Love and Joy

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Hello from the villa!  I must say – I never want to go back to my little dining room ever again – eating breakfast on the deck, overlooking the ocean, is way better.

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I was up way before everyone else – that damn insomnia has followed me on vacation – but at least I didn’t mind getting up with the sun.  I snuck down to the kitchen and made a yummy, light breakfast.

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I had a raspberry, peanut butter, and rice milk smoothie, with some peanut butter toast on the side.

 

And then I laid by the pool and read this epic book:

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When the housekeeper walked by, I had to hide my face!  The book was so descriptive.  So much second-hand embarrassment!

 

Eventually, Lindsey and Denver made love and the book came to a tantalizing end, and I went for a walk in the garden.

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I am in paradise. I don’t want to leave!

 

Everyone else slowly woke up, and then the ladies packed into the rental car and I drove us down the twisty roads to the bridesmaid luncheon location.

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Nicole will tell you that’s she’s not a crafty bride, but she totally is.  She made us cute ‘b-maid’ t-shirts, as well as loads of decorations for the wedding.  She even whipped us this cute little parfaits with granola, mixed fruit, yogurt, and homemade whipped cream. 

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Plus, fresh starfruit from the tree in the front yard!

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Because Nicole is, quite possibly, the most low-key and non-demanding bride ever, she gave the bridal party the afternoon ‘off’ to hang out by the beach and pool.

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I prefer laying out by the beach but swimming in the pool.  What about you?

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The wedding starts in an hour – I better get going!  If you want to read the epic recap, but sure to check out Nicole’s blog in the next week or so.  From the dress to the flowers to the yummy vegan food – I don’t want to scoop the bride via blog post!

 

Have a lovely Sunday.  Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I hope your day is filled with as much love and joy as we’re experiencing here in Puerto Rico.

{ 45 comments }

 

  • Hillary October 9, 2011, 3:19 pm

    I am so, so happy that you were reading that book. Talk about a good vacation read, eh?

  • Chelsea October 9, 2011, 3:35 pm

    I love romance novels! I always feel silly though when people walk by and ask what it’s about haha. I’m like, “uhm…you really want to know?”

    • Vikki October 9, 2011, 5:42 pm

      I love romance novels too. I write them in my free time (one day,I hope to be published.) Just say that it is an adult fairy tale.

      • Chelsea October 9, 2011, 6:04 pm

        That would be amazing if you did! I would buy your book for sure for my kindle lol.

        • Vikki October 9, 2011, 8:17 pm

          I’ve been working towards it for a few years. Writing a book is hard. Revising is even harder.

  • Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews October 9, 2011, 3:37 pm

    I love starfruit. And that’s too funny about the book. I would have been a little embarrassed if someone saw too 🙂

  • Sana October 9, 2011, 3:37 pm

    Hahah naughty books rule 😉

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb October 9, 2011, 3:47 pm

    what a beautiful day so far, and the best is yet to come! have a wonderful time 🙂

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath October 9, 2011, 3:56 pm

    I love starfruit! When I lived in Hawaii it was one of my favorite local treats! I miss seeing it all over the place now that I’m back in California

  • katie @ KatieDid October 9, 2011, 4:07 pm

    ahh living vicariously through those gorgeous beach and pool shots. Have a fantastic time at the wedding, I’m sure it’ll be nothing short of amazing.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) October 9, 2011, 4:13 pm

    Sounds like the perfect start to a wedding day! I was so calm and laid back before and during…and after. Why stress? I think it should be calm and relaxing especially when the most important part is the part that comes after! I hope you all have a beautiful day!

  • Lauren @ Sweet and Twisted October 9, 2011, 4:24 pm

    So excited to see her recaps! Looks gorgeous!

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga October 9, 2011, 4:26 pm

    The whole weekend looks…fabulous!

    “fresh starfruit from the tree in the front yard!” <– now if that isn't the coolest thing ever I dont know what is.

    Congrats to Nicole on her special weekend!

  • Brittany October 9, 2011, 4:32 pm

    It looks gorgeous out!! I definitely prefer laying at the beach but swimming in a pool.

  • Kelly October 9, 2011, 4:37 pm

    That’s great that you all got to hang out by the pool right before the wedding. It’s fun to hang out all together but it’s also a bummer when you are in a wedding getting your hair done all day while everyone else is having fun haha.

  • Ali @ Ali Runs October 9, 2011, 4:47 pm

    What a beautiful place! Enjoy the ceremony! 🙂

  • Alett October 9, 2011, 5:05 pm

    So is “my wildest ride” a HTP book club pick? ; )

    definitely agree swim in pool, hang on beach, maybe wade in ocean water. **although I do enjoy snorkelling -> more interesting things to see in ocean/caribbean vs. pool <- all I get to see in my local pool is cracks in the walls and people's bandaids LOL

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats October 9, 2011, 5:12 pm

    looks like a beautiful day for a wedding!!! I hope you have a great time!

