Happy Trails...

Another beautiful day in Ohio and so my parents picked another one of their favorite bike trails. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail was originally constructed in Akron Ohio in 1825. It runs 101 miles from Dover to Lake Erie in Cleveland (some construction yet to be completed){black angus cows bathing along the river}

The trail originally served as the path that mules and horses would walk to pull canal boats. We started the trail in Massillon and stopped in the small town of Canal Fulton. (the town where I went to elementary school) The still offer rides on a horse pulled canal boat during the summer. We arrived just as they were about to leave. The two Draft Horses are owned by the Heritage Society in Canal Fulton and I was glad to see how healthy and well fed they looked. (something you don't see often in Costa Rica) Ernesto has always said he wants to have a couple horses, and I am all for that. I love horses. (I told him that "I would let him" as long as I can have a dog, cat, bird, 2 chickens and a peacock- ha!) You can see the horses attached to the rope pulling the boat up the canal.

Walking through the center of town takes you about 2 minutes. It is really cute. At the center is Oser's Dairy & Deli, which has been there since 1954. My sister used to work here when she was 16 and my family used to go there all the time for a treat. The ice cream was delicious, just like I remembered.

 Every Friday over at the Inspired Room, Melissa invites her readers to share their beautiful moments throughout the week, I would say this applies!

Guacamole de Neto

{picture via Smiles are Free}

Many of you have requested Neto's guacamole receta.  I thought I might as well post it here for easy reference. I have to admit, it is the best I have ever tasted.  I have made it myself 5 million times (at least)!  The key to the this Guacamole (as to any)  is...suprise...the avacados!!

The trick is not picking them too ripe, or not ripe enough.  You should  be able to push your thumb into it just barely.  This recipe cubes the avocados (not mashed)  so you won't want them so soft that they can't be cubed. 

You will need:

4 avocados, cubed**

2 large roma tomatoes, seeds removed, chopped

2 jalepenos, chopped  (adjust to desired heat)

1 small red onion, chopped

handful of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

salt and pepper

combine in bowl and add one good squirt of lime juice. 

**slice in half, take out seed and use knife to score avocado into cubes.  scoop out with spoon. 

Serve with homemade tortilla chips (my obsession lately) 

Cut stack of corn tortillas into quarters.  lay on baking sheet.  spray chips with cooking spray and sprinkle salt.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and  cook for 12 minutes or until golden or crispy.  If you take them out to early they will be chewy=not good.

I know many of you have already had this, but if you try to make it, please let me know how it turns out. 

Baby Talk Everywhere

Everyone is pregnant! A year ago I wouldn't have thought much about this, but I am really excited for everyone and find myself thinking...hmmm? That could really be fun. I love love love surprises so I would surely NOT find out the sex ahead of time. Nine months of suspense is right up my alley! What a project to document too. I have so many good ideas for pictures/blog posts. So many exciting things to think of: What names would I choose? How would I decorate the nursery? How long would I be able to keep up CrossFit while pregnant? I really do love change. That would be about the biggest life change I could do, right? Timing is everything. [Note to self: get a job and insurance...oh! and a place to live.]

I know this is total crazy talk coming from me, but I can hardly avoid these thoughts since my Brother Bill and his wife Barbie are expecting. I have to say, I am inspired.

On Sunday, Barbie's mom threw a shower for them. Baby showers are better than 4 Christmas' put together. Oh the presents!

I finished the baby blanket I started while in Costa Rica and I think Baby Arnold is going to love it! It was the first time using a zig zag stitch, which turned out so cool yet, so un-perfect (just like aunt Cindy).Here we are at the shower from left: Barbie, Bill, Jenny, me and my mommy

Garage Sale Mania

I have been looking forward to thrifting in the US. Friday's are the best for garage sales and it just so happens that there was a whole neighborhood sale by my sisters house today. We were out the door by 830am. The early bird gets the worm.

What can you buy for $30?
I challenge you to beat this. Here is my list of scores: (all pictured above)

1. budda bust


2. 2 picture frames (to be painted)


3. black rabbit fur vest ($2!!!)


4. hand painted mirror (I forget where this style is from-I want to say Indonesia?)


5. vintage tupperware cup w/ lid


6. striped make up bag


7. 4 books


8. red plaid shirt (for Neto)


9. blue tank top with sequins


10. purple thread


11. seam ripper


12. orange visor


13. big gold earrings (cheapy cheap, but oh so stylish)


14. wool plaid fedora hat


15. 2 hummingbird feeders


16. ginger candle


17. tie hanger (will be used for necklaces )


18. OHIO desk clock (which will be painted)

Oh, the $30 I spent also includes my lunch at Chipotle!

