Our life and stuff

Appreciation

2009-11-11T22:45:00-08:00

on Saturday it was beautiful . too bad I felt awful

I was awoken invited (shhh, don't tell her that the phone woke me up - I already pretended it didn't.) to go see some quilts with my Mother.

I don't feel good...

I've got this, that and the other thing to do...

I just woke up and plan on staying in my PJ's all day...

I have the two kids with me...

She wasn't buying any of my excuses. Begrudgingly I got ready, made beds, fed the kids - grabbed camera, stroller and snacks and we finally left. On the way to pick up my Mom, Luke warned me for the third time that he didn't like shopping.

'Not to worry my dear. These quilts are on display with awards so we're not really shopping.'

This was a small scale quilt show, in the gym of a local university. These women were so sweet and friendly. They approached us and told the kids pleasant stories behind their beautiful projects.

We voted for a few BEST OF SHOW pieces.

Each of us took a turn at writing our name with a long-arm quilting machine.

So many different styles and interpretations.

This is the first year that I saw bedazzled quilts with crystals.

They were machine quilted and hand quilted

To see them up close and think of the YEARS that they took to make... it was worth it.

(Standing right up close - it took the quilter's description to notice the black netting that she pieced to create the illusion of smoke from her never-ending candles.)



Mom always walks away inspired. She is a truly a dedicated fan of the Arts.
Luke gained a new understanding for the amount of thought, effort and love that goes into every project.
Sydney appreciated all the candy that the vendors were passing out - so perfectly timed following Halloween.
I like to see the quilts, believe me. But the neatest thing was just being there and sharing this experience with my Mom. I know how much she loves it. A long time ago she taught me so patiently and I watched her do that today with my kids. Something I don't do enough of.

Thank you Mom.

We had SEW much fun.

Menu 11.9.09

2009-11-09T17:21:19-08:00

Links: Tuesday Wednesday Friday

I've had this annoying cold for a few days now.

I must make soup

I will probably make a chicken soup as well to eat for lunch this week (or even breakfast - I could eat soup for any meal).

My challenge last week to WWWYG went very well. And yes, I still let candles while we dinned on heat-and-serve taquitos from Costco { we're classy like that}.   I happen to have some TJ Potstickers and Carnitas that I will carry over to this week with a few new things.

My crockpot will get the week off as I prefer my soups simmered on the stovetop.

mmmm soup



Lunch date

2009-11-05T15:59:00-08:00

I picked up Syd from school today and decided that the girls needed to go out to lunch.

I knew exactly where to go and I knew exactly what we would order.

On the drive there all I could do was think about THAT meal. It's like you can almost smell it and taste it and you can't get there fast enough (can you tell I was starving).

We pull up and as soon as we enter the driveway I notice the neon OPEN sign is dim.

Getting closer, I see the butcher paper covering all the windows.

No way. This is not happening.

Closer now and I read the sign.

CLOSED FOR REMODELING (reopening in about 2 months)

Suddenly I don't care where we go because nothing else will taste as good.

We settle on Rubio's. Because it is close.

I ordered a Healthtex chicken burrito (or something like that) and it was gross.

Even starving, I couldn't finish 1/2 of it.

Sydney LOVED her taquitos and rice.

She finished every bite.

I had no intention of taking pictures at lunch. I did it totally as a coverup.

You see...

As were eating our lunch, a 'person' was at the salsa bar next to us carrying their tray. Before they proceeded to the table behind us, they passed right by our table.

At that exact moment Sydney asks...

'Is that a boy or a girl?'

Instantly I look up, I felt bad but I don't think they heard.

Then, I pulled out my camera and had Syd pose with her lunch.

I said- 'Sydney smile' and proceeded to zoom clear over her head and focus in on the table behind us -

( in Sydney's defense - she really couldn't tell )

USC sidelines

2009-11-04T19:51:09-08:00

This summer Luke went up to USC with some friends to watch their football practice. They were up close and personal while they ran scrimmage plays.

After a LONG - HOT practice the players hung around to take pictures. They got one with Taylor Mays, Pete Caroll and of course...

Mr. Matt (I'm so cute) Barkley

Thanks Chris & Cori for taking the kids and taking pictures!

WWWYG

2009-11-02T14:09:48-08:00

I really badly want to try some new delicious recipes this week.

As I looked through my stockpile of recipes that await - I notice that my freezer is FULL. I can't justify shopping for more stuff - besides there is no room.

I seriously have enough to cook this week without having to step foot in the grocery store.  I have decided to initiate Work With What You've Got week.

Here goes...

I'm determined to stay on track and make it through this week (without anything new and exciting).

Take the challenge and Work With What You've Got ~ you'd be surprised how much you can come up with!



