gracias.

Happy Belated...er...Thanksgiving!


In spanish, its Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias. I've always said Dia de Gracias. I guess I'm just too lazy to finish the phrase...

Hope everyone had a bountiful horn of plenty with their loved ones!

our feast. i heart food!

 Can you say turkey flautas? We had turkey for days! I've given up on the idea that it's a simple miscalculation on the grocery list. It's intentional and completely for the sake of our calorie induced coma.

my signature ponche<3

 Every holiday I make ponche. And every holiday, someone spikes it. Last year it was tequila. This year it was brandy. Personally, I think the brandy blends well with the canela...the best part is that if it runs out, it only takes 5 minutes to make another batch!

Ingredients:

1 32 oz. bottle of Apple juice
  or 1 bottle of Martinelli's Apple Cider
8 oz. of Jamaica (dried Hibiscus flowers) available at any Mexican market
6 oz. of piloncillo (substitute: raw cane sugar, dark brown sugar)
1 pomegranate
2 oranges (rinds removed, don't toss. cut into wedges)
1 apple  (cut into wedges)
4 cinnamon sticks.
4 guavas**
5 tejocotes (Hawthorne Apples)**
Sugar cane**

**If you can't locate these, you can purchase them in a pre-packaged jar here**

Fill a medium sized sauce pan 3/4 with water. Set heat on high, add Jamaica and  let steep. In a large pot, pour apple juice/cider and bring to medium heat. First add cinnamon sticks then gradually add piloncillo and remaining ingredients. Strain Jamaica and add to Ponche.

I love Ponche hot, but others, like my Dad prefer it served over ice. If afterward it seems to sweet for your liking, simply steep more Jamaica tea and add accordingly (or just add water). To make more, repeat Jamaica, and add 1 cone of piloncillo per sauce pan of Jamaica.

Try it and let me know what you think!

to abhor is to bake.

at least for me it is. right after my divorce started, I began to use baking as a past time to get my mind off of him. I play around with cooking from to time to time, but I can't look at a pantry and concoct a cherry port cheesecake. It takes me time and planning to get a dish right.


With Thanksgiving around the corner, the women in my family have called dibs on their culinary tasks of preference. Mom: the turkey, of course. My sister: sides & sweet potato pie. Myself: all remaining desserts.

The other day I was feeling especially agitated all the while needing to practice for Gobble day. I took to my Epicurious app and found a Piloncillo Apple Pie recipe. {Link listed below}

not bad for my first latice pie, no?

• 1/2 pound piloncillo (unrefined brown sugar; also called panela)
• 3/4 cup water
• 4 (1-inch-wide) strips orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 1/2 pound medium apples
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Pastry dough (for a double-crust pie)
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Put a large heavy baking sheet in middle of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.

Bring piloncillo, water, zest, spices, and 1/8 teaspoon salt to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, covered, stirring occasionally until piloncillo has dissolved. Remove lid and boil over medium-low heat until syrup is thickened and reduced to about 3/4 cup, 6 to 10 minutes. Discard zest and cool syrup slightly.

Meanwhile, peel and core apples, then cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges.

Toss apples with flour, then with syrup.

Roll out 1 piece of dough (keeping remaining piece chilled) on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round, then fit into a 9-inch pie plate.

Trim edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang, and chill shell.

Roll out remaining piece of dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 16-by 11-inch rectangle. Cut dough crosswise into 11 (1 1/4-inch-wide) strips.

Stir apple mixture, then spoon evenly into pie shell. Weave a tight lattice pattern over pie with pastry strips.

Trim all strips flush with edge of pie plate. Fold bottom crust up over edge of lattice and crimp. Brush lattice (but not edge) with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake pie on hot baking sheet 20 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and bake until crust is golden and filling is bubbling, 50 to 60 minutes more. Cool pie to warm or room temperature, about 1 1/2 hours.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Lattice-Apple-Pie-with-Mexican-Brown-Sugar-350597#ixzz1695tAFNR

 

 

 

Just a few tips...

I used Granny Apple Smith, Golden Delicious, & McIntosh. (stigma aside, the .99 store has a bag of apples for .99 and I used four apples of each variety.

If you're running short on time or have run out of flour, the pre-made dough works as well.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

I've compiled a list of some of my favorite things, just cause. Or maybe its because I'm slightly agitated and this stuff reverses my mood. Either way... here you go : )

When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things...

Dahlias.

