The day girl talk began at our house Blu was one. She couldn’t even talk yet. As soon as Isabella realized she had a new friend in her sister, playing dress up and divulging all her secrets began. Here’s a little throw back Thursday snippet.   Isabella: “Blu. Did you know I have a boyfriend?” Blu: No response. Isabella: “When you are like me, 40 inches, you can have one and […] Read More

2 ½ lb. fresh brussels sprouts (about 6 cups) – I like fresh, but you can substitute 4 (8 oz) packages of frozen brussels sprouts. 3 tablespoons olive oil ½ cup slivered almonds 1 tablespoon butter 2 garlic cloves, minced ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper Wash brussels sprouts thoroughly; remove discolored leaves. Cut off stem ends and discard; cut in half. Toss brussels sprouts with oil in […] Read More

You can not rush grief. I tried. It doesn’t work that way. It isn’t something to get over or move away from. It’s not a box you check when you feel fine one moment expecting it never to return. It is something that you eventually accept and with time learn how to keep moving forward. Everyone must travel the journey of grief at their own speed and in their own […] Read More

Right before the November election I wrote a blog post, Trump Spoke to Me Last Night. It was about the very last presidential debate and my reaction as a mother of a multicultural family, the wife of an immigrant, and a woman who has had an abortion. In the post I asked how our country will treat a family like mine if Trump were to be elected President of the […] Read More

“I love those 15 minutes of peace I have every day,” said no mother of a two-year-old, ever. It rained on Monday in drought ridden California. While my inner environmentalist cheered enthusiastically, the mother in me had to figure out what to do with my two, six and seven-year-old kids all day. The up side to a drought is we spend a lot of our time outside. Fully immersed in […] Read More

I can remember making a tin of Peanut Brittle every year to send to my grandfather in Texas for Christmas when I was a kid. He always told me how much he loved it and every year I looked forward to making it for him. Now that I’ve grown and I’m looking for a sugar high, peanut brittle is still a treat I enjoy during the holidays when I have ingredients […] Read More

  Dear Tooth Fairy, Why you did not take away my tooth. And why is there a google eyes on the house. Love, Isabella PS please I want my tooth necklace back you took last time. — Our elf on the shelf came all 24 days leading up to Christmas. Flying reindeer left gnawed on carrots all over our front porch Then Santa came and left, leaving a path of […] Read More

How will our country treat a family like mine if Trump is elected? I watched the debate last night after I told myself I wouldn’t. I couldn’t help it. I don’t regret watching, but it left me sad and empty, wondering what will happen to a family like mine if Trump is elected President? I’ve always wanted children. If it was up to me, I’d have a huge herd. We […] Read More

You can do this yourself! We love Halloween. It is one our favorite holidays. We decorate the house and have a party every year. Last week, my friend Christina brought over supplies to make some creepy halloween bottles. We had such a good time and they turned out so well, I thought I’d share them with all of you. I’m fairly certain she found the idea on Pinterest. You’ll need: Old […] Read More