We Are The Littles

Okay, so I used to think that my husband only married me in hopes of having Mexican food cooked for him every day. Now, I know it is true. Unfortunately, my Mexican rice (not to be confused with saucier Spanish Rice) has not been up to par since I moved away from home. Yes, Wichita Falls is known for its superior Mexican Rice. Actually growing up with my grandma, I was able to observe how to cook a lot of Mexican dishes, or Tex-Mex meals. She really did not like us in her kitchen, much like me now, and I would have to watch, ask questions, leave, and experiment when she was away. Cooking Mexican Rice was one of the first dishes I learned to make. Of course like most of us, my first few attempts were bad. Then, I became the “backup rice maker” in our family, especially on Sundays, when everyone went to church,except for your’s truly, and I was expected to have something ready. I felt redeemed by doing it.
After moving to Houston, the mecca of cheap and scrumptions Mexican meals, I slacked off on cooking Mexican dishes, and relied solely on the good Hispanic tradition of older women cooking for us “young’ns”. In my case, it was my good friend and babysitter, Marina, who always made sure I was well fed. I miss the days of her having homemade breakfast tacos and Mexican hot chocolate or cafe’ waiting for me. Those were the days.
Okay, so now I am all married up and feel the instictive urge to cook for my man his favorite food. So, I went back to my inspiration, Marina, for her awesome rice recipe that she is so famous for. I hope you enjoy making this recipe as much as I did. The flavors are wonderful and a great aroma fills the entire house. It is an easy recipe. It is an easy clean up. It is also the perfect side dish or main dish for dinner or a light lunch. Now, if only I could learn to make her awesome beans!

Recipe

4 tbs of canola oil (or any light oil)
2 cups of Long Grain Rice
1/2 cup of diced onions (or to taste)
2 tsp of minced garlic (or to taste)
4 cups of boiling water
4 oz. of tomato sauce
2 chicken bouillions
2 tsp of grounded cumin (or to taste)
Optional add In’s (listed below)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Optional to add at end (all or one of each):
2 cups of cubed cooked chicken, 1 cup of cooked mixed veggies, 1/4 cup of diced tomatoes

Boil 4 cups of water. In a skillet, heat oil on medium heat and lightly brown rice. Add onion, then garlic. Mix and for 2 minutes let rice brown some more. Next, mix in 4 0z. of tomato sauce. Then, pour boiling water on top of rice. Stir. Add chicken bouillons,cumin,and salt and pepper, and stir again. Note:at this step, my grandma used to add in small stalks of celery with leaves, for flavor and presentation.
After this step or adding in optional ingredients, cover your rice and allow to cook for apx 20 minutes, or when rice becomes fluffy. Here you could add in one cup of frozen veggies here and allow to warm in pan for a few minutes.

Buen provecho!

If you did not know it by now, one I am a carb junky and two I am a food blog addict! I found this great website hosted by Chef John through other food sources, and I wanted to share this recipe with you (check out embedded video). First, you will love it cause it is a video blog (yay!). Second, you will love it cause it is super easy and just in time for BAKING weather!
So, do not think of the overall time, but focus instead on the goal, which is great smelling, easy baking, no Knead bread, and it is Pumpkin!!! I hear the applause. Yes, you wonderful, beautiful people, bake until you drop! I will try this soon and as usual post it. I will also share the “leftover”tip Chef John gives on the recent blog;use the leftover bread to make French Toast. Heaven.

On another different, but same, note, Mrs. Angie and fam are coming in for the weekend. She does not know yet, but we will be catching up on our girl talk while we bake and cook for tomorrow’s dinner party! It is Mexican-themed, of course.
The menu:
Mini Empanadas for Apps accompanied by chips, salsa, and homemade guacamole
Enchilada Casserole as the main course with Mexican rice and Slow-cooked pinto beans for the sides
Chocolate Tres Leches for dessert
and Homemade Sangria to wash it all down with
I will let you know how it goes.

Happy eating!

