remember these?

I gave my {handsome}brother Denny a vintage copy for his birthday last year (along with some happy socks, because really, who doesn't need a pair ot two?)

As a kid I adored these books and would steal them from Denny's room.  These days though, I think I prefer this kind of choose-your-own adventure.  How fun!  Happy Monday all! =)  (And in case you are wondering, the song from the link is Free My Mind by Katie Herzig.)

making a list and checking it twice.

I am not one of those people. I do not have it all together this time of year.  I haven't completed all my shopping by Thanksgiving.  My Christmas cards aren't stamped and ready to send December 1.  My house is never fully decorated.  I get stressed out and overwhelmed with everything that has to get done during the holidays.  And because of that feeling, I often am not completely present in the moments of Christmas that actually do bring so much joy.  

When the first inkling of stress began the day after Thanksgiving, I practiced my yoga breathing, slightly calming myself.  This year I was going to focus more on the actual doing, and waaaaaaaaaay less on the getting done.  To that end, and in keeping with holiday tradition, I made a list, but not a list of "to dos" or "to buys."  The list isn't about accomplishing anything or checking things off of it.  I titled it "Things I Enjoy about the Holidays."  Over the last couple of weeks, I've been adding to it, while at the same time carefully curating, so as not to include anything out of pure obligation or because the collective "we" has been doing it forever.  

I carry my list, written in a spiral bound notebook, around with me in my rather large handbag.  It's written in my swirly, slightly messy script and I can refer to it whenever I need reminding of what is  important to the four people that live in our little house.   I realize that I can't completely eliminate the stressors or the "have-tos" of the season, but I can check my list when I'm feeling overwhelmed, harried, or irritated.  I can choose to come back to those experiences that remind me of the spirit of Christmas and why I do love it so.

A few of the things from my list: 

(in no particular order and included here because I have it captured in a photograph)

Hiding Rocky the Elf every night before I go to bed and experiencing the 6 year old's joyfulness when she comes running in our room at 6 am to tell her sleepy, bleary eyed momma where she found him.

Taking the night train to see Santa at Irvine Regional Park.  So much better than waiting in line at the mall.  (And oh how I love this picture.  Does that make me a little bit evil?)

Decorating gingerbread houses with the six year old and her bestie.  

Searching for the "perfect" tree.  (Sparky always finds it within 45 seconds of being at the lot and I always make him look for at least 20 more minutes.  This has been going on well before we were married. ;)

Preparing and sharing yummy food with all of my loves.

Christmas pajamas!

Watching all the gorgeous boats go by at our friends Kim and Kevin's boat parade party, as seen from the Bay Club.

Gettin' a little bit fancy to go out with Sparky (sans children.) 

Please visit my friend Torrie over at ...a place to share.  She's written her own list which I can't wait to read.  And Torrie doesn't know it, but she, in part, inspired me to make mine.  I love her blog.  She always keeps it real, sharing not just the "looks good on paper" stuff, but also some of the relatable struggles of life.  Dontcha just love a friend like that?!

a little bit rocky.

It's that time of year again.  The time of year when I blatantly use Santa as a motivator, and-- let's just call a spade a spade--a (possible) punisher.  I attempt to keep it positive but it's the same way I use "the manager" at restaurants and the grocery store.  (As in, "Oh my gosh, Georgia, the manager is going to come over here and tell us to LEAVE if you don't stop jumping up and down in the booth..., screaming..., standing up in the cart..., taking off your clothes...")  We have our little friend Rocky the Elf to join in the fun of "Santa's Watching."  Last year, Rocky was MIA the first day of December but happily, this year he's found some mischief right off.

Happy Saturday!

good.little.elf

hungry.little.elf

adventurous.little.elf

Only 21 more mornings to go.  Only need 21 more creative "hiding" places for our elf.  Any ideas?!

"sin"amon pumpkin muffins*

Hi y'all.  It's been awhile.  I've missed you.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving (but you probably know that.)  About a month ago, I made an executive decision not to slave away all day cook on Thanksgiving.  I also made an executive decision that my mom wasn't slaving away cooking either.  Along the same line, I decided we weren't doing any dishes for some poor schmuck lovely soul who might be willing to invite us all to dinner.  I was tired after this laborious decision making but I had just enough energy to pick up the phone to make a reservation at Bayside in Corona del Mar.  After that, I patted myself on the back and sat down on the couch to rest.

