Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Latin Spice and Western Gusto

Apron Senorita is a mix of Latin and Western influence.  Being raised along the south Texas border gave me the opportunity to blend two beautiful cultures.  Agriculture and ranching are common ways of life for generations.  Much of area is made-up of vast farm lands where crops grow year round.  I'm very blessed to have been raised in a "Tex-Mex" culture of senoritas and cowboys.  It is a romantic story of heroism and passion.  I'm most at comfortable wearing blue jeans and western shirts.  I love western diva sandals, boots, and  cowgirl bling jewelry.  My home is decorated in Spanish Western style with Texas stars and Spanish serape blankets.  There is a lot of southwest influences with turquoise and corals.  It is truly a gorgeous multi-culture life with Latin spice and western gusto.  Ole'


Thursday Blog Hops
     

Hopeful Harvest

 
I'm hopeful for a happy harvest.  It is my favorite season of the year.  Every one must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn and to smell the delicious autumn in the air.  The crisp and vibrant mornings welcome a day of spice and nutmeg in the air.   Pumpkins are rip in the fields and sweet corn is ready for harvest.  Gold and scarlet leaves dance in the wind as kids look forward to their tricks or treats.  When my kids were young we would decorate the house and front porch with pumpkins, hay bales, and scarecrows.  Now my son is in college and my daughter is 11th grade, times are different.  I miss those days when we had candy bowls and Halloween costumes.  I'm still going to decorate my house and fill the air with pumpkin scented candles.  Life is too precious to watch the seasons go by without notice.  I pray for a happy harvest of the heart.
 
Pictures courtesy of

 
 


Thursday, September 1, 2011

Labor of Love

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  It is a holiday that honors those who work so hard, which I call a "Labor of Love".  It is truly a labor of love for a mom to home-school her children.  It is a labor of love for mom to work outside the house when she really wants to be home raising her kids.  It is a labor of love for a dad to drive long hours to work for a job that is demanding and exhausting.  It is a labor of love for a single mom to work 2 jobs to support her family.  It is a labor of love for a parent to give their full dedication to ensuring their family  has a place to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear.  Labor Day weekend celebrates everyone who is a contributing member of society.  Labor  Day is your day to be proud and celebrate!

May you be find time to relax and spend time with family.  The last big holiday of summer is one of the nicest because the weather if finally starting to cool down, except in Texas (lol).  Pull out your hammocks, comfortable lounge chairs, lawn blankets and lots of pillows.  Head to the coast, a lake side park, local sports field, or your fabulous backyard.  Say goodbye to summer with the season's bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables grilled to perfection. That means sun-kissed tomatoes, sweet corn and juicy berries, as well as other warm-weather favorites like lobster, steaks, ribs and anything else you can throw on the grill.  Enjoy time with friends playing  flag football, softball or volleyball. Many cities will have parades and community festivities, so join in the fun. Be safe, have fun, and relax!


Grilled Burger with Swiss Cheese
Sauteed Mushrooms, Carmaleized Onios, Bacon, Tomatoes, Chives, Herb Chili Mayonnaise
    Roasted Potato and Green Bean Salad
    Balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and Feta cheese

Grilled Corn with Lime
Spread mix of mayo and sour-cream, Parmesan cheese, and chili powder.

Grilled Peaches with Honey
Topping mix of honey, Dijon mustard, and horseradish, and serve warm

FRIDAY BLOG HOPS


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

LOVE

We loved with a love that was more than love.
Edgar Allan Poe 
 


Monday, August 29, 2011

I Don't Know How She Does It


 
How do you keep life together without losing it?  Women juggle so much; family, marriage, kids, work, community service, friendships, and more.  There are times that I feel I'm going to lose it, but then I remember that my family is relying on me to get it done.  It is tough to please everyone and harder to please oneself.  Many times we are hardest on our self when things aren't perfect.  Sometimes we look at other women who seem to "have it all".  We might even wish for a moment that we had her "perfect" life.  Some women seem flawless as they go about their daily tasks, looking stunning and having a fun time.  Wouldn't it be great to step into their expensive shoes for a day?  Well ladies, life isn't perfect but we can learn to dance as we stumble and sing as we cry.  We are wonderful women, loving mothers, beautiful wives, and treasured friends.  I Don't Know How She Does It: The Life of Kate Reddy, Working Mother is a book written by Allison Pearson .  It is also a new movie that will premier September 16th. 