Friday night, Savannah and I started decorating three cakes needed for the neighborhood’s Fall Festival and a birthday party. Now, let me start off by saying that she is naturally gifted at such things. I,however, am not. It takes  me classes. It takes her just one demo, then she takes off and running with it! I admire her natural talent.
Here are the pictures of the cakes. Savannah did the Casper Cake from beginning to end. She baked, carved, crumb coated, and decorated it. Next time, I will have her make the buttercream frosting and colors. I did the Smiling Jack o’Latern one in a cake mold pan. We both tackled the Spiderman Cake. This was a challenging cake. It was for my good friends’ little boy’s second birthday party. I had several ideas for this cake. I even bought the small Wilton Spiderman cake pan.  I ended up not using it and tried a varied version of a demo I saw on Youtube. I was in a bind though. I could not find a cake box and board big enough to present the cake. The board is used for extra space to add borders to a decorated cake, as well as, carry the cake on. I was unable to add bottom borders to my cake without risking smashing the cake from lifting. Once again, I was upset with Hobby Lobby for not carrying boxes and boards big enough for the cake pans they sell.   I also do not have a strong free-hand style, so I struggled with decorating Spiderman. Next time, I will try using fondant for him. I have never used it, but for a small scale project, buying it from the store would be okay. Luckily, my daughter had a great free-hand, so she finished the details for me and even did the writing! I also placed the cake on an over-sized clear cutting board. Not only did it help carry the cake, but it was so easy to cut the cake on. The cake was a big hit. Not one crumb was left. I will have to get with my neighbor to see how our Fall Festival cakes fared at the cake walk.
Let me also give Duncan Hines a shout out! They really do have the superior cake mix above all the other commercial mixes.
Okay, I am over and out.

Gabe left today to go make us money.  We are so sad. Even one of our neighbors was sad for us today when she watched Gabe say bye to the boys at the bus stop.  We were so busy this time off, but as always, we had a great time. I am especially happy that we had a family weekend and sendoff before he left. Papa and Weezer and Aunt Omega came into town. We all went to see Savannah perform in The Little Mermaid. It was funny and she did great! Yesterday, she was even singled out to pose for a journalism student’s project. We were honored to sit out in the Explorer and wait for her as she had her photo shoot outside on the hood of a car. Okay, you are probably wondering as we did, What is a mermaid doing on a car? Well, that was the photographer’s vision. And in case you were wondering, the photographer was a girl. Hope that does NOT add more fuel to the fire (haha).  My other thought was, if they were going to pick a car, why a Honda Civic? I digress. Anyway, we had a great weekend with the family filled with a lot of food, as only we can do it.  I was especially happy to take Weezer to the mecca of grocery stores, HEB.  For those of you unfamiliar with the store, one day I will take you on a photo tour and show you why it is all that.  Sunday we had a HUGE breakfast that included Omega’s famous home styled potatoes and signature pancakes (big and thick!).  Sunday, Savannah left us to go act and we went to the park, while the Cowboys were getting it handed to them. Gabe and the boys pretended to be MLB stars and Gabby and I were the cheerleaders.

Anyway, that is a glimpse of our days. Now, my best friend is gone, and once again, the house is not the same.  It is going to be a LONG six weeks, but Gabe and I are having a running contest, so that should help time fly. It will also help our waistlines, especially since we ate Tres Leches all weekend like there was no tomorrow. I want to try to lose enough weight so he notices a difference when he returns and has to buy me a new wardrobe. He now has his new home gym in Nigeria already assembled and waiting for him. I have my new treadmill (thanks again, baby!). It is going to be ironic when I beat him using the gift he bought me. And I am bringing it!

Gabe will put up pics and video from the play as soon as he is settled, but don’t tell Savannah or she will kill us! I will also be keeping everyone updated with pictures, stories, and videos, while I keep Gabe in the know when he is away.

So, MBM & I took the chirrens on a short road trip to Lafayette over the weekend. I think most of us had a pretty good time.

We left Saturday morning (after finding out my GPS was stolen out of our car the night before) around 8am. We got to Greenwood Shoes to see Velma around 1pm. We had to make a couple of bathroom / feed Gabby stops along the way so it took longer than usual. Anyway, we stopped in and said hello to Velma and then headed to fat stop number one… Deano’s Pizza. Carolina, Sav, & I shared what was supposed to be a half Tee-Rex half muffaletta pizza. It turned out to be a half Tee-Rex and half Marie Laveaux. The girls weren’t overly impressed with either half. The fact that MBM was not completely blown away by the Tee-Rex half has plagued us with marital strife. I just don’t know if I can be married to a woman that doesn’t LOVE Tee-Rex. We’ll be attending counseling sessions later this week.

Anyway, we went from Deano’s to my wonderful university… The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. We got to see 3 or 4 live gators in the campus swamp, some huge fish (one as big as Justin!) an alligator snapping turtle, and a squirrel or two. From there we went to the quad so I could show off my graduation brick and play a little family football. Gabby slept through the entire thing.

