My Take...on One of My Favorites

When I was little, my abuelita would always make pumpkin  bread. For Thanksgiving. It's so yummy! Weeks before Gabi was born, it's all I could think of. But I didn't want to bother my abuelita. So I set out, to search the internet. And I found this recipe.

Let me tell you, it was delicious! Not as good as my abuelita's bread, but pretty darn close. Yum! Did I mention that it makes 2 loaves? I'm almost 100% positive that I ate 1 and 3/4 loaves. Shhhh! We won't tell anyone. It was that good. So here's the recipe!

Spiced Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 16-ounce can solid pack pumpkin
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

How to:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Mix in eggs and pumpkin. Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder into another large bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions. Mix in walnuts, if desired.

Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.

While my abuelita was out here visiting,she did a little baking. And I got 4 loaves of her bread. Just for me! I was over the moon with excitement! Then I told her about this recipe. She tried it out. And really liked it. But this time, she wrote down her recipe. Yay! Now we'll have plenty of pumpkin bread. My favorite fall treat!

Some Much Needed Sparkle

I'm officially past due. 8 days! And I'm quite miserable. I barely fit into my maternity clothes. I haven't seen my feet in months. Months people! We've been trying everything, to get our Munequita to come. Nothing is working. Let's just say, I needed a little "pick me up."

La Chiquitita is always wearing the best accessories. Something fun. Interesting. Things that I don't usually see. I asked her the other day, where she shops. And she told me about Charming Charlie. It's Accessory Heaven! Now I know, why all the girlies like to go shopping with their Tia Bonita! Best shopping ever!

Yesterday, I met my friend, during her lunch break, at Heaven on Earth. Any mujeres' shopping Heaven! No lie! Charming Charlie, we are going to be besties. No lie! I'm so glad we met today. :)

I'm positive that I mentioned, this, I don't fit into any of my clothes. Not really. And our baby girl, doesn't seem like she is ready to come. At most, I should only be pregnant 1 more week. They'll induce next Friday, if I don't go into labor. This means, I need a few outfits. If our Munequita doesn't come in the next few days, Gabe is going to teach, at the Conference this week. I'll need to at least meet our friends for dinner. I desperately needed something, to make me feel better.

That's when Charming Charlie surprised me! I went in. Wobbling. Exhausted. And was surprised! While my friend has control, she only left with 3 pairs of earrings, I had absolutely none! I left with almost $200 worth of stuff. Overdue or not, earrings, bracelets, and purses always fit! Oh, and I get to wear all of this, long after our precious little girl is born.

Yes, this Momma-to-Be, needed a "pick-me-up." La Chiquitita knows exactly how to make you feel better. I'm so grateful for my dear friend. Lunch, laughter, and shopping. That's what our afternoon was made of. It was exactly what I needed. Hopefully our Munequita was bitten by the "Shopping Bug," and is motivated to meet her Mommy and Daddy!

Thinking of Christmas

Gabe and  I started talking the other night. We figured that we better get moving. On our Christmas shopping. Because, I don't see the 2 of us, doing much shopping, after our Munequita comes. We made a list. And tried to decide on some gifts. I ordered some stuff online, last night. And I set out shopping today.

For the kids, I just knew, that I needed to go shopping. To an actual store. I ventured out. Wobbled actually. Half hoping, that I'd prompt our little girl to come. That didn't work, but I got some shopping done. Look at what I found for Marianna!

You see, our Goddaughter just loves animals. Jungle animals. It's something that Mariella and her enjoy. Together. Their room, is slowly turning into one cute, jungle inspired room. When I saw this, I knew it was a winner!

When Gabe got home tonight, he immediately wanted to play with it too! And he was quick to tell me, we still have 2 months to wait! Can we do it? Or will we give in. Just so we can play with Marianna and her little ark...

I Think I'm 15 Again

I swear to you, that I'm 15 years old again. Playing with makeup, writing Love Notes to Gabe, shopping like there's no tomorrow, and watching shows for teens. Yes, watching shows for teens. Like Pretty Little Liars. Oh, this show, just hits all the right spots!

I heard about it from Cari and this mujer. That was late last Spring. When it came out on DVD, I bought the 1st season. And when I wasn't dying from morning sickness, I was watching this! When I was done, I bought the books. Started watching season 2. You can say it...I'm hooked!

Last night, was the last episode...until January! What am I supposed to do until then? Besides the obvious...have our little princesa! Why do networks do this? Get you hooked, then make you wait months, for the next episode. So frustrating!