An 8 year [non-celebratory] Anniversary

CINDY + ERNESTO = EIGHT YEARS! OMG!

Haha! I love Someecards - they had plenty of other appropriate cards for anniversaries. We have decided that we will only really "celebrate" the anniversaries divisible by 5. That means Ernesto has 2 years to plan the best surprise vacation for our tenth!

It was a special day without even planning. My parents have been into biking for a while now and have sought out different bike paths in Ohio and they wanted to take us.
We did have to drive about 40 minutes to reach the path, but it was well worth it. It runs from Lisbon Ohio (the 2nd oldest town in the state) to Lithonia (I have no trivia about this town)
The weather is beautiful here now and it is very green due to all the Spring rain. The path is paved and flat, so it's an easy ride. We rode 20 miles.
The trail was mostly in the shade and surrounded by fields. I love the tractor crossing sign.

My parents wanted to take us to a cool place to eat. I was immediately impressed by the Steel Trolley Diner (140 E. Lincoln Way, Lisbon, 330-424-3663) when we pulled up.
I was even more impressed when I saw that this little diner was featured on the Food Network and won the "Best Burger in the Country Award" at the National Hamburger Festival in 2006.

Of course I had to try a burger. The All-American Red White & Blue Burger was tasty. Cooked medium rare and piled with blue cheese. De-lish!Speaking of medium rare, I can eat red meat daily and not get sick of it. Ernesto and I went to a butcher shop by my parents and bought 2 huge porterhouse steaks and some filet mignon for dinner and fired up the grill. We threw zucchini and prosciutto wrapped asparagus on the grill too. Don't be jealous.

THE LIST...38 Things To Do Before I Turn 39!

Wait a minute...I hope you don't think I'm turning 39 anytime soon! Please! I have 3 1/2 more years! (yikes that isn't long is it?)
Anyway, I am a serious list maker...I have a journal with me at all times, and whenever I think of things I don't want to forget, I whip it out.

THE LIST was inspired by a great blog Hula Seventy. I have been following her for a while. Her blog makes me smile. She also loves to makes lists.
I will be referring back to this A LOT over the next few years....as I cross [hopefully] every item off The List!

1. take piano lessons
2. overnight hiking trip
3. get a job
4. buy a sewing machine
5. run 4 more 1/2 marathons
6. get Viva La Cocina [Mexican food blog] up and running
7. fix up Cannondale road bike and use it
8. take photography classes
9. replace my lost wedding ring
10. write a guest blog for someone else
11. scan my old pictures
12. hike Machu Picchu
13. wear a thong on the beach
14. finish crocheting turquoise blanket
15. get a Mexican passport
16. visit Maureen and Lauren in the US
17. have kid(s)
18. visit Lucy in Australia
19. Introduce [my jewelry line] Zafiro to the world
20. buy a parrot
21. get Rare back
22. do 3 proper crossfit [kipping] pull ups
23. open KitchenAid mixer wedding gift
24. paint a room turquoise
25. bake a cake or tart
26. make a wedding photo album
27. host a food cook-off challenge
28. sew a skirt & apron
29. tour Sonoma wine country
30. buy belly dancer outfit (like this from Istanbul) or at least take another class
31. get an iphone
32. embroider a peacock
33. read 5 books
34. frame artwork from my travels
35. use my FLIP Camera
36. plant a vegetable garden
37. reupholster a chair
38. buy a house

Ayyy Kelli, To Be 18 Again

I can't believe how time flies! My niece Kelli just graduated from High school. I was only 17 years old when she was born! I found this pic the other day and my dad scanned it for me. I think Kelli was 3 and I was 20 when it was taken. Now she is heading off to college, my alma mater, The Ohio State University. (my sister is an empty nester at 40, and I don't even have a nest yet) Here is the beautiful grad with her mom and tia CindyKelli's graduation party was on Saturday. Jenny and Scott have a huge back yard, perfect for parties. The weather was perfect and it was so much fun - there we over 100 people there! Kelli and my mom are standing in front of an awesome picture collage that she made for her partyThe party went on long after the guests left. It was so cool hanging out with everyone. My brother Brrrian drove 9 hours just to spend 2 days with us. wow! Unfortunately, my brother Tim couldn't make it. The next day we all went to cheer for Kelli during her commencement ceremony. There were about 300 kids in her class. [read: long ceremony]
Since her last name starts with S, she was in the last row to be called, but looking very excited as they said her name. Of course when her name was called we made a big scene and held up a sign with her name on it. Everyone is so proud of her. Especially her parents. Who would have thought they would raise such a smart, beautiful and talented daughter? Just kidding SchaffNers!!We did lots of posing with the glowing grad, she wanted pics with everyone. She is a picture-ass!