Quite a few things were behind the ban on cooking this year.  Mainly, this meal seems like SO MUCH WORK, which, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing.  I mean, I like to cook.  I love the process of bringing seemingly random ingredients together and creating amazing delicious dishes for friends and family to enjoy.  But this meal, for me, requires much work with very little payoff.  We have a small crew for Thanksgiving.  The man part of the equation is done eating in 15 minutes.  The littles like nothing about the meal but the turkey/gravy combination.  My mother and I now argue over discuss cornbread stuffing vs. her stuffing.  I don't like pumpkin pie.  Or pecan for that matter.  So I decided to be selfish.  And I feel very good in that decision.

Now that's not to say I didn't cook anything on Thanksgiving.  I got up early and while the children watched Sesame Street Phineas and Ferb :( and the husband went on his 10 mile run (go Sparky!),  I baked these muffins for our first annual "Thanksgiving Day at the Beach."  I love traditions.  And sometimes, we need to create a couple of new ones.

The muffins have a delicious cinnamon surprise center and a crumbly streusel topping.  They go equally well with a cup of coffee or, as I prefer,  a morning mimosa on the sand. 

Pumpkin "Sin"amon Muffins* 

Yields 19 large muffins

Filling:

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon

2-3 tablespoons water 

Batter:

1 box spice cake mix

1 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix)

4 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 to 1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup flour

3 tablespoons room temperature butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pan with cupcake papers or lightly grease.

Mix topping ingredients well until crumbly.  (I use my clean fingers.)

Prepare filling by mixing all ingredients well with fork or hand mixer.

Prepare batter by mixing with hand mixer on low for 30 seconds.  Increase speed to medium and mix for 2 minutes, scraping down sides. 

Divide half the batter evenly among the muffin cups.  (I made 19 muffins.)  Dollop approximately 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon filling onto each muffin, then top with remaining batter.  Sprinkle a little topping over each and pressing lightly.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and lovely.

Oh, and if you forget to put the topping on the first batch like I did, make this cream cheese frosting, because well, every muffin needs a topper. =)

*People, let's call these what they are-- CUPCAKES! 

bittersweet.

This morning, I dropped off G (and Ava) at Vacation Bible School.  It's Georgia's first experience being dropped off for school (or anywhere for that matter.)  And it's kind of A BIG DEAL.  Last night, she excitedly chatted about it with me and her big sister, picked out one of her favorite dresses, said she wanted her hair done in "ponies."  And then firmly stated "Momma, you stay at church school WITH ME."  Except, no I wouldn't be and she knew this.

Georgia is not in the least bit shy or reticent.  She doesn't cling to me in social situations.  She says 'Hi!" to other shoppers as we pass in the aisle of the grocery store.  Her smile is forever ready to share.  She walks up to complete strangers to ask them their names and start conversations.  She also runs away from me in the shoe department of Nordstom or down our tree lined street.  (See ya, bye!)  But she knows I'm following.  Always.  G is a momma's girl of a different sort,  because although she's fiercely independent, strong-willed, vivacious; she is at the exact same moment "my baby" not only in my eyes, but hers as well.  Of course she's spent time with grandparents and our babysitter, but for the most part, Georgia and I spend all of our waking moments together, and we (mostly ;) like it that way.

Leaving her today was harder for me than I thought it would be.  I was excited for Georgia to be, in her words, "a big girl" experiencing new activities and new people.  I was also looking forward to a morning of "me time," spent in my empty quiet house.  But as she sat in the first pew of our church in her pink polka dotted dress, her blonde ponytails lightly grazing her shoulders, and we said goodbye, her eyes weren't the only ones that became full with tears.  I choked mine back, kissed her once more, smiled, and rushed down the center aisle, knowing that she and I would both be fine and that hiding my small sense of sadness over this first goodbye was best for the both of us.  This was, after all, only the first of many firsts to come... 

