Belated Birthday Cake: Chocolate Chipotle

Sometimes I have dreams of being a domestic goddess. You know, the day when I have my big "chef's kitchen" overlooking the the kids playing in the living room.  I will have finally opened and unpacked my Kitchen Aid mixer [that was a wedding present 10 years ago, ha!]  Yes, that is when I will follow my mom's tradition of always having baked goods in the kitchen for her family.

Sometimes though, you have to go ahead and jump in... instead of waiting for "the dream" to be reality.    No I didn't unpack my KitchenAid, but I did take out a quite capable hand mixer.  Since Ernesto's birthday was last week, I had reason to make this happen.  He is a big chocolate fan.  He is also a chile addict.  Everything (and I mean everything) needs to be spicy for him to be satisfied.  While searching for a delicious cake to bake him for his birthday the other day, I came across this Spicy Chipotle Chocolate Cake recipe and knew this was the one I must bake. 


At 9am I put on my apron and got started.  While mixing the batter, I wondered why people use boxed cake mix.  It is so easy to make one from scratch and I already had all of the ingredients in my kitchen.
I popped the 2 cake pans in the oven and whipped up the to-die-for cream cheese and nutella frosting. Nutella is a hazelnut-chocolate spread and you won't be disappointed with its flavor. 

When I took the cakes out of the oven I was a bit surprised that it did not rise.  But after going back to the recipe and reading the comments,  it really is more of a brownie like consistency instead of a moist cake.  (Plus there is only 3/8 cup flour) Either way,  it turned out delicious, and mi esposo was happy!  Let the traditions begin!! 

Mothers

Happy Monday! I hope all the mothers out there had a great mothers day yesterday!  I spent the weekend at the Roswell Colors Festival of Arts showing off Zafiro Jewelry.  I want to thank the many patrons of Roswell who made this a fabulous show!  Also a special thanks to Lucy for hanging with me all weekend.  It was fun, and she is good!  We made record time with tear-down/truck packed up in 30 minutes flat!!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to be in Ohio with my mom, but I will see her this weekend for the ultimate in mother daughter quality time: the annual Navarre Garage Sales. Yay!  I did send her a card, but really, I try to tell my mom on a regular basis how much I love and appreciate her! (you know that right mom?)  If I can be half the mom that she has been to me, my kid will be very lucky:) 
Speaking of.......

{First day of week 21}

My belly is growing, and is starting to look so cute.  I was actually inspired to shop a little this past week (I had had no desire since January) and I found a few cute summer dresses at TJMaxx.  It's fun to stick out my belly as far as it goes to see if the dress will still fit when I get bigger!  Im glad Im prego during warm weather, there are a lot of great options for big bellies. 

I didn't leave the little mexi-mouth out either!  I picked up some tiny outfits for boy and girl thank you very much.    I just get to buy more since we won't know the sex.

(on a side note:  last night I did dream that I saw HER face)

It's still hard for me to even believe that I am pregnant, but I am already half way through this guys!  Since feeling the first kick on Saturday, I have felt some other fluttering, I know it will only get more frequent, but do you ever get used to it?  Mothers? 

This is all new to me, and I am relishing the "newness." An exciting time in our lives no doubt!

Week 20

To see the previous weeks click here.

It's Mulberry Time Again!

For the last year, the mulberry tart recipe that my mom made has been the most popular post on Viva Cindy.  Well, they are in season again here in Atlanta and I picked a TON of them.  I am going to do the tart again, but would like to try a new recipe too.  I have always loved my mom's peach cobbler and apple crisp, so I am thinking that I will try one of these with mulberries.  What do you think?  Any other ideas?

Feliz Cumple a mi Neto!!!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo amigos!

It's Ernesto's birthday today and I have to admit that I screwed up:(

We went out to dinner the night before to celebrate because we knew he was driving to FL [for our friends' wedding] and would not be around on his actual birthday.  Our friend Kate was in town for a couple nights from Haiti so the three of us ate at Tierra, at nice restaurant which specializes in Central and South American food.