Brrrian decided he would give his own speech at the podium after the ceremony.

I feel very lucky to know my neice so well. I really admire her. She is going to be successful in anything she does. Her "plan" for a major is journalism and photography, but we all know how a major can change a few times during a college career. ha! I hope she does stick with that though so she can teach me everything she knows! Im so excited for her, do you remember moving away from home and your first year of college? OMG! The stories I could tell. I hope she will tell hers, at least the edited version on her blog, which she promised she would start updating soon. I can't wait to hear all her adventures.

Mama Im Coming Home

When I was in college, my parents sold the house where I grew up in the country (North Lawrence, Ohio) and moved to Canton, Ohio. Even though I've never lived in the house my parents built there, I still consider it home. Home is anywhere that my parents live. We flew into Akron Canton airport and Paul's Shuttle pulled right up. I greeting them with my happy dance. You can't read my dad's shirt here, but it says Paul's Airport Shuttle. He said that business really slowed down while I was in Costa Rica. haha It was like we were carried away to a private oasis. This is how I feel in my parents' back yard. My mom's garden is amazing. We were home less than a half hour and my mom and I did a "tour of the estate" I was dying to see all her plants and flowers. Everything was blooming.My dad and Ernesto jumped into a little landscape lighting project, trying to decide where to place the lights. Here are some of my favorites:

Sweet Williams Chives

Lupine

foxgloves

The Porter, Atlanta

Wednesday was a beautiful afternoon in Hotlanta and Neto had just finished his big lighting job (someone has to work!). This was reason enough to walk down the street to a bar called the Porter in Little 5 Points. Its another "gastropub" (pub with higher end food) The style of the Porter is rustic with a cement bar stretching down the long narrow space. Lined with chatty locals, and no pretentiousness, it's a true pub atmosphere. The beer list is insane -about 4 pages long. Smita and I both tried the Blanche de Bruxelles (a blonde beer spiced with coriander, bitter orange peel, nicely lemony) So refreshing!

The apps were equally satisfying. We feasted on the Belgian fries, the brandade (a codfish, potato and garlic confit) and the fried goat cheese sticks.

The Porter has outdoor seating [on tree stumps], friendly service, and interesting people watching (if you have been to Little 5 before you know what I mean) If you are looking for a good happy hour or are a beer connoisseur, I highly recommend you stop by.

I Have Been Tagged!

Rachel over at Bling on my Sewing Machine just completed this questionnaire on her blog and tagged anyone who reads it. I love these things. Consider yourself tagged too.


What is your current obsession? watching Food Network

What is your current favorite memory? My year in Costa Rica (watch recap here)

Starbucks or Peet's? Starbucks, we don't have Peets

What's for dinner? Indian tuna cakes and polenta fries

What would you eat for your last meal? My husbands' fish tacos

What's the last thing you bought? 2 Joey lipsticks and white Puma loafers

What is your favorite ice-cream flavour? I can't pick one

What do you think of the person who tagged you? She is inspiring

What was your favorite toy growing up? barbie dolls

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? To my parents house

Which language do you want to learn? Portuguese

What's your favorite quote (for now)? "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream." -Mark Twain

What is your favorite colour? Turquoise

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? jeans by seven

What is your dream job? hosting my own travel show

What is your worst habit? putting y on the end of one syllable words (like kissy kiss)

If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on? summer dress and these sandals

Do you admire any one's style? Jessica from What I Wore

Describe your personal style? I forgot after Costa Rica, I have to rediscover it

What are you going to do after this? Go for a much needed pedicure

What are your favourite movies? The Fugitive, Crash, Kite Runner, American Beauty

What is your favourite fruit? Mangoes

What inspires you? traveling, browsing magazines/blogs, good conversations, my mom

Your favorite book? Angels & Demons

Do you collect something? Sand from the beaches I've visited

What are you most proud of? that I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for a year

What do you like most about yourself? that I'm always friendly and open minded

What is your go-to nail polish color? OPI Dulce de Leche

If you're interested and want to join in, consider yourself tagged.