I won't lie.  I hid at the back of the church, chatting unobtrusively with another mom.  By the time I walked out the double doors of the church a few minutes later (OK-twenty!), she was happily sitting on one of her teacher's laps, smiling her Georgia smile.  And I was smiling too.

six!

I can't affectionately refer to Ava as "the five year old" anymore.

Let the adventures of SIX begin...

thankful thursdays.

dear man who blatantly cut in front of us in line for the matterhorn,

thank you for providing me with the prime opportunity to teach my daughter a lesson about respect for others, patience, and manners.  thank you further for not even turning around to acknowledge my daughter kindly looking up at you while saying "i think you are supposed to be waiting on the number two" because she truly thought you had stepped in front of us on accident.  it just highlighted to me what an amazing human being i am raising.

all the best-
spf

the five year old in another line where everyone was very disney-like and waited their turns. 

tomorrow is another day.

The last 24 hours have been filled with highs (visiting my girlfriends at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach to sip wine on the balcony of an epic suite while watching the sun set over Catalina before going out on the town to celebrate my friend Shelbi's birthday) and lows (having my sweet feverish two year old throw up all over me.) From the moment I got home last night at around midnight, Georgia has spent almost all of her time lying on my chest.  And while I cherish being able to comfort her, I am exhausted.  Her fever finally broke (at least momentarily from the Motrin) and she's sitting next to me (as opposed to ON TOP of me) happily playing on my iphone.  I'm not sure what the night ahead holds.  It might be another sleepless wonder but I'm taking a little "me" time (while I can) to reflect.  I am, in all honestly, feeling a bit defeated in this moment.  But pushing though that is the knowledge that I am, without a doubt, truly blessed.

halloween.

Every Halloween since Sparky and I got married, we've had our families over for dinner.  We live in a very kid friendly neighborhood, full of darling trick or treaters as soon as the sun goes down.  When we first moved here, we were sort of the the "odd men out."  We'd just gotten married, we were still in our 20s (well I was,) and we didn't have children.  I always joke that no one spoke to us until I started walking the nighborhood when I was VERY pregnant with Ava.  People were suddenly stopping to chat or waving hello from their cars calling out "When are you due?" I looked down at my belly and thought "Ah! I've got the golden ticket!"  Of course, I'm exaggerating; we are beyond blessed to live in our community.  Our neighbors are amazing generous friendly people.  I walk Ava a football field's length to get her to kindergarten.  There are green belts and parks throughout the neighborhood.  It's one of those places that, when Ava gets a bit older, I will be comfortable telling her to "be home when the street lights come on."  (Maybe. =)

Halloween evenings have changed a bit since we started the tradition 8 years ago.  We are now on the street with the best of the trick or treaters, while my parents or my in-laws man the house, passing out candy.  Friends, big and little, are invited for dinner too and wine flows freely (even as we cruise the neighborhood.  Shhhh.  Don't tell the lovely police men that cruise through too!)  One thing that hasn't changed is the menu.  (I tried one year to change it up and got some serious flak!)

Easy Halloween Menu
Chips and Salsa (from Las Golondrinas if you are local, the best chips and salsa around!)


Easy Artichoke Dip
1 cup mayo
1 cup parmesan from that green can, plus more for sprinkling on top
8 ounces cream cheese at room temp
4 ounces chopped green chilies
1 large can artichoke bottoms, drained, rinsed, dried, and chopped

Mix all ingredients well in a baking/serving dish that is oven friendly.  Micro for 10 minutes, stirring half way through.  Sprinkle parmesan generously all over the top and put under broiler for a few minutes to create a crust. Serve with crudites, crackers, or tortilla chips.

"Girlfriends" White Bean Chicken Chili (So easy and beyond delicious!)
6-8 organic skinless, boneless chicken breasts
olive oil
2 cups onion, chopped
4 (or more) garlic cloves minced
8 to 16 ounces (canned) chopped green chilies
3 tablespoons cumin*
5 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5 (15 ounce) cans great northern white beans, rinsed and drained
3 (11 ounce cans) white shoepeg corn, not drained
salt and pepper to taste
48 ounces organic low sodium chicken broth

On a cookie sheet, toss chicken in olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Roast at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes until slightly undercooked.  Let rest on counter to cool.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil over a medium flame in a large pot.  Use enough to cover the bottom of the pan.  Add onions and saute onion over med-low heat until soft and translucent, about 10 to 15 minutes. (Do not allow to brown.) Add garlic and saute another minute.  Stir in chilies, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, lemon juice, beans, and corn.  Add chicken broth and bring to boil.  Turn down heat and simmer on low for 20 minutes to combine flavors.  Chop chicken into bite size pieces and add to chili and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with cilantro, grated cheese, green onions, sour cream and tortilla chips.

