Feliz Aniversario

Feliz aniversario mi Neto!

It has been 9 years and I would say the last year has been one of the best.  I know we are extremely lucky to have spent so much time "hanging out" together and ......

Thanks for a delicious dinner at Serpas tonight, I had a great time (and that tuna tartar was the BOMB)!

 Also mi amor, thanks for being in a good mood all the time, for being supportive [and supporting me],  for always asking me "why are you so pretty?",  for making cof cof every morning, for always being affectionate, for pushing me to workout, for being so goofy, for laughing at how weird I am [and even encouraging it], for cooking delicious food, for loving my big butt and for being Mexican!  I love ju!

Dying for a New Sofa

I have got to get rid of this bulky Craigslist couch we have in our place.  Its cramping me [and my style].
It was purchased out of necessity and now it needs to go.  I am searching Craigslist daily for a cool vintage couch that maybe I could reupholster, but I kkep dreaming of this couch from Crate & Barrel.  I saw it in the movie The Breakup (with vince Vaughn and Jennifer Anniston...hilarious by the way) and fell in love with it.  I even went to C & B and sat in it....yes, Its perfect.  The Petrie sofa, although a bit of a splurge, would be a timeless piece and really has that mid-centrury feel that I love.

  The coordinating Petrie chair is beautiful too and the rusty [almost orange] colored leather would only get better with age.

Couches are expensive these days!  Do you guys think that $3000 is too much for living room furniture? I have never spent that at one time, but for classic neutral pieces, they should last a long time and be worth the cash in the long run. Agreed?

Weekend Wrap Up

I was really excited when Lucy, my new Census friend, told me that she and her husband are avid bikers, campers, surfers, etc. (I love active friends) As a bonus,  her husband is a single speed bike rider.  Immediately I thought about the east coast chapter of  Back of the Pack Racing that Judd has been encouraging me, Brrrian and Neto to start.

Luckily our new friends are equip with all the gear (ie: bikes, bike rack) since we are still on the hunt to purchase our own bikes.  Ernesto borrowed one of theirs and I borrowed Smita's, which was a a bit small for me.

Yesterday was our first bike ride together.  We met early and drove north to Big Creek Park in Alpharetta (25 miles North).

The trail was great.  It is a 12 foot wide concrete path with wood bridges meandering through the woods.  The disappointing part was that it is only 6 miles long, so it was a short ride.

This was also the first time Ernesto and Sean met.  Lucy and I were relieved that they got along well!  We joked about it because we were making all these plans and we said "Boy, I hope our husbands like each other." ha!

There minds think alike.  Oh, short bike ride?  How about some beer?  They insisted we reward ourselves for the strenuous ride with drinks [and food] at 5 Seasons Brewery, which was quite tasty.




Here is what else went on this weekend:
1.  Worked on Census stuff until 11pm Friday night
2.  Walked around Virginia Higlands Summerfest
3.  Enjoyed oysters and beer at Fontaine's
4.  Grilled a whole chicken [twice]
5.  Attended the weekly neighborhood pool party
6.  Made a new necklace...pic coming soon
7.  Drank Sweetwater IPA's (my favorite lately)

What about you guys, did you do anything exciting this weekend?

Fit Fridays: New Month New Goals

I always feel like the beginning of a new week or a new month is a good starting point.  Ok, it's June !  Starting this month, Im going to do this this and this.  Im not sure why.  Can't I start something on the 22nd of the month? Do you do this too?

To me, June 1st, though not the first day of summer,  feels like .....the first day of summer.  When I think of summer I think of the beach, and when I think of the beach, I think of bathing suits and when I think of bathing suits I think of working out and when I think of working out I think of my eating habits. Healthy.  I want to look healthy and I want to feel healthy.  There is always a bigger push when summer rolls around.

