This is paradise (also, please note that these photos are severely Photoshopped….we were using them for a presentation and they wouldn’t show up well on the large screen if they weren’t!) Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Tortola & Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands:
Yes, this is practically a Corona commercial. Except I hate Corona. And I also hate commercials. See those specs out in the water? One of those is me!
I would rather wake up to this view every morning than just about any other view in the world. And yes, that includes the Rocky Mountains (note: I love that I get to see the mountains every day…it’s a close second :)) I’m not ungrateful, just truthful!
Sigh.
I would give all of my fake lottery winnings to float on my back here again…
…and frolic on the sandy beaches. Alas, I’m stuck in Colorado…
…to enjoy these fabulous treats! Thanks, yet again, to the fabulous Jessica for her White Chocolate Mocha Cookies (that I turned into bars because I’m lazy and that’s just how I roll)!
Holy heaven these were good! I followed the recipe to the letter, EXCEPT I added a full bag of white chocolate chips, and if I’d had enough, I would have added 3-4 Tbsp of coffee powder. I’ve had so many compliments on these today from my coworkers and even emailed the recipe to a few of them!
Those babies kind of make my perfect salmon salad open-face sandwich look kind of weak-sauce, huh? Good news is it tasted fabulous anyway! I love the crunchy veggies and the spice in the Old Bay:
And now we enter the part of the post where I talk about PAIN. So I mentioned this morning that my knee is still bothering me? Yeah. So basically at least PART of the issue is the inside of my knee…I don’t even know what muscle that is…is tightening up and causing a tremendous amount of pain in my knee. Since there’s really no way to stretch that muscle, LeeAnn sent me home with this instrument of torture stick:
Basically those little rollers help with myofascial release (much the way foam rolling does) but it’s easier to use since you use your hands rather than trying to balance your body on a foam roller. Y’all, this little stick has the power to bring tears to this grown woman’s eyes…OK, OK, it’s not that hard to do since I’m a huge crier, but still. It hurts! I’m glad I have it though because otherwise I don’t know if that little knot of muscle would EVER release!
Today I found out some really sad news that I don’t feel comfortable sharing until at least next week; however, it could instigate some really huge changes in my life over the next several months. I’ll share it at another time, but any prayers or thoughts y’all could send my way would be great 🙂
So, on a slightly more lighthearted note, what’s your favorite thing to do when you’re near a body of water? I know we talked a while back about what body of water you prefer (ocean vs river vs lake), but now I know what you like to DO there! If I’m by a lake, I love riding wave runners and sitting in boats…I tried to waterski once, but got frustrated because I couldn’t get up so I quit 🙂 In rivers tubing is fun, but only if it’s a lazy Texas river…I tried that up here, almost died, and the swore off tubing faster moving water! And the ocean? I just like to wade around, bodyboard, surf…and then go sit on the beach 🙂
I’m thinking it’s your popliteus muscles. Ouch is all I have to say. I hate injuries (speaking as someone with two stress fractures in her pelvis at the moment). Get better soon!
Those bars look amazing! I love your white chocolate chip addition…genius!
Oh my, Jessica. Those bars look insanely good. I like the ‘lazy’ bar idea 🙂
I love the virgin islands! My husband and I went to St. John and St. Thomas a few years ago and I am dying to go back or just move there 🙂
Snorkeling! That is my favorite thing to do in the Ocean!!!
If I’m at a lake or a river, I love to kayak. At the beach I love to body surf (until I’m pooped – for some reason it totally exhausts me!) or just hang out in the water.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with something so heavy – I hope everything is ok, and I definitely wish for the best for you.
My favorite body of water is by far an ocean. I could sit by an ocean all day long, just listening to the waves, feeling the warm breeze, watching the people, smelling the salt water…ahhhh I just love it! 😀
I agree with your reasons of loving the river, lake, and ocean. My husband loves to have me out on a tub and drag me behind his Dad’s boat. He’ll then start to do donuts and it’s a sure thing that I’ll go flying off. I end up having my body skip across the water like a skipping rock 😀 My neck is always sore the next day after that. I’m sorry with whatever you are dealing with and I just said a quick prayer for you.
Sending good thoughts your way… I hope everything is OK!
I live on the lake and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else- loves it! Buuuuuuut visiting paradise every once in a while is hard to beat 😉 We honeymooned on Young Island… oh what I would do to be there right now…
I’ll just say agreed to all the things you like to do in the water. Those are my preferences as well. 🙂
That stick does look like a torture device. I hope it helps your knee get better. And I’ll also be sure to think of you in my prayers for whatever is going on.
I just used my stick 5 minutes ago! I used the foam roller right before it which literally has made me cry so after that the stick feels like nothing! haha. But it still hurts…in a good way. 🙂
Watching the sun set over the water is one of my favorite things ever!!! It’s so peaceful and relaxing.
I just found your blog and love it! Oh those photos are making me all dreamy! I live in the Pacific Northwest so it’s been rain, rain, rain. Well actually it is all year. Those brownies look great.
All of those views are gorgeous! Especially the cookies 😉
When I’m by water, I like to just watch it. It’s peaceful.
Jenn
You are in my prayers and I hope that everything works out for the best!!
I also think that those bars look absolutely delicious!!
They look so much better in bar form!
I’ll be praying for you, and rollers of any sort always seem to hurt!! lol
Ps….next time I come visit, I want some of those mocha cookie things!!!
I never know what to do around water, but I used to canoe in lakes.
You are killing me with those cookies, look more like brownies, num yum num!
I LOVE The Stick!! It hurts in such a horribly good way.
I love reading a book by the water.
I will definitely keep you in my prayers. <3 <3 <3
Sending prayers your way, pretty girl.
If you go to that island, I’m totally coming with.
Prayers sent!
Great photos and another recipe I need to make!
Those brownies look amazing!! I think I would prefer brownies over cookies any day.
I’ll put you in my prayers, Heather! I’m sending you all my best.
Favorite thing to do on a body of water is river rafting! Love, love, love it!
I’ll be thinking about you…..
I’ll be praying for you…..God knows your issue and you know your issue and that’s all I need to know 😉
He will give you the strength through this-keep your eyes on HIM and not the circumstances. 🙂
Fave thing to do by water, preferable waterparks….ride the lazy river and go down slides 🙂
yum on the pics and the cookies. im dieting (as usual) but im going to make these.
My old boss had one of those in his office (he and his wife were runner’s) and I’ll say that that little weird looking thing works some MAGIC!
My favorite thing to do near water is what I GET to do next week… CAMPING in the mtns along a river 😀 I’m such a happy girl!