Our Valentine's Day Solution...

Finding the right place and the right way to celebrate Valentine's Day is always a challenge.  Sometimes, it's even a headache or a dreadful duty.

We wanted something elegant but fun, exotic, romantic yet not over-the-top mushy.  Found it!  Yeh, we kinda waited until late in the week to nail our plans down, but the weather yo-yo has kept us guessing.  Still, we found our solution!

Check out the dining room:

Best of all, this is a restaurant that takes coffee seriously:

We already know we love the warm atmosphere and food.  The toughest choice of the evening will be which dessert to indulge -- right now, I'm leaning toward the decadently chocolate "Queen's Dome Cake".  Stay tuned, we'll let you know….

Meanwhile, to all our friends and beloved ones, we leave you this

Joy to the World!

Photo & design by Gitanajava Productions LLC, ©2014

To all our family, friends, and colleagues,

We wish you a joyous 2014!

At first glance, "Joy to the World" may seem futile when even the high holidays aren't exempt from grim and dreary headlines.  But joy is not jolliness, or happiness -- it is not a glib and ephemeral emotion.  It is not dependent on circumstances being perfect or on your life being well-ordered and secure.

Joy is deep, unreasonable stuff.  It is illogical.  Joy is born from an iron-willed determination.

Like the fountain in the photo above, we pray your 2014 will overflow with blessings, benedictions, serenity in the midst of chaos, and the moxie to choose joy.

This past year has been, hmmm...interesting.  You've heard the saying, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans"?  We lived it, learned it (again!), and hit plenty of speed bumps along the way.  Our deepest thanks, regards, love, and respect for all of you, our cherished friends and colleagues, who kept the faith with us through the ups/downs, highs and lows.  Amigas y amigos, you rock! :-*

Lost In The Dark...

A free screensaver, "Lost In The Dark", compliments

of Gitanajava Productions LLC.

For personal use only.  To use commercially,

contact us for written permission.

To download the full-sized version (1815 x 1443), go here.

Con profundo cariño y admiración de Beverly, mi amiga querida.

A Note From Home...

Next time you're having one of those days when you need a note from home, here it is, ready and waiting.  Use in good health! ;-)

Happy All Hallow's Eve, Everyone!

To see original image & download as your holiday wallpaper, go to
http://tiny.cc/Spoooky

See you on the patio - boo!