K ... so, I have to admit, when I think of Dahlias, the image of a woman with lipstick from ear to ear comes to mind. EEK! How can something so beautiful be correlated with such a morbid and tragic incident? Be that as it may, after I discovered these gorgeous flowers, I had to drop red roses from my most wanted Valentines Day list.

Black Coffee.

I think when I Google-d black coffee, I had found a photo where someone photo shopped text in that said, "I drink black coffee to impress you". Que verguenza! lol...I think my love affair with this stereotyped beverage started after I noticed my Mom always had black coffee {with sweet & low from time to time}. As a kid I thought it was gross. Later on when I had to stay awake for work or school, it became my safety net. And now, I can appreciate the taste and differentiate the notes of citrus or hazelnut in a cup of joe. I guess its because I was so stubborn to find out what was so great about it.

Under water seascapes.

When I was a kid, my Dad built me a clubhouse out of the branches from our massive Eucalyptus trees, scraps of wood, and a giant window glass. Inside I would gaze out of the giant window and pretend my magical clubhouse could travel underwater. {i was a hardcore day dreamer}. Any image of underwater to me is amazing. Its another world completely but with the same principal of  big fishes eating little fishes.

Sashimi

Did I mention I like to pretend I'm a big fishie? lol. I LOVE Sashimi. Besides, it's in my blood! Have you ever heard of Ceviche? It's a Mexican dish where you marinate fish (or shrimp, sometimes soy) in lemon/lime juice over the course of a few hours to a day and add tomatoes, onions, avocado, and chile if you can handle it. Yummy on tostadas. But Sashimi is awesome by itself. The thought of something raw is a little unsettling but there are places that go to extreme measures to ensure the cut of fish is the freshest.

Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen

Remember when you thought beer tasted like rancid water? Oh, you didn't? Well I guess it was just in my world where the only beers that existed were Coronas and Budweiser until my sister opened the enchanted door of micro-breweries! To think what would become of my life had I not discovered Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen! It's an unfiltered wheat beer that has a robust and mellow flavor all at once.  One of it's many distillery's is located in Berkeley, CA {around the corner}. On  a perfect Saturday afternoon in August, this, a pastrami sandwich, and seat on the patio could be a favorite meal for me.

I have to have Jo-Ann's in my life! Actually, Jo-Ann's and it's competitors Michael's. They may be mainstream, but if I need something I can bet to find it at either/or. Plus they're weekly 40% coupons enable my crafting addiction er...hobbies : /  .

Sophia's Maiz

Sophia's Maiz is a business venture the women in my family have taken on. Sophia is my daughter. Hence the name Sophia. The chef's are the matriarch's of two families my Mom and Aunt. The accountant is my sister and I suppose I am in charge of marketing. Sophia's Maiz' specializes in home made Tamales, meat/sweet/veggie friendly. Sure it sounds like I'm advertising, but I was pretty much raised on these tamales. Growing up, everyone in the kitchen had their role. Sometimes I would shred chicken and sometimes I would be in charge of the Masa. Every Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday, family event... there was always a few dozen. So yummy!

Like you don't recognize the logo...

Target. I love you. If you have walked into Target and had the will power to not buy a pair of $6 leggings or that cute seasonal stationary or anything from their endless selection of dollar Hello Kitty goodies in the front of store- I think they should do a study on why you have reached Nirvana. $50 can flash before my eyes without even noticing but I must say, I've never regretted anything I've purchased from here. Unless I bought the wrong size because sometimes my ego makes me think I'm two sizes smaller than what appears in the mirror. oops.

SL Marina

Chances are you're not familiar with the image depicted above, even if you are local. This is the San Leandro Marina. It's a short distance from my home and I've gravitated to it my entire life. I think more so in my teenage years because the highway one coast line was too far. Every teenager in the east bay has one memory or another from here.  I always reminisce to the summer when I walked the entire way to San Mateo every day. I lost a lot of weight that summer. Then when hibernation time rolled around I gained it all back. Eeek! Note to self... start walking again.

Thrift-junkie! Thats my name don't wear it out! Like your Mom never dragged you to la segunda on a bargain hunt! Again, this is something else that has been embedded into my DNA. Sure once I had my own money I spent it on stuff from department stores, but deciding to only spend money at those stores for signature pieces, Sophia's clothes and good shoes has saved me so much money! I'm not saying I only shop at thrift stores, but seriously, you'd be surprised at how many finds you can coordinate or fit the latest trends! btw... have you seen this blog? I dare you to try constructing something from a funky muumuu!

