Sabor a Cajeta

celebrating three years: flower brooch mini-tutorial and giveaway

2012-01-25T23:57:00.002-05:00

Now that was a long title!

Yes, you read right, it has been three years since this baby of mine (sort-of-say) was created. Three wonderful years of sharing bits of our lives, of sharing tutorials and recipes, and sharing lots and lots of photos! Like my babies I have seen it grown, slowly at times, but grown non the less. Through this blog I have met other wonderful bloggers, some in person others through the never ending cyber world. Through this blog I have kept a record of sorts of our lives. And through this blog I have managed to keep myself going and inspired. I love this little blog of mine, but what I love the most is those of you that continue to come back week after week to see what I've been up to. Thank you, I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

To celebrate my THIRD BLOGGIVERSARY I have some lovely giveaways lined up for you throughout the next few days. Starting today! But before we continue on with the giveaway, how about a mini-tutorial, shall we?

Upcycle Flower Brooch Mini-Tutorial:

To begin, you will need to find some pieces of linen. Look for some old linen bags, skirts, pants, sacks. Anything that you can find that you no longer need or use would work perfect (and it'll make you feel good to create something new out of something old. Yey.)

I happened to have these bags sitting in a drawer waiting for that perfect project. One of them held a beautiful handmade gift brought to me by a friend from Peru, the other some lovely wood toys for the kids fairy tree house.

Other materials you will need are thread, needle, die cut machine (if you have one) or a handmade stencil (if you don't), button, and brooch pin.

Once you've gathered all your materials follow the first steps from the simple embellishments tutorial, come back after you've sewn the flower together. (Click button bellow.)

Once you've gathered your flower and added the button, begin to fray the edges:

Finally, sew the brooch pin on to the back of the flower.

Done! Finito! Listo!

Now you have a beautiful vintage-look-like-up-cycle-linen brooch! (Phew! What a mouthful.)

(you can also leave the edges untouched)

Wear it on your scarf...

Wear it on your hat...

Wear it where ever you like!

Now for that giveaway:

One lucky reader will win one of these linen brooches. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what you enjoy the most from this blog. That's it. I will select the winner using random.org. Please only leave one comment. If you make a mistake erase the first comment and re-post. Giveaway is open until January 31st midnight. I will announce the winner on Monday February 6th. Good luck!

a creative weekend

2012-01-23T22:22:00.000-05:00

This weekend was spent creating and organizing. That and keeping up with all the wonderful (NOT!) regular chores of the home.

And really with the weather we've been having who wants to be outdoors. Keeping ourselves cozy is our number one priority. Hot cocoa, hot tea, hot coffee. Soup, stew...you name it! Brrr.

I like it when we, when I, create!

The kids painted, built new models, and learned new crafts.

I made myself this lovely so-easy-to-make scarf! It really is a lot prettier than it seem on these photos. (A tutorial in the near future? Maybe. I'll just need to pick up more of that fancy yarn.)

This weekend I also realized that this month is my bloggiversary! Three years to be exact. Wow! And to celebrate I'll have some goodies lined up here and there for you from now until the end of the month.

For now, time to head to bed and get myself ready for work tomorrow.

Wishing you a great, fun, and cozy week!

simple embellishments that make a difference: a tutorial

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've noticed that as my spunky nena grows, I like less and less the clothing choices to buy out there, unless I spend a good fortune! And since I'm as thrifty as one can be, well, I refuse to spend such amounts on a piece of clothing she (and her big brother) will out grow in a blink of an eye.

What to do? Make her some cute outfits without spending to much. A perfect example is this plain t-shirt I picked up at Target on sale and then I added a beautiful embellishment made with scraps of fabric to spruce it up. Now doesn't it just look pretty?

During clearance sales I'll stock up on t's of different sizes for both of my kids (and for gifts) to use the following year. I'll then add a little extra to make them look special, expensive even. Ha. I've even used white undershirts to decorate/embellish. Remember this tie t-shirt?

Now for that tutorial:

To begin you will need:

When you choose your fabric pick fabrics that coordinate, but aren't too matchy matchy, that way you can see the contrast between each layer of the flower. Or if you aren't looking for too much contrast you can stick to just one pattern. Either way it will look beautiful.

Don't get scared if you don't have an die cut machine, you can very well make a very similar flower simply by hand cutting it, that is what I would do (and still do for certain projects) before I got my machine. In fact, I think many times the hand cut imperfections make it that much more special.

To begin:

Then layer them and sew them together by hand.

Once you've sewn all the layers together and added the button, your flower is ready to get attached to the plain t-shirt.

Spread out your t-shirt and play around until you find the right spot for your flower (that kind of sounds kinky. Ahem.) Once you've found the perfect spot sew the flower onto the t-shirt.

When you sew the flower, to keep the bottom layer from rolling once you wash it (and to make it a bit stronger) sew about three x's around the inner part of the flower. Like this:

You are done! Totally easy don't you think?

I love simple projects!

I also love how the flower starts to fray and curl a bit after every wash.

Have a wonderful week creating! (And organizing!)

organizing: small changes

2012-01-09T22:36:00.001-05:00

Hello there! How are your new year goals/resolutions coming along so far? Still working on them? Did you give up? If you're anything like me I know you won't give up that easily. I'm cheering you on! I know you can do it! (Hey we gotta motivate each other. Right?)

I'm sure you're wondering how I'm doing. Have I started them? Yes, I have! Small accomplishments, but rewarding ones. So far I have gone back to the gym and plan to continue doing so. I'm also going to bed earlier. Yey! I also started working on a schedule to maximize my time during the day. Maybe wake earlier (a hard one for me. Even now that I've been good about going to bed early.) and hit the gym first thing in the morning so I have the rest of the day to: parent, work, blog, craft, home school and so on. I really want to find a way to fit all that and more into my days. Ahem, any tips?

When it comes to organization, though I haven't necessarily started organizing my craft room, I have, however, gathered a lot of inspiration through Pinterest. I'm sure I've mentioned before my addiction to pinning and pinning and pinning. I think my addiction may be as bad as buying fabric!

Well then, let us go back to the organizing shall we.

I believe that sometimes tackling the smaller spaces around your home first, is better than trying to tackle a large room (like my craft room), so here are some small changes I would like to make around the house in the next few days to begin with.

In my closet:

portable hooks via martha stwart

Reorganize my belts. Currently my belts hang from a hanger, but slip off very easily. That drives me crazy. Isn't this the perfect solution to the problem? And so easy to make. You can see the how to at MarthaStewart.com.

creative scarf solutions via smallrooms

Tackle the scarfs! I recently organized my scarfs by hanging three or four per hanger to keep them from wrinkling. I thought I was the coolest person on the block, but then I saw this and well...all I could think of was- why did I donate all my old shower curtain hooks!!! Another perfect solution for small spaces. This way I can hang more scarfs onto one hanger and use up less space. You can find more creative scarf organizing solutions at smallrooms.

In the linen closet:

there is no direct link to this photo, I stumbled upon it on pinterest.

Um, again- why didn't I think of this before?!!!! To keep your bed linens tidy and organized simply put your folded linens in their coordinating pillow sham. Wow! I totally love this! Really I do. You don't understand how picky I am about folding my bed linens, how I carefully fold each sheet (fitted or not) until they all sit perfectly even on my shelf. Craziness, I know. But that is just who I am, and I am in love with this solution!!!!

In the kitchen:

scrapbook organizers in the kitchen via Chica and Jo

Our house is not small by any means, but I do have a small kitchen. Something I didn't mind before I started enjoying cooking and had kids. If I could make any changes to this house it would be just that, a larger kitchen (and maybe more closet space.) So I'm constantly looking for solutions to organize my kitchen. You would be amazed to see how much I can fit in our small galley kitchen without keeping it all out on the counters (did I ever tell you I hate clutter? Especially counter top clutter!) Using a craft paper (or magazine) organizer to hold different items around the kitchen would be a perfect solution for my shelves. To see other ways to use the craftbook holder in the kitchen visit ChicaandJo.com.

Organizing, even in the van:

16 ways to organize your recycling via Better Home and Gardens

Need I say anything else? Not pretty, but very practical. Though I would skip the plastic bag to keep it greener.

Finally around the craft room:

paper towel holder via realsimple.com, box ribbon organizer via marthastewart.com and multi-tiered pants hanger via cratingkeepsakesblog.com

Ribbon! I have lots of it and need more ways to display it while keeping it organized. I will share with you one of my own solutions (for a slopping wall) later, on the mean time I share with you the three solutions I found and plan to use for the rest of my ribbon. I really like the paper towel holder solution RealSimple.com came up with. I'll be looking for one (or several) of these on my trips to the thrift shops. MarthaStewart.com also came up with a nice solution using photo boxes, but it takes a bit more work to make. I really like the multi-tiered pants hanger solutions that they came up with at CreatingKeepsakesBlog.com.

Jewelry organizer tutorial by Tonya Staab

Jewelry. I like to make it for friends, as gifts, for me, for fun. I like the idea of displaying it in my craft room using an old type set drawer. I have one that was given to me and I planned to use in my nene's room for him to display all his small Lego pieces, but I just might change my mind and keep it to display jewelry. Shhh. Don't tell him. Okay?

Are you inspired yet? Want to start organizing? Still need more inspiration? Then visit DaNita's blog Delightful Order. She created a roundup of all her organizing tips. And she has many. Check them out and get inspired!

Happy Organizing!

saying goodbye; moving forward

2012-01-04T17:13:00.000-05:00

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it comes to my parents and sisters. Ah yes, how I will miss them these upcoming days, weeks, months, until we meet again. I did, however, enjoy every single moment with them. The laughs, the memories. Every.single.moment. It had been too long since we got to spend Christmas with my side of the family and even though I see them at least once a year, for one reason or another we had not been able to do so. This year we did and how grateful I am for that. For the new traditions this introduced my children to (like the Posadas) and the new memories they (and I and hubby) have now created with my family. I am happy and I am sad all together. But the happiness of all those beautiful memories created always wins over the sadness of having to say goodbye. Until we meet again.

San Antonio is beautiful.

photo of our silliness (my sisters and I) taken with my iPhone by the shop clerk.

We walked through Riverwalk, met with some old friends, visited a quaint little German town called Gruene, where we had a family photoshoot (yey!) and visited local shops. All with the company of my loved ones. Bliss.

all the cousins having fun during the photo shoot in Gruene.

Moving forward.

A new year is here and now it is time to move forward. To think of my goals for the future, to write them down and to start accomplishing them one step at a time.

Some of those are:
* to continue living a simpler life.
* re-organizing my craft room. (With the recent addition of a serger, I surely need to do this.)
* set a schedule (as much as I hate them) for homeschooling my sweet nena.
* go on date nights regularly with my handsome hubby.
* clean out and donate, giveaway, and/or toss things that I do not need (that includes fabric. Ouch! That one hurts.)
* organize time for blogging, crafting, and listing on my shop.
* finish reading The Happiness Project. (I highly recommend it.)
* make time for "ME!"
* finish unfinished crafting projects.
* go to sleep earlier, wake earlier (that will totally help me with the schedule setting.)
* exercise!
* start training for a 5k in the spring.
* start once again, using a journal to keep all my ideas, thoughts and goals organized.
* take more nature walks with my family.

