Saints in "Sin City"

                                                

     My husband Patrick and I just returned from a very relaxing weekend  in "Slots Vegas" with our kids Tatianna, 7 and Ethan, 5. We have family there and were blessed with a hotel voucher for a free weekend stay at the beautiful Vdara hotel and spa. This is a smoke and casino free hotel. I was thrilled by the modern decor of dark woods and egg- shaped soaking tubs with plush crisp towels in high quantities ( I am not eco-friendly when it comes to towels and linens when traveling)! I insisted that everything in our room be put away to maintain the glorious simplicity, my husband was this close to kicking me out, espcially given the fact that I must disinfect all wipable surfaces and it was a weekend for him to "relax". What?!

We met up with my family who were also in town at their time share. In Vegas many of the poolside waitresses are in swim suits. Our waitress had a very noticeable, jarring scar that graced her whole torso. My mother asked her if she is required to wear her bikini. She said they gave her an option to wear a one-piece but she is fine with it. She wears her badge proudly, it's nothing compared to what she survived!

    She explained that while in a car six years ago (she was then 18) a drunk driver slammed into she and her sister after a birthday celebration for her sister's 13 birthday. The airbag deployed and obliterated her insides. She recounted that her internal bleeding was so severe, blood ran from her eyes and ears. She had a 10% chance of survival! Miraculously, through her shock she was able to calm her little sister. After, she remained in a 2 1/2 month coma, the doctors told her mom that even if she survived she would " be just a vegetable" (heard that one before). Her mom said "that's O.K, she will be my vegetable".

    By now my mom and I were both in tears. She remained in the hospital for six months total after four code blues. Her mother slept next to her every single night. The miracle was that she and her mother were not close and had a contentious relationship-until this. Our waitress said that she and her mom and  her 13 siblings (I know!) are closer than ever and speak on the phone daily. By the way; her little sister had just a broken arm but now drives like "an old lady" at age 19.

     Like many, I may conflict with my parents and other people I care about deeply; we even "agree to disagree sometimes". Life's experiences and stories like this one grant us a reminder to savor the moments that we do have with our loved ones.

                                           
                                                   
                                                  

                                                   

Wordless Wednesday

I love how his cheeks and chin make a heart!

DIY Animal Printing

 

Last week I had the idea to buy some leopard print paper for a gift I'm planning to make. When we got home I thought, "I don't want to buy another thing". I tried to figure out a way to make it. Lightbulb! I thought "why don't I put a piece of animal print clothing directly on my printer?" I did that and it turned out great. For my particular project I wanted  the print to be light enough for writing to show up on. Again, I scratched my head. Aha! I grabbed a sheer shirt and put it over the leopard scarf template and put them both directly on the printer.

I'm thrilled with the results. Now I can print all kinds of paper using anything that will fit on my printer! I covered my experiment sheets with a Georgetown cupcake box and made this to corral some clutter.

I used my daughter's skirt for this one

Free is Good!

DC Delightfulness!

A little blurry, I know...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Television can get such a bad rap in some groups. I have learned SO much from watching T.V.
I used to be the kind of cook that gave my mom and I salmonella poisoning when I made eggnog as a teenager. I was certain I was a lost cause and my soon-to-be husband knew I would be doing no food prep in our marriage.Then came cable. HHHaaaaallllleeeeelllluuuujjjjjahhhhhhhhh! I discovered Giada on the the
Food Network and learned to cook from watching her show Everyday Italian!

One of my favorite food shows is DC Cupcakes on TLC. I LOVE cupcakes! The show centers on sisters Katherine and Sophie who left their satisfying corporate jobs and started a bakery showcasing their maternal grandmother's recipes. They have been a roaring success from Day 1.. Today they opened a location in Los Angeles- we had to be there!

My daughter and cousins landed on Robertson and 3rd about two hours before opening. The film crew was there too- we are so glad we got there early because that element slows the line down. Katherine and Sophie were SO sweet and warm! My daughter was wearing a cupcake motif skirt, the sisters loved it so much they wanted a photo with my daughter. Katherine noticed that Tia needed a straw and went and got one and put it in her cup. They explain that they want all their guests to feel like they are in their home and they really do! We kept chatting them up (pregnant Katherine was wearing one of those robot babies in a carrier) while they signed their latest book for me.