I gave him his presents that night too.  Some golf accessories, lots of [much needed] boxers, and these:

I know he wasn't expecting something like that, but it was so cute.  He said we aren't going to need the girl outfit.  hmmmm.  He liked all his gifts and went to bed a happy man (wink wink)!

Ok, so how did I mess up then, you ask?  Well, the next morning, Cinco de Mayo  (his actual birthday) I had to work at the spa at 630 am.   I rushed out the door and didn't remember it was his birthday. 

I felt so bad driving to work thinking about how when we woke up he said "cof cof" and I said "no, you make the cof cof."  (we do that little back and forth about the coffee every morning)  He even walked me out to the car when I left and I still forgot:(  Bad wife.

Of course by the time I was done working at 10am, he had left on his road trip.  Im sorry mi amor!!  Im hoping he will forgive me after he tastes the special cake I am going to bake for him at his belated birthday cookout next week. 

Anyhoo, while driving to work I thought about some of the things that I love about my husband, the hottest 39 year old that I know! Happy birthday mi amor!!!!

1. He is reliably in a good mood.  Every. Day.
2. He is easy going and friendly with everyone he meets. 
3. He is a wonderful cook and loves to entertain.
4. He has integrity and works hard [when he is working].
5. He is sweet and affectionate. 
6. He cherishes his Mexican roots and wants to pass this on to our kids.  Yay Spanish!
7. He is silly and makes me laugh everyday.  (Especially if he lip syncs anything)
8. He loves to travel and shares the same curiosity and respect for different cultures as me.
9. He doesn't have a prejudice or racist bone in his body.
10. He is very domestic and does more than his share around the house.

bonus: He loves big butts! 

Zafiro Jewelry at Inman Park Festival 2011

This years' show season for Zafiro kicked off with a bang at the annual Inman Park Festival.  After a weekof storms and tornadoes in the area,  Atlanta's weather held out for the 2 day show.  As a matter of fact it was perfect: 80 and sunny both days!  People flooded the streets.

I enlisted the help of my sister Jenny.  We were due for a girls weekend anyway, so she flew in from Ohio on Thursday morning.  We did some shopping/thrifting, got pedicures, plus got in a few workouts.  (Oh! And I made her and Neto this delicious chicken meuniere dinner from Giada de Laurentiis) 

Inman was a very well run show, hats off to the organizers!  I had one of the easiest set-up/take-downs ever, partly because I had 2 great helpers but also because we live just 2 minutes from the park.   Also, a trick I used in preparing for the show was to stack all of my jewelry boards on top of each other [with the jewelry on them] and then cover them with plastic wrap the night before.  Wow, what great time saver! After we set up the tent and tables we just unwrapped the jewels and we were ready to sell.

And sell we did! Thank you to the patrons of Inman Park Festival for making this one of my best.  I had many new designs and gemstones after coming home from Tuscon Gem Show and my customers loved them!    The most popular style at this show were the bib necklaces and wire shape earrings. The most popular gemstones were the London blue topaz, kyanite, pink sapphires, and rubies.  Unfortunately I was only able to photograph a few of these before they sold.

{PINK SAPPHIRES ON GOLD -$170}

{BLACK GARNET AND SPINEL ON GOLD - $150}

{ARIZONA TURQUOISE ON GOLD - $110}

{GEODE LARIAT ON GOLD - $120}

{VIVA INDIA EARRINGS - London blue, yellow topaz and green amethyst - $68}


I will be showing Zafiro this coming weekend as well.  I hope to see you there.

21st Annual Colors Festival of Arts
Historic Town Square – Roswell, Georgia
May 7 & 8, 2011
Mother's Day Weekend
10 A.M. – 6 P.M.

