It really is just a hill...

I'm pleasantly surprised!

But let me back up just a bit.

A long, long, long time ago...

when Samuel and I were just dating,

we got it into our heads to head up the hill to Daffodil Hill.

We heard it was amazing, and so we stopped for rations (Taco Bell, the 10 pack), and off we went.  I think it was June or July...either way, it was way past the daffodil season, and all we ended up seeing were a few limpy remnants.

Now, many moons later,

married and with five kids in tow, 

we decided it was time to head back up that same hill.

And so we go.

The pleasant surprise came when we happened upon the farm and saw that the parking was free!  

That's unheard of.

Everything nowadays has a gimmick, a draw, or a catch 

{Are you noticing the Tootsie Pops?}.

But the parking was free.

Uh.

They had horses...

Peacocks,

and of course...

Flowers!

And guess what?

It's all free!

Hence the mommy and daddy smiles!

We had fun poking around...

And Ava even threw a rockin' good fit!

And this peaceful place proved to be just the right spot to catch your breath...

and calm down.

And of course...

You can't beat...

The amazing photo ops!

I could have snapped pictures ALL day!

And I did!

All Grown Up...Samuel: 31 Years with Hair!

No, your eyes do not deceive you!  

On Samuel's 31st birthday, he sprouted a crop!

 

All courtesy of my mom, and her clever handiwork, and I don't know how you feel about, but I think it works, babe!

Per tradition, Samuel chose his birthday feast,
which consisted of:

Hot Pastrami Sandwiches,
Sweet n' Sour Slaw,
and
Steak Fries!

The birthday boy enjoyed a sumptuous dessert, and even managed to make a wish AND blow out his own candle!

No small feat considering the crowd standing by just itching to help!

For Birthday Sunday at his parents house, we ate a traditional chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and rainbow sprinkles and...

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake with a trio of sauces:

Raspberry, Peanut Butter, & Chocolate Fudge!

Later I surprised him with a night out at Thai Chili.  We heard the food was excellent, though the service slow, and found the description to be apt!  The fiery flavors were in stark contrast to the laid back and mellow atmosphere of the restaurant and staff! 

For those who have never had Thai-try it!
Just be mindful,
spicy MEANS spicy!

Happy Birthday,

Samuel! 

30 Candles...

On April Fools Day, in 1980, my sister Sophia was born.  

I love that!

It was something I always snickered about growing up,

but in the end, 

way down deep,

I always knew we were best friends.

Happy, happy birthday Sophia!

We are so grateful we were able to share this special day with you.

I love that though you are a notoriously picky eater,

you love my food!  

It's no Michelin Star, 

no Zagat rating, 

but if you will take a bite, 

and then two, 

I know I'm doing something right in the kitchen!

It's an honor to prepare your birthday dinner Sophia, 

and an even greater honor to be your sister.

I love you dearly.

Me

2010 Open House

We had a great time visiting the girls classrooms for Open House.  

Ava, our proud first grader, loved showing us around, but was especially excited to take a picture with Mrs. Padilla!

On of my favorite projects on display were these darling pictures of the kids being whisked away by their giant kites!  

Bye Ava!

No sooner did we finish visiting one classroom, we had to bolt to another:  

Mrs. Manley's Third Grade Class! 

Isabella, likewise, loved showing us her around her room, and teaching us all that she has learned thus far!  

It was quite the exercise, 

and by the time we were done, 

I was relieved to be out of school!

Mischief Makers...

Let's face it:  

I'm obviously not Irish,
and despite my love of all things food,
corned beef and cabbage is lost on me!

But I do love candy...

And any excuse to make a brownie...

so I guess this holiday isn't so bad after all!

Especially since it's also fun for your house to be attacked by mischief makers!

Those rascally Leprechauns sure got around...

And to the delight of my girls they left a sweet treat in their wake!

Until next year when, as usual, 

mom will wear one speck of green, 

which Ava will ignore every time, 

to give me 

the traditional pinch!

Thanks Ava!

What's Your Spud?