This are just some of my goals for this year. I have many. How about you?

All photos I took with my new iPhone using Instagram. I am totally in love with this app! (For sneak peeks follow my user name lisarenata.)

happy new year!

2012-01-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful, beautiful year, full of wonder and happiness!

We've been gone for the last two weeks celebrating and savoring every moment of the holidays with loved ones. I'll share with you more tomorrow.

xoxo

holiday crafting: two tutorials just for you

2011-12-15T14:18:00.001-05:00

and...

As you know I've been keeping myself pretty busy these last few weeks. Some of that business includes two Holiday Craft tutorials I've created. One for New Latina and the other for Mommy Maestra.

Pay them a visit, take a look around and stop by to see my tutorials. Who knows? You might find one to be the perfect gift for someone you love, or that last minute decoration you needed for your tree!

For Miniature Traveling Nacimiento (Nativity) tutorial visit Mommy Maestra (here).

For Handcrafted Felt Ornament Tutorial visit New Latina (here).

Happy Crafting!

enjoying life: one moment at a time

2011-12-13T12:24:00.000-05:00

After the craziness of all the crafting and selling at two craft shows back to back this past week, this weekend, we found some moments to take it all in and slow down. On Sunday I stopped my self from doing more, put everything on hold and let time slow down. How wonderful that was. The kids and I enjoyed each other. I made some yummy German pancakes for the first time (you can find the recipe here) and topped them with our deliciously homemade jams and sauces. We watched some classic black and white Christmas movies and ate some popcorn topped with chile (claro que si!) I even slowed down to take some photos of our decorated home. Yes, it feels good to slow down. Don't you agree?

And this weekend I continued to be amazed by my little guy's creativity. "Mami, I made you a puppet!" Yes, you did, in deed.

Now time to start the rushing!

kaya : our shelter pet adoption story

2011-12-06T23:29:00.001-05:00

This is Kaya our 8 year old mutt. She's a little bit lab, a little bit shepherd and who knows what else. What I do know is that she is a good dog. A loyal dog. A playmate to the nenes. A great guard dog. And at times my confidant. Yes, she will sit there listening to my mumbling, just staring at me with those sweet big eyes, never judging, never complaining, just...listening.

Kaya became part of our family a little bit over 7 years ago. She was a puppy when I went to pick her up at a friend's shelter. She and her litter of siblings had been found deep in the woods and taken to a local shelter. Lucky for us.

Our friend and owner of the shelter called us as soon as they arrived (he knew we had been looking at adopting a new dog.) So I went. I saw. And instantly fell in love with a timid little puppy hiding in the corner. I called. She came slowly. She tapped me with her snout. I knew I had to take her home.

Before Kaya, I had never really had pets that I took care of (aside from a few we fostered a year earlier.) Yes, I grew up with dogs, a cat here and there and even some mice and a guinea pig, but all because my siblings asked for them, not because I wanted them.

Then Kaya came into our small family of two. I did the training, the waking late at night to let her out, the cleaning up, the...I'm sure you get the picture. (By the way, the hubby helped, but him knowing I had never really lived with an indoor pet. He wanted me to learn and bond with her. Good one- I DID!)

(opening her gifts during Christmas.)

She became our little one. Then our little one got a sibling (sort of say). We weren't sure how she was going to react when our first baby came home, we tried to prepare her as much as we could by letting her smell the baby's clothe before we brought him home and other such things. At first she wasn't sure what to think, or do, especially when he cried. But soon enough the bonding began between my sweet nene and Kaya.

Then there were three.

When my spunky nena was born, Kaya was use to the tugging and pulling of a toddler. She was use to the crying and screaming of a baby. We knew she would be okay. And we knew our new baby girl would also be okay.

Today the three of them play together. She still listens to my mumblings and sometimes screaming (what you thought I didn't scream?) She still has the energy of a puppy and is happy if you run around the house or back yard with her. She will greet you with such excitement it makes you feel special (and sometimes annoyed because she wants to greet everyone she knows first!) But if she doesn't know you- you better watch out, because she will always protect what she loves the most. Us.

If you are thinking of getting a dog or giving someone you love a dog as a gift this Holiday season, do consider adopting from a shelter. There are so many dogs that sadly get put to sleep yearly because there is no one to take them home and love them.

If you would like more information on The Shelter Pet Project you can visit any of the following links:

The Shelter Pet Project Web Page

The Shelter Pet Project Facebook Page

The Shelter Pet Project Twitter Page

The Shelter Pet Project's YouTube Channel

Do you have a pet? Where did you adopt him/her from? Share with me.

I was selected for this campaign by Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are my own.

countdown to Christmas: advent calendar roundup and Christmas book list

2011-12-05T00:46:00.001-05:00

I know, I know, the countdown started five days ago. Yes? But with all the decorating, the re-organizing of my studio to fit a new serger machine and the daily goings, well we haven't started our countdown just yet. Not until today! So let's pretend today is #1, shall we? (Okay, you we can start with #5. )

In case you've not started your countdown either here is a small round up of some easy advent calendars you can whip up in one, two, three!:

How about...Pretty paper bags, felt envelopes, frame it, pyramids, cone forest, simple envelopes, fridge magnets, on the door, box it up. You can find more in my Pinterest Advent Calendar Board.

Not sure if you like any of those. Well then, how about making one of my past advent calendars?

You can find the tutorial here.

This is the calendar I made last year, which for some odd reason I did not blog about. I got the idea from one I saw in the Goosenberry Patch Christmas 2010 magazine. But instead of using peppermints like they did, I decided to add a small scroll of paper with a book written in each one. The kids loved it so much they asked for it back this year. Ah yes, make mami's life much easier my sweet ones.

Wondering what books we are using for our advent calendar this year?


(this photo is of our book basket last year)

1. How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

2. The Legend Of The Poinsettia by Tomie de Paola

3. You Can Do It Sam by Amy Hest

4. Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini

5. What Star Is This? by Joseph Slate (We also like to read this on Jan. 6th for the Three Wise Men Latin American celebration.)

6. Oliver's Red Toboggan by Paul Korteper

7. If You Take A Mouse To The Movies by Laura Numeroff

8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem: A Pageant Of Lights by David Mead

9. Noah's Mittens by Lise Lunge-Larsen

10. One Winter's Night by Leo & Diane Dillan

11. Que Monton De Tamales by Gary Soto

12. The Twelve Day's Of Christmas by Hillary Knight and/or The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jack Kent (this was mine when I was little.)

13. The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers

14. You Are My Miracle by Maryann Cusimano & Santomi Ichikawa

15. Merry Christmas Curious George by Margret & H.A. Rey

16. Nine Days To Christmas by Marie Hall ETS & Aurora Labastida

17. The Night Of The Posadas by Maria Dolores Campazano Valiente

18. Christmas Magic by Michael Garland

19. The Mitten by Jan Brett

20. Cricket At The Manger by Edith Hope Fine

21. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz

22. The Gift Of Nothing by Patric McDonnell

23. The Story Of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry

24. The Night Before Christmas by Tom Browning

You can find all the Amazon links to this list here. Or by clicking on the tab Books We Love below the blog banner (above.)

Do you have any other books you recommend?

Now let's officially start that countdown! (kay?)

friday favoritas: christmas time is here

2011-12-02T22:26:00.001-05:00

Where I share with you photos new and old. Photos that inspire me, photos that make me smile or cry, photos that bring out memories, photos that I LOVE!

Donde comparto contigo mis fotos favoritas nuevas y viejitas. Fotografías que me inspiran, me hacen reír o llorar, fotografías que me traen recuerdos, fotos que ¡ME ENCANTAN!

Christmas time is here!

Oh yes it is indeed!

♥♥♥

Si tu tambien quieres compartir tus fotos favoritas conmigo y los demás, puedes ser parte de mi grupo Flickr FRIDAY FAVORITAS, compartirlas en tu blog o pagina de Facebook y hacerlas link a este blog. Me encantaría ver tus fotos.

Have a nice weekend!

pipe-cleaners, cotton balls and bows! (kids christmas craft)

2011-11-30T21:44:00.001-05:00

What do you get when you put together pipe-cleaners, cotton balls, and a bow? A festive Christmas wreath, of course!

It is super simple to make. My little guy made it pretty much on his own. I just guided him a bit and the rest was up to him.

Don't be afraid now, call on your little ones and have fun making your own Christmas Wreath!

After gathering all your materials the first thing you'll need to do (if your little one can't cut very well yet) is cut out the center part of the paper plate. See photo above. It needs not be perfect because the cotton balls will hide the lovely imperfections.

Now for the fun part:

Start off by twisting each pipe-cleaner into round twirls. Set them aside for later.

Then begin to glue on your cotton balls onto the paper plate. Our cotton balls were rather large so my chiquito (little guy) pulled them apart two make two.

Keep your cotton balls close to each other, leaving no gaps.

Now start to glue on the fun twirls leaving a nice space in between each one. Creating a pattern (I had to say that, my little guy is really into pattern making. Note how perfect his spacing is between each twirl.)

Make sure to leave a rather large gap between the last two for your bow.

Let dry overnight. Then hang up in a nice spot in your home (to show off to all of your familia and friends) or give as a gift.

Have fun crafting with your little ones!

running around with chiquitos

2011-11-30T20:11:00.001-05:00

If you've ever wondered what some parents do to keep their chiquitos (little ones) entertained and well behaved while out running errands...pass on by to New Latina and read a few of my secret (or not so secret) weapons. Especially the Five Points Game I started using a while back. It works just about every time.

What are some of your parenting techniques for keeping the peace while shopping with little ones?

birthday girl, I was

2011-11-28T15:02:00.001-05:00

So this weekend was my B-day. I'm getting old. But, I don't feel old. I still feel like I'm in my early 20's, yet I am much, much closer to the 40's. I guess it's true what they say- your as young as you feel. I truly want to believe it. So let me dream on!

I'm sure you are dying to know what I got as gifts, right? (yea, right!)

Well, let me share with you anyway.

First off there is no party, without...

PARTY HATS!

and CARDS!

Now for those big item gifts...

a brand new BED!

a fully loaded CELL PHONE!

the most lovely BOUQUET OF FLOWERS!

a brand new fancy CAR! and lots of lots of LOVE!

Ahem, I think some little ones have been listening and paying close attention to my conversations about needing a new bed and wanting a new iPhone. Now what about the car? No idea. Maybe my little guy thought it would be pretty cool to drive something else rather than a mini-van. Ha!

I loved my gifts. This is the first time my little guy takes the time to make such beautiful gifts for me. (Spunky nena tried, but it was a bit difficult without mami's help. She did pick a lot of those lovely flowers/weeds/leaves you see.) They are truly special gifts. The best!

Note: All photos, with the exception of the last one, were taken my my little guy. Not bad, huh?

