Last night with my mom

We have made it a habit of taking my mom to holiday things with us. She came trick-r-treating with us on Halloween, dyed eggs with us on Easter. It is really the only time I have seen her light up. She loves watching Austin participate in the Holiday traditions.

Sunday night we decided to take her with us to Christmas in the Park. Normally I dislike Christmas in the Park. It's freezing with outdated decor. But this year was fun, mostly because of Austin. He loved it. And my mom loved seeing him have fun.

I don't really have much to post on our outing except it was the last time I would see my mom in this life. I have had my issues with my mom throughout my life. But I am so grateful that the last year has been pleasant. I am grateful for how much she loved Austin. I am grateful that I have seen her happy. But most of all I am grateful that my last time seeing her was a pleasant memory and not one with any augments or sadness. I hope she is in a better place now with her parents and my father.

Wedding Aniversary

Our 3rd Anniversary was on Saturday November 24th. We didn't have money to go somewhere this year so we decided just to go on a really nice date. So we started out going to the temple. It was so nice to be able to spend the day where we actually got married. I was even wearing the dress I was married in. It made me really grateful for our celestial marriage and reminded me of the promises and convents we made that day.

The we went to San Francisco, got cup cakes, and walked around for a while. After we went to this awesome Senegalese restaurant, we both really like trying different foods. We were going to go dancing as well, but we are getting old and were too tired.

I am so grateful for our marriage. I feel as though we perfectly balance each other in so many ways. It is always fun to celebrate that!

Thanksgiving

The theme of our thanksgiving this year was late. Marci and her boyfriend Brent joined us they were an hour late, Valentino picked up his mom and they were 3 hours late, but the latest of them all was the turkey which was 5 hours late and didn't even make it into out for dinner.

My mom has the worst oven ever! At 5:00 (when we were suppose to eat) it wasn't done. Back in the oven for 30 minutes, still not done, another 30 minutes  on and on until 7:00. We decided we were eating in courses and started on everything else. We kept checking the turkey throughout the meal, still not done. Finally everyone was finished and the turkey was finished in some parts and not others. But it was okay because everything else was so amazing, that we didn't need the turkey! Seriously I found the best recipes this year. And now we have tons of turkey for sandwiches. 

Gravy

·         1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter

·         1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (2 onions)

·         1/4 cup flour

·         1 teaspoon kosher salt

·         1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

·         Defatted turkey drippings plus chicken stock to make 2 cups, heated

·         1 tablespoon Cognac or brandy

·         1 tablespoon white wine, optional

·         1 tablespoon heavy cream, optional

Directions

In a large (10 to 12-inch) saute pan, cook the butter and onions over medium-low heat for 12 to 15 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Don't rush this step; it makes all the difference when the onions are well-cooked.

Sprinkle the flour into the pan, whisk in, then add the salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock mixture and Cognac, and cook uncovered for 4 to 5 minutes until thickened. Add the wine and cream, if desired. Season, to taste, and serve.

Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

o    12 oz bag fresh cranberries

o    3/4 cup orange juice

o    2/3 cup brown sugar

o    1/3 cup white sugar

o    Optional: 2 oz gold rum

Instructions

1.    Place all the ingredients in a sauce pan and cook on medium-high for 15-20 minutes or until most of the liquid has reduced – stirring occasionally. You’ll hear the cranberries popping – don’t worry, that’s what you want them to do. Remove from heat and serve. Cranberry sauce can be made days ahead and brought to room temperature or slightly heated before serving.

Stuffing

Ingredients

• 1-pound loaf sourdough bread
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/2-inch thick in both directions
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 to 4 stalks celery with leaves, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• About 10 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped from the stems
• 10 to 12 fresh sage leaves, chopped
• 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish and set aside.

Cut or tear the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread it evenly on 2 baking sheets. Toast the bread in the oven until completely dry and beginning to crisp and brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and a few pinches of salt and saute, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add celery, onion, 2 tablespoons butter, and thyme. Once the butter has melted, cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes. Add sage and remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Add chicken broth to skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl. Pour the chicken broth mixture over the bread cubes and toss to combine until the bread cubes absorb the liquid. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, and sprinkle with parsley. Bake in the center of the oven until heated through and the top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remove the stuffing from the oven and allow to cool about 15 minutes before serving.

The "L" word

Austin has been talking more and more every day. His favorite words are:

• Car, he says it over and over practicing the c sound
• Hi
• Pizza, his favorite food
• Ut-oh

But today I said I love you Austin and he said "love you!" It melted my heart. I got to be the first girl he said it to. Did I mention I love 18 months, best age ever...so far...

Look at this little guy, how could you not love him!

First Blog

I have been informed that by becoming a mom I am also suppose to become a blogger. I held out for 18 months, but the time has come to start a blog.

Just a warning, I am the worst speller ever! If you are looking for perfect English it won't be here. Sorry. 

Halloween is my favorite holiday and this last one was my favorite Halloween of all time. I have been waiting 16 years to have a kid to take trick-r-treating!

As you can see we were Sesame Street characters and Austin's Big Bird costume turned out Awesome, and it looks harder to make than it actually was.

During the month of October we visited pumpkin patches, a pumpkin festival, Gilroy Gardens, Halloween parties, and went trick-r-treating.

Austin loved it all. At the pumpkin patches in Half Moon Bay he loved the pony rides. His first ride was the day after he broke his collar bone. There were 3 other 17 month old in line and all three didn't make it through the ride. Austin, our no fear child, just had a smile plastered on his face the entire time. From then on out when we visited a pumpkin patch we either had to avoid walking by the ponies of we would hear screams until he was on the pony.

At another pumpkin patch he wanted to ride in the wheelbarrow and help pick out pumpkins. It was so fun to see him so into it.

Trick-r-treating was my personal favorite. We went out with the Dahila and Joquin Peralta, and my mom (who also dresses up as Elmo). I was surprised how much he got the trick r-treating concept.  He knocked on the doors until they answered, took his candy put it in his bucket, and moved to the next house. So fun to see him hit these milestones in life. I am excited for Christmas!