After football we made a quick stop at Sonic for a cool-me-down, then we headed to the old hood. They got to see our old house, including the window I fell out of (which was boarded up - apparently broke during hurricane Ike?) and my old ghetto school Comeaux High.

Then it was on to the hotel for some R&R before our next fat stop… Prejean’s. MBM & Sav had better luck there. They really liked the grub. Kevin & Kelly bailed on us so it was just us and Velma. Once again, Gabby slept through it all… We had a table right next to the band and not even the blaring chank-a-chank music woke her up. We finished up there, headed to fat stop number three, the Hershey’s Ice Cream Shop. We ended the night back at our hotel on the Vermilion River and the two youngn’s got in some much needed swimming. In the pool. Not in the river.

We were treated to lunch Sunday by Velma at fat stop number four, Pete’s. We ate our burgers (or salad in Sav’s case) and headed back home. Gabby did manage to wake up a little at Pete’s but could not muster a smile for Velma the entire time we were there. The minute we were away from Velma she would smile like nobody’s business. Guess she must have sensed just how evil Ms. Velma is.

Pictures are below as usual. I have some video that I’ll try to put up tomorrow.

Later Gator.

This is the cake that Savannah and I made for my friend Linda’s fortieth birthday party. It was made with Duncan Hines dark chocolate fudge cake mix, a sweet cream cheese filling, frosted with chocolate ganache, topped with chocolate dipped strawberries and a chocolate shavings border. 

To date it was the easiest and most elegant cake to make. It was a great present for a wonderful friend.

Okay, so many of you know that I almost did not leave my wonderful H-town during the hurricane warning.  I was like, yeah, yeah, been there, done that, own the Rita t-shirt. BUT, after much persuasion from my in laws, I decided it was the thing to do. Besides, electricity is worth the drive.

My friends and neighbors chose to stay behind. If is was not for them, I would not have had so much foresight on what to expect and do before we came back home.  My wonderful friend and neighbor,Susan, kept me updated on the whole situation, plus watched over our home. My friend, Laura, cleaned out my refrigerator for me! It was sparkling clean when I came back home. Everyone informed me what was for real on the news and what to do for sure before coming back home. Weezer and Papa took great care of all us while we took refuge in their home. All in all, we were very lucky. Others, weren’t.

Coming back home, I was not sure what to expect other than to be sure to fill up hours outside of Houston, because gas is scarce here. Also, to buy groceries, because most stores are stilled closed, and if they are not, then they sell out quickly.  I guess Weezer said it best when she said how it was hard to believe how such a big city could be made immobile. Then, my friend, Linda E, said another best, that next to electricty, gas and groceries were a hot commodity.

Here are some videos that Savannah took while we came in. Video One is of two lines (North Bound and South Bound) of utility workers in a caravan on the Sam Houston Tollway. Video Two is some of what we encountered driving near our subdivision; gas lines (Chevron), packed restaurants (Johnny Carino’s) and closures (McDonald’s). While our area did not suffer as greatly as Galveston, it sure took a beating. Trees were uprooted. Roofs torn off. Fences blown into other yards (our back fence fell and some shingles stripped from our roof). I went running today and saw pile after pile of debris lined up  around the neighborhood yards. I have never seen anything like it. Like with Rita, I will never forget the grid lock on the highway and the chaos and mad panic at the grocery stores.  Ike will hold new memories.  Like encountering signs on I-45S saying that the town had no gas or food, move on. This time, I came in and saw areas pitch dark spotted with areas of light, just to hit more areas stretched out into the darkness. Normally when I drive into Houston, all I see are bright lights. I will also remember seeing lines of cars stretched out for a mile into the streets  just waiting to gas up.  I will also remember seeing giants closed, like McDonald’s and Wal-Mart, and unusually packed restaurants that reopened, like Burger King and Denny’s, with lines and jammed parking lots, people just waiting to get some food, any food.  I saw all of this driving in on a Tuesday night.

I will also remember that the people of Houston once again all pulled together to help each other out and that today on my run, people were going out of their way to say hi to everyone.

So tomorrow, I will venture out with my hubby to see if we can buy some food at a recently opened HEB. We are working on slim pickings at the house. We have no meat! Slowly, but surely, businesses are reopening. People are starting to trickle into work. Most ISDs are out until next week. My kids see this as an adventure, as many others do.  As I write this, 1.3 million people are still without electricity, with no assurances of having it turned on any time soon. Gas is at a reasonable price, considering.  The Dallas Cowboys are 2-0. And my hubby is on his way home!