Cook's Notes:
1. If I'm making this for solely adults, I'll use half canned chopped chilies and half canned chopped jalepenos.
2. To spice it up after, I use my Sriracha trick.
3. You can change the portions however you'd like.  I personally don't like a lot of chicken in my chicken chili (I know, weird) so I go heavy on the beans and corn, easy on the chicken, but you can go heavier on the chicken, lighter on the corn, etc.
4. Cumin is the best spice in the entire world.  I am just sayin'.  I think I add more every time I make this.
5. Last night, I had cut up lime sitting on the counter for people drinking Pacificos.  Just randomly squeezed a bunch in my bowl of chili.  Sometimes I have REALLY GOOD random ideas.
6.  If you are attempting to get some whole grain into your kids, this chili is great mixed with some cooked brown rice.
7. Yummy served in a bread bowl, but better served with my mother in law's cornbread.

Debbie's Cornbread
We used to pick up some seriously scrumptious cornbread from Bandera, a local restaurant serving wood fired chicken, grilled steaks, and fish. (Great atmosphere and bar too--check it out, if you are ever near Corona del Mar.)  It's hard to describe the cornbread if you haven't eaten it.  It's unlike any cornbread I've made or had anywhere ever.  It's more cake like, a little sweet, a little savory, buttery, moist, perfection.  A couple of years ago, my mother in law Debbie developed her own cornbread recipe using Bandera's version as inspiration.  Let me tell you, it does not disappoint.  It's better than the original!  Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for her to email the recipe.  I'm wondering if she's trying to keep it a secret.  (Hmmmm...  a la Marie Barone... except my mother in law is one of the sweetest, most generous and helpful ladies around, so no. =)  I'll post it as soon as she sends it my way.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!  I'm almost over my Baby Ruth hangover.

*I wanted to call this post "cumin turns me on" but I thought that might be inappropriate given the content.

let them eat (birthday) cake.

Last week my much older (by three years) brother turned the big four oh, (which did more to make me feel old than it did him.  Go figure.)  Although I cook a lot, I am not much of a baker (anymore*), but to commemorate the special day I made my very first chocolate cake from scratch (and not a Duncan Hines cake mix.)  I also made chocolate buttercream frosting from scratch.  I have to toot my own horn and say they were both delish.  The cake was moist perfection, and given that the dial on my 26 year old oven has only sharpie marks for its temperature settings, I was a bit in shock over it. The five year old happily decorated it.

Happy Birthday Denny!  I love you more than you'll ever know.  

Although there was plenty of frosting to ice the cake, I'll be doubling the recipe the next time I make this; there certainly wasn't enough for the girlies and me to eat big spoonfuls while we watched the cake bake!

(I apologize for the quality of the photos.  Battery was dead on the Canon, and all I had handy was my iPhone.)

Just after "helping" to blow out the candles.  (That's chocolate frosting on the corner of the five year old's mouth.) 

Kathy's Chocolate Cake

1 ¾ cup flour

2 cups sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa

1 ½ teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

½ cup vegetable oil (I use canola oil)

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour two 8 inch cake pans.  Combine all of the dry ingredients.  Add everything else except the water and beat for 2 minutes.  Stir in the water and then pour into the prepared pans.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.  Cool in pans and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.  Frost with chocolate buttercream frosting, below (put out butter to soften while making cake).

Chocolate buttercream frosting  (Don't forget to double this, if frosting is your favorite part of cake eating!) 

3 cups powdered sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/3 cup butter, softened

Combine all ingredients except the butter, then mix in the butter. 

*The reason I no longer bake is because I have no self control; I eat too much of what I bake,  I get a tummy ache, (gain 5 pounds,) and end up on a sugar detox. :(