If you haven't yet watched it, you should. It's online. At least season 2. Like I said, season 1 is on DVD. The books are good. Not as good as the show, but a nice way to pass time. Now for me to start counting the days...until January 2nd...

The Help

My good friend, has been talking about The Help for a while now. Since I'm on partial bedrest, I asked Gabe to pick me up a few books. He came home with 10! That I've been reading. Then I remembered this one. Immediately, I put down my other book. Which, by the way, I can't find anywhere! I started reading. And I had The Help, read in about 3 days!

It's that good! Now I want to see the movie. When does it come out? I've been out of the loop, of all these things, for a while now. But I just have to see this movie. It has to be amazing! I just know it does. The book was incredible. Definitely something you should try!

If Only...

I can't possibly be, the only one, that thinks this way. That $75 is a little steep, for a piece of jewelry, that isn't gold, silver, etc. A handmade piece...yes. But a little steep in price. Something that I really like. I really want. That's this bracelet...

Something deep inside, wants me to contact this Etsy seller. To see if she can make me one. I don't exactly know what it is, but I really do love this bracelet. It's simple. But elegant. I can imagine it, being one of those pieces of jewelry, that I wear every day. I just need to get past that price tag!

New Blog...and Names

OK. So I've been trying to survive all this morning sickness. And well, it's not going so well. That has lead me, to look for something that makes me happy. Or at least smile. During the day. While Gabe is gone working. And I'm home, just trying to survive. That's when I found this blog. For the last few days, I've been reading this blog.

This particular post, made me smile. It's so Gabe and I! We've been talking about baby names. Our list, is already almost 100 names long! Almost hourly, our name choice changes. 2 days ago, we had a name picked out. Almost set in stone. Ready so start buying our Munequita some cute things. Then, almost instantly, we hated the name.

We've got 4 months of this to go. I can imagine, Gabe and I doing just this. Picking a name. And in the last few days, completely changing our minds. Oh goodness! But really, go read this blog.It's a good one! Maybe I'll learn a few things from Brie. Who happens to be further along this "Mommyhood Road."

Zoe. Peas. Zoe.

One of the reasons, that Gabe and I, were so excited about moving home, was to spend more time with Marianna. We try to spend as much time with our Goddaughter as possible. Being that we pretty much missed, her first 11 months.

It's been great to spend time with Marianna. I'm sure that Sals is often relieved when we show up. Taking one of her ninitos off her hands, even for a few hours, must make things a little easier for her. I still don't know how she does it with 5!

To be honest though, having Marianna, is helping Gabe and I. Not only do we enjoy spending time with her. Teaching her new things. Enjoying her company. We are getting some much needed practice! Yes we are!

Recently, I realized, that she is slightly obsessed with Sesame Street. And I know what you're thinking. What kid isn't? I'm pretty sure, that Maribel has a little something to do with that. She is in love with Abby Cadabby! And guess who Marianna's favorite character is? Zoe!!!

Not the cutest little thing. But she is a hoot to watch! Zoe is all about dancing. I've never seen her without that tutu on. Whenever Marianna comes over, we have to watch Sesame Street, in the morning. Both in English and Spanish. You just have to watch Zoe in her "Zoemobile." With Rocco, her pet rock!

We may have bought Marianna Zoe's Dance Moves. For her birthday. 2 copies. One for her house, one for ours. And generally, it's what we watch, when she wakes up from her nap. Yes, Marianna is all about Zoe! And it's so fun to watch her! I can imagine, when she is big enough, that she is going to want to be a "Lerina," just like Maribel!

One of our favorite places to visit is this website. Marianna will go to our computer, and point. Telling me, "Zoe. Peas. Zoe." She just lights up, when we go to this website! Especially, this page. Let's just say, Gabe and I are stocking up, on things from this page. Oh ya!

Maybe Gabe and I are becoming fans too! That wouldn't be such a bad thing. I think our little one, will probably have their favorite character too! I wonder which one. Until then, maybe we can convince Sals and David to have a Sesame Street themed 2nd birthday party for the twins. Wouldn't that be fun?

Most Precious Gift!

When I was a young girl, my favorite book was Grimm's Fairy Tales. I read it, and read it, and read it some more! I've always been a big fan of fairy tales. Of "Happily Ever After."