Now, just in case you are wondering here are some photos of how we ended up decorating our Thanksgiving table this year.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my in laws. So the table decorating was a team work. I just added the finishing touches. The napkin rings/place cards and the Gratitude tree (I used the same idea as our valentine heart tree.)

The kids helped me make them. It was pretty easy, I just drew one leaf and then used that as a stencil to draw the rest. We then colored the edge of each leaf and I then colored the veins. Finally for the napkin rings/place cards I added each person's name with a bronze marker (mi name didn't fit- too long!) For the Gratitude tree, we got a branch from our the back yard, and hung the leaves. Before that though, each guest would write something they were grateful for this year.

Simple, yet meaningful. Just like our dinner.

Well then, now I am off to rest on my brand new bed, but not before I make a phone call on my fully loaded new phone and admire my beautiful bouquet.

Here is to a great week everyone!

friday favoritas: greatful for fall

2011-11-25T14:47:00.001-05:00

greatful for fall

What abeauty fall can be. The colors and all the fun crunching leaves!

I am greatful to live in a place that allows me to enjoy every season there is.

♥♥♥

thanksgiving roundup

2011-11-22T21:20:00.001-05:00

Now please don't tell me Thanksgiving is, um, this Thursday!...It is?!!! Well, good thing I've been collecting some photo inspiration around Pinterest, to help me decorate our table this year.

Want to see?

I would like to...

fancy tree brach; classy pumpkins; simple branch; green & brown; how about some pine cones; outdoor beauty; for the kids

veggie wrapped; tissue paper calm; acorns and nuts; pumpkin piece; nice little gourds

pear for one; chocolate lover; elegant in black; felt fun

And...

give thanks; gather; thankful, thanks

Fall leaf garland I made using the same concept as my Halloween garland (here).

It is all in the colors.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

friday favoritas: beauty in the unexpected

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

beauty in the unexpected

An old tree stump. Flowers from the carrots plant. Dried up weeds.

It is amazing the beauty one can find if you really take the time to slow down and look. I took these photos on the day my sweet nena asked me to play outdoors with her and I did, with camera on hand, of course.

What unexpected beauties have you come across lately?

♥♥♥

breath. relax. slow down

2011-11-16T23:23:00.001-05:00

Why is it so hard for me to do that?

Everyday I find myself doing doing doing. But doing what?

She came to me the other day and said to me, "Mami lets go play outside!" We did. I thank her for allowing me to slow down.

In my head all these "to do's" were racing around: What am I going to make for dinner? I haven't called my best friend back. I need to make some aprons. Am I ready for my next show? When do I volunteer at my nenes school this week? and on and on and on.

Stop. Breath. Relax. Slow down.

There is a lovely handmade key chain my best friend sent me last year for my birthday. It says, BREATH. I often look at it and remind my self to do so. (Thank you comadre.)

Stop. Breath. Relax. Slow down.

I did just that on Tuesday. I had errand to run, club meeting to attend, posts to write, phone calls to make, things to sew, dishes to wash and loads of laundry to wash. I chose to slow down. (If you follow me on FB, I'm sure you read my simple post: Sometimes all you need is to slow down.)

She and I played, watched a movie together. Took a nap. Relaxed. It was nice. But at the end of the day I felt guilty. Guilty that I put on hold so many things that needed to be done. Seriously, why do I feel guilty? Why can't I just enjoy the here and now and relax with my spunky nena?

Then yesterday came and went and all I did was do and do and do. She came to me and said, "Mami, let's play!" I can't right now, is what I responded. "Mami, sit with me." Not now mija.

And then I felt guilty. Because once again I was doing doing and doing and not taking the time to stop, breath, and slow down.

Guilt. It is such a vicious cycle. Guilt for doing and guilt for not doing. Sigh.

But I am constantly reminded, thanks to them, that I do need to slow down. I do need to relax. Even if just one breath at a time.

spruce up a girls plain denim skirt (a tutorial)

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

For some odd reason my sweet nena ended up with five denim skirts this fall. Some with ruffles, others with pleats, but really all of them plain in color. So I decided I needed to make a little change to one of her skirts. I took the plainest of them all and spruced it up with some lovely trims I had on hand (and been waiting for the perfect excuse to use!)

It is actually pretty simple to transform any old plain skirt into something you (or your little one) would want to wear.

Here is how:

First thing you'll need to do is sew the ends of the trims with a zig zag stitch. This will help to keep it from unraveling when you wash the skirt.

Once you've done that, pin the trim to the inside of the skirt. I pinned mine right where the hem folded. Then sew with a straight stitch.

because...

First pin the new trim directly over the two seams. Then sew the new trim with a straight stitch. First around the bottom edge, then around the top edge.

Now for the back pockets.

Yes I know, I know! Sew by hand?! Well my friends, that is the only way I know of adding trim to already sewn pockets. Anyone know of an easier way? Please share in the comments.

But once you've sweat a little (or more like poked your fingers a little) you'll have a sweet skirt...

Happy sewing!

staying optimistic

2011-11-09T22:04:00.000-05:00

So my first craft show ever came and went. And although I did not do as well as I had expected, I had a great time meeting new people and sharing a space with my friend Noelle. We have plans to sell at other few craft shows in the next couple of months. I'll keep you posted and I'll keep myself optimistic. You never know. Right?

(Just in case you are wondering- yes I made sure that wrinkled tutu got fixed right before the show.)

On another note, my week has been super busy. Lots of interpreting going on this week.

How has your week been so far? Any smiles? If you follow me on Facebook, you know what I mean! ;)

friday favoritas

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

gifts from nature

Did I ever tell you I love taking photos of flowers? I'm sure you must know this by now.

I do, I do, I do!

This weekend take a moment to stop and smell the flowers (if you can find any this time of year)!

total chaos!

2011-11-03T12:04:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is what my craft room currently looks like.

No time to chat, just time to make.

See you back here soon. I'll let you know how the craft fair went.

Adios,

this weekend...

2011-11-01T19:12:00.002-04:00

♥ our lovely canning of apple sauce and making of apple crumble pies continued and we aren't done yet. (Note to self: Do not pick so many apples next year!)

♥ finally finished decorating the house. Yey! (Kind-a had too with a mini-Halloween party happening this past Sunday. Ahem.) Some ideas I got from here and here.

♥ had mentioned Halloween party with a lovely cowgirl, prima ballerina, iron man, super "A", and a very scary (not) ghost visiting. Fun. Ghost paper goody bag is very simple to make: I used a sharpy to draw the different faces and then tied it with some raffia.

♥ made that same morning the ghost costume and a skirt and belt for super "A". (Did I mentioned that the kids were sick the week before?)

♥ baked some goodies for my nene's first school Halloween classroom party. Helped out during mentioned party (I'm one of the room parents).

♥ Skipped trick-o-treating because of the rain. Sigh.

♥ this morning I took a deep breath of relief and satisfaction for a lovely weekend- crazyness and all.

But that was only for a moment because now I am running around working on making goodies for my first craft show ever! I am super excited, even nervous. Wish me luck, will ya?

Time to make more felted flower hair clips and headbands, and paperclips, and bracelets, and...

friday favoritas

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

mother nature wins

tiny wilderness

It never ceases to amaze me what mother nature can do.

Take a moment to look around and enjoy what mother nature has gifted us!

i smell apples in the air

2011-10-26T12:43:00.000-04:00

Oh yes indeed!

Though a little late in the season, we finally went apple picking. A must in our family, since it is a must to make apple sauce every year. Yum. So we packed up a lunch and headed out to the beautiful mountains ready to pick and pick and pick. And pick we did, now I have bags and bags of apples waiting for me to slowly simmer into apples sauce. Yikes! So far I've made apple crisp, and added apples chunks to everything! I don't want the apples to go to waste you know.

While there we also enjoyed the most beautiful views.

Breathtaking I tell ya. Don't you agree? How I love the colors!

And really how can one be up in the mountains and not roll down the hills and do a bit of exploring? A must, I say.

So off I go now to make us some apple sauce.

Knowledge Conquers Fear: October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month

2011-10-25T23:33:00.000-04:00

Did you know that October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month? I am embarrassed to say I didn't, but I will do anything possible to help others (like me) be a bit more aware.

Now in Laurita Tellado's words:

October is an eerie month, filled with monsters, mummies, and the macabre. But while the occasional witch or skeleton might freak you out, one must concede that there are indeed more frightening things– like finding out your child will be born with spina bifida.

And yet, each day in the U.S., an average of eight families welcome a child with spina bifida into the world. Annually, an estimated 1,500 infants are born with spina bifida each year in the U.S.

I was born with spina bifida nearly two and a half decades ago. The diagnosis came as a total shock to my family, along with an entire set of secondary complications. I was also born with hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain.” During the first ten years of my life, it seemed I was in the hospital every other week with a bladder infection or shunt malfunction. I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t really scary at times.

But then, at age ten, I discovered a fantastic way to defeat my worst fears– knowledge. I vowed I would educate myself and read up on the condition that, up until that point, seemed to be taking over my life. Much like a child who imagines a ghost is in his closet, grabs a flashlight and realizes it’s only an old coat, I had come to the realization that, when you take the time to learn about something, no matter how terrifying it may seem at first, everything is less scary in the light of knowledge.

According to the Spina Bifida Association of America, “spina bifida remains the most commonly occurring birth defect in this country.” Just how common is it overall? PubMed Health, the Web site of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reported in March of this year: “Myelomeningocele [the most severe form of spina bifida] may affect as many as 1 out of every 800 infants.”

As a 21-year member of the Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida, I’m doing my part to shed light on this condition by raising money for the Walk -N -Roll for Spina Bifida. When my parents and I moved from Puerto Rico to Orlando, Florida in search of better educational and healthcare opportunities for me in 1990, we found a support system away from our family and homeland in joining the SBACFL. My personal search for a public spokesperson for the spina bifida cause, as well as my work as a current member of the SBACFL board of directors, have helped me find my true purpose– galvanizing as many people as possible to support the spina bifida community.

So, in the spirit of shedding light on a little-known condition, and in honor of October, which is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, here are some statistics about spina bifida that might spook you a bit:

Spina bifida is more common than muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined.

Latinos have the highest incidence of spina bifida out of all the ethnic groups.

Ireland is the country with the highest incidence of spina bifida in the world.

About 50 percent of babies with spina bifida areselectively aborted after being diagnosed with spina bifida.

Doctors recommend that every woman of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida up to 70 percent of the time. In spite of this, there are currently an estimated 166,000people in the U.S. living with spina bifida– up from just 76,000 just last year.

About 90 percent of people with spina bifida are also born with hydrocephalus. Many need a shunt inserted near the brain to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid– and many requiremultiple shunt replacements during their lives.

Other very common secondary conditions include bladder and bowel incontinence, as well as frequent urinary tract infections.

After the onset of puberty, young people with spina bifida are more prone to clinical depression than most people. Researchers think this may be due in part to social isolation.

Being able to share this information with all of you today is without a doubt the most empowering and inspiring aspect of my life. I’d love nothing more than to give you that very sense of empowerment. Please publish this post on your own Web site(s), and feel free to add your own personal intro that will make it relevant to your blog followers. As many people as I’ve managed to rally in support of this cause, you have an advantage that I don’t–your audience. So, please share this information with everyone you come into contact with.

