At the Park

Waving goodbye to the park!
Baby, it's cold outside!

I love to play!

Weeee!

I'm not ready to go home yet, Mama!

What is this stuff?

It was a blustery Saturday morning. Chilly and overcast. Perfect day for hats and scarves. We bundled this baby up and headed for the park. Just wanted a little play time and wanted to breathe in some cold crisp air. Fiona Tess loved the swings and picking up the bark on the ground. She didn't want to leave. But it was way too cold and her little nose started to turn rosy red. She kicked and cried, a tiny bit, and said, "Bye, bye Wee!" Wee means swings!

Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Baking for fun and giggles one Saturday evening!

(used half the food coloring required, outcome was a deep bright red)

Leighanne frosting the cupcakes!

(used 6 tablespoons of red food coloring, a deeper red burgundy outcome)

Baked with love for Fulton Wildcats! Holiday Luncheon at the Library



So far, I've tried two different versions of this classic recipe, Paula Dean's and Magnolia's. I'm still on the look out for the best one. I've compared the two recipes, and one requires more steps than the other. The ingredients are slightly different too. But the taste is pretty close.

A New Found Love of...

Raisins! Yes, I said raisins. Fiona plops them into her mouth one at a time. It's the cutest thing ever. She loves to snack on just about anything carb related. So, it's refreshing to see her try something new. She's very finicky about her food. One minute she loves something, the next minute she's spitting it out. But with raisins, she just went to town. I think she finished half the box during an episode of Wonder Pets. As for the rest of the box, well, she sprinkled them across the floor. That's Fiona for you.

Gobble Gobble 2008!

Lately, I've been in a baking kind of mood. I tried this Spiced Pumpkin Mascarpone Cupcake recipe for the first time and it turned out so moist and yummy!
Mama had NO baking doodads in the kitchen. Not even an electric mixer. Everything was armed powered. And to "pretty them up", we just used a zip lock bag.

Ta-da! A perfect dessert right after turkey!

Grandma and her apo (grandchild)

Fiona Tess, The Frankenstein Walker

She takes slow and careful steps. Not quite the regular speed just yet.

Here she goes. Always on the move.

Struttin' her stuff!

Happy Anniversary!

St. Ludmilla

November 22, 2005

Prague, Czech Republic

The night before our anniversary, we looked at old photos and reminisced about being younger and carefree. I can't believe we planned a wedding and a honeymoon all in one trip. And it all worked out. It's amazing stuff. I remember drinking espresso, cappuccinos, and tasting everything that we could get our hands on. Sweet for me and savory for Far. I remember we lit a cigarette at every cafe stop ( immediately cracked this bad habit once we came back to the U.S.) One of my favorite memories was enjoying a cup of hot vino (wine) in front of St. Ludmilla, the church where we were married. This beautiful sanctuary was breath-taking. Whenever I think back, I remember something different each time. And I smile. I ask Farley, "Are we ever going back?" He says," Of course we are." "We'll see."

The following evening we had dinner at Frida. Just the two of us. It was weird being able to eat slowly and enjoy every bite. I ordered the chicken mole poblano, which was very tasty. Farley loved his marinated skirt steak with habanero relish. Hot stuff. But it's been so, so, very long since we sat down to have dinner.

Usually one of us eats first and the other one tends to the baby. That's how it goes. We haven't been on a date since Fiona Tess was born. Seriously. It's either been the three of us, Baby and Papa, or Fiona and Mama. But rarely do we spend time with each other. So, we promised to have these "date nights" more often. It's good for the soul and for our marriage.

Happy Halloween

Fiona was a warm and fuzzy bear this Halloween. A child in passing said,"Hey mom, it's a Build-A-Bear!" She wore her costume for about thirty minutes and then wanted it off immediately. I guess it was a bit warm. As for collecting loot, she managed to get about 4 pieces of candy from the few stores that we visited. I wonder what she'll be next year?

Pumpkin Patch

This was Fiona's first experience at a pumpkin patch. She was a little hesitant in the beginning. So many unfamiliar textures and smells, straw and hay stacks and scent of poop from the petting zoo area. But she did love looking at all the pretty bright orange pumpkins, big and small, round and oblong. We selected a nice plump one and took it home with us. We'll probably carve it the day before Halloween.

Red Wagon Fun

Even though these photos were taken over the summer, mid August to be precise, they still had to be posted. They're just so darn cute. I wish I could fit in this red wagon!

Thanks to Ninong Boo for capturing this moment.

Almost 13 months!

Look at those teeth!

Fiona Tess attempts to stand but squats instead.

Happy First Birthday Fiona!

I'm 12 months old now!

Opening birthday presents the day after
The sweetest cake from Hans and Harry

The most precious candle holder from Ninang Angie

Make a wish love!



Isaiah, Christian, and Sean in the corner gettin' their game on!


The kids loved playing at the clay station and drawing on the table

Olivia and her Play Doh creation

K is for Kindergarten

First of all, I've been teaching upper grades for the past nine years. And, this is definitely a first. I figured, I have an awesome team and they'll just have to show me the ropes. Dude, I am beat by the end of the day. Completely drained. No joking here. Kindergartners have so much energy. Where does it come from? I don't know. All I know is that all day long, I feel poking at my leg, tapping at my arms, and hear them say things like, "Teacher, I'm hungry!" or "Teacher, when are we going to play?" AHHHH! That was just the first week of school.

The second week was a tiny bit better. They're starting to figure out a routine and learn my quiet signals. But boy, do they say the darnedest things. I am constantly chuckling.

More stories later.

Bay Area Birthday

Highlights from the weekend:

1.Taking the BART from Oakland Airport to North Berkeley Station carrying luggage, a baby, and no stroller. What an adventure. What a work out.

2. Steam Engines in Tilden Park--15 minutes of pure childhood fun. Amazing view and it only costs $2.00. Worth every penny. Yay, we have video footage.

3.Cheeseboard Pizza--my favorite, cilantro, corn, and cheesy goodness.

4. Pixar Animation Studios--Whoa! Unbelievably cool. You just had to be there!

5.Lake Merritt Bakery--Late dinner but so worth it. We had the best fried chicken and waffles. I mean, these waffles melt in your mouth.

6.Bay Area Discovery Museum--We had a lovely picnic with an awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Great place to explore and be one with nature. The kiddies loved it. Fiona was in awe!

7. Thanh Long--The best roasted garlic crab in the world! The garlic noodles were a hit too! Fiona especially loved slurping the noodles.
8. Love At First Bite--Ninang Angie surprised us with a box of cupcakes. Ninang Gail had her eyes set on the red velvet cupcake. I had a peanut butter cupcake and Fiona had a teeny tiny chocolate cupcake. She loved it! What a way to end the weekend.

9.Elephant Pharm--We all wanted a quick shopping fix. Reminded us of a Longs Drugs but 10 times better. We came out with a ton of junk. Best purchase was the aluminum water bottles for the entire family.

A much needed getaway before I started work. I heart the bay area.

Summer Evening Hang Out

I don't know what it is about these turtles but kids love it.

Our precious little ones, Jonas, Fiona, and Ruby.

Here we are, The Three Amigo Mamas!

Books! Books! And More Books!

Wondering, what's in the box?

Looks like a little Somebody is trying to runaway from the mess she made. This happens daily. I know I should put them away. But I don't. Eventually I will.