Little Sweethearts - *JAM*GIRL

This past weekend I had a very special event that I've been working on for the past couple of months. I am the kids ministry director at my church, *JAM*KIDZ. I recently formed a group for our little girls and this past weekend we had our first event - "Covered*by*love".

Everything had to do with love! Perfect month for it. I made heart shaped sandwiches, we had a little candy table and we had a "make your own hair accessory" table.

Fun day with a great lesson geared towards these little girls ages.

I loved every minute of it.

She said goodbye to her 20's

This may be the most belated post ever, but I've been wanting to document special events on my blog and this is one of them.

On February 5th my sis-in-law, Sonia, said goodbye to her 20's and hello to her 30's. we celebrated with a birthday dinner on her actual birthday at CPK, quick and a bit hectic since we all had a meeting to attend that night.

Two days later, we gathered together and my mom and I cooked some of Sonia's favorite foods.

-Stuffed mushrooms (one bite if pure creamy, salty, cheesy goodness - pic below)
-Veggie medley (seriously the best, sweet, salty - corn, bell peppers, onion, sugar)
-Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
-Chicken Cordon Bleu' (My mom has been making this for years, one of her most requested foods. It's am-a-zing)
-Red Velvet Cake and cupcakes with cream cheese buttercream frosting (chocolate, creamy goodness! I tried a new frosting recipe and loved it!)

I'm not far behind Sonia in saying hello to my 30's :( but I'm so glad she's gone before me, makes it a little less scary. lol

HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday to my sis! I love her!

Flu it better not be you!

Paranoid. Germ phobia. I did to the right thing and got my flu shot on Friday. Left with my band aid on my shoulder and my arm feeling like it was about to fall off, but I was ready to face the flu season.

The flu was ready for me, apparently. Woke up this morning, Saturday with sickness. Went along with my day, errands here and there and by afternoon it really hit me.

I'm still hoping its just a bad cold. That this fever is just a few hours thing. I'm hoping.

Take it from me, being a germ phobic and thinking I'm some flu superhero is all nice. But I'm not feeling it tonight.

Here's to another season. I'm still hoping.

The World of Parks & Recreation

I've never seen the show. But today I found out that they were filming a few miles away from my house and without thinking, I jumped in the car and drove towards the spot - The Orange Circle.

As I drove up, I thought that they most likely had the area around it closed off. But they didn't! This was a chance to get an up close look at a TV set.

As I circled the circle, I had my phone camera ready and was snapping away like a crazy paparazzi.

I didn't get to see the stars, actually I wouldn't know who they were if I did. Maybe just the blonde, Amy Pohler.

I was a bit starstruck just seeing the gaffers and cameras.

Who knows, maybe I'll be seen doing a drive by with my phone in hand? :)

A special night

The big 4-0 Anniversary celebration for mom and dad was one of the best yet. I rambled on about not being about to do a big party / banquet but this little gathering of our immediate family (not all with my Sister, her hubby and their son not here) at one of the parents favorite restaurants was perfect. I even talked everyone in to getting a group picture (it was like gathering toddlers with the way the men were trying to skip it). Afterwards we went back to the house and we had a special thing planned with my sister, her hubby and their son FaceTiming in. Lots of tears, it was perfect and exactly what my family is about. Close knit, emotional and heartfelt. That's us.

We served cake and sat around having a good ok' time - the night could not have been better for two of the most amazing people on this earth.

"The older I get, the less time I want to spend with the part of the human race I didn't marry." - Robert Brault

40 Years is a Big Deal

Today marks my parents 40th Anniversary. What a milestone. How many people can say that nowadays? Not many.

They met at a Catholic hospital in Pasadena, CA in their early 20's, she found him annoying and he thought he was the cream of the crop :). They fell in love and through ups and downs stuck together. They married, a few years later married. Here they are today, examples of love and overcoming tough times, hardships in life . Good times always outweighed the bad and they shared all this with their kids.

Now five kids, three kid-in-laws and two granddaughters later - they're celebrating this milestone.

I love them. Happy Anniversary to my beautiful parents.

