Flashbacks
Siete ‘Til Cinco
As a young girl, whenever we visited Old Town’s Bazaar Del Mundo, I remember stepping foot into a little bakery and walking out with a warm churro, bathed in cinnamon sugar and wrapped in white paper.
I remember that and the toy store, Gepetto’s.
As I got older, my memories switched to margaritas and pozole with fresh flour tortillas from Old Town Mexican Café.
Cinco de Mayo is just a week away.
This year I’m going to make these….
A little healthier than the deep fried ones ~ and who doesn’t love a crescent roll?
And I wanted to go into the archives and bring out all the tried and true Mexican food posts…
South Of The Border Chopped Taco Salad
Southwestern Crock Pot Chicken
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The countdown is on until mariachis & margaritas!
Taking Time
Happy April Fool’s Day!
No practical jokes from me today…just some good ‘ol stuff from the book of {LIFE}.
Today I decided to {take time} to do some things. Not rush. Not do them half ass. Not ignore them. But take the time to DO them.
We took the time to leisurely get to and from school this morning. Elliott on her scooter, Holden on his trike and me juggling my ladybug coffee mug while balancing Elliott’s backpack on my right shoulder AND keeping the little orange tricycle rider out of morning traffic. We chatted with friends who passed us in cars along the way. Waved as neighbors left for work.
We got home and I told myself that I was going to take time to fix myself a healthy breakfast rather than just grabbing a Luna bar or slapping peanut butter on some toast and inhaling it.
I scrambled three egg whites with a little red onion and added some salsa, lowfat cheese, a little dollop of sour cream & a sprinkle of cilantro. I toasted a piece of this:
{my new fave ~ the kids don’t like it so it MUST be good}
I took the time to pour myself another cup of coffee and Windex the glass table in the patio. Holden enjoyed his Honey Nut Cheerios and I enjoyed my egg whites. He saw a hummingbird. I thought about my Gam who loved hummingbirds.
I took the time to {finally} dump the rain water out of the big tub, rinse it out and toss old toys…getting the backyard ready for some Spring Break action and more meals outside. Took the slip and slide off the fence before the HOA sent us a note.
Took the time to rerun the load of laundry I left in the washer for 2 days {2 HOT days}…the load that had essentially already dried and didn’t smell so pretty. Jay hates when I do this {which isn’t often}, but I can usually get away with tossing it in the dryer and telling myself not to do it again!
I’m taking time to carefully pack our suitcases for a quick trip down south instead of just throwing a bunch of stuff in that doesn’t end up getting worn and takes up space.
Taking time to sit and soak in a bubble bath and reintroduce my PedEgg to these feet!
Taking the time to put things away where they belong and tidy up because I am happier when this happens.
Taking time this week to chat with friends from across the miles. It always brings a smile to my face and makes me remember “the good ‘ol days”. Lots of “I miss yous” and “Gosh, I wish we could get together soons”.
Taking time to {hopefully} see some old faces this weekend and do some more reminiscing.
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I feel like I am always in a rush. Telling the kids, “Hurry up…we’re going to be late!”
While I feel it IS important to be {on time} and realize that with two young children things DO take longer and you WILL rush, I am going to start making every effort to slow down when I can. Take time when I can. For me. For them. For US.
2-4-6-8
I signed Elliott up for a cheer clinic at one of the local high schools.
I figured it’d be a nice way to introduce her to cheer…afterall, she wants to be a cheerleader when she grows up.
Here she is at about 2.5 years of age.
We spent Halloween ’07 in South Carolina with Lolo & Lola. I wanted a costume that was easy to pack and travelled well….found this at Gymboree for cheap. Perfect! She loved it.
I hope she enjoys the clinic. She says I have to stay with her for the whole 4 hours in case she gets thirsty or needs to go potty…..
Should be super cute.
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Since we’re cheering this morning, I wanted to share a few of my morning rituals {deodorant, coffee & exercise duds} with you that, I feel, deserve a little rah! rah!
{Dove Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena}
LOVE it! If you’re looking for a new anti-perspirant might I suggest this.
Sweet. Clean. Fresh.
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My Mom brought us some of Starbucks {Tribute} Blend to celebrate their 40th year.
Wow…I am older than Starbucks. Wah!
The house smells amazing when this is brewing and the taste is undeniably that of the famous {green circle}.
Certainly a must in the mornings {along with deodorant!}
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Speaking of deodorant, I haven’t been very successful in the {sweat department} lately. Most mornings I don yoga pants and a dri-weave top of some sort, but more often than not I don’t get out and move. I’ve been lazy and I need to spring into action! I think that the reason I haven’t gotten out and hit the pavement is because I feel like I have to do a {big} run. Like 5 miles…but I don’t. I just need to get out there. 2 miles a few times a week is OK. I need to be OK with that, too.
So, to get me pumped up, I got a new {orange, my fave} Under Armour tank yesterday at TJ Maxx. It’s super comfy, fits well and keeps everything {in place} if you know what I mean, ladies.
$15 on clearance.
Here is the same one in pink. I LOVE the back…
{via}
If she’s not incentive to get out there and sweat, I don’t know what is!
Going to celebrate {Ash Wednesday} with a nice big salad and at least a 20 minute jog this evening.
The iPod is loaded up.
No excuses!
Well, Hello Valentine!