WEEK 19

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting the belly pics I have been taking every week. You can see the all if you click on the tab up top called 40 weeks. This will let you see all of them together. I didn't even start until week 13 because there was nothing to see, and even now it's not much to look at, but I do look "thicker" right?

Anyhoo, I am starting week 20 tomorrow, which is half way there! Wow! If the first half is any indication my labor, it's going to be a breeze. Haha! Ok, Im dreaming. Well, you know my sister had an easy pregnancy and only pushed 2 times and there was Kelli! 2 times! She is my hero too, no drugs! Nice! I do feel that I have a high pain tolerance, but when it comes down to it, if/when I'm in unbearable pain, Ill take the epidural. Thank you very much.

HAPPY EASTER [NEWS] TOO!

What a wonderful weekend in Ohio!  It was great to see my family and hang out with everyone!  (we were missing Brrrian and Tim's clan:(

I helped my mom with all the traditional baking (breads, nut roll, and lepeny) and my sister and I were able to squeeze in some great thrifting.  Friday night was spent laughing it up at Bill's house till wee hours.  God, I feel so lucky to have a great family.  Can you guys move to GA, please?  The weather is so much better!
Bill and Barbie made me this "Little Puckwaa" shirt back when they found out I was pregnant, so I wore it on Saturday and got lots of laughs. (Puckwaa is a nickname Bill and I have had for each other for years...don't ask)

The most exciting part was seeing my little niece Cheekers.  I was amazed at how she is talking up a storm now.  What a cutie with her little Easter hat!

Yes...that was the most exciting part.......until.....eggs were passed out to the whole family by Cheekers.  They were all filled with candy, except the egg going to my parents!  That one was fill with a SONOGRAM!!!!

{Screams!  Cries of joy! }

Yep!  My brother Bill and Barbie are expecting too!! Yeah!  She is due just 5 weeks after me at the end of October!!!!   Way to steal my thunder Barb!  haha!  Just kidding.  Im so excited for them!

Back when they announced they were pregnant with Eleanor, I got mad at her for not telling me they were trying to have a baby.  10 years ago we made a pact that we were going to have babies at the same time and she waited until she was 3 months pregnant to tell me?? Hello?? Come on Barb!

Oh well, we laughed because I told them I was pregnant the DAY I peed on the stick!  So they had some time to catch me.  The next month they were pregnant too!  Perfect timing guys!!  Now Barbie and I are back on track!

We will have a great summer and give each other lots of support!  I predict that we are both having boys!!  We did a cute little photo shoot to show the difference 5 weeks can make during a pregnancy.

 OK, I may have been sticking my stomach out a bit there....here is the real thing!

{Cindy-19 weeks, Barbie-13 weeks}

Exciting times ahead!!

You. Are. So. Beautiful.

Today we got another look at our little Mexi-mouth.  At 19 weeks, everything seems to be developing quite well.  Unfortunately, Ernesto couldn't make this appointment, and boy was it the wrong one to miss.  This ultrasound was really cool, way more detailed than the first one.  The tech zoomed in everywhere except the one place I didn't want to see.   I saw the little hands and feet, the spine, legs and a very muscular looking arm!   A future Crossfitter!!

Ernesto kept teasing me that he was going to secretly find out the sex of the baby at this appointment, so Im kind-of glad he didn't go!  Just kidding mi amor!

This profile pic was the best: 

Ernesto first words?  The nose looks big!  (There were more words after those. Ha!!) So what if he/she has a big nose like yours, mi amor??  Just kidding...your nose is perfect! Sometime during the next 10 weeks we will schedule a 3D ultrasound and take a closer look!

When I was laying down for the ultrasound, I couldn't believe how much my belly was popping out.  Love it!

Inman Park Festival 2011

 

ZAFIRO JEWELRY

at

 Hope you can make it to the festival.  

It runs this weekend, April 30 & May 1 from 10am-6pm

Sneak peak of Spring 2011 collection:  Viva India!

{London blue topaz on gold}