40-year Chocolate Cake

Tomorrow is a special Anniversary for my parents. 40 years. A banquet with all our family together, friends of theirs from decades ago and new friends. That was the ideal plan, not happening. Thanks to this economy, we are having an intimate family dinner and night with just the "kids". The banquet will have to wait until later this year or the 41st.

For the "night in" celebration, my 2 1/2-year-old niece helped me make a chocolate cake that was worthy of a 40 year celebration.

A few splatters here and there, chocolate all over her face, we got it done and tomorrow we'll hope that it's THE cake that makes these two amazing parents of mine feel celebrated.

A magical place...

Disneyland. Pure magic. The smell of cinnamon and sugar around every corner, the musky feeling of water in the air, twinkling lights at night, music that takes you back to your childhood, cold brisk nights and people smiling. That's what I see, smell, hear.

It's pure magic.

California Adventure, the little sibling of Disneyland smells of fresh orange groves, burnt sugar, sounds of Coney Island (what I'd imagine it would sound like, like the scene from Beaches), tortillas, sprays of water, vineyards and carefree attitude.

It's a place where you can let your hair down and pretend you are a Californian. Oh wait, I am. See, it even has me dreaming.

Seeing this through the eyes of someone so young, that's what makes it magical. It never gets old.

Famous Home - Diane Keaton

I started "pinning" Famous Homes on my Pinterest a while back, definitely favorite pastime when I'm tucked away in bed with my mind going a hundred miles an hour and a couple of times during the day when I find a few moments.

I think homes, architecturally and design wise are beautiful. You may ask "why famous homes?", well I find it interesting to see what 'they' choose to design the interiors, what kind of homes these people choose to live in, some extravagant and some humble. Sort of.

So for my first "Famous Home" entry, a great actress that matches the home she lived in. I think it's rustic and beautiful. There's something about the warmness of the nighttime glow that makes me want to drive by or even sit on the porch of this Spanish style abode.

Sugar & Spice Baby Shower

I have a new niece coming in July, that makes two little princess' for our family and to my brother and sister-in-law. I along with my mom did a Sugar & Spice decor for her baby shower two weeks ago. My Sis-in-laws sisters did a yummy spread of salads and sandwiches. We kept it a small affair, just close friends and some family - compared to my first nieces shower this was a small event!

I made most of the decorations, I prefer it that way, and was so happy with it all!

Twenty-Nine in 2012

Another birthday, another day. Come and gone. You may say, 29? Not old. Not even close. I would agree but I can't help but feel like the past ten years have swept by me, leaving me feeling a but claustrophobic, a bit petrified as to where the next year, five years, ten years will take me.

If you told me where I'd be today ten years ago, I'd have argued with you, told you that wasn't the plan. But alas, this is reality. I'm here not where I had planned but I'm here.

All in all, I welcome the turning of another year. Means I have breath in my lungs, life in me and there is still always a plan. Maybe not my own, but a plan nevertheless.

Thank God for another year.

It's About Time...

Imagine my excitement when I see a blogger APP in the Apple APP Store! I couldn't figure out why they didn't have one out sooner, have no idea how long it's been out, but I for one am ecstatic! I've missed The Daily Bee.

As many times as I've said "I'll be posting more", I most definitely will now.

Thank you Blogger for getting with the times.

Kitchen Love

Like everyone else out there, I think Pinterest is the best thing since.... Facebook. Of course when I first joined, no one was on there! It was so new and fresh, now everyone and their Grandma has one. (on a sidenote, does anyone else find it strange when you see a man follow you or pinning? I do.)
My love for home decor has gone to the dark side. Dream, dream, dream and dream some more of brass hoods, headboards,  black moldings, high back chairs, white cupboards, turquoise cupboards, beautiful lamps and so much more.

My "Home Sweet Home" section is busting at the seams. Here are a few of my favorite Kitchen Spaces. Be sure and read the small print.

Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for lighting the fire under any of you or helping you get or futher your addiction.