Tunas {a.k.a. Prickly Fruit}

My Dad had has dozens of Nopales in his backyard. I always nag him to remind me when they've sprouted on the nopal. Not only are they good for you, but they're so yummy! step 1. peel skin. step 2. douse in lemon juice. step 3. sprinkle salt and Tapatio hot sauce on top. step 4. remove your white tee because it stains like rasberries but the color is beautiful. Enjoy!

Christmas on the Thrift.

Christmas is around the corner and in my head little me is kicking my ass for not having started shopping last month. Every year in my family, my siblings and I have a competition to see who can give the best presents. In past years, I've emptied my pocket down to the last cent-the day of Christmas. This year, since I am trying to turn the page, I've decided to make MOST of my gifts. And no, I don't mean making an arts and craft macaroni picture frame. I mean going to Home Depot & Jo Ann's hauling-a-wood-cart-and-carrying-Sophia-on-my-hip-while-handing-the-cashier-my-debitcard-with-my-mouth-b/c-my-hands-are-full to construct-an-entertainment-console-craft ...er, yea.


While shopping around for ideas, I found this list of links for homemade scrubs and bath salts from Laurie at Tip Junkie. Using a pretty simple tutorial, I bought a 12 pack of pint sized canning jars from the local grocery store and made several different scrubs for anyone and everyone.

Cane sugar, Olive oil, & your preference oil ( i love Almond Oil)

The recipe for the one I used, again, is very basic. You pretty much use any fragrance oil you'd like, just make it's compatible with the oil base (olive, coconut, etc...) you opt for. I used Classic Olive Oil with Almond Oil in a few, and Lavender in others. I actually had some dry lavender from a friends garden so I pulled the buds from the stem and mixed it in to the sugar.

Lavender

Mix three ingredients and...

 

Voila! (you can't see the Lavender in this one b/c its Sweet Almond Scrub)

This recipe is inexpensive and easy to make for any last minute gift. I used to work for an apothecary brand that sold a lavender scrub for $16 a pop. Did I mention that I love Lavender? Yay for more money!


In addition to these, I'm also making some furniture, pjammies, Mod Podge shoes, candles, purses, clothes, diaper bags...and food of course! I'll provide links for any D.I.Y's I use.

My anchor.

"Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life"

-Sophocles

2010 in my life may just be the year of absolution. I still may not have mastered it, but I think I'm beginning to realize and love who I am as a person. It's taken me years to live with my actions and decisions. Solely because I based them on what others wanted. Sophia and my Mom snapped me out of that dismal state and brought me back to my reality that is far better than any stupid picture my ex husband anyone could have ever painted for my future.

 ***

After a family visit out of state in 2005, my mother became enthralled with the brand spanking new home communities popping up everywhere. When she purchased her new home 600 miles away she was more than a little shocked when I explained to her I couldn't leave the Bay Area. My roots were here. I loved everything about the East Bay- the diversity, the food, academia, the arts-my home. So I was left to rent our home in CA while she finally got her dream home. To sum it up, I think I went through three stages: Depression, Loneliness, & Bleh (emphasis on the last one). I was out of my nest, figuratively speaking. After my parents divorced 10 years prior, I was pretty much attached at the hip with my Mom. Even if I was going through a teenage angst-y tantrum- she was my home. 

Over the first year of my newly found independence, I pretty much did the minimum of any task at hand. ANY TASK. I spoke to my Mom almost on a daily basis. But I somehow made it work, getting by, waiting for I'm not quite sure what. Out of high school I had been accepted to Sonoma State but couldn't really find the motivation to go. I hardly had any ambition. I knew I had to make a living and be-just be. Sad I know, but I suppose I couldn't recognize my limbo. The boyfriend who everyone hated was in my picture for seven years and he didn't help any of my decisions. At this point, I have to admit even seeing all of this scripted is difficult for me to read because I cannot get the image of me at 6 years old kicking myself present day in the arse for allowing my life to get to that point. I say "that" instead of "this" simply because on my way to adjusting and finally getting away from that era I was blessed with Sophia. Please don't think I'm implying I had a child to break away from my loneliness. I'm not a devout catholic but I sincerely believe that everything happens for a reason. Suddenly I brought this little person into the world who I was responsible for & completely flipped my world upside down -and I loved her for that and so much more. I slowly but surely started to find hints and clues of me all the while getting to know Sophia.

