Kamila Paz

Two years ago the old year hung around just long enough to say hello to our sweet new baby girl, and we celebrated New Years Eve in the hospital with a bang!

She is equal parts sweet and feisty and 100% lovable. Her and her sister spend hours playing together and we hear them talking to each other at night before they fall asleep.

 This little girl knows what she likes. She likes; Care bear, purple, and foxy shirt, she likes pineapple and pizza and baths and she loves spending time with her Daddy.  

I cannot  imagine our family for one second without our sweet Kami.

We love you Kamila Paz!

HOLD THEM CLOSE

Words seem so inadequate.

Feelings are raw. 

On Friday, when the news broke, I felt as if the air was being squeezed from me.

My heart is broken for those whose loved ones were ripped away from them.

I can only imagine that the pain they are feeling now and will continue to feel for a long time.

I pray for them and wish them peace that surpasses understanding, comfort, and healing.

As I watch my two sweet girls,  feelings of gratitude and thankfulness roll over me.

As I hold my own children, I remember theirs.

Keep Calm and Eat Donuts

Blue Star Donuts opened on Monday and the girls and I were eager for a taste.

Tuesday arrived pouring rain, after a busy morning we parked, and chased by rain drops, ran up the sidewalk for donuts.

The space is bright and open with a large kitchen taking center stage. Wooden counters and white metal stools line the tall windows.

There were 5 donuts left when we walked in. We ordered one of each kind: a hard apple cider fritter, crème brulèe, and meyer lemon. Shortly after the last two donuts were sold. Someone let out a little cheer and hastily scribbled SOLD OUT onto a piece of cardboard and put it on the door.

Our beverages were brought to us in white paper cups- a stumptown latte for me, milk for Ximena and orange juice for Kami.

We sipped our drinks and munched on donuts feeling oh-so-cozy inside as we watching people hurry through the rain outside.

The donuts are really good. Rich and decadent with a fluffy texture. The round meyer lemon donut was sprinkled in powered sugar, the filling was not overly sweet but creamy and bright. The apple cider fritter oozed with apple-y goodness and the filling in the crème brulèe was lovely.

I can't wait to go back for more.

Found: One Christmas tree

On Saturday we piled into the Jeep and headed to a tree farm to find our Christmas tree.

The girls were in high spirits. Ximena has been talking about decorating a tree for weeks now.

We tromped through the field, making our way between trees of various sizes and shapes in search of the right one.

And we found it.

Just the right size.

The girls hovered and squatted to catch a better glimpse of Ricky cutting the tree down.

On our way out, we stopped at the barn to look at the nativity scene and pet the animals, then  went inside for bright green Christmas wreath, cookies, and hot chocolate.

Then, we took our tree home.

And we decorated.

Our house smells so piney and fresh.

Ximena was in heaven. The minute I pulled the decorations out of the attic she set to work decorating and un-decorating the bottom half of the tree. She worked on it until we pulled her away for her nap.

All week she has continued the ritual. Right now as she sleeps, there is a small pile of ornaments under the tree waiting for her to place them back on the tree.

Panna Cotta

Simple is good.

Taking care of little kiddos while making a beautiful dessert that is quick and tasty is even better.

For dessert on Thanksgiving I made panna cotta.

It takes only a few minutes to prepare.

I sprinkled pomegranate seeds on top of each one for flavor and contrast.

Kami loves pomegranates and can gobble one down in a flash, so I stashed one out of site under the oranges.

I used this recipe and changed a few things.

I used half cream half 2% milk. I cut the sugar to 1/3 cup and grated fresh nutmeg into the warm mixture before pouring into the cups.

Perfect.