Source: bhg.com via Deb on Pinterest

Source: fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com via Deb on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Deb on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Deb on Pinterest

Source: theproperstranger.tumblr.com via Deb on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Deb on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Deb on Pinterest

My favorite. This is what I would dream of, dream of dreaming of. I love it all. Every last corner and crevice of this beautiful kitchen. The only danger would be, I'd be so paranoid about messing it up, there'd be no cooking going in it. Just a prized room to look at. Like a beautiful painting. sigh.

Source: cococozy.com via Deb on Pinterest

(same kitchen, other view)

Source: cococozy.com via Deb on Pinterest

Did you get all warm and fuzzy? Because I did. Excuse me while I go pin.

Golden Globes 2012 : FASHION

I haven't paid too much attention to the movies, award winning shows and up and coming actors lately. My sister and I used to do a little bet, we'd pick our winners, even though we didn't know who half the people were or what the movies were about. I would try to win the bet by researching the plots, see who was a favorite and then cast my vote. On the line was dinner out, then the loser would pay for dessert. I bought a lot a dessert over the years. I think still owe.

This year, the morning of the Golden Globes 2012, I decided to record the red carpet. I figured I'd see what all the ladies were going to wear. I'm glad I did. There were beautiful dresses and some major fails. Here are my picks, top to bottom - top being the least offensive/favorite. We'll start with the fails first and leave you on a positive note.

Madonna in Reem Acra. I'm not a Madonna fan. Yes, I'm an 80's baby. But I've never liked her music or her style. So I wasn't surprised to find her on my "bottom" list. This dress is too tight/small on top, strange on the bottom. I also think it just doesn't match who she is...

Angelina Jolie in Oscar De La Renta. This was voted as the Best Dressed here. Why oh why? The minute I saw her, I couldn't help but ask "Why?!". I don't like anything about this gown. MAYBE if the red flap was in the same color as the dress? And a different colored clutch? Maybe. Tina Fey said it well -  “She looked like a Space Waitress". Ouch.

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci. I love Gucci. I dislike the dress. Plunging neckline, shear on top with sequins and covered in a green bird farm on the bottom. Oh no. Oh no...

Sarah Michelle Geller in Monique Lhuillier. In an interview, she said that she laid out a selection of dress and accessories and her two-year-old daughter picked out everything! Sweet, yes. But not when millions are looking and pictures are being taken and plastered on all the magazines and website (and blogs). I like her, but the dress was a bad, bad choice. Also makes me wonder why Monique Lhuillier would have this in her collection... hmm.

Lea Michele in Marchesa. I'm at a complete lost. I'm not sure why a sweet girl, normally in beautiful soft gowns, would wear this. She looks lost in it. Like she's trying too hard to be sexy. Didn't work for her. Not.at.all. That is why, I see her has my least favorite of the night.

Now onto my favorites...

Nicole Kidman in Versace. I think she is beautiful. Gold-studded, pale beige dress with her strawberry blond hair. I think she always looks amazing. This was no exception.

Salma Hayek in Gucci. There were a few things out there about this dress, not good things. But I can't help but like it. It reminds me a little bit of Cleopatra but Cleopatra 2012. Love the gold and black. I think she looks gorgeous.

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang. I don't know who she is, never watched her show, after seeing her I think she is very, very loud - it irritated me a bit. I thought her dress was gorgeous. Loved the deep navy and the textures. Looked like waves coming down, just beautiful!

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji. Plus-sized, beautiful actress. I loved that she picked lavender, her ebony skin and this lavender dress were made for each other! Just beautiful. Perfect choice for her body shape.

Jessica Alba in Gucci. I was shocked to hear that some people, fashion police, didn't like this dress. It was almost my top. I thought she looked beautiful in it. Anyone could have worn this and looked gorgeous. The color, the glitz. Perfect.

 Viola Davis in Raoul. MY FAVORITE. Why you ask? I'm aware there's no glitz, no ruffles or sashes. But the color, the fit, the SHOES. I think that's what sold me. When I saw her walk across the screen, the bronze shoe came out and it was like the icing on the cake. Loved everything about her outfit. Loved it all.

On a side note, Elle Macpherson didn't make it in either category for me. But did you know that she is 49 years old? There must be some mistake. I've never seen a 49-year-old look this good. She looks younger than me! Well, almost. You go...girl.

Until the Oscars...