  • Vikki October 9, 2011, 5:39 pm

    I’ve read that exact book. 🙂 Do not be ashamed. That book and those like them are fun. Like candy for the brain. Not everything needs to be edifying.

    • CaitlinHTP October 11, 2011, 9:20 pm

      Yay! A trashy book twin.

      • Vikki October 11, 2011, 10:09 pm

        🙂

  • Penny October 9, 2011, 5:41 pm

    I used to read books like that ALL THE TIME. 🙂 Fun and saucy little reads they are.

  • Sweet and Savvy October 9, 2011, 6:26 pm

    I think Nicole is winning the award for the best bride ever! 🙂

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me October 9, 2011, 6:54 pm

    I’m not a big fan of swimming in the ocean either. I much prefer the pool. I think it’s the whole creepy crawly thing and the salt water leaves me feeling so grimy.

  • J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) October 9, 2011, 7:12 pm

    It looks like you’re having a wonderful time! So luxurious, yet relaxing and fun. That book is classic, haha. Love the cover. 🙂

    I’ve never had star fruit but now I want to pick one and eat it fresh off the tree.

    Congrats to Nicole and her partner in paradise. 🙂

  • Krystina (Organically Me) October 9, 2011, 7:12 pm

    God, destination weddings sound amazing. It’s so beautiful there!

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel October 9, 2011, 7:13 pm

    Whoever is on the left in that beach photo has some SERIOUS jumping skills. I always mess those shots up/don’t think I can actually jump that high in the first place!

    And that starfruit looks incredible…I’ve never had it (nor have I even seen it anywhere, come to think of it), but I feel like it would be so fun to eat just because of its shape.

  • Amanda@BlueDrishti October 9, 2011, 7:32 pm

    That looks so amazing!My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding and look at a few tropical locations. Puerto Rico has just been added to the list!

  • Mary @ Rabbitsand Runs October 9, 2011, 8:28 pm

    That smoothie looks delicious…and the romance novel made me laugh! It’s always fun to read ‘brain candy’ on vacation.

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good October 9, 2011, 8:29 pm

    It looks gorgeous there! I like swimming in the ocean. As a Minnesotan, it is a rare treat.

  • Army Amy* October 9, 2011, 8:34 pm

    Looks like a beautiful day for a wedding!*

  • Deva @ Deva by Definition October 9, 2011, 9:19 pm

    I laughed out loud at the pic of the Harlequin. I would have had to hide my face, too!

  • Nancy @ Beyoutiful Fitstyle October 9, 2011, 9:19 pm

    Cute picture of you girls on the beach. That place looks absolutely beautiful!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife October 9, 2011, 9:33 pm

    awww fun! i LOVE that jumping picture. Looks like paradise to me!!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin October 9, 2011, 9:36 pm

    Haha if you were embarrassed, you should have used the hiding-the-book-behind-a-newspaper trick. 😉

    It looks like a perfect day there. I hope you all have a great time at the wedding!

  • Chelcie @ Chelcie's Food Files October 9, 2011, 9:42 pm

    I want a destination wedding so badly! It looks like your having so much fun!

  • Courtney @ The Petite AthlEAT October 9, 2011, 10:58 pm

    Whattttttt is that book?!?! I’m surprised, Mrs. Boyle!

  • Khushboo October 10, 2011, 1:13 am

    Haha that jumping pic, for some reason, reminds of the Babysitters’ Club…I was such a fan of the series!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness October 10, 2011, 5:18 am

    Hahaha…that book! :-O So funny 🙂 Where you are staying looks mind-blowing beautiful…what a perfect place to be <3 xyx

  • Molly @ RDexposed October 10, 2011, 8:55 am

    Those kind of books are made to be read on a beach!

  • Hope @ With A Side Of Hope October 10, 2011, 9:14 am

    Looks like so much fun! I really wanted a destination wedding, more specifically a Disney wedding. We were all set to get married there but it was way too expensive. I think our local wedding will be just as nice. Plus, there is always a vow renewal. 🙂

  • Brooke @ sweats & sweets October 10, 2011, 11:56 am

    I’ve actually never read a true romance novel, but from the other comments that one is good. Maybe I will try to read it without blushing 😉

    And I wouldn’t want to leave there either!

  • Amber K October 10, 2011, 1:43 pm

    I tried to read a romance novel once, since my mom practically devours them. Lucky that she owns a bookstore! She recommended one to me because it was more of a romantic mystery, but I couldn’t even get past the first chapter. I was reading it aloud to her all dramatically and couldn’t stop laughing. It was sooo cheesy!

    Maybe romance novels are best left to things like Kindles. Then you could always say you’re reading something else, lol.

    • CaitlinHTP October 11, 2011, 9:04 pm

      SO cheesy. I love the cheese.

  • Sophie @ threetimesf October 14, 2011, 5:33 pm

    That swimming pool looks beautiful!

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