Below is a video that explains just why the Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida means so much to me, and why I’m participating in the Walk -N -Roll.

[youtube http ://www .youtube .com /watch ?v =yIpzk _1 ICX 4]

I will be raising money online for Team Holdin’ Out for a Hero until October 29th, when we have our Walk-N-Roll event. Donations can be as small as $5 or as large as $50,000. (Yes, I do like the $50,000 better!) Every cent counts! Every cent of every dollar will go towards supporting families affected by spina bifida in 22 counties in and around the Central Florida region and supporting educational and awareness efforts.

Yes, to the new parent, or even to the already-grown individual, spina bifida can seem like a scary thing to deal with. But there’s a power in numbers and a strength in awareness– a strength that gives us the courage to open the closet, shine the light in the ghost’s face, and reduce it to nothing but an old coat.

Thank you for helping me conquer my biggest fear– ignorance of spina bifida.

~ Laurita Tellado, HoldinOutforaHero .org

friday favoritas :: fall colors

2011-10-21T14:50:00.000-04:00

fall colors

This is why I LOVE living where I live. Complete Beauty.

Have a lovely weekend!

boy wallet refashioned :: mini tutorial

2011-10-19T21:06:00.001-04:00

Ever since his cousin was in town this past summer, my little guy had been asking for a wallet. I searched, and searched, and searched...and found nothing that we liked. So I did the next best thing- make one for him. Well, kind of. I refashioned a mens wallet I found at a big box store and turned it into a cute boy approved wallet.

Want to make one?

That's it really! I happened to have a snap on applique, but you can also use an iron on applique, making it an even easier project. Since I was using what I had on hand these are the steps I took:

1. Make a hole in the center of the front part of the wallet. Be careful that the hole does not go through the inner pockets. 2. Snap in place your applique. 3. Glue the edges of applique with a hot glue or fabric glue. This will help keep it in place and avoid little curious hands from unsnapping and loosing the applique.

That's it. Now you have:

He will have fun learning the value of $$ carrying a fashionably happy wallet!

halloween garland

2011-10-17T15:10:00.001-04:00

Truth be told, I don't have many Halloween decorations. You see, I've never really been into the whole gory, spooky part of Halloween, though I do love to dress up. But now that the kids are getting older, they are noticing the plainness of, well, our decorations. So this year in the spirit of childhood, I decided to spruce things up a bit. I started by picking up some new black candles to replace the every day red ones around the living area. Added some bats on the walls (will show later), painted some frames black (also later) and brought out some past Halloween photos of the family to display in mentioned frames. Yup, that, and I made this lovely little garland.

What da ya think?

It is really easy to make. I hand cut each circle (that is whey they aren't perfect. But believe me, just today I ordered myself this to ease my life a bit.) and then hand sewed it together with stitching floss. I got the idea (and combined) from both Dana of Made and Elsie from A Beutiful Mess. I figured why make a tutorial when they have some great ones. Check them out they are both very simple to follow.

What about you? Do you prefer the cute and simple Halloween decorations? Or the scary and gory ones?

friday favoritas: raindrops and webs

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

raindrops & webs

Have a fun weekend exploring all small things!

new look

2011-10-11T20:57:00.000-04:00

I guess you can say I might be going through an identity crisis (with the blog that is). I wanted a new look. Something clean and simple. I'm not %100 finished yet (never am), but I am liking where it is heading.

Another new look is my new hair cut.

I went from this:

Photo taken by my lovely Mami.

To this:

What do you think? I love short hair and have worn short hair most of my life, but my hubby really likes long hair- so to please him (and to treat myself too) I let my hair grow long (the longest ever). I loved the way my stylist layered it and how easy it was to style it. But I was longing for the ease of short hair. So after promising myself to keep my hair long for a year (I did well keeping my promise) I finally got it cut.

I love it!

And I love the feeling of a new haircut. It always makes me feel new, fresh, and invincible- like I can take the world on. Okay I'm exaggerating, but really I do love the feeling I get when ever I get a drastic hair cut. I feel like a kid again. Like on the first day of school wearing your freshly new bought outfit. A new start. Ahhh.

What about you? How do you like to wear your hair?

BTW- it was hard taking photos of myself, plus I always hate the way I look. Guess one is always the worst critic right? But, I don't care 'cuz I am lovin' my new hair cut and I am happy. So there. Ha.

Hope you are having a good week so far.

as easy as 123: rose hair pins tutorial

2011-10-10T22:58:00.002-04:00

Aren't they pretty? And they are sooooo easy to make.

Really they are!

Want to make some?

Here is what you'll need:

♥ You will need hair pins with pads (the round little thing on the ends). I got mine at Jo-Ann's. And two lovely flowers. Mine are clay flowers that I picked up at an adorable local bead shop.

(Really, you can use just about anything for the decoration part of the clips. You can use buttons, beads, small silk flowers, satin bows, etc. The possibilities are endless.)

♥ A hot glue gun.

Once you've gathered your materials, glue them together.

Let dry.

Yes it is that simple.

Have fun creating!

friday favoritas: peek-a-boo

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

peek-a-boo

lunch time

2011-10-03T22:22:00.000-04:00

It has been four weeks since my little guy started kindergarten. He is loving it, and so far (thank goodness) there have been no allergy scares. For this I have to thank his teacher whom so cautiously checks everything that is around him, and also the rest of the staff that is constantly around him. I just pray that it continues this way 'till the end of the school year.

Aside from my little guy loving school and our peace of mind, I also have to deal with most mamis every-day dilemmas, like: WHAT TO PACK HIM FOR LUNCH?!

I want to keep his lunch nutritious, yet appealing enough so he will eat it all.

Before he started school I sat down with him and discussed as to what he would want in his lunch. We came up with a list:

*bean and cheese burritos

*mini-pizzas

*our version of lunchables. Crackers with cheese, ham and tomatoes.

*cream cheese and jelly bagel sandwiches.

*and the lunch staple: ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.

All homemade, of course, and I would include a fruit, veggie and a treat with each lunch. Ah yes, and a drink.

(Please pretend you don't see the water marks on the planet box. I seem to be in a hurry every morning and didn't even realize they were there until I edited the photos. Oops.)

Five healthy lunches. One for each day of the week. My plan was perfect. Or so I thought. The sandwich was a hit, as were the cheese and crackers, and the bagel sandwiches. But the burrito idea and mini-pizzas were soon scratch off our list. "Too cold, mami. I didn't like it," was his response after I asked him why he had not finished his lunch. Well, then, now I had to revise my plan.

Since he didn't like the burritos because they were too cold by the time he had lunch, I started making him ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato rolls instead. He loves them! I also started packing zucchini bread slices (we are so running out of zucchini bread fast, since our harvest this year did so poorly), organic cheese sticks, organic yogurt and applesauce (which is our last batch and we need to get to the orchard to pick up apples soon!) But aside from that I am stuck and can't think of any other varieties of food to include in his lunch. *sigh*

One thing for sure is that when he comes home (so far) his Planet Box is always (or just about) empty! Making this mami very, very happy.

What do you like to pack for your kids lunch? Any suggestions? Just keep in mind that it needs to be peanut, tree nut, shellfish and sesame seed free.

And in case you are wondering- I love his Planet Box! It is perfect for a 5 year old- keeping all his food separate, yet easy to open, without the fuss of opening individual packages/containers. I also like that it helps keep less trash off the dump yards, keeping our planet just a bit healthier. It is easy to clean. And because it is so darn sturdy I know he'll be able to use it for years to come. And once he gets bored of it, I can spruce it up by ordering new magnets for the cover. Pretty cool, don't you think? I love, love, love it! And so does my little guy, which really that is what matters the most.

friday favoritas: tender kiss

2011-09-30T21:13:00.002-04:00

tender kiss

pillow case dress

2011-09-29T13:11:00.001-04:00

During the summer a friend of mine and I decided we wanted to get together once a month and make something crafty. It is always so much more fun to create with friends. The chatting, the laughter, and the creative suggestions makes it all that much more fun than sewing all alone.

Our first project was this simple pillow case dress.

I've had plans to make one for a long time (let just say since my spunky nena was born) and never got to it. So I thought this was the perfect dress to start our sewing day with. An easy, uncomplicated sew. Plus, I knew my nena would love it...

...and she does!

Other things we've been up to around this house of ours:
♥ Still getting use to my little nenes school routine. Especially my nena, she really misses her brother.
♥ Enjoyed a lovely weekend with my hubby, while my mom watched the kids. Gracias Mami! (She flew all the way from Texas so we could make time for "US".)
♥ Have spend the rest of the week enjoying long talks with my dear mami. I'll miss her so much when she flies back home.
♥ I just noticed that I really need to get that banner updated!

What have you been up to lately?

friday favorita: spring in autumn

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

spring in autumn

SINCE TODAY FRIDAY IS OFFICIALLY THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN, WHY NOT BE A BIT CONTRADICTORY AND REMEMBER THE BEAUTY OF SPRING!

COMO HOY ES OFICIALMENTE EL PRIEMER DIA DE EL OTOÑO ¡PORQUE NO SER UN POCO CONTRADICTORIO Y RECORDAR LA LINDA PRIMAVERA!

antique love: sewing machine

2011-09-21T20:59:00.000-04:00

This is my White Rotary antique sewing machine. Not sure how old exactly. (1940's?) I LOVE IT!

(Pardon the dust. Has been sitting there, put away for a while.)

It was passed down to me by my husband's maternal aunt- it use to belong to his great-aunt. Being that I am the only one that likes to sew (and loves antiques) in his family- even if it is by marriage. ahem- a while back his aunt asked if I would like the sewing machine. It would be perfect for sewing heavier fabrics. Well, how could I say no! I mean really, would you have? No way! She is a beauty.

What I love the most about it is the history behind it. Knowing that it belonged to my husband's great-aunt and then it was passed down to his aunt Jan, where she, like her aunt sewed garments for her children, linens for the house and so on. She's also a crafter. Her quilts are gorgeous! Anyway, as I was saying, the history behind it, the hours of loved labor creating wonderful things out of simple pieces of fabric. It is just amazing to me. That I, like those two women before me, will also sew on this machine (maybe not as much), but I will. And maybe, just maybe, one of my two lovelies will also inherit this sewing machine and appreciate it as much as I do, and even sew with it.

I've yet to use it. I know, bad me. But really it all has to do with space. And at this time it takes up a lot of space for me to put it in the craft room (which is huge to begin with, but aside from being my craft room it is also the kids craft room/play room and the office.)

Soon enough thougn, I'll have to give it a spin. In fact I am totally excited that- as I was doing my research to find the year it was made- I found a tutorial on how to thread it! Total coolness! Don't you agree? I think that is always the tricky part with all the sewing machines.

But until then, it sits by our bed side as a lovely night stand.