Ava had a really fun class project in which they were all required to take a potato-any kind-and, using ordinary materials around the house, transform it into a SOMEBODY!

Ava, who is so not a circus person (I guess who is?), was dead-set on making a clown!

After some strategically placed puffballs for crazy hair, a bright red nose, and a painted face, she had a spud destined for the Ringling Brother's circuit!

As for the rest of her classmates, the sky really was the limit, and two that impressed Ava were the Ninja and Star Wars spuds!

They were, 

in her words,

"AWESOME!"

31 and Melting...

On March 14th I celebrated my 31st birthday!

Samuel planned an evening at the Melting Pot, and we dined on all things savory and sweet.  It was a night to remember, especially considering I dipped sweet n' sour pickles (which I hate!), into cheese and LOVED it!

The ambiance is incredible-

how you beat mini-booths?

-and let's face it, 

fondue is the ULTIMATE play with your food concept!

The main course was amazing, everything from lobster to ravioli's, but the best part was choosing from eight sauces to complement each bite.  My favorite was the New York Strip with a creamy blue cheese sauce.  Incredible!

Samuel favored the shrimp with the horseradish, and as you can see, it went down well...

The best is, of course, always last!

It really was too much, and aside from the strawberries-which just scream: Dip me in chocolate!-The cocoa crusted marshmallows rocked!

Where can you buy those?!?

Now for the absolute best part of my birthday...

Breakfast with the kiddies!

They served me an egg-white omelet with spinach and mozzarella, decorated the house with handmade party decor, presented me with a bevy of gifts, and tons of hugs and kisses!

Does life get any better?!?

Well, yes.  

My sister Sophia treated me to an evening of dinner and shopping!

{Okay, it's not "better", but it certainly was fun!}

I love that we're mommies now and can get together as sisters AND friends!  Especially when it seems like just yesterday that we were kicking and scratching each other...yes, we duked it out back in the day.

All told, my birthday was fabulous!

Thank you my sweet family!

XOXO

Me

Expressions

My kids are saints for bearing with a momma who loves to snap their picture!  Everyone indulged save for Bella who refused to sit still for even one shot!  The rest agreed, though some were more willing than others...

Ava Grace, my bruiser! 

Her foot caught on the reading rug at school and she went crashing down.  She's a trooper though, and this smile says it all!  Ava and I share tons of physical characteristics, but where she gets her dynamic personality and adventurous spirit, I'll never know!  She brings an energy to this home that is unmatched, and can sleep like a log late into the morning catching some serious zzz's!

Iris Luciana, Sweet & Sour

That's her daddy's nickname for her and it fits to a "t".  You'd be hard-pressed to find someone whose a sheer delight one moment and a pain-in-the-neck the next!  But as one of our favorite storybooks goes...

"I love you because you're you!"

Owen Joseph, Little Man

 

Persistence is how I would describe this boy.  He is the squeakiest wheel for sure, and is learning, day by day, that momma is NOT at his beck and call!  Shocking, I know!  But oh, so true!  He is a good boy, who still gives me squeezes and loves, and makes my day when I feel his tiny heart beat against mine.

Gabriel Dodge, Monster Munch

Outgrowing Owen by leaps and bounds, this boy, at two years younger, is already wearing clothes that Owen was wearing just last year!  He is a delight, the crown jewel of the bunch!  Just kidding, of course, but seriously, you could not special order a child more perfect than he.

All of my children are priceless, and they bring Samuel and I so much joy.  They can't help but make you want to be better than you are.

S'more Science

I'm absolutely convinced
the best way to make a s'more is NOT over an open flame! 

I know! 

You die-hards will hate this post!

It's broiling them to perfection under 500 degrees of scorching heat.  

We used honey grahams,
 squares of Hazelnut Chocolate from IKEA
(TRY IT-YOU WILL LOVE IT!),
and baby mallows. 

Keep a real close eye on those babies,

but after a few minutes the mallows are golden,

the chocolate perfectly melty,

and the crackers crisp and crunchy!

Enjoy!