God Bless Texas!

Today, Gabby reminded me that it is the simple things that often bring the most joy. It is wonderful how babies and children remind us how life should be. All my children often do. Gabby was having the time of her newborn life in her new swing, courtesy of Weezer. She smiled nonstop at the tiny little safari animals she saw above. She also decided to take her pacifier and bottle for awhile. We are definitely making progress! Date night and the gym here we come, hopefully. Unlike Gabby, I am going to break in my new mop later today. I doubt that will bring me the same joy like Gabby’s swing did. However, Gabe promised to talk to me while I was mopping, so it should not be too bad. The fun does not stop there! No siree. I will also be cleaning baseboards today. How fun. Don’t you just envy my life of leisure? Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Weezer left us this morning <sigh>. We were all sad to see her go, even Gabby who managed to sleep through her goodbye. Rocky misses sleeping under her car. I miss drinking coffee with her and our t.v. and table talks. Weezer and I kept really busy with running errands, keeping up with the kids, catering to Ms. Gabby, and just catching up. We did find some time to go watch one movie, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and have a nice La Madeleine Lunch, with Ms, Gabby in tow. Yes, it was nice to have Weezer around. She was able to get in a lot of Grandma time and bond with the wee baby. I even reintroduced Weezer to Houston traffic yesterday when I got turned around on highway 290. Yes, we both agree, that will be a moment to remember! We can hardly wait for Weezer to come again!

Unfortunately, no matter how hard we tried, we could not get Gabby to successfully take a pacifier or bottle. The battle wages on. We did however try out a new baby car seat carrier that suited Ms. Gabby to a “T” and will make Auntie Kari happy that I gave into using it (plus, it was free!).

I will leave you with pictures taken during Weezer’s trip and a candid video I took of them without them knowing. I also have included pictures taken today while Gabby and I fled the unsettling quiet of home to have lunch with my dear friend, Auntie Stella. We used the opportunity to use our Red Robin Free Birthday Burger Coupons! We had a $20 meal for only $6!!! Plus, we had great service and a wonderful time. Gabby also met some ex workers of mine, one with a special connection to me and Gabe. Gabby, of course, slept through it all. Once we got home back to the quiet, she became very fussy! That is my Gabby. Party girl. She also got to talk to her daddy on Skype. She had a lot of smiles and flatulent moments for him. Okay, well, I have to go meet the boys at the bus stop. Later.

So, the house is very quiet. Weezer left me to go hang with Wanda. The kids are in school (yay!). The baby is sleeping (double yay!). I am waiting for the exterminator to arrive to rid our house of those ugly ginormous wood roaches! It rained forever here in H town and we were over run by those suckers. We even saw them trying to move their furniture in. Not gonna have it.

I am taking this very foreign and still moment to catch you all up. First Weezer made it into town on Saturday afternoon. She was immediately drawn into her grandmotherly duties and also surprised with a famous Carolina’s Potluck Gathering. My COF’s (circle of friends) arrived to welcome her, all with good eats and treats in tow. We think we amused her. We also celebrated the August birthdays and had a mini tribute to fellow Leo, Rick Springfield, whose birthday did not go unnoticed by his faithful female fans.

Weezer and I have also been making the rounds in Houston. Don’t worry, Kari. We have not hit any of the cool stores, yet, but it is nice to have another grown up to shop with and spend all of Gabe’s money with. Weezer has also been helping me keep the boys entertained and the baby rocked and cuddled. She is quite the diva. She has many arms and little helpers who want to be at her beck and call, so she is very spoiled.

Since Weezer’s arrival, I have mysteriously become the proud owner of a beautiful new coffee maker (like Kari’s) and Gabby now owns a pacifier she will take (well sometimes). She slept with it for almost 3.5 hours! I felt like I slept an entire night.

I am including a slide show of an assortment of picture taken recently. Many are of the kids and some of the big shin dig the subdivision held for the Olympian Gymnast, Jonathan Horton, outside his home when he arrived from China. Savannah also made her first Cupcake Cake solo, without mom. I also would like to thank my amigos for coming over to welcome my M-I-L. Keith, Frank, Linda, Jorge, Nadine, Shannon you are awesome!

BTW, don’t forget to scroll down and read the other recent posts by my hubby!