Mmm, mmm good!

I made homemade, from scratch soup yesterday. And it was so delicious. And so perfect for the cold weather. I started off with homemade sofrito - green and red peppers, tomato, onion, cilantro -lots of it!-, and garlic. Sauteed that in some evoo, and then added yuca, yautia and platano verde. I love adding those starchy tubers because it makes the soup stick-to-your-ribs thick. And it reminds me of the good smells of growing up - at home and in the bodega. I served that up with a bowl of warm rice. And the girls asked for seconds...and thirds! I love to see them eat up my food.So now I'm inspired. What to make for dinner tonight? Well, as long as there is sofrito, it'll end up delicioso!

"OYt-meal"

Mama, can I have some "OYtmeal", please? Lili loves her oatmeal. 'cept she calls it "OYt-meal." Reminds me of "Oy, vey!"

"Best Day Everrrrr!..." -Rapunzel

Yesterday definitely counts as a best-day-ever kinda day. Lili and I visited a friend. Afterwards we breakfasted with Kat - she made us macrobiotic oatmeal, really yummers. Then, when Kat set off to do errands, Lili and I stayed behind to do some clean up. While I washed dishes, Lili shined up the fridge. It was good work and it was good working together, mommy and daughter, side by side. Once done, we set off to the movie theater to meet up with Mike and Isa to watch Tangled. I really liked it. The story, the animation, the writing. Good stuff. Afterwards we four got ice cream at Menchie's. Our flavors - Mike - carrot-cake, me - chocolate/vanilla swirl with an apple-pie chaser, Isa - same as me, and Lili - choco/vanilla swirl. They had fun choosing their toppings. I had fun just being with them. 

We sat outside, eating our ice cream, people watching. I love people watching. It's one of my fave things to do, and one of the reasons I love NY -there are so many different, interesting characters. But Winter Park provided some pretty good people watching, too. I made observations. Mike reminded me not to judge. I laughed, sharing my imaginings of what a people-watcher might be saying about me..."look at that lady with the chinny-chin hairs (which will get waxed tomorrow). But they really are, mostly just observations. And a good launching pad for imagining what that person's story is or might be.

When we got home, Mike and I watched Glee, from the first episode thru to the one where Shue's wife ambushes the preggy cheerleader chick. Now, for most folks, this is not a big deal. But for Mike and me, it's the way we connect - watching shows together. We'd grown apart after a betrayal. More specifically, the Battlestar Galactica Betrayal. See, I consider our episode watching our sacred couple time. And Mike watched more than one episode of BSG without me.  When I was putting the kids to bed. Double betrayal! So getting to watch a brand new show together...well, it feels like a new beginning.

What I liked best was that I was pretty chillax. I was just go with the flow. Not uptight. And that felt so good. The day-to-day grind, making sure everyone is where they should be when they should be, well, that's overwhelming and stressful. So I'm grateful for the break. The chance to sit back and just be together.

"...live in thanksgiving daily..."

I'm blessed. A lot. And it's revealed to me everyday. It just depends on if I'm paying attention. This morning was rough. Getting the girls ready can be...let's just say...overwhelming. Even more on the days I have to drive in to the office. And be on time. Those seem to be the mornings that the girls are extra slow, extra diva-ish, extra extra....sigh... Those are the mornings when I'm just barely holding it together. And I can't cry on my way into work. Especially since I'm not wearing water-proof mascara. And so I reach out. I take a deep breath. I breathe out. I repeat. And then I call Ann. And she answers, and makes me laugh. And makes me realize that this is all part of the journey of parenting children. Particularly girl children. Of which I have two. And she helps me see the good side of things. And by the time I'm at work, I know that it'll be ok. She's saved me more times than she knows. And I'm thankful. for Ann.

Sweet Saturday

9a-11:30am: The girls, along with their children's church group, visited with seniors at the local nursing home. They sang songs and played games together. It was a beautiful juxtaposition of young and old connecting.


11:45 -1:30pm - Hula practice for the Dec. Luau. Dancing to The Hukilau and Pearly Shells. It's so much fun learning the steps. Will be practicing everyday so I can rock it at the luau. So thankful to May for teaching us. Hoping to get Isa and Lili into Hula Class soon.

2-300: Lunch with Kat, Isa and Lili at Royal Thai. Of course when the server came by to take our order Isa asked for "macaroni". Right, macaroni at a Thai restaurant. Granted - she's five years old. Here's the funny thing. We don't even eat macaroni at home, so your guess is as good as mine at to why she asked for macaroni. We did get Pad Thai and Red Curry to share. Yummers.

4pm-7pm - Spent time with Baby Ez at Deb's house. Kat took the kids out on a walk while I took a much needed (Thank you, Kat!) nap on the sofa. Woke up to baby squeals - Baby Owen. So cute. Got to see gorgeous Gretchen and her cute boys, Aidan and Owen. Good times.

8pm: at the farm with Kat (who's presently on the phone talking to Peterson), Isa and Lili (who are tucked in bed), and my parents. Hadn't been here for a while. It's nice to be here.

What a wonderfully full day. Off to knit a lil' before I drift off to sleep. Aloooooha!

Saturday Morning

Baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast (yes, with help from the Pillsbury Dough Boy - heeheehee.) They were the perfect way to calm the beasties. Cinammon rolls + Saturday morning cartoons =happy campers.

Morning plans include a cup of tea and then off to clean out the van. It's to the point that if anyone asked me for a ride, I would make believe that I am not a car owner. Here's the thing. I clean up and clean out the car. And I pledge to never ever go astray. And then I do. I had a good thing going for about a month. The car was in pretty good shape. Clean. Lovely. And then, suddenly, not clean. Not lovely. Well, the Japanese say, "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." So, here I go again. (Which makes me think of this White Snake song...)

Welcome Back...me! It's been about 4 years. We're still the parents to just two ("just"= more than enough) daughters. One's in Kindergarten, the other in Preschool - they are only 13 months apart. M and I have been married 6 years now.