On a side note: If you are wondering what is up with that ORANGE WALL? Well, at one point we used the master bedroom as the guest bedroom and I had it decorated Latin Style, with a collection of handmade crafts from around Latin America, especially Mexico. The color was perfect for how the room was decorated, including the white covers, and nice bright accent colors. But now? Well, now that we are actually using it as the master bedroom, it is screaming for a change!!! I totally want a nice soothing aloevera green. But with all the "projects" on the list, that is not a priority as of now. Soon. Soon.

And in case you happen to have a sewing machine like mine (or simply just curious as to how one threads it) here is that video I mentioned earlier:

I hope you are having a great week so far. I am (as busy as it's been). My mom gets here tomorrow. So I am super excited. I get her all to myself for a whole week! Yey!

herbs

2011-09-19T10:09:00.000-04:00

I've been drying them little by little before the winter months come our way (which happen to be right around the corner, I do say.)

It is mighty easy.

Just cut, rinse and let them sit out on the sun (or indoors.) You can hang them to dry or simply place them on a tray (like I've done.)

Some herbs-like rosemary-dry very quickly. Others-like basil- take a several days to dry, you just have to be a little patient.

I have big plans for all these lovely herbs and lavender. Aside from using them to enhance flavors in my food, I want to collect enough dry herbs and give some away as gifts come Christmas. I do think they would make lovely gifts. How about some lavender satchels for drawers? Or cute cups filled with mint chocolate? Or simply, jars filled with herbs and tied with a cute ribbon? The possibilities are endless.

What are your favorite herbs to dry? Give away? Any gift ideas?

friday favorita: purple love

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

purple love

TAKE THE TIME TO ENJOY THE LAST BITS OF SUMMER COLORS.

TOMA EL TIEMPO PARA DISFRUTAR LOS ULTIMOS COLORES DEL VERANO.

just a quick little stop

2011-09-14T22:28:00.001-04:00

...to let you know that I am officially a regular contributor for New Latina!

I have to say this is very exciting for me. I've been meaning to share the news for some time, but as always life got in the way. Nimodo.

I'm sure you've heard me write about them here before, or twitt about some of their great articles, and I've also posted several on my Sabor a Cajeta fan page.

New Latina was created by Angélica Pérez-Litwin, a Latina I admire so very much. I remember when she would talk about creating a site to inspire today's Latina. And through her hard work she made that dream come true. Her beautiful dream has grown so much and has helped (and inspires) many Latinas, including my self. One my favorite sections of New Latina is Ask a Professional where, as Angelica discribes it best " Latina women connect with other professional Latinas and receive advice via an anonymous Question & Answer format on Facebook." How great is that?

So please do stop by and check out my most recent article "Who Knew I Would Love Staying at Home" , and while your at it take a look around. You'll want to go back again and again. I guarantee it.

¡Hasta pronto!

falling apart, but I still love you

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Our house is falling apart. Really it is.

My little guy always gets worried when he hears me say this. "Mami, why is the house falling apart?" "Will it be okay?" "Will we be okay?" He is my sensitive one. My worrier.

So I try not to say it in front of him, but ever-so-often thewords will slip out of my mouth.

The deck needs to be refinished.

Parts of the fence replaced.

The front porch striped and painted.

The siding replaced.

New windows for downstairs. They are painted shut! Andmost of the screens are torn or simply don't fit right anymore. (Boy was it hard after Irene swept through our town and we wereleft without power for almost a week. The only window we couldopen was the bathroom one. Frustrating and HOT. Fortunately we replaced the upstairs windows before the kids were born. At least there was some breeze coming in through there.)

The upstairs air conditioning replaced.

We often say that we will fix these things soon, but then otherunexpected expenditures come along. I guess that is what happenswhen you live in an older home. The way life works. I am not complaining...well,maybe a little.

But you know what? I love our house even if it is slowlyfalling apart.

It is the longest place I've ever lived at.

The first house my hubby and I bought together.

The first and only home my nenes have ever known. Where they tooktheir first steps and said their first words.

It is in this house I fell in love with gardening. Vegetables andall.

The first house I ever decorated to my liking from floor toceiling. Colorful, very colorful.

This house has heard our tears and laughter, felt our pains andjoys.

It has heard my dreams, our dreams, their dreams.

I love this house of ours. Even if it is slowly fallingapart. I do.

soccer season

2011-09-11T21:51:00.000-04:00

HAS BEGUN!!!

My little nene has been playing soccer now for three seasons. And every year he improves more and more. This season, however, is my little nena's first time playing soccer. (Can you believe she chose soccer over ballet? Yup, that's my girls. *sigh* What she doesn't know is that I still have plans for her to enter the Latin Ballet. Bet she'll like that a lot. Or so I hope. Ahem.)

And...even though I do drive a van and I am surrounded by soccer balls, chin guards, dirty socks and cleats- I REFUSE TO BE CALLED A SOCCER MOM! BY GOLLY I DO! (Just had to let it out. Hahahaha!)

Have a nice week!

friday favoritas: wink wink

2011-09-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

wink wink

DARE YOU TO HAVE A SILLY KIND OF WEEKEND!

¡TE RETO A QUE TENGAS UN FIN DESEMANA MEDIO LOCO!

first day of school (and food allergies)

2011-09-06T14:05:00.003-04:00

Today is my little guy's first day of kindergarten.

He was so excited from the minute he got up. I on the other hand am worried.

"Look at the bus mami!" (We aren't taking the bus you silly little thing.)

Not because he won't like it. He will. Nor that he won't enjoy learning. He does. Or because he won't make any friends. He's a chatter box just like his mami. No. I am worried because I am leaving his life on the hands of not just one person, but many. That is hard for me.

You see he has severe allergies to food. (Peanuts, tree nuts, shell fish and sesame seeds to be exact.) If he comes into contact with any of these (especially the first three) he will go into anaphylactic shock (his respiratory tract will close, have trouble breathing, coughing, break into hives and eventually loose consciousness and God forbid even die.) All these years we have been very fortunate to have friends and family that are very understanding of this. In many ways he has lived in a very control environment. And even though he has, he still has been in the emergency room twice in his five little years. (The first when we found out he was allergic to peanuts, the second when he was being retested.) Both times I felt so scared. Helpless. His life at risk.

He attending school is a completely different story. I loose all control. I rely on his teacher and staff.

I have to believe that he will be okay.

I had considered homeschooling all the way up to last Thursday. Hubby and I had been going back and forth as to what would be the best thing for him...and us. We opted for school. A great school, with great teachers. We had a meeting last Friday with his teacher, clinic nurse and staff and they all seem to be on board and very understanding of his situation. We have taken every precaution possible. (EpiPen with him at all times and training the teacher- and every other staff member that will be around him- how to use the epipen, packing a lunch everyday, not taking the school bus, and so on.) It eases my heart a bit. I pray that he will be okay.

So today is my little guy's first day of school.

He will be okay. I will be okay.

I can't wait to hear how his day went and see that beautiful smile of his again and again and again. I love him so.

decicions have to be made ♥ hay decisiones que uno tiene que tomar

2011-09-05T12:23:00.002-04:00

Sometimes those decisions can be very hard.

Hay veces que esas decisiones pueden ser muy difíciles de tomar.

I've been thinking about it for a while. I am sure you've heard me complain about it too. It has been a very hard decision, but one I feel is for the best. It is the right thing for me right now.

Lo he estado pensando desde ya hace tiempo. Estoy segura que también me han escuchado hablar sobre ello. Ha sido una decision dificil, pero una que creo es lo mejor para mi, por ahora.

As much as it hurts to type these words I have to say...I will no longer be writing this blog both in English and in Spanish. I won't stop blogging, don't worry. I will simply only write this blog in English, with some Spanish thrown in here and there (it is part of who I am after all).

Y por mas que me duela escribir estas palabras, les tengo que decir...ya no escribiré este blog en Español. No parare de bloguear, no te preocupes. Simplemente solo escribiré en este espacio en Ingles, con unas cuantas palabritas en Español por ahí (a pesar de todo, es parte de quien soy.)

To all my lovely readers that come to this blog because it is in Spanish- I am sorry and grateful that you have followed me these last three years. You are special to me, really you are. If you ever- and I mean ever- would like for me to translate one of my posts into Spanish, just send me an email and I will try my best. And who knows in the future I just might go back to blogging in both languages. Life is always full of changes right?

A todos mis lindos lectores que me han seguido estos últimos tres años por que mi blog estaba escrito en Español, les pido perdón y les doy las gracias por a verme seguido tantos años. Tienen un lugar especial en mi corazon, enserio. Si algún día quieres que te traduzca alguno de mis posts, por favor mándame un mail, y tratare de hacerlo. Y quien sabe, a la mejor en el futuro hasta vuelva a escribir en este espacio en ambos idiomas. Uno nunca sabe. La vida esta llena de cambios, ¿Que no?

All the previous posts you will still find both in English and in Spanish. Including those in the tutorial and recipe sections. There are there for you to enjoy. Always.

Todos los posts previos los seguirás encontrando en ambos idiomas. Incluyendo esos en la sección de tutoriales y recetas. Ahí estarán para cuando quieras leerlos. Siempre.

But from now on, this lovely space of mine, where I share with you my passions, will only be written in English.

Pero de hoy en adelante, este lindo espacio mio, donde comparto contigo todas mis pasiones, solo sera escrito en Ingles.

I hope you understand.

Espero me entiendas.

It is the right thing for me. Right now.

Es lo mejor para mi. Ahorita.

Let's be creative with Curious George ♥ A que ser creativos con la ayuda de George el Curioso

2011-09-05T07:19:00.000-04:00

Oh as you may know by now, we love that curious little monkey named George. So we were very excited to find out that this month PBS and Curious George will be focusing on the arts. Hello! We love the arts!

Como ya han de saber a nosotros no encanta ese monito curioso llamado George. Pues se han de imaginar que me puse super contenta al saber que este mes PBS y Curious George se enfocaran en las artes. ¡Nos encanta todo lo que tiene que ver con las artes!

Today Monday, they start their sixth season (see here for TV times) filled with new and creative episodes: "Auctioneer George" and "Sock Monkey Opera."

Hoy Lunes, empieza su sexta temporada (ver aquí para programación) llena de nuevos y creativos episodios: "Auctioneer George" y "Sock Monkey Opera."

If you follow me on twitter (or are family/friend) you've probably figure out that I love, love, love the opera, Broadway shows and plays in general. Since my nenes were very little we have been taking them to see local plays. They enjoy them as much as I do. And my little nena has turned out to be such a drama queen (never thought I would use that word to describe my kids) that we have considered putting her in acting classes (just for fun). I am glad that they decided to create an episode that focuses on the enjoyment of the opera.

Si me sigues en twitter (o eres familiar/amigo) ya has de saber que a mi me encanta la opera, los Broadway shows y obras de teatro. Desde que mis nenes eran muy pequeños los hemos llevado a ver obras de teatro locales. A ellos les gustan mucho a si como a mi. Y resulta que mi pequeña a resultado ser toda una gran actriz (jajaja), que hasta he pensado ponerla en clases de actuación. Me da gusto saber que le hayan dedicado un episodio al la opera.

