Orchids... Need I Say More?

My darlings, let me present to you the Blue Orchid... my obsession for orchids has officially duplicated.

"And why do you worry? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor and glory was dressed like one of these." ~Matthew 6:29

Photo by Romulo Moya Peralta

Someday I Will...

Own sailboat

Live in Puerto Rico... again

Finally own a black horse

Learn Italian... in Italy

Go to med school and become a doctor (Oncologist)

Finish my novel

Participate in a triathlon... and finish it

Take culinary classes, focusing on desserts... when I retire.

Open a small chocolate café... when I retire

Travel the world.

Photos by 1.)Michael 2.)? 3.)Irina 4.)? 5.)Ron Chapple 6.) Robert Doisneau via the paper pony 7.)foramenglow 8.) The ICC 9.) Scene from Chocolat (2000) 10.) David Jubert

Coolest Job Ever... For a College Student Anyways

Hello my darlings, 
When I was a little girl my favorite movie was The Beauty and the Beast. The reason I loved it so much was because in his castle the beast had the most beautiful and breathtaking library which he then gives to Belle (the beauty... in case you aren't too familiar with the movie). I would imagine having a library like that one day and that being my favorite room of the house. Well, this explains why I am so in love with my current job... at my university's library. Everyday I hold in my hands countless books I wish I could just take with me to a secluded tropical island and just sit by the beach and read, read, read... 
So many treasures that I lack the time to truly enjoy. Regardless of that, I find myself checking out a couple almost everyday after work *sigh*. My pile of unread books on my desk is growing so I decided to share with you my latest find before I must send them back... unread.

Today's Pile

The first one is from 1915 and the other one (upper right side) from 1964... both full of mouthwatering recipes.

Julia Child's cooking book (this one is from the 1961 printing... its FIRST printing)

Underwater Paradise

Hello my darlings, 

Check out this amazing resort I found out about while I was home on break. It is simply a breathtaking dream! 

Readers, would you rather hold an unforgettable wedding here or enjoy your honeymoon alongside your love at this enchanting underwater resort?

A Beautiful Afternoon in... MILWAUKEE

Good Morning my darlings,
Let me tell you about yesterday... it was simply marvelous. Sean came down and we decided to go for a walk through downtown Milwaukee since the weather was absolutely gorgeous (and those don't come around everyday in the Midwest... specially in the beginning of spring when snow likes to pop by for a surprise). Here are some photos I took of the enchanting little city. 

The Milwaukee Art Museum

The Courthouse

Cute little cabin in the middle of the park (random uh)

...the view from the bench was beautiful but being with him made it even more special.
Photos by Yours Truly

Cookbook... CHECK!

Hello my darlings!

Today I am pretty excited because I am another step closer to my summer project for this blog. Last month I asked you guys to help me pick out a cookbook and I got wonderful suggestions (thanks dolls!). Well, not too long ago I got an email from a friend suggesting me the Better Homes new Celebrating the Promise cookbook and I was sold. I made it my personal goal this break to look for it and buy it. Voilà! I finally found it today and I was even more excited when I saw that by buying this specific cook book I helped reached the minimum donation of $250,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  It is a good day when you find the perfect cook book... specially when you get to help you sisters in the process. 

Join the fight for breast cancer and donate here to this foundation.  

Experimenting with Plate Presentation

Hello my dear readers,

Recently I finally acquired the perfect dinner plates that I had been wanting for a while now. The minute they were in my hands there was only one thing I wanted to do more than anything: to bake and to make the presentation (using my new plates of course) for that dessert simply breathtaking. After making the chocolate cakes and sauce the results were NOTHING compared to the presentation of plates I see in the Food Network every day but I can't wait to practice even more. Wish me luck!

Photos by Adriana Torres (My beautiful sister)

My New Found Love

Hello my darlings, 

I just had the most mind blowing exquisitely afternoon snack... Ferrero Garden Coconut.
Just imagine a delicate crisp wafer topped with shredded coconut with an inside filled with rich coconut cream surrounding a sweet almond... Need I say more?

Photos by ichlydo86

Heading Home...

Hello My darlings, 

So I am finally all packed and I will be on my way home right after work, I can't wait! Spring Break could not have come at a better time.  This spring break I didn't plan something too big... it mostly consists of many of my favorite things. My plans for this break consist of a lot of sleeping, cooking and baking (lots of that as well), studying of course (silly Diagnostic Microbiology midterm), and spending some time with my family, Sean, and my best friend Allison. I shall tell you all about it very soon. 

  Photo by Anna Wolf

Now tell me, dear readers, what are your plans for this spring break?

The Greatest Film of ALL Time

Hello my Dear Readers,

To commemorate this weekend and its annual event of the Academy Awards, lets talk about the "Greatest film of ALL times".  That position, I fervently believe, belongs to the beautiful 1939 film "Gone With The Wind", my ALL time favorite movie. Seriously, I have watched this film from beginning to end 6 times (even though it might not seem like that much, just consider it is 4 hours long) and I recommend it to everyone. Trust me, you will learn countless things from this movie. Like when you are thinking too much and seem to be getting nowhere just say to yourself "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow" -Scarlett O'Hara. And girls, here is an additional treat: Clark Gable... need I say more?

Now tell me darlings, which film holds this title (Greatest Film of ALL Time) for you?

Let Me Tell You About... GORGONA, "The Forbidden Island"

gorgona / forbidden island
Originally uploaded by sermatimati

Hello my darlings,

Let me tell you about this somewhat unknown island that I just recently read about.

During the 1950s all the way through to the 1980s, this landmass in the Pacific (about 30 miles off the Colombian Pacific coast) was a maximum security prison — Colombia's Alcatraz — but the facility was closed and declared a natural national park in 1985. The old jail buildings are now covered with dense vegetation and its extremely unique and abundant wildlife. Gorgona's beautiful sandy beaches are backed by palm trees and a "thick curtain of green, letting you know that the creepy-crawly jungle is never far away on this island". Written on the walls of what's left of a solitary confinement cell you can read the words an inmate wore that say: "it's hell to be shut up here in paradise".

For some reason I find this island very captivating and intriguing... it must be because it somewhat reminds me of Isla Nublar (the fictional island in the book and film version of Jurassic Park).

Would you like to spend a couple days at this captivating island? Here is how.

 Photo by Mateo Gable