{Roatan, Honduras}

I have to consider that if I ever want to complete #13 on The List,  I should probably do it sooner than later.  (Im just saying I will be 37 in November. Yikes!)  Also, since we will be on the beach in San Diego this summer,  I have mucho motivation brewing in me.  So, I will workout at least 5 days per week. No excuses!

Im going to do a little extra too.  I will start the "no sweets and no [or maybe limited] alcohol" regimen again.   I noticed when I gave it up for 40 days earlier this year, my skin looked a lot nicer.  Plus you have to understand, when I stay at Ernesto's parents there is junk food galore and I would rather restrict myself totally than rely on self discipline and moderation.  Not my strong points.

So without further ado, this weeks' activities so far:

Wednesday,  June 2 - Run 3 miles
Thursday, June 3 - Run 5 miles
Friday, June 4 - Crossfit  -  3 rounds.  21reps-15reps- 9reps of squat snatches, pull-ups

What are you doing to jump start your summer?

Felicidades Brrrian!

I know I have said it before, but my brother Brrrian inspires me so.  This is probably one of the many reasons why I want him to move to Atlanta.  I just want to be closer to him, see him more often.  He motivates me and his ideas and creativity are endless!


I remember when he completed this picture of Azalea, a friends' daughter.  It was made by carving a linoleum block, inking it and stamping it on rice paper.  It is on display now at the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University until July 10th.  They are showcasing local teachers artwork.
Bravo Brrrian, Bravo!

OHIO or BUST!

I have worked everyday for 5 weeks straight! I needed a break!  Since my Census work is winding down, I was able to break away for 36 hours and crash my families cookout in Ohio Saturday night.  I almost didn't make it.  Thank you Delta for giving me the last seat on the flight!  I was so excited when I finally arrived at 9pm.

Almost 20 people were out on the deck having a great time. (Hi Fred!)

Kelli was home from OSU for the weekend and brought her new cute beau, Avi.  We gave him a good intro to "hanging with the Arnold clan."  We'll see if comes around again.  ha!

Besides being a holiday weekend, Ernesto had been in Ohio since Wednesday helping my dad with his big roofing project.  He had hail damage about one year ago and thought it would be nice to pay Ernesto and my brother Bill [with the insurance money] to put on a new roof.  A huge job! 

"I don't know how I get myself into these things."  ~paul arnold

Bill looked like Goofy with his hat, but at least he was protected.  It was 85 with the sun beating on the black shingles, a great way to get a sunburn.

In the meantime, the girls were taking a leisurely stroll on a shaded path.

Look at my little cheeker-cheekers.  She is just too cute.  She is growing so fast. She recently started crawling and waves hello.  Her little outfit was my favorite.  Her shirt says "Miss America" in sequins.   It would be so fun to dress a little girl.  She needs a little cousin, right?  Come on, Brrrrian!

My parents have been in their house now for almost 10 years.  Their backyard is like a botanical garden. My dad keeps the grass green and lush, and my mom's garden is the nicest I have seen. 

There was so much blooming and seeing it makes me want a garden so bad.  Sometimes I will think that we could live in a loft or condo, but no! No, I need a garden.  

A few of my favorites in bloom:

{foxglove}

{bleeding heart}

{chives}

We arrived back in Atlanta this morning to grey skies and rain, but sometimes you need a lazy day to watch movies and catch up on blogging!  Back to work tomorrow! Ciao amigos!

Saturday Morning Surfing

I want a new couch!  I hate the big clunky one we have now.  We purchased it on Craigslist quickly out of necessity when we moved back to Atlanta last October.  I don't know about you, but I think Craigslist is the coolest website ever!  I go to it daily just to see what kind of deal I may find here in Atlanta.  This morning I should be on my way to my parents in Ohio but I think with all the rain yesterday the flights are bad today.  Instead for the past hour I have searched Craigslist Akron-Canton and found some interesting stuff.  I have these grand ideas of all the reupholstery projects I can do with this great furniture that I buy cheaply.  Although I don't have much of it, I am very into vintage and mid-century modern, and there is no shortage of it once you start searching.