Portion Control

2009-10-29T22:33:00-07:00

[ pre-dressing ]

The other day I mentioned my inability to a prepare appropriate sized meals. I tend to over-cook. Often times it's premeditated for... 'intentional leftovers'

Certain foods that work well here - pastas, chicken, soups... all good the next day (sometimes even better).

Certain foods that DO NOT work well here - sandwiches, french fries, salads. There lies my problem. My salad for lunch today could easily serve 8 people. It was like a mountain. So I shared- passing out Ziploc containers to friends at school pickup. I prefaced the delivery like this...

... 'I hope you don't think I'm a weirdo passing out free food like you're needy or something. You don't have to eat it and you won't hurt my feelings if you don't. I just had lots. Like lots.'

[ dressed ]

Thankfully it was yummy - it was this recipe

(My only change was to add a bit of shredded carrot and sesame seeds.  Any excuse to use sesame seeds!)



don't wait

2009-10-28T23:41:00-07:00

A few months ago... as we stepped onto our porch at about 8pm we saw the power arc at the end of the street. You could hear it, and then the explosion.

Then all the lights went out ~ as far as we could see.

We opened up the door to our dark house, fumbling around for a flashlight. Within a few minutes the house was glowing- pop lights in the kids rooms and candles in the rest. There was a peaceness (is that a word?). No TV's, computers, phones.

It was almost magical looking, the flickering warmth.  While I did fear the thought of my freezer melting slowly, I was in no rush for the power to come back on. It did. 40 minutes later.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

A few days ago... I found a few jumbo packs of tealights from Target and Ikea. I buy them all the time - for special occassions. Then I thought...

dinner with my family is special

They cost pennies and I have hundreds.

So now, each night I light them.

Just a few... here and there.

Don't wait for a special occasion.

Make one.



I love them~

2009-10-27T20:16:00-07:00

[ at the park - oct 09 ]


Monday's Menu & Meatloaf

2009-10-26T07:20:00-07:00

*to print & post on fridge

Links: Tuesday Thursday Weekend

So ~ So glad that I'm staying on top of this! I will confess that we skipped last Friday's enchilada casserole. On the way to Luke's practice that day he asks...

'I like your cooking Mom but are we ever going to eat in a restaurant again?'

When we got in the car to go home we surprised him with Japanese Teppan. I figure if we're gonna eat out, let's go somewhere that's not like home. It's sad but true... my performance does not come close, there are no onion steam trains or pyrotechnic shows at home. So boring I know.

Last week~ I did make my TURKEY meatloaf

It's a healthier version and I like lots of stuff in mine - here's the recipe with pics if you would like to give it a try...

Few tips:

Get turkey out of the fridge 20 minutes before you mix it (if you plan on using your hands- brrrr).
Add sauteed onions and garlic - way better flavor (in olive oil with a pinch of seasoning).
You can substite or add what ever veggies you want just don't use potato or anything else that will dry out your meatloaf.
You can double this- prepare in 2 pans. Pop one in the oven and pop one in the freezer.  Next week - defrost for 1 day in fridge and then bake it for dinner as directed.

(on with the photos)

COMBINE

ADD SAUCES & SEASONING

MIX & PAN

PAINT

(BAKE)

Wasn't that easy ~

While it's cooking you will need to whip up some real mashed potatoes and a veggie or salad to go with. Remove from oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.

Serve on your finishest china, just like I do.

Don't forget the ketchup, it's real good with more ketchup on top.

Enjoy~



Adjusting to change

2009-10-23T15:58:59-07:00

In the Spring: the air is crisp, the days are short and we all crave a little sun!

For the Talavera family, their warmth came in the form of SON-shine.  No doubt their days have been brightened since...



Honestly, she wasn't thrilled at me for taking these pictures... 'but I look terrible'.

In my opinion: even though you feel awful and think you look even worse - there is never a time when a woman is more beautiful.

These types of pictures take you right back, I have some like this too.  I promise you won't notice smeared make-up, puffy eyes and matted hair.

YOU REMEMBER- how you felt.  The moment you'd been anticipating and dreaming about is finally here.  It's as if your heart (your everything) is resting in the palm of your hands...

YOU REMEMBER- how they smelled and those little noises they made as they nuzzle into your chest. You remember their silky hair, how they pursed their little lips and scrunched up their tiny nose.

Babies.

They grow too fast.

As we welcome Fall: we see the leaves change, start to bundle up and begin our plans to gather with family and loved ones.

Following the birth of your new baby you become a family. We adjust with the seasons as they grow and change right before our eyes.



I was hired to capture some recent photos and forever preserve his little baby face.

It was my pleasure:



He is seriously the center of their attention...

When I first saw them in the hospital it was adorably obvious of their focus ~ all eyes on the baby.

And a few months later...

Some things never change ~