The hilarious ladies of the new movie I Don't Know How She Does It explore motherhood and the myth that women can have it all.   A comedy centered on the life of Kate Reddy, a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her husband and two kids. She tries to balance work, friends, kids, husband, and somewhere find some time for herself.  It’s a story that countless mothers have become so familiar with over the past few decades: Woman wants job. Woman wants family. Woman wants it all – and woman gets it all. And as any have-it-all-mom success story can tell you:   It’s not easy.  The movie is cast with wonderful actors and is the perfect setting of big city life of an American family.  I think Sarah Jessica Parker is amazing.  Casting: Allison Pearson, Christina Hendricks, Greg Kinnear, Jessica Szohr, Olivia Munn, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Seth Meyers.


Tuesday Blog Hops
 
 

Almost Autumn


Mommy, I'm Hungry!


 
I think all moms have been there. It's Wednesday and you've just gotten home from work and picking up your kids. Your husband is due home soon and the kids are starving, you're exhausted, and everyone wants to eat in five minutes. You open the refrigerator and start to feel mild panic, then reach for the phone to order out. Stop! Meal planning to the rescue.  Planning your meals for the week is a time, money, and stress saver. Plus you can control the nutrition of your family's meals. All it takes is a few minutes, your calendar, and a glance at your cupboard to see what you have on hand. Pick your dinners each night, write them down, write your grocery list and your plan is done. Here are a few easy steps and you will be on your way to making your weekly dinners a time to relax with your family - all it takes is a little time and thought to prepare.
 
There are lots of great ideas on-line.  I'm so glad I found Kamley Lane.
She great ideas and graciously shares them.  Visit her blog!!
 


1. Grab your calendar to see what your week entails. - See what your family has going on each night and plan accordingly. If you know that one night your kids have activities, pick a meal that can sit on the stove and family members can eat at different times like soup, stew or sandwiches. If you know you are home all day Sunday, go all out and plan a true Sunday supper.

2. Take a look in your cupboards, fridge and freezer and choose meals that use some ingredients you have on hand.  -  Avoid buying items you already have on hand and make sure you choose dishes with items in your cupboard. If you stocked up on canned tomatoes and ground beef the last time you went shopping because they were on sale, use them up by preparing pasta with meat sauce or chili one night.

3. Keep the Sunday circular.  -  Save even more money by checking out the grocery store sales and coupons for that week. If it's summer and there's lots of produce in season, you can take advantage of the discounts and plan a barbecue night with grilled vegetables chicken and transform the leftovers into a new meal the next night of pasta or pizza topped with the grilled chicken and vegetables from the night before.

4.  Involve your kids.  -  Ask your kids what some of their top dinner choices are for the week and choose one or two so you know they'll be happy. When you serve some of their favorite meals some nights, you can alternate with meals that incorporate something new you'd like them to try - everyone wins. If your kids are old enough, you can even give them a night every few weeks where they plan and prepare or help prepare the meal. Traditions may even form as your son may realize he makes a mean pasta sauce which quickly turns into a family favorite. Also, post your meal plan for the week so everyone in the family knows what to look forward to.
5. Keep it fun - try theme dinners. - Avoid getting into a menu rut and going back to the same recipes over and over. Theme dinners are a great way to try something new and make dinner fun for everyone. It doesn't have to be complicated - a taco bar with lean turkey, whole beans, brown rice and veggies is a healthy and easy Mexican night. Prepare a chicken and veggie stir fry for your own Chinese "Take-