But that's not all, the creative fun will continue tomorrow Tuesday with "Hamster Cam" and the "Great Monkey Detective." Perfect for the Sherlock Holmes in your home.

Pero ese no es todo, la diversión creativa continua el Martes con "Hamster Cam" y "Great Monkey Detective." Perfecto para los Sherlock Holmes en tu casa.

And on Wednesday kids can learn about sculpting and photography along with George, in "George and the Giant Thumb" and "Shutter Monkey." Photography? I dare say I have two little nenes following their mama steps. Perfect.

Y el Miercoles, los niños pueden aprender sobre la escultura y fotografía junto George, en "George and the Giant Thumg" and "Shutter Monkey." ¿Fotografía? Perfecto, pues tengo a dos mini fotografos siguiendo los pasos de su mami.

This month in addition to celebrating the arts, Curious George will also be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with his friend Marco, during the week of September 19.

Este mes ademas de celebrar las artes, Curious George también celebrara El Mes de la Hispanidad junto con su gran amigo Marco, durante la semana del 19 de Septiembre.

A fun packed month of Curious George!

¡Un mes lleno de diversión junto a Curious George!

Don't forget to check out their listings regularly for all the fun and new exciting episodes they will show throughout the season, including a special Earth Day episode "Junky Monkey" coming in April 2012. We can't wait to watch that one.

No se te olvide a pasar a revisar sus horarios regularmente, para estar al tanto de todos los nuevos y divertidos episodios que tendran durante toda esta temporada, incluyendo un episodio especial para el Dia del Planeta (Earth Day) "Junky Monkey" Que se estrenara en Abril del 2012. No podemos esperar a verlo.

How exciting is that?!!!

Que divertido ¿no?

Disclosure: I received a fun filled package through PBS and Latina Bloggers Connect, to help facilitate this post. All thoughts and comments are my own. Please know that I will never recommend anything I or my family does not like.

Recibí un paquete par medio de PBS y Latina Bloggers Connect, para facilitarme con este post. Todos los pensamientos y comentarios son míos. Por favor recuerda que yo nunca te recomendaría algo si a mi o a mi familia no nos gusta.

Our best friends... ♥ Nuestros amigos favoritos...

2011-08-31T17:29:00.000-04:00

...Since we got hit with tornado Irene this past Saturday. We are on day four of no power. We are all okay. Thank Goodness. No major damages, other than two fallen pine trees and the loss of power.

Amazingly the kids are loving the "blackout adventure" as they call it. This makes it so much easier on their mami and papi.

If you were also hit by the tornado I hope you are doing well.

(Spanish)

...Desde que paso el tornado Irene este sábado pasado. Es nuestro cuarto día sin luz. Todos estamos bien, y eso es lo que importa. Nada de daños graves, solo un par de pinos que se cayeron y la perdida de luz.

Increíblemente los nenes se las están pasando super. Han tomado todo el chaos como una aventura nueva. Y eso hace las cosas mucho mas fáciles para mami y papi.

Si el tornado paso por donde vives, espero estés bien.

wearable art ♥ usando arte

2011-08-15T20:06:00.000-04:00

This weekend the kids asked to make an art project (nothing new around this house of ours.) They came across a couple of old sleeping t-shirts I had made for them a while back and asked if they could make one too. Of course I said- SURE!

Este fin de semana pasado mis nenes me pidieron hacer un proyecto de manualidades (una ocurrencia muy seguida en esta nuestra casita.) Querían decorar unas playeras como las que les hice hace un tiempo para dormir. Y como buena mami que soy (¡Ja!) les dije que si.

After a little help from there mama, this is what they came up with:

Después de ayudarles un poco esto fue su resultado final:

Do you like?

¿Te gustan?

It is oh-so-very-easy to make.

Son super fáciles de hacer.

Here is how.

Aquí te enseño como.

What you need:
♥ A plain white t-shirt (or any other solid light color.)
♥ Fabric markers.
♥ A piece of large cardboard (the size of the t-shirt).
♥ Adhesive tape.
♥ Your artistic talent!

Lo que necesitas:
♥ Una playera blanca (o de algún otro color claro.)
♥ Marcadores para tela.
♥ Una pieza de cartón los suficiente grande para ponerla adentro de la playera..
♥ Cinta adhesiva.
♥ ¡Tu talento artistico!

1. Place the cardboard inside the t-shirt. This helps avoid staining the back part of the t-shirt.

1. Pon el pedazo de cartón adentro de la playera. Esto ayuda a que no se manche la parte de atrás de la playera.

2. Tape the t-shirt to a flat surface (we used the floor.) Make sure you stretch it a bit, this will make it easier to draw.

2. Sostén la playera en una superficie plana con pedazos de cinta adhesiva. Nosotros la pegamos directo en el piso. Asegúrate de estirar la tela un poco para que sea mas fácil de dibujar en ella.

3. Using a black fabric marker. Draw your picture. Ask the kids what kind of drawing they would like. In our case my little guy was very specific as to what he wanted, which made it easy on this mama of his. But my spunky little nena jumped from one idea to another. So after listening to her carefully (and patiently) I came up with a bubble blowing flower. Several of her requests put together in one. Ahem.

3. Después usando un marcador para tela de color negro, has tu dibujo. Pregúntale a tu pequeño que le gustaría que dibujes. En nuestro caso mi nene fue super especifico en lo que quería y como, por lo cual se me hizo super fácil de seguir sus instrucciones. Pero mi querida nena saltaba de una idea a otra. Después de escucharla cuidadosamente (y con mucha paciencia) decidí dibujarle un flor soplando burbujas. Esto cubrió varios de sus requisitos en uno. Fiu.

If you can't free style, you can also search online for a cute picture or even use one of your kids coloring book drawings and then trace it onto the t-shirt.

Ahora si no te animas a hacer tu propio dibujo entonces busca por el Internet algún dibujo que te guste, o usa alguno de los libros de colorear de tu pequeño y copealo en la playera.

4. Let the kids color it in using fabric markers.

4. Deja que tu peque se divierta colorando con los marcadores de tela.

5. Let it dry for 24 hours.

5. Deja que se sequen por 24 horas.

Tada! You are done. Now your little ones have a cute artistic t-shirt they will be proud to wear.

¡Tada! Terminaste. Ahora tu peque tiene una playera artística y única de la que se pueden orgullecer.

They did color it after all!

Digo, el/ella la colorió. ¿Que no?

friday favoritas

2011-08-12T08:57:00.000-04:00

from our garden

MAY YOUR WEEKEND BE FILLED WITH SUMMER FUN (AND FOOD)!

¡QUE TU FIN DE SEMANA ESTE LLENO DE DIVERSIÓN VERANIEGA (Y SABROSA COMIDA)!

this weekend :: este fin de semana

2011-08-09T13:13:00.000-04:00

(para español ver abajo)

♥ we made a lot of yummy strawberry and peaches smoothies. Another favorite. (recipe below)

♥ we enjoyed some antique shopping and found the perfect Demi Lome Consul for the upstairs landing. I had been looking for one for years. I got such a great deal on it (thanks to my mother-in-law who is great at bargaining.) Now I have no excuse to get that hallway finally painted!

♥ I also found the adorable handmade mini-rag dolls, basket and radio flyer mini wagon. The kids are loving them. They are perfect for their little doll house and tree house.

♥ I've been making decisions whether to buy a dresser, a tall chest and an armour I saw at several antique shops. All for the master bedroom...all beautiful....I think I better go get them today....I hope they are still there.

♥ we found a wonderful quaint Bistro just at the end of antique row. The food was delicious, the service was great and they were very accommodating with our allergy requests. I can definitely say this will become a regular place to visit, especially with friends.

♥ did some back to school (or in our case, new to school) shopping. I am still in search of a nice large tin can/pencil holder and tin food containers.

♥ we have been enjoying the fruits of our hard work this past spring. Tomatoes, tomatoes and more tomatoes...and some bell and cayenne peppers.

♥ we have been weeding around said veggies.

♥ I've baked several loaves (large and small) of zucchini bread to enjoy come the winter months.

♥ I have been fighting strep throat.

Over all it was a lovely weekend around here.

How was yours?

Este fin de semana...

♥ preparamos unos ricos licuados de fresas con durazno. Otro de nuestros favoritos. (receta abajo)

♥ nos fuimos de compras a las tiendas de antiguedades y encontre la mesita perfecta para el pasillo de arriba. Ya tenia años buscando una y esta me salio a muy buen precio, claro eso fue porque mi suegra es buenísima para regatear. Ahora tengo que ponerme a pintar el pasillo. ¡Ja!

♥ También encontré los mini-monitos de trapo echos a mano y un carreton . A los niños les encantaron. Son de la medida perfecta para su casita y arbolito de adas.

♥ Eh estado tratando de decidirme si compro un ropero y dos comodas que vi en diferentes tiendas de antiguedades. Las tres piezas me gustan para la recomara matrimonial. Estan bien bonitas. Creo que si las voy a comprar...espero todavia esten ahi.

♥ Encontramos un restaurantito perfecto para almorzar con amigas. La comida esta deliciosa y el servicio de maravilla, aparte de que les prepararon a mi nena un platillo especial por su alergia al cacahuete. Definitivamente regresaremos.

♥ Nos fuimos de compras para el regreso a clase (o en nuestro caso, su primera vez de clases). Todavía ando en busca de una cajita de metal para guardar sus lapices, borrador y goma para pegar. Y también unos recipientes de metal para su comida

♥ hemos estado disfrutando el fruto de nuestro gran trabajo la primavera pasada. Comiendo tomates, tomates y mas tomates...mas chiles morrón y cayenne.

♥ hemos estado jalando yerbas para cuidar dichas verduras..

♥ hornee varios panes de calabazitas, para disfrutarlos cuando llegue el invierno..

♥ Eh estado luchando contra un infección de la garganta..

La verdad que nos pasamos un lindo fin de semana por acá..

¿Que tal tu?

Strawberry & Peaches Smoothy

You will need:
♥ Two organic peaches. Peeled and cut into large pieces.
♥ About 1 cup of organic strawberries. Sliced.
♥ 2 cups of organic vanilla yogurt.
♥ 1 tablespoon of agave nectar.

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!!!!

Licuado de fresas con durazno.

Necesitas:
♥ 2 duraznos orgánicos. Cortado en piezas grandes.
♥ 1 taza (mas o menos) de fresas orgánicas. Cortadas.
♥ 2 tazas de yogur de vainilla orgánico.
♥ 1 cucharada de agave.

Licua todos los ingredientes juntos y listo. ¡A disfrutar!

friday favoritas

2011-08-05T13:02:00.000-04:00

day lily

If you would like to share some of your favorite photos with me and everyone else to see, you can join my Flickr group FRIDAY FAVORITAS, post your favorite photo on your blog or on your Facebook page and link it to this blog. I would love to see what you love.

Si tu tambien quieres compartir tus fotos favoritas conmigo y los demás, puedes ser parte de mi grupo Flickr FRIDAY FAVORITAS, compartirlas en tu blog o pagina de Facebook y hacerlas link a este blog. Me encantaría ver tus fotos.