When we told our dear friend, that we were expecting our first baby, she was over the moon! Just like I had expected. What happened next, I didn't expect. Not at all! She came over with this book...

And told us, that it didn't matter, if we had a boy or a girl. That she was just praying for a healthy baby. For us. And this book, would be perfect for our baby! I'd have to agree 100%. It also doesn't hurt, that our friend is a big reader. Something is telling me, our baby is going to be blessed with many books! I just can't imagine a more perfect gift.

Shopping for Ninitos

It's almost Marianna's 1st birthday! Our goddaughter. Let's just say, we're so excited! Yesterday, Gabe and I went shopping. And let's just say, we had way too much fun, for adults, shopping for kids' toys.

I've recently noticed Marianna, playing a lot with Baby Jels' mailbox. Hmm, where did this mujer buy it? I don't know. I should have asked her. Instead, Gabe and I went on a hunt. And well...we found it...

I'm going to say it, I think we totally overpaid...$35! But that's because we couldn't find it anywhere. And ended up at a toy store. In hindsight, I should have looked online first. But we found it. And had a fun time, playing with all the toys!

Don't tell anyone, Gabe and I are just overgrown kids. Ya, I know. We're in our 30s, but honestly, we sometimes act, like we're 5 again. :) I'm pretty sure, Marianna is going to love her little mailbox. Oh, and we were also on the hunt for something cute. You know, for David Jr. What do you think...

With 4 older sisters, well, we figured that David Jr. could use something "manly." A tool set just screamed "Boy" to me. This is way too cute! We couldn't pass it up. So much so, Gabe bought 2! We're planning ahead here. What do you think? I can't wait to start shopping for our own little one!

Hello Snow!

We've been back, in our home state, less than 24 hours. And we're buried in snow! It's everywhere! Here in the desert, we are buried. No one knows how to act. But us "northerners," we're actually happy to see the snow!

Other than it being "Storm 2011," we should be a little worried. We were told to conserve gas and electricity. Things are running short. Really short. There have been rolling blackouts, all around. Up north, most of our families are without gas. Thank goodness they have fireplaces and wood burning stoves. We need to keep warm.

Gabe and I are trying to keep busy. You know, there's not a whole lot for us to do. Our moving trucks, are stuck in the storm. We're conserving energy, so we're trying to stay away from using the computer or TV. Everything, and I mean everything is closed! This is a nice way to start our new life. Simply. Not a lot of fuss. Just getting back to what's important. Gabe and me. Let's hope, the snow stays around for a few more days!

We're Home!

In late 2003, we left. Gabe and I were off, to live out one of his dreams. I was unsure of it. We weren't just moving. We were starting a new life. One together. Our families, and most of our friends, were miles and miles away. But we had faith in each other. We left. Never looking back.

I don't think either of us, dreamt of how our next 7+ years, would turn out. Buying homes, traveling, living out dreams. Dreams that neither of us knew, that we had. It was so fun! We saw the world. Gabe performed for so many people! Spreading the joy of his music. I just loved watching him!

It was tough. We were never in one place, long enough, to set down roots. The last couple of years, had been tough. But we had each other. We saw the world. Experienced some of the most amazing things, that life has to offer! It was so much more, than either of us could dream up! We have so many memories, from our travels. Trinkets that we picked up, along the way. Things for our home. Our future. 

We knew that it wouldn't be a "forever job." We couldn't dedicate our lives to music, and traveling. We want a family. We want to be close to our families. We want to provide our children, with a stable community. We want to enjoy life. In a different way, than this lifestyle has to offer.

Today, we're home. Home for the first time, in a long time! And it feels good. Almost no one, has a clue. I've told our dear friend. She's good at keeping things quiet. Because for right now, we just want to keep things quiet and simple.

We want to enjoy a few of these beautiful sunrises. Without interruptions.We want to be together. Starting this new chapter. In a few days, we'll call our families. Meet up with friends. And truly begin our new life. But for right now, Gabe and I, are very happy. Locked up in our home. Falling back into love, with our home state.

This chapter of our lives, is going to be so different, from the last. Gabe will be working a corporate job. I'll be a housewife. Hopefully, in the next few years, God will bless us, with healthy children. Most of all, we're anxious, to spend time with the people we love.

Of course, there will be music. Lots of music. But at the same time, we get to set some roots. Begin a more stable life. Something that we saved most of our money for. Something that we've dreamt of. A more quiet, yet fulfilling life. I'm excited! I hope you enjoy the ride!