So Sweet!

Every once in a while, I get online, and just search. I usually have some sort of idea of what I'm looking for, but I usually get lost on the internet for a while. That's what happened last night. I was searching for something interesting. Cute. To sum it up, I was looking for something cute, for Gabi.

What exactly I was looking for, I don't know. I can't even remember what words I typed into Google. Just that I came across this, on flickr. And I'm instantly in love!

I wonder if this set is for sale? It just makes me think of Gabi! And Valentine's Day. Wouldn't this be cute? The colors, sort of remind me of chocolate covered strawberries. Just a little tone down. If Valentine's Day wasn't 2 weeks away, and if I knew 100% that this was for sale, I'd definitely buy it! The perfect Valentine's Day gift, for our sweet Munequita. Maybe I should ask our Commadre, about making something similar. :)

Have You Heard...

Everywhere I look, I'm hearing about the show GCB. And honestly, I'm getting excited! Kristin Chenoweth is going to be in it. That alone makes me think, that this show should be great! I miss Pushing Daisies. Kristin was amazing in that! But GCB looks to be a great addition to ABC. It looks hilarious!



Absolutely hilarious! Since ABC has cancelled Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Desperate Housewives, I was hoping for another good show. And this looks like the perfect addition to my Sunday nights!

Lucky

Tonight, I just thank God. For many reasons. My family is happy, healthy, and safe. Did you hear about the tornadoes in Alabama? My heart goes out to all those people! I just can't imagine what they are going through. I've been reading Trina's tweets. Just trying to understand what's going on. And let me just say, my heart is breaking for every one of the victims, of the Alabama tornadoes.

Then tonight, our dear friend, called. To see if we could attend a prayer service. A friend of La Chiquitita, has a very sick little girl. She is in heart failure. And only 3 years old! I just can't believe it. Why does this little angel, have to suffer so? It's incredibly sad!

It made me stop and think. I'm lucky. My family is lucky. Yes, I'm saying lucky. We're all healthy. We're happy. Well taken care of. Gabe has a good job. We have food on the table. And a roof over our heads. Did I mention our amazing friends and family? This just makes me so much more grateful to God.

I think we get comfortable in our lives. We take things for granted. We forget, that not everyone is so lucky. I stop tonight, just to think about all these things. All the things that I am so grateful for. Things that I know, matter in life. Gabe and I are so fortunate. In so many ways. And tonight, I'm realizing just how lucky we are. I'm very grateful for God's blessings.

Finally!

After what seemed like forever, I finally got to see The Help. And it didn't disappoint! Have you seen it yet? I may have missed it in the theater, but I got to see it!

We went to Target the other day. We needed to pick up a birthday present. And some essentials. Before I knew it, Gabe and I were stocking up on some movies. The $5 specials. And I spotted The Help. It wasn't on sale. But I couldn't pass it up. I'm so glad that I bought it. I'm going to make a confession here, I've watched it 5 times, in 3 days! It's that good!

Once Upon a Time

I must admit this much, I'm in love with Once Upon a Time. When I first saw the commercials for it, I was just not interested. But I did catch the first episode. And I've been hooked ever since! The holiday break, drove me nuts! I just wanted to see a new episode.



Am I nuts? I hope not. Because this is the first show, in a very long time, that just makes me happy. It reminds me a lot of Grimm's Fairy Tales. A book that I adored as a little girl. Yes, I've always been a big believer in "Happily Ever After." My husband makes me believe it too. He's just amazing! My real life Prince Charming!

End of an Era

Years ago, I started watching Extreme Makeover. I loved it! Loved seeing how people got a well deserved "pick-me-up." You know what I mean? It seemed to give them added energy. Light up their soul. And it really sucked me in. So when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition began, I was sucked in!

Week after week, I watched. Lives were changed. I even nominated 2 people, that I know. So they were never picked, for the show. But the show was so uplifting. Made me smile. And of course, made me cry. The homes were beautifully constructed. The stories were heart warming. It just made my soul smile.

Sadly, the show was cancelled. Last night, the last episode aired. And I was sad. It really made me sad. I'm going to miss this show. Miss Ty's "bigger than life" personality. What a great show. Lately shows are all about partying, self destruction, and chaos. But EM:HE was a feel good show. It changed so many lives. And I will miss it!

Just What We Needed

Days ago, Gabe and I stumbled on Tuesdays with Morrie. On TV. I'd read the book, years ago. But I'd never seen the movie. Let me tell you, it was really good! Very emotional. Touched my heart. In fact, it got me interested in the book again.

On a recent trip to Wal-Mart, we watched as a worker, literally threw crates of movies, into a huge bin. Tons of the them. Then slapped on a $5 tag. If you haven't guessed it by now, Gabe and I are big movie fans. And bargain shoppers! This little run in, made me want to just die, and go to heaven!

We picked through the movies. Finding some good stuff. A couple for Marianna and her sisters. 2 for David Jr. A couple for our Commadre. Who also shares our movie passion. And then, we found this one...

Our Commadre happens to be a big reader. And she just happens to read Mitch Albom's books. Which she got me hooked on too! While we were living in Florida, she sent me a copy of The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Gabe was working. I made my lunch, grabbed my book, and headed outside. I sat by the pool, and read the entire book! It was really good!

This movie was a must! Gabe and I finally watched it Thursday night. So good! Now Gabe wants to read the book. Which, I have to say, is a miracle. He's not a big reader. But this movie really intrigued him. I just can't wait to give our Commadre this movie. I know she's going to enjoy it!

Between, I just realized that I need to read For One More Day, and Have a Little Faith.  I need to plan a trip to the bookstore. :) And watch 2 more movies! When will Oprah air this again? How about this Lifetime movie?

Hot Chocolate...Yum!

It's been ridiculously cold lately. Around here, that's not common. Actually, it's very unusual. That's lead to me and Gabi spending lots of time, snuggled in our bed. Trying to stay warm. Yes, there are lots of warm blankets involved. But all I can think about, is a cup of hot chocolate. With lots of chocolate sprinkles!

I was telling Gabe about it. Last night, after Gabi's night feeding, Gabe went to put her down. Yes, she's sleeping in her crib. And no, we aren't bad parents. :) He seemed to be gone for a long time. But when Gabe walked into our bedroom, I was all smiles! He had the perfect cup of hot chocolate. With whipped cream. And lots of chocolate sprinkles! Yes, I married "Prince Charmin'" himself!

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!