I collect signed cookbooks and have them addressed to Tia and I

They are Extremely close to their mom-who they and everyone calls "Mommy". She is the breakout star of the show and I had her sign my book too. We had the best morning, oh, did I mention the cupcakes taste AAAAmmmmaZing! So delightful. I'm excited that Tatianna and I will have the same closeness that the sisters and Mommy have too! I'll be whipping up some of their recipes with my new Kitchen Aid Mixer (I have been wanting one for years)!

"The Big '3-O' !"

I look a little velociraptorish!

I can remember being at my parent's friend's house on the eve of my dad's 30th  birthday and hearing him say "tomorrow is "the Big '3'-'O' "; here I am now 30 years old as well. I'm so grateful for my Mom and Dad  for giving me the core values that have shaped me into my "mature" self :).

My sister reminded me yesterday that I have accomplished "a lot at 30." When she started listing things I thought "hmm, that does sound impressive".  For months she has asked me "how I was feeling"! Like I had just received a death sentence. I had to remind her that I have been a "grown-up" for a long time- so nothing much changed for me on November 6, 2012.

On that note, I took Ethan and Tatianna with me to vote after school. It is so important for me to have them experience the privilege of casting one's vote.The year I turned 18 I was so thrilled to have made the cut-off the night before the election. I hopped into the polling place with my new engagement ring and was so excited to vote!

One meaningful birthday highlight was that I received this fun, chunky, "statement" ring from my sweet friend who hand delivered my gift yesterday. I told Patrick I wanted one months ago and he was like "that it not my territory", so I let it go. When I opened her gift, I looked to the heavens and praised God for such a wealth of friendships. I knew she was "led" to buy that. I never mentioned it to her but it is EXACTLY what I would have bought myself. It matched my birthday dress perfectly!

I must confess. I wrote "This day will probably su**"  (the astricks were so my kids wouldn't know what it said) on my calendar for Nov 6. . I wanted to have low expectations so I couldn't be disappointed if things weren't ideal. I think it worked! ;). I had a truly beautiful day with my loving family and friends. Breakfast at Urth Caffe with my sister, Voting with my kids, High Tea at the SLS hotel with by dear friend, Rock Sugar with my soul mate; then cupcakes with my parents, brothers and kids. I fell asleep like a happy baby...

Seven-year-old Sage

First Day of 2nd grade

The last post described Tia and her Dad at their Father-Daughter Dance. I found this awesome deal on some silver dress shoes at Marshalls for $7 a few months ago, I reserved them for the holidays for her to wear. When the dance came up; I had her wear them to go with her fancy ensemble, knowing not much harm could befall them indoors.

The next day was church and she wanted to wear them again. I told her "No, they are just for special occasions". She told me well "Isn't church a special occasion". That was one of those sobering replies that I forgive my children for "talking back". It was such a sweet notion. It made me really happy and proud to see her love of Jesus realized in her everyday life.

Sunday is the Lord's day and she knows that and "why shouldn't she wear her best shoes?"
That is why God have us children, they refine us into better versions of ourselves-that and a glass of white wine doesn't help either!

Daddy-Daughter Dance

Patrick and Tatianna just attended a Daddy-Daughter dance. It was a 50's theme and utterly adorable. Of course I had to do a drop-in and see all the festivities! Outside were vintage cars parked with blankets in front for photo ops. Within the foyer was a makeshift ice cream parlor on one side and an art gallery with nostalgic images on the other. Inside was a dance floor with balloons and more styled decor- and most fun, there was a disco ball amping up the energetic dance songs.

They had a phenomenal evening! The daddies brought picnic lunches and the daughters got to feel like princesses. Many girls were outfit with corsages. Patrick surprised Tia with the pink glittered beret she is donning in the above photo- she has been eyeing it for months!

I was so grateful our church hosted this event I have been wanting a special day for the two of them for a while; this was aptly timed. Later, my handsome husband told me how special the night was and that during the last dance "Butterfly Kisses" he started to tear up thinking about the day when he would be twirling the grown-up version of his precious baby girl!

On one of my recent beach town strolls I came across a piece of subway art that read "First we had each other, then we had you, now we have everything". I know! So sweet huh?  Sums up how I feel about my family. I want to find a way to incorporate this wording in our new home- maybe in the kid's bedroom.