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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

who knew?

So, Mexicans don't put chicken in their quesadillas. They put ham with the cheese. Who knew!?! Certainly not I. In fact, when I went to a friend's house who is Mexican and she served ham and cheese quesadillas, I thought, " well this is interesting! This musn't be Mexican." ;) HAHAHA!

Ham and Cheese Quesadillas

(image: www.realsimple.com)

But it is delicious, (especially with corn tortillas, but that is my preference. I don't know how Mexican it is. I know they use the tostadas which are made from corn. ) and they actually eat them a lot. It is an amazing breakfast option for kids! Who also knew that Mexico City has amazing pastries that rival those of France? It makes me want to go. That, and every Mexican I know I like. It must be a wonderful place when such wonderful, warm people come from there.

Another interesting food combination: chicken salad made with potatoes and hard boiled eggs and olives, garnished with avocado rather than a green salad. But, that is Peruvian.

There is a mom and pop "restaurant" around the corner that makes fried plantains that I crave as well as some amazing guava and cheese pastries.

I love living in a place that has representatives from various latin countries. They are all so unique. My kids have started using "pero" and "hay!" as a part of their regular vocabulary. Some of my youngest's friends only speak in Spanish to him. Life sure has some amazing twists!

Have a great day!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

jane does it again





(image: amazon.com)

I thought I knew Jane's life, but picking up Persuasion last night, I read her little biography again and discovered a treasure; she published her first book, Sense and Sensibility, at her own expense! This little nugget proved to sink deeply.

I had a book I thought ready for publishing, and the publisher disagreed. I balked and sought advice from friends, and waited for the "winds to change" ( sorry for the Mary Poppins allusion! We watched some of it last night;). And this morning, I found new inspiration once again. Could it be I have someone praying for me named Jane? 

Thanks again, Jane!









Saturday, July 13, 2013

my maryland

Visiting friends and family and my home state was wonderful, if short. Maryland has gotten so built up that the towns have become absorbed into one large suburb. The drive from my in-laws in Ellicott City ( a beautiful little historic town) to my parents house in Montgomery County has remained untouched and oh so gorgeous in a lush, hushed sort of way.






Quite something. And we squeezed in a visit to a farm to pick some warm and plump blueberries!


When two worlds collide, it is quite an enriching experience!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

movie reviews










I most recently saw man of steel and totally recommend it for its many qualities and yes, depth! 

But there is a more worthy movie my husband and I recently watched. The retake on the 3:10 to Yuma blew me away. Not only was the acting by Christian Bale and Russel Crow impeccable, it explores the age old question of power and lasting influence. It also explores true friendship and example and the power it has to shape and even change man. I have a great love for this movie, as much as I would for a novel by Tolstoy. It enriches long after the credits run. 

( there is one scene I fast-forwarded)

The kids and I recently saw cloudy with a chance of meatballs. It, too, was terrrific! 

Happy movie watching!

(image: funhug.com)

Monday, July 8, 2013

i wish i was a little bit taller..

I couldn't resist the throwback to a song of my youth. A silly song.

So, I thought I would share with you some of my daydreams, my "wishes!"

If I was having the perfect day, I would be wearing this:



My office would look like this, complete with lots of light and that inspiration board for home decorating and party throwing:



If I wanted to be Ms. Sophistication, I would wear this:

I would drink coffee from one of these:



If I was staying at the perfect hotel, my room would look like this:

And my breakfast nook would be a mini library like this:


Have a wonderful day! Sorry for the sideways action. I am so ignorant. ;)

Saturday, July 6, 2013

happiness is

finding the right balance!

























I've posted pics of my house before, and this is tiny but it gives you the right feel. It doesn't include the plethora of green outside the window right next to the table that is totally wild and tropical. BUT, I finally found a happy place with these colors and this style. Less you think I ran out and bought a bunch of new things ( which sometimes needs to be done and I'm not judging that), most of it was put together and that mirror? MARSHALLS! Its my favorite down here!

I know many of us struggle with our homes when we have little ones running about like Braveheart. We want it liveable, but we want it beautiful, and it can and should be both! It's our haven, the place we feel most ourselves and bring others to take part in our lives. It doesn't look like this for long, but it CAN. :)

Have a terrific day!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

happy fourth in the USA





(image: www.tripadvisor.com)

Today we are doing very simple things: going to a parade, getting food from food vendors, swimming and eating with friends, and then later, walking to the beach to watch the fireworks set off over the ocean. It is one of our favorite days of the year in Florida.

It is also one that is easy to enjoy superficially, like any major holiday. What am I thinking of today? I am grateful for all of the blessings and freedom we have in the USA when I look at the world and see the lack of stability either social or economic, corruption where there should be leadership. I am not blind to the problems existing in my own country and pray for it.

So today, lets do our part to change our countries in time for the better.

"All laws and rules of conduct may ( should) be reduced to a single one: to truth." - Goethe ( should is added by me)

And what is truth? St. Thomas Aquinas understands "truth" as the "unveiling and revelation of reality." (Joseph Pieper, emphasis added by me)
And what is reality? That takes a whole lot of thinking about the "objective reality of being." (Pieper)

Have a wonderful day, friends!