Um, how is it already February 1st?
I was still mourning the loss of the holidays and all the glitter, sparkles and lights!
But now we’re onto another month.
A busy one.
Superbowl. Father/Daughter Dance. Valentine’s Day. 4-day Weekend. Art Night at Holden’s school. Popsi visiting. Holden’s Birthday.
One good thing after another…before we know it it’ll me March 1st.
But I think I’m officially coming out of my post holiday funk. I’ve thumbed through the calendar and already penciled in events through July.
Then they go back to school mid-August.
Lots to look forward to and even more unknown surprises that will pop up along the way.
I will leave you with a picture from almost 5 years ago…
{Elliott with her Vermont Teddy Bear sent with lots of love from Popsi ~ Valentine’s Day ’06}
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Happy {Red & Pink} Month to you!
Snap Out Of It
Tonight at Elliott’s dance class one of the mamas had her brand new 15-day old son all cozy in her Moby wrap.
Precious little one sound asleep.
In his soft little one-piece jammies and beanie snug on his itty bitty head.
I could imagine how he smelled…
Thinking that it’s been almost 4 years since there was an infant in the house.
Missing that stage.
Wondering what it would be like to have another one…..
…..and then I remembered my trip to Albertson’s for {only two} items this afternoon with a 5 and an almost 4 year old.
The end.
One A Month ~ 2010 In Review
It was hard, but I chose one photo from each month of 2010….
There were MANY more highlights, but I challenged myself to pick {just one}.
: January ~ Sledding in the local mountains :
: February ~ Holden’s Outer Space 3rd Birthday Party :
: March ~ Early Spring photo shoot at local nature preserve :
: April ~ Easter with the family :
: May ~ Elliott’s Gymnastics 5th Birthday Party :
: June ~ Elliott graduated from preschool :
: July ~ Annual trip to Yosemite :
: August ~ Holden {ran} to his first day in preschool :
: September ~ UCLA vs. Stanford game at The Rose Bowl :
: October ~ Halloween as a Candy Corn & Dorothy :
: November ~ Jay finishes his first half marathon :
: December ~ Elliott’s Winter dance recital :
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Reviewing these photos reminds me of how fast the years fly by.
{Tear}
It’s almost time again for the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and then Holden will turn 4!
2011 is out of the gates and we can’t wait to see what’s coming up in the next twelve months.
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And the ONE picture from twenty ten that is just ALL WRONG on so many levels, but that for some reason we were never able to delete from the iPhoto library:
: Holden innocently trying to give Elmo a hug :
Her Bad Led To My Bad
I was just reminded the other day that it is ALWAYS best to take the high road.
I was in Target and opted to act negatively as a result of someone else’s negative energy.
This escalated to her tracking me down and reading me the riot act.
I SHOULD have just initially ignored her and killed her with kindness.
But I chose to be a little pissy myself.
Those of you who know me, know that I am not a fan of confrontation. At all.
I don’t know why I decided to let her rudeness get to me…I was shopping the 50% off Christmas goodies sans kiddos and was happy as a clam. I was upset with myself, and still am, at the way I reacted.
Just a reminder that you NEVER know who you might rub the wrong way so it’s better to just take a deep breath and zip your lips {or in this case prevent your cart from “accidentally” grazing someone elses cart}. Some people are crazy and many of them are just looking for trouble.
Lesson learned.
Always take the high road.
Keep your mouth shut.
Mind your own business.
At least that’s the way {my cart} is gonna roll now.
Wiener Roast
Seven years ago today….
December 29, 2003
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Hope you’re warm & cozy on this rainy Wednesday!
Wrapping It Up
Here are my babies a year ago…
{candid shot at LA Zoo}
Ah, Holden looks so little…
LOTS of milestones this year.
Maybe that is why the past 12 months seem to have gone by SO gosh darn fast!
Each year gets more fun with these kiddos. Introducing them to new places, foods, traditions…each year they “get it” a little more.
It’s such a treat to see them with their little friends ~ flourishing older friendships and cultivating new ones. Holden has been saying “Happy Holidays” to everyone he comes in contact with. I love that.
I want them to {LOVE} the holidays as much as I do. To love to bake goodies to deliver and cook hearty meals to share with family and friends. To shop for just the {perfect} little trinkets for our loved ones ~ it doesn’t have to be much ~ just well thought out and meaningful. To wrap it with care and sign the card with lots of love.
To GIVE.
And expect NOTHING in return, but JOY.
As I was out and about {alone!} last night in the rain, I ran around to several places picking up little things on my list. It felt like Christmas ~ cold, rainy, hustle & bustle, little white lights in trees lining the mall streets, shopping bags.
Last week I was complaining that it was too warm here in So Cal….now it’s getting to be too wet! Jay just called and said that there is lots of flooding and that it’d be best to stay in today….that’s just fine with me. I’ve got things to wrap, grocery lists to put together and more toffee to make.
We’re having lots and lots of out-of-town visitors this year. Two of them are already here from NYC and then we have my in-laws coming in from The Carolinas, my Uncle & Jill coming down from Marin County and Gramma coming up from San Diego. I am praying that with all this rain that everyone gets out OK and has safe travels.
Looking forward to {wrapping it up} in the next couple days and getting all my reindeer in a row.
Much holiday goodness coming up…
A happy, but WET Wednesday to you!