How about a pair of these 1970's green chairs?  $60 for both.  I can see these in my office [that I don't have yet].  LOVE.

I am loving this green couch too .....not as cheap at $500, but so cool.  I know it is a little conserative for my style, but mixed with some of my other eclectic pieces, I think it would look great.  What is the name of this style? anyone....anyone?  For some reason I keep thinking "chesterfield."

These Danish chairs are awesome and a steal at $150 for the pair.  I could resell these for double.  I would like them for my large living room [that I don't have].  Of course I would change the fabric.

Besides furniture, for the last week, I have been searching Atlanta Craigslist for a kitten.  Even though Neto is not a pet person, I made him choose between a parrot and a cat.  He picked a cat. (I will have a bird someday too)  I thinkI would like a black and grey tabby.  I think I would name him ....Rare rare.

Neto's Fish Tacos

 My dad was in Atlanta for a one night layover and Neto wanted to make his favorite dish for him.  I think these are the best fish tacos I have eaten to date! 

 I finally got a well lit photo.  You too can make these delicious fish tacos !  You won't be disappointed!

Fish Tacos, Take Two

Last year I posted Neto's infamous fish taco recipe but I had the WORST picture to go with it.  (horrible lighting)
Last night my dad was in Atlanta for a night and this is his favorite dish.  He requests it. Every. Time.

It is still not the best picture, but it sure as heck beats the last.  We make this every month or two, so I can try improve the picture again soon.  We need to make these for lunch one day so I can get good natural lighting.
Without further ado,  Neto's Fish Tacos.  See how to make fish tacos.

Mom's Mulberry Tart Recipe

 I had no idea that the big juicy berries that I have been stepping on the last couple weeks were edible.  A couple times while walking I felt some juice squirt up on me and that was the first time I ever noticed these plump dark red berries that fall from big trees. They are called mulberries, look similar to blackberries and have a wonderfully balanced tart/sweet flavor.   I would have never known this if not told by a total stranger.

My parents came to visit us for a couple days on there way out to NM to visit my brother Tim.   We were out on the Freedom Trail walking one morning and saw a runner pulling branches down and eating the berries off this huge tree.  I asked her was they were and she told us mulberries as she handed a few to try. 

When we got home, my mom noticed that there is a huge mulberry tree right in the vacant lot next to us.   Needless to say, my mom was out there a few minutes later picking away just like old times.  (she used to leave for hours at a time when we were little and pick black raspberries and blackberries in the woods behind our house.  She would come back with a huge pot of them every time and would freeze enough for treats all year.) 

I froze some of the berries and my mom took some with her. She picked enough for three or 4  pies...and there are still more to be picked.  They will be great in our protein shakes, on cereal or in oatmeal.

My mom looked up a recipe for mulberry pie on All Recipes and altered to fit my 10 inch tart dish.  It is now called Mom's Mulberry Tart recipe and it is definitely a repearter!  My favorite pie is blackberry and this one was just as good.  I gobbled it up for dessert last night, with my coffee this morning and just finished another big piece for lunch.  We have to get it out of the house as soon as possible:) ha!

Mom's Mulberry Tart  

4 cups mulberries

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1tbsp cold water

1 tbsp milk

1 pie crust ** (recipe at bottom)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, mix berries with sugar, flour, cinnamon and water. Place mixture into bottom pie crust and then cover with top pie crust. Crimp edges, cut slits in upper crust, and brush with milk.  Let pie rest in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

3. Bake pie in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove pie from oven and let sit on wire rack until cool.

Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream! 

Canola Oil Pie Crust

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold 1% milk
1/2 cup canola oil


Sift together flour, sugar and salt. In a small bowl, beat milk into canola oil with fork until frothy. Form a well in flour mixture. Add canola oil mixture and combine gently with a fork until crumbly.
Pat into a pie plate as you would for a crumb crust. Add filling and bake according to filling recipe.