to remember that and breathe.

I found this. It says To Do List. And that’s just it. Things to do – but more of an every day spirituality – be a good person list. I like it. Enjoy the little things.

Thanks for stopping by. I’m off to pet my cat and have a glass of wine. xo ~ k

ny resolutions
cafepress · Christmas · cool products · fiestas · food · happy holidays y'all · presents · tees and totes · weekend report · yum

Weekend Report + Xmas Ideas

GOING NINETY MILES1 Comment

How was your Turkey Day?! I hope it was lovely – just how you wanted it to be. Whether that meant being with family, having a friendsgiving, or just getting a little extra time without work to download a bit.

We are going to have Thanksgiving tonight, making a duck breast with sauce/gravy (I could take a bath in gravy. Seriously.), German Rotkohl and trying out a new recipe – Ken Oringer’s Corn and Gruyère Mashed Potato Gratin recipe. It looks good, right?

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This week was pretty much my basic work week. On Friday, I went to Carrefour (huge grocery store) at Fan (new huge outdoor shopping center) and I couldn’t even find a parking spot thanks to Black Friday. Did y’all do any Black Friday shopping? I’m such a horrible procrastinator, I put the PRO in crasinating. 🙂 And I can’t get my head around buying Christmas presents yet but I’m really really REALLY gonna try my very best to not have to do it all last minute.

But my online sales are starting to do quite decently. Here are a few goodies in my shops for the Christmas season. And remember I sell my designs on lots of different products just click the link to see more.

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The Tree Isn’t The Only Thing Getting Lit This Christmas! Pajamas. I have a pair of these myself, super comfy! And it makes me feel okay when I’m on my third glass of wine. Cheers!

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Senior Class Of 2019 Christmas Ornament. Do you know someone graduating from high school or university this year? It’s a Christmas ornament so every year they can unpack it to decorate the tree. And think of you!

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Isn’t this the cutest? Fleece Navidad Baby Bodysuit. I just love it.

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This Don’t Forget To Be Awesome coffee/tea mug is perfect for anyone on your shopping list. It’s inspirational and fun.

Alrighty then! I need to scoot to start making that new recipe. I’ll let you know how it turns out. And I already know the duck and gravy will be perfecto cuz Felix is making that. Have a fabulouso week my friends!