HOPING THAT THIS WEEKEND YOU TAKE THE TIME TO STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS.

ESPERO ESTE FIN DE SEMANA TOMES UNOS SEGUNDOS PARA OLER LAS FLORES.

silly hats and some of our favorite kids craft books ♥ sombreros chistosos y nuestros libros de manualidades para niños

2011-07-28T09:58:00.000-04:00

Like our hats?

¿Te gustan los sombreros?

Silly aren't they?

Chistosos ¿No crees?

Yes, silly silly fun!

Definitivamente ¡super chistosos!

We made these using the guidelines in our currently favorite craft book:

Los hicimos usando este libro:

The Sunny Day Book

We made some changes. The original design called for caps, but we didn't have any plain ones. So I thought, why not use a hat? I think they look adorable. The kids love them and truly, that is what matters at the end. Right?

El proyecto original pedía que usáramos cachuchas, pero como no teníamos ninguna sin diseño, pensé ¿Porque no usar sombreros? Y eso fue lo que hicimos. ¿Apoco no están curiosas? A mis nenes les encanto, y al final eso es lo que cuenta. ¿Que no?

When I pick out books for the kids, my number one priority is the illustrations. I like them to be easy enough for the kids to follow on their own, if needed. Of course, with every art project I am (for the most part) around to supervise, though my little guy is getting old enough to make some of these project all on his own.

Cuando escojo libros para los niños mi prioridad numero uno son las ilustraciones. Me gustan que los niños puedan seguir las instrucciones sin dificultad y sin que yo tenga que estar ahí durante todo el proceso. Claro que mi pequeña todavía necesita mucho de mi ayuda. Pero mi nene ya casi puede hacer muchos de estos proyectos sin me ayuda.

Here are other books that you can find in our art cabinet ready for use. (And trust me they get pulled out a lot! My munchkins sure love creating! and I don't mind one bit):

Aquí comparto con ustedes otros libros que puedes encontrar en nuestro gabinete de arte, siempre listos para usarlos. (Y les aseguro que si los usamos mucho. A mis nenes les encanta crear! Y yo, pues no me quejo nadita.):

The Usborn Book of Art Ideas

This book is great if you have a little one that loves to paint. The book is full of information about color use, different types of media and patterns. It is easy to follow and full, I mean FULL, of ideas!

Este libro es perfecto para los niños que les gusta pintar. El libro esta lleno de información acerca del uso de colores, los diferentes tipos de pinturas y brochas, y el uso de patrones. Es fácil de seguir y esta lleno de muchísimas ideas.

I Can Make That!

We have an older version of this book, called I Can Make Toys. The kids love, love, love this book. I've mentioned before that I keep a large basket full of recyclable materials- when this book is out so is that basket. All the projects in this book can be made using materials you already have around the house. Great, great way to teach your kids to be GREEN!

Nosotros tenemos una versión mas vieja de este libro que es llama- I Can Make Toys. A mis nenes les encanta este libro. Como les he mencionado antes, yo tengo una canasta llena de materiales reciclables listos para que los niños lo usen cuando quieran. Cuando los niños sacan este libro también esa canasta. Todos los proyectos en este libro se pueden hacer usando materiales que ya tienes en casa. ¡Una manera perfecta para enseñarle a tu pequeño como ser mas consiente de su planeta!

The Kids Multicultural Craft Book

This particular book might not have illustrations full of color, but it sure has a lot of great information. With each craft you learn about where it was made, about the people that made it and some history on the materials originally used. How perfect is that? The kids get to learn about geography and cultures while making art!!! Love it!

Este libro no estará lleno de ilustraciones coloridas, pero si que esta lleno de información. Con cada proyecto encuentras un mapa con la locación de donde viven las personas que hacen ese tipo de manualidades, también información acerca de la cultura, e historia de los materiales que se usan. Los pequeños aprenden acerca de geografía y culturas mientras crean proyectos. Perfecto ¿no crees?


The Children's Year

Okay, I have to admit, this is not a book the kids pull out much. I'm the one that tends to use this one. The illustrations aren't all that great (for a child that is), but it really is a wonderful book. Each sections is divided by seasons, a poem to begin the chapter, and crafts one can make during that time of year. If you have younger children (like I do) they will be able to make just a few of these crafts, most I think are intended for an adult or a young teen/preteen.

Les tengo que ser sincera, este libro no lo sacan mucho los niños. Yo soy la que tiende a usarlo mas. Las ilustraciones no son muy interesantes para los pequeños, pero la verdad es que si es un buen libro. Cada sección esta dividida en las estaciones del año, e incluye un poema y varios proyectos que puedes hacer durante esa temporada. Si tienes pequeños como yo, solo podrán hacer unos cuantos de estos proyectos. Pero si están perfectos para que un adulto o joven los use para crear regalos para niños.

Do you have any fun craft books? Share with us. I would love to add them to our home library.

¿Tienes algunos libros de manualidades que te gustan? Comparte con nosotros. Me gustaría añadirlos a nuestra biblioteca de la casa.

time to slow down ♥ momentos tranquilos

2011-07-25T18:34:00.000-04:00

I've been told time and again that I have a type A personality. You know- alway-running-around-everything-needs-to-be-in-order-fills-the-calendar-with-every-event-possible-kind-of-person. I've been told many times that I need to slow down. And I have, really I have. Before I got married and moved to lovely Virginia, my life in Southern California was full of running around. To school, to work, to the gym, to visit family and friends. I skipped meals, slept late and woke early. (Gees I get all that stress back just thinking about it.)

En varias ocasiones me han dicho que mi personalidad es tipo A. Tu sabes- el tipo de persona que siempre anda corriendo, tiene todo en orden, y llena su calendario con todos los eventos posibles. Seguido me dicen que tengo que tomar las cosas con mas calma. Vivir una vida mas tranquila. Y creo que lo he logrado, bueno por lo menos un poco. Antes de casarme y venirme a vivir a Virginia, mi vida en el Sur de California era un chaos. Me la pasaba corriendo de la universidad al trabajo, del trabajo a visitar familia y amigos. Todo que daba lejos, y mi calendario estaba lleno de eventos. Me pasaba comidas, dormía tarde y madrugaba. (Ay, todo el estrés de ese tiempo me regresa con solo pensar.)

Slowing down has not been easy. I've had to learn. At first the way of life here was just a bit to slow pace for me. Seriously! But with time I began to enjoy the slower pace and the free time I found in my hands. I worked, and painted and took up photography once more. And I let go of my watch! You know the kind you wear around your wrist. No more attachment to time. I felt free.

Vivir mi vida con mas calma no a sido nada fácil para mi, pero he aprendido. Al principio la vida aquí se me hacia muy despacio. ¡Enserio! Pero con el tiempo comencé a disfrutar de la tranquilidad y el tiempo libre que tenia. Trabajaba, pintaba y volví a empezar a tomar mas fotos. ¡Y me deshice de mi reloj! Tu sabes, el tipo que usas alrededor de tus muñecas. Me sentía libre.

Then the kids were born.

Y luego nacieron mis pequeños.

Slowly but surely my life began to get filled again with "this" and "that's" to do. My once not-so-full-calendar, began to get full again. With play dates, soccer practice, gymnastic classes, dance practice, swimming lessons, the list goes on. My days full of laundry, dishes, cooking, hugging, kissing, caring, cleaning, and more loads of laundry.

Poco a poco mi vida volvió a llenarse con un montón de cosas que hacer. Mi calendario se volvió a llenar con citas de juegos para los niños, practicas de fútbol, gimnasia, ballet, natación...y la lista continua. Y eso es sin contar todos los quehaceres de la casa.

But it has also been the kids that have reminded me of the importance of slowing down. Just this past week, when I found myself running around taking the kids to camp and doing the usual errands, house chores, and finding some time to blog, when the kids asked to go to the park.

Pero también los niños son los que me han ayudado a recordar de la importancia de vivir una vida mas tranquila. Por ejemplo la semana pasada mientras corría a llevarlos a su clase de campamento deportivo, mis nenes me pidieron que los llevara al parque.

"The park? It is too hot! and I have too many things to do."

-¿Al parque? ¡Pero esta haciendo mucho calor! y ademas tengo muchas cosas que hacer-

"Please mami?"

- ¿Por favor mami?-

"Fine."

- Bueno pues.-

Am I glad we did.

Que bueno que lo hicimos.

While the kids played and ran around the park, and after I took some photos, I decided to take out an old sketch book I had not opened in many years...

Mientras los niños jugaban y corrían por todo el parque, y después de tomar unas cuantas fotos, decidí sacar un cuaderno de dibujo cual no había abierto en muchos años...

I came across the two pencil drawings above (and many other sketches). I drew these on the last road trip my parents, sisters and I took to Mazatlan Mexico, from Southern California and across western Mexico. It was a fun trip. Note the year? 1998. After that the sketches became far and few. There were some of wedding dress ideas (I made my own), brides maid dresses for my best friend's wedding, and sketches of clothing ideas that I had if one day I started my own clothing line. The dreamer in me.

Encontré los dos dibujos de arriba (y otros cuantos). Estos los dibuje en nuestro ultimo viaje como familia, mis papas, hermanas y yo. Viajamos en carro desde el Sur de California hasta Mazatlan, México. Recuerdo que divertido y cansado fue el viaje en carro. ¿Ven la fecha? 1998. Después de esos dibujos, los dibujos empezaron a disminuir. Encontré unos con ideas para mi vestido de novia (yo me lo hice) y otros para vestidos de las madrinas que saldrían en la boda de mi mejor amiga, y también unos cuantos dibujos de ideas de diseños de ropa, por si algún día empezara mi propia linea. La soñadora en mi.

After flipping through the pages and going down memory lane I started a new sketch. Around the same time the kids decided to join me in the fun.

Después de hojear el cuaderno de dibujos y viajar por el país de las memorias empece un nuevo dibujo. Al mismo tiempo mis nenes decidieron hacer lo mismo.

Here is what I came up with:

Esto fue lo que dibuje:

Can you tell I have kids now? Seriously! But I had fun, and it also stirred up inside of me that urge to draw once more. I think the last time I actually drew/painted something was when I was decorating my little nene's nursery over five years ago. On one of his walls I painted children dressed in traditional costumes from around the world and also painted two large canvas signs that say, "Buenas" (good) & "Noches" (night.)

¡Ja! ¿A poco no se nota que tengo hijos? ¡Enserio! Pero me divertí, y al mismo tiempo esa cosquillita de querer pintar algo de nuevo regreso. Si no me equivoco la ultima vez que pinte algo fue ya hace mas de cinco años cuando decore la recamara de mi nene. En unas de sus paredes pinte niños vestidos con trajes típicos de su país. Y dos cuadros con las palabras "Buenas" y "Noches."

Anyhow, had it not been for the kids and taking the time to sit still and slow down, I would have not opened that sketchbook.

Pero bueno, si no hubiese sido por los niños y tomar el tiempo de estar unos instantes tranquila, no hubiera abierto el cuaderno.

