My real life consists of making meals, doing laundry and dishes, changing sheets and playing with my grandson. During the summer we also entertain quite a bit and do the normal hot weather stuff, like swimming and taking treks to the beach. I still maintain that it's a charmed life, but it's a very typical life in our very typical bedroom ...
Cuban-American Life
I hope you enjoy my posts about my crazy and wonderful Cuban-American life.
Homemade Cherry Pop Tarts Recipe
I don't know how I've gotten this far in life without making Homemade Pop Tarts. I didn't even know it was A Thing. Did you know it was A Thing? I guess it's because my old-school Cuban generation was more in love with pastelitos de guayaba. FOR A MILLION GUAVALICIOUS REASONS, but that's not important right now. So, my friends over at Melissa's ...
Movie Nights – a lo Cubano
The best part of summer for me is our weekly movie nights. Yes, you read that right: WEEKLY. That means every Friday night we open our home and host an outdoor movie and - to my everlasting delight - our home is filled with friends and family who come to enjoy each week's offering. The highlight of hosting for me (#DarbyOutdoorMovies if you're ...
Taking Movie Night Snacks To The Next Level
Summer has taken its sweet time arriving here in Southern California. And with summer comes my beloved Outdoor Movie Nights. (If you follow me on Instagram, be sure to look for the hashtag: #DarbySummerMovies) If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I delight in not just choosing a movie to show, but in choosing ...
Roasted Artichokes with Dipping Sauces
I am all about Family Dinners right now. The reason, of course, is that my kids are all back in my area code and they're all loving the idea of having regular big family meals together. (Full disclosure: I have been selling them on what a fabulous idea family dinners are for years, but that's not important right now.) While I love cooking Cuban, ...
Crema de Vie – A Cuban Family Tradition
I've often shared how my family, instead of baking Christmas cookies for gifts, makes a super delicious please-don't-call-it-egg-nog Cuban "egg nog." We call it Crema de Vie and it has been a Cuban family tradition for as long as I can remember. I remember as a child getting to have a sip on Christmas eve. (Shut up. The rum was only used as a ...
Celebrating Abuela’s 12 Days of Christmas – a lo Cubano
Last year around the Christmas season, Jonathan and I got a call that the lovely and talented Jenny Lorenzo (that's Abuela to you) needed some background people for a Christmas video she was shooting. Would we be interested? Without hesitation, our answer was a resounding, ABSOLUTELY! Also, would I be able to make and bring a bunch of maduros? ...
Porto’s Bake at Home
You probably read the title of this post a few times Porto's Bake at Home?? And you probably wondered, "Have all my Cuban pastry - since I don't live in Miami - dreams come true?" Today the answer to that would be a resounding, *"Si! Como no!" That's a big fat Cuban, *"YES, PLEASE!" {Disclosure: I have not been compensated for writing this post, ...
The Best Strawberry Snack Ever
This is a sponsored post by California Strawberries and Society Culinaria. The opinions are my own. I can't say where this simple recipe originated but I can say for certain that every time I've served it to my guests, it's always met first with happiness. "Yay, strawberries!" Of course, because who doesn't love fresh summer strawberries? ...
Pero… Let Me Tell You!
Nothing delights me more than to find other like-minded Cuban Cubiches. I remember when I was growing up here in Southern California and other Cubans were hard to come by. It was always a big deal to find out someone was Cuban. Like finding buried treasure. Speaking of treasure, I want to share with you a fabulous podcast based out of Miami ...
Cafecito is Life
This post is sponsored by my favorite coffee people, Café La Llave. The opinions contained in this piece are all my very own. I often say I lead a charmed life and I have the history to back up that claim. I'm Cuban which already makes me feel super lucky. I live here in the U.S.A. which makes my life doubly charmed. Being Cuban and ...
Get On Your Feet!
This post is sponsored by Al Punto Advertising. The opinions contained are all my own. I recently wrote all about how excited I was to be attending the Opening Night for the Emilio and Gloria Estefan Broadway Musical, "On Your Feet!" I mean, of course I had expectations going in because who doesn't love Gloria Estefan and her music? But the ...
The Rhythm is Gonna Get You
This post is sponsored by my friends at Al Punto Advertising. The opinions contained in this piece are all my very own. At the end of 2015 I began to hear rumors of a new Broadway show. It was the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan (with their music as the soundtrack, of course) and how they rose to fame. It was fittingly called 'On Your ...
All the Heroes Assembled for the ‘Avengers Infinity War’ Press Conference, But They’re Not Talking
Picture this: A large room with a giant black curtain going from side to side. On this curtain is a projection of the Avengers logo. It was quite a thing to behold. To the right is a tall podium. Welcome to the Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference. Held last Sunday afternoon in LA at the beautiful Montage Beverly Hills, it was a day filled ...
Mami Likes/Loves Cafe La Llave – A Giveaway
This post is sponsored by my favorite coffee people, Café La Llave. The opinions contained in this piece are all my very own. Someone asked me the other day about Cuban Coffee. She asked the difference between Cuban espresso and "American" coffee. I kind of went off about everything that I love about Cuban coffee, from the beautiful aroma to the ...
Empty Nesting Like A Boss
{DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by P&G & Bounty Paper Towels. All opinions that follow are my own.} As I watch my daughter, Amy wrestle with her almost 2 year old, Sebastian, I often think to myself: “She has no idea how time will start accelarating from this point on.” As those of us who have raised children into adulthood very well ...
What’s Your Favorite Cuban Dessert?
What’s your favorite Cuban Dessert? Please don’t start your answer to this question with “it depends.” I can’t handle: “it depends.” I want the answer to be quick, clean, and uncomplicated. Someone asks you: “What’s your favorite Cuban dessert?” I want you to have the answer handily on the tip of your tongue. I want you to know your mind on ...
