1.18.2012

i was taking a break...

and you should, too!  i had been designing some invitations and thought i needed to "walk away" from them for awhile...this is SO helpful to me when i'm designing/creating things.  anyway, i digress...again, lol.  *sigh*  i'm so glad that i can entertain myself.  okay, really, back to my point...i left illustrator to facebook for a bit.  i came across an article that someone posted.  there was a thumbnail of children titled "don't carpe diem".  the first few words enticed me..."every time i'm out w/ my kids -- this seems to happen..."  yes, please tell me more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html

read it!  read every word til the end...trust me, you'll be glad you did.  it was a nice break, and i'm sure you'll agree ;)

and just b/c everyone likes pics...


she's a mess, and i love her!


they adore each other...most of the time ;)

1.16.2012

just like mamacita...

used to make!  my mom makes THE BEST rice and beans...hands down!  i've been wanting to recreate her frijoles a la charra for some time now, and yesterday was the day...and guess what?  i nailed it!!!  it was the first time for me to cook beans like this, and she wasn't even around to help.  but w/ some tips from my brother and my sister AND their recollection of what my mom does, i gave it a shot.  i have to admit they were a little salty, and i may know why.  i told my mom my recipe and process and she said that she doesn't salt the water (i did).  i will have to play around w/ the recipe the next time i cook them.  although, it will be awhile as i cooked a big pot o' beans!


the beginning


the end :)

i'm not going to share this recipe until i figure out the salt situation.  honestly, i felt much like my mom as i was cooking this...no measuring, no idea how long i cooked them, and it just came from the heart :)  the idea that i was trying to recreate the taste of my mom's delicious beans was pretty exciting, and omgoodness, the house smelled dee-lish, lol!  i told the hubs, "well, it smells like i'm doing something right!"  seriously, he could tell you how anxious i was about the outcome AND how proud and excited i was that they tasted just like mom's :)  once i have these down, it's on to her rice!

be thinking of that one dee-lish dish of your mama's that you would love to "nail"...another contest is simmering ;)