This also made me realize that I do schedule my self too much to do. And even when I am at home I find myself doing- cleaning, organizing, working on the so dreaded laundry, gardening and so on. That is why at times you won't hear from me here in this lovely space of mine. I look around and have multiple of projects waiting to be finished or started. I want to do it all, and the reality is that I CAN'T! I have to be true to my self and also good to my self and let go (something else I've had to learn and am constantly working on.)

Esto también hizo que me diera cuenta que si, definitivamente programo mucho por hacer. Y hasta cuando me quedo en casa siempre estoy haciendo. Ya sea limpiando, organizando, lavando, trabajando en el jardín, y mucho mas. Por lo cual muchas veces no me encuentran en este mi espacio. Veo a mi alrededor y veo mucho proyectos por terminar otros por empezar. Quiero hacerlo todo, pero la realidad es otra. Tengo que ser honesta con migo misma y dejar de tratar de hacerlo todo. Por mi tranquilidad y mi salud.

I know I've asked this several times but, HOW DO OTHER BLOGGER/CRAFTERS FIND THE TIME?

Se que he preguntado lo siguente varias veces, pero...¿COMO LE HACEN OTRAS BLOGUERAS PARA ENCONTRAR EL TIEMPO?

HOW DO THEY BALANCE IT ALL?

¿COMO ENCUENTRAN EL BALANCE?

And so this weekend I decided we would take it slow. No going and coming, no running around, no anything (other than dance class). I slept in (as much as I can with two little early risers), took it easy, only did a few loads of laundry, played with the kids, worked on the garden and made a chocolate cake (using the recipe in Apples for Jam) for my hubby's birthday. Nice and slow.

Y pues este fin de semana decidí tomar las cosas con mas tranquilidad. No salimos a ningún lugar (aparte de la clase de ballet de mi nena.) Me desperté tarde (lo mas que se puede con dos nenes madrugadores), y tome las cosas con calma. Jugué con mis pequeños, lave un poco de ropa, he hice un poco de jardinería. Y por ultimo prepare un delicioso pastel de chocolate (usando la receta en Apples for Jam) para celebrar el cumple de mi esposo. Todo tranquilo y con calma.

Still no time to paint though, but I did manage to add some more items to the Sabor a Cajeta shop. I will find the time. I will take the time to slow down more often.

Aunque no encontré el tiempo para pintar, pero si tuve un poco de tiempo de añadir mas cosas a mi tiendita Sabor a Cajeta. Se encontrare el tiempo. Tomare el tiempo para tomar las casos con mas calma.

As I was weeding this weekend I came to the realization that gardening also allows for me to slow down and take it all in. To take notice of what is around me, not only the food we are growing but the trees, the birds, the squirrels and bugs (yes bugs) that I might not other wise noticed. In some ways gardening as well as the tedious task of weeding has become a sort of meditation. If only for a little while I become one with nature. How I love that. When I walk back into the house, things seem a bit more manageable. I am calmer. Who knew I would one day find pleasure in weeding. Life is unexpected like that.

Este fin de semana, mientras arrancaba las hiervas en el jardín de verduras, me di cuenta que trabajar en el jardín también me ayuda a frenar el tiempo un poco. Me ayuda a tomar nota de todo lo que esta a mi alrededor, no solo la comida que estamos creciendo, pero también los pájaros, arboles, ardillas y hasta los insectos que en esto nunca hubiese notado. De alguna manera la jardinería al igual que el arrancar yerbas, se a convertido como un tipo de meditación. Aunque sea por un poco tiempo me convierto en uno con la naturaleza. Me encanta. Quien diría que algún día encontraría placer en jalar yerbas. La vida nos da sorpresas.

Wishing you find some time to slow down this week.

Deseándo que puedas encontrar un poco de tranquilidad.

friday favoritas

2011-07-21T22:39:00.000-04:00

simply fun

HAVE A FUN ROLLING DOWN THE HILL KIND OF WEEKEND!

¡QUE PASES UN FIN DE SEMANA DIVERTIDO!

sweet dreams ♥ dulce sueños

2011-07-18T23:03:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite times of the day is bedtime. Yes, I like sleeping. What mama doesn't? But what I am talking about here is our bedtime routine. Which consists of:

Una de mis rutinas favoritas del dia es la hora de dormir. Claro que me gusta dormir ¿a que mama no le hace falta unas cuantas horitas de dormir? Pero de la rutina que yo estoy hablando es lad e mis nenes. Cual consiste en:

♥baths/showers
♥ brushing teeth
♥reading a story or two or three...
♥ Praying and giving thanks for our favorite part of the day
♥Singing the same Lullaby in Spanish, Buenas Noches, that we've been singing to the kids since the day my oldest was born over 5 years ago.

♥baños
♥cepillarse los dientes
♥ leer una histaria, o dos, o tres...
♥ rezar y dar gracias por nuestra parte favorita del dia
♥ y cantar la misma canción "Buenas Noches" cual les hemos cantado desde que nació mi nene mayor ya hace mas de 5 añitos.

It is a mostly peaceful routine that I love. It is a time that we get to slow down. We get to hold each other, and we get to think of what is important to each and one of us.

Usualmente es una rutina tranquila, cual me encanta. Es cuando nos calmamos, nos abrazamos y compartimos lo que es importante para cada uno de nosotros.

Recently though, thanks to one of my sisters that was here visiting, the routine changed a bit- We've now included story telling! There are nights we might skip a book or two and instead I will make up a story. How my nenes love it. "More mami, more!"

Pero recientemente, gracias a la visita de una de mis hermanas, la rutina a cambiado un poco. ¡Ahora hemos incluido contar historias! Hay noches en la cual solo leeremos un libro o ninguno y mejor les invento una historia a los niños. Como les encanta. "¡Mas mami! ¡Mas!"

And so I travel to far away places, where monkeys rule on an island and chipmunks pirates search for their treasure (a trunk full of nuts, of course!) Some time I make them up in Spanish, other times in English.

Y pues, viajamos a lugares lejanos donde los monos se apoderan de una isla, en la cual unas ardillas piratas buscan su tesoro (¡Un baúl lleno de nueces claro!) Hay veces que se las invento en español y otras en ingles.

"How about a loooooooong story mami? Pleeeeeeease?!"

"¿Que tal una historia laaaaaaarga mami? ¿Por favoooooooor"

How can I resist? Especially now that they are participating in the story telling? There imaginations at it fullest. I love it, I love it, I love it.

Ni como resistir, mas hora que ellos toman parte de las historias. Usando sus imaginaciones a lo máximo. Me encanta. Definitivamente, me encanta.

What is your favorite part of the day? Do you your kids have a bedtime routine?

¡Cual es tu parte favorita del día? ¿Tus niños tienen una rutina a la hora de dormir?

On another note, yesterday I spent most of the day playing around with the photo above in Photoshop. What do you think? I've had the program for years now and although I use it now an then, I tend to fall back on Picassa when it come to doing simple editing. But yesterday I was inspired after reading both the LittleBlueBoo and the Pugly Pixel blogs. I have a loooong way to go, I know, but I gotta start somewhere right? Like... my new banner.

Cambiando de tema, ayer me la pase casi todo el día jugando con Photoshop y diseñando la foto de arriba. ¿Que tal? Ya tengo años con el programa pero aunque lo uso de ves en cuando para retocar mis fotos, casi siempre tiendo a usar el programa de Picassa para editar cosas sencillas. Pero ayer me inspire después de leer los blogs de Little Blue Boo y el de Pugly Pixel. Se que me falta muchísimo por aprender. Pero con algo se empieza, ¿Que no? Como mi nuevo rotulo del blog.

Do you like the new look and feel of the blog? Please tell me what you think. How about the font I've used? It is still a work-in-progress. I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks.

¿Que tal te gusta el nuevo "look" de mi blog? Porfa dime que piensas. ¿Que tal el estilo de letra que escogí? Todavía no termino. Me encantaría leer tus sugerencias. Gracias.

fun with my little model ♥ divercion con mi modelito

2011-07-12T23:03:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we had a little photo shoot. And even though it was super duper hot and humid as can be, we managed to have some fun. You kinda have to with a silly little model like mine.

Ayer tuvimos una mini sesión de fotos. Y a pesar de que estaba extremamente caliente y húmedo el día, nos divertimos mucho. Ya si no, cuando uno tiene una modelito tan payasa.

Advisory: There are probably more photos that you would want to see of my lovely little model. I just love so many of them which make it very hard to narrow them down (and I did, trust me), so please do bare with this mama. What am I to do? I love her so.

Advertencia: Probablemente veas mas fotos de las necesarias, pero me encantaron tantas que fue difícil tratar de escoger menos (y les aseguro que no son todas). Es que, les pido paciencia, pues que se le puede hacer cuando una mami quiere tanto a su nena. Como dicen por ahí- estoy como la mama cuerva. Jeje.

By the time we got to the starry night tutu (blues), not only was she tired, but oh so hot. Can you tell? So I did what any mama would do when in desperate need to keep her little one's attention longer. I bribed her with a lollypop. Ahem. It worked!

Para cuando llegamos a tomar fotos de la faldita azul (noche de estrellas) mi modelito ya estaba super cansada y caliente. ¿Se le nota? Es que tuve que hacer lo que cualquier mama haria como ultimo recurso, para continuar la atención de su nena. La chantajee con una paleta. ajem. ¡Funciono!

What did I tell ya!

¡No que no!

Enjoying her paleta (lollipop)- which by the way I love. They are by Yummy Earth Organic . Oh so tasty and good for you too! They even have some spicy flavors. My favorite!

Disfrutando de su paleta- cual les quiero contar me encantan. Si, son de Yummy Earth Organic y estan deliciosas. Con decirles que hasta tienen paletas enchilosas. ¡Son mis favoritas!

Note: All the tutus seen here will be available for purchase in the Sabor a Cajeta shop. I will be posting them through out the next two weeks. If you like one make sure you grab it, they are one of a kind.

Nota: Todas las faldas de bailarinas que ves aquí estarán a la venta en mi tienda Sabor a Cajeta. Las pondré a la venta durante las siguientes dos semanas. Es que si te gusto alguna asegúrate de pasar a la tiendita antes de que se venda. Todas las faldas son únicas.

in our garden ♥ en nuestro jardín

2011-07-12T00:03:00.000-04:00

(this is a small section of our garden. ♥ solo una pequeña sección de nuestro jardín.)

We are growing:

Estamos viendo crecer:

(for halloween ♥ para halloween)

(Which I finally planted yesterday! ♥ Que por fin plante ¡ayer!)

(the only two that made it this year. bua. ♥ los únicos dos que crecieron este año)

What is growing in your garden?

¿Que estas viendo crecer en tu jardín?

Friday Favoritas

2011-07-08T15:15:00.000-04:00

Where I share with you photos new and old. Photos that inspire me, photos that make me smile or cry, photos that bring out memories, photos that I LOVE!

Donde comparto contigo mis fotos favoritas nuevas y viejitas. Fotografías que me inspiran, me hacen reír o llorar, fotografías que me traen recuerdos, fotos que ¡ME ENCANTAN!

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