Before my Nena came into the picture, I often pondered why my Mom would bother with working so hard to get us the little extras growing up but then I realized it was because we were-ARE- her anchors.I thought back to when she had finally put her foot down and decided to end the abusive relationship she shared with my Dad. Her epiphany, according to her came when she contemplated all the years she stood by her husband's side so as not to separate her family only to find out that she believed she had done more harm by choosing to do so. My siblings grew up with a man who not only was, I believe, bi-polar, but enforced what he believed was the appropriate family setting of machismo; complete with Sunday fights and driving home from my Godfather's house completely wasted while my Mom and myself cried & prayed to get home okay. Even though it may have been one of the most difficult decisions for my Mom to make, she left, suddenly losing the title of dutiful and devoted wife and becoming our matriarch.  ... And for that, I owe her an eternity of gratitude because I didn't realize it then, but she had to start out from scratch by herself with out any support. She bought her first house, se independizo, and taught me to always believe in myself; to not let anything or anyone blur the love and respect I should carry. Perhaps my life may not have panned out had I taken heed of this advice when she told me, but I think the important thing is that I stopped and listened to it when I truly needed to hear it. Ten years after I watched her leave him in the past, I found myself entering the same circumstance. After my last straw with the man I devoted seven years of my life to, I remembered the strength it took my Mom to walk away. I had let him manipulate me so much so, every plan, ambition or dream I had ever had for myself had gone out the window.  Thanks to her, I'm finding my way back to controlling my life.

 I suppose I was so wrapped up in all of the changes that I never stopped to think about how my Mother had adjusted to living alone. Shortly after Sophia turned 4 months, my Mom moved back. At first it was a challenge to adjust to living with her after finally having been able to stand on my own two feet. Now, looking back, I can't imagine having lived the past year without my Mom. Her guidance is my anchor. My Mom & my Nena keep me grounded and remind me that my goals for us are not far off in the horizon but well within arm's reach. 

My Mom & my Nena.

This picture was taken on my Mom's birthday. I had the staff at the restaurant sing Happy Birthday to her. Sophia thought the sundae was the holy grail...I'm pretty sure she heard angels singing.

Mod Podge Flats.

I heart my shoesies. 

During a quiet afternoon in the office, after I've filed, faxed, reviewed, and shipped to my boss' little hearts desire, I've found myself some-you guessed it- ME time! Yay!
It seems like everyone has posted eye catching projects with Mod Podge. There's even this awesome blog dedicated to it.  I love Mod Podge Rocks! Her creativity is so inspiring! After reading her posts, I found one that just so happened to suit me. I had a pair of plain black flats similar to these...

 

 

except mine had a bow made out of the same material strapped across the front which i carefully removed using a box cutter.  She has a post related to this project and I follwed her link to Ashley's tutorial here.

I went to Joann's to purchase the fabric and used regular Mod Podge in Matte. I wish I could remember the name of the fabric : (   

Here are my finished Lovies!

Instead of taking these to Thrift Town, for $4, I got a new pair of shoes that I love! Perfect with  dark wash jeans and a fitted white t-shirt! Thank you Amy!

Cumbia de los muertos

I could not forgive myself if I let another day go by with out posting something about my beloved Day of the Dead. Some may think of sadness and the agony one must endure to let their loved ones pass on. But for those of us who celebrate Dia de los Muertos, it's a day of celebration. Folklore tells us a story of those same loved ones returning from the beyond to enjoy a cumbia, their favorite meal, or maybe even a glass of their favorite Tequila ( just because they've past doesn't mean their preferences have changed) with their family and friends. On this day, many gather at the cemetery to laugh and rejoice in the memories they created with the departed, enjoying themselves so much so, as if they were truly in that person's presence.

Dia de los Muertos Alter in Alameda, CA

btw...




this is by far one of my favorite songs...  Cumbia de los Muertos by Ozomatli.


Sierta gente solo puede ver
Espiritus bailando entre la gente
Si pueden verlos bailando mis hermanos
Seran bendicidos entre los cielos
Mira como baila mi mama
Bailando con mi hermano del pasado
Sus espiritus se juntan bailando
Lleno de alegria y gozando

Loosely translated: Only certain people can see them, spirits dancing among us, can you see them? The Heavens shall bless them. See how my Mom dances with my brother from a past life? ...Their spirits joined in a dance, enjoying this happiness...

Now granted Day of the Dead has come and gone, but is it not a beautiful theory to think that those we love and care for are happy in their passing? Not suffering but in a state of total joy for eternity? Here is this celebration where we celebrate not their leaving, but this persons life. I wish time had permitted me to concoct a diy, craft or recipe but Crafty Chica has a great tutorial on a cigar box shrine. I actually purchased some of her iron on patches around Christmas and created an apron and re-usable grocery bags for my sis. The great thing about this diy is thats open to adding your own personal touch.

Cigar Box Shrine

And best of all lets not forget the food! Because really, whats better on a cold night than a hot cup of rich Mexican chocolate and a slice of warm Pan de Muerto...mmm....yumm!

 Pan de Muerto Recipe

yes, it's true. she looks like she's trying to poison you. 

Kind of reminds me of Hansel & Gretel...hmm...Juan & Griselda?

I hope you enjoyed this small fraction of information on one of my favorite holidays. To end this blog I'd like to post a picture of my own loved one whom I honored for the first time this past Nov. 2. He was my best friend and pretty much grew up with me. Pets may seem like "something" that just come and go but this someone was very special to me and I find great comfort in knowing that he no longer hurts in anyway. 

Nicky 1992-2010. Fly with the Angels.

Oddly enough, I heard this song by Norah Jones on my Pandora account. The lyrics reminded me of my dearest friend. Enjoy : )

It’s him or me
That’s what he said
But I can’t choose
Between a vegan and a pot head
So I chose you, because you’re sweet and you give me lots of lovin’ and you eat meat
And that’s how you became
My only man of the hour

You never lie
And you don’t cheat
And you don’t have any baggage tied to your forefeet
Do I deserve, to be the one, who will feed you breakfast, lunch, and dinner and take you to the park at dawn
Will you really be

My only man of the hour

I know you’ll never bring me flowers
Flowers they will only die
And though you’ll never take a shower together
I know you’ll never make me cry
You never argue
You don’t even talk
And I like the way you let me lead you when we go outside and walk
Will you really be
My only man of the hour?
My only man of the hour.
My only man of the hour

Midnight & Kahlua

its actually not what you think. no, really. it's 1:26 am and it's Kahlua flavored coffee. alcohol will hinder my ability to wake up on time to prep for  the day.

As i sit here sipping away on my enthusiastic insomnia, I can't help but yearn for the affection of a humid breeze."Me" time is something that I do NOT take lightly, and even if the only way I'll get to that warm shore is in a daydream, at least I'll have a short term memory until I have to review a stack of invoices 6 hours later.

In fact, my personal time has actually led me to some pretty interesting discoveries. Like the fact that I like to cook. Who knew? Truthfully, I enjoy it even more while my Nena is sitting attentively in the kitchen as I explain the recipes and measurements to her (even if she is completely oblivious to everything except for the fact that i'm holding a wooden spoon smothered in chocolate cake batter : ) My latest cooking epiphany? Well, it's actually not an epiphany if not more like a memory. I'd say somewhere around 5 years ago my oldest brother took me out to hard days work to teach me the importance of an education vs the labor of construction work. He brought me along to help his buddy build a 6 ft gate around his home in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. The owner of the house knew I was too young to know or care about how to dig a stake 4 ft into dry soil so instead he and his wife entertained me with pumpkin brownies (finally i got to the point right?! you'll notice that i have a horrible habit of rambling). Any who, it wasn't till just recently with the pumpkin sales and daily reviews of Autumn D.I.Y. centerpieces, that i remembered these delightful morsels of fudge-y goodness. It's actually a weight watchers recipe b/c they're low-cal so you don't have to feel guilty{unless you eat the entire batch}. By the way, once you've read the recipe, you'll think i really did use Kahlua in my coffee. But I promise, you will not be disappointed-unless you hate chocolate-which makes you a rare species. All you need is:

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin (actual pumpkin not the filling)
muffin tray (this recipe usually makes 12 good sized cupcakes)
1 box of your favorite brand's devil food cake mix

...
Combine cake mix & pumpkin. Follow the directions on the back of the box for baking temperature & time.
 
And that's it! really! Trust me I wanted to dump at least some agave nectar in the mix, but it truly doesn't need any sweetener.

If you want to be a little more decadent, try it with homemade whipping cream

heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar (granulated/powder) I prefer granulated, just my preference

 ..whip away to fluffy bliss. to increase or lessen sweetness, adjust amount of sugar accordingly.


Serve on a pretty plate with a tall glass of milk. Grab a blanket, your favorite DVD and you've got yourself a cozy evening. yummy : ).