This was how we celebrated birthdays back in Cuba. These are my sisters and me at different ages. (If you're really curious, just count the candles on the cakes) There was always a big, beautiful, almost-too-perfect cake from a fabulous bakery.We always got a fancy new dress (think linen, satin, ruffles). By the time I turned four (in the last ...
Welcome To My Blog!
245 miles apart – but, we share a brain. . .
They opened a Panera Bread bakery in the town of Hanford, California last year. Wait. I forget. Is Hanford an actual city? ;-) Hanford is in central California. (Notice I didn't capitalize central. The inhabitants of central CA are not snobby like Northern or Southern Californians who think our state should be divided like the Dakotas or the ...
Why I go to the dentist – an essay.
My mom spent the weekend with us. And that means that I've been speaking in Spanish for 48 hours. Which means that I was also thinking in Spanish. Which means it was pretty taxing on my poor bilingual brain. =( I am delusional enough to think that I express myself pretty well in both languages. ;-) But sometimes I just can't find "the ...
A Conundrum
There's nothing I love more than looking out my kitchen window and seeing my roses in bloom. Nothing. (Okay, well, maybe the smell of garlic and onions cooking. But that's not important right now.)When we first moved into this house, I would look out at nothing-but-green and picture colorful roses along the side and back fences. I ...
Grounded?
Yes, we homeschool.And yes, of course, we leave the house. I know that sounded a little snotty. Sorry. But there are people who still think that homeschooling means we are terminally grounded and my kids never interact with other people - ever. So I guess I was a little defensive there. I'm over it now. Our days are pretty predictable for the most ...
From my point of view
The year we moved into this house, we planted roses. They each have names and a story to tell. The names and colors all have meaning for me. Much like everything else that decorates my home. That is really important to me. Sure I like stuff that is fun and colorful, but if you were to ask, I would have a story to tell about ...
Trendsetting
I found this catalog in my mailbox today. And look. They totally knocked off my brightly painted adirondack chairs! I'm not sure how I feel about this. So, at first, I thought, "How did they know?" But, then I thought, "How cool am I ?" They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. But, obviously, the good folks at ...
A cautionary tale
I have stacks and stacks of pictures. From every era in my family's history. And obviously I take a ton of photos daily, too. This is an original family photo, circa 1940.Hard to believe, isn't it?I mean, considering we had to leave all of our worldly possessions behind in Cuba, especially family photos. But this little guy made the cut. I ...
Time.
Breakfast on the patio today.I have found that my kids do better, think better and are more creative when they are allowed to wake up gradually. I like that. They have a leisurely breakfast, usually with a good book in their hands. We won't start formal schooling until around 10 am. And even then, we're pretty relaxed. But I have also found ...
Get REAL.
I posted my churro recipe here a couple of days ago. And the people who know stuff about churros also know that it is a sin (maybe not mortal, but certainly venial) to make churros without hot chocolate.Sorry, my faux pas.Of course, we make hot chocolate. Spanish (as in, from Spain) Hot Chocolate. The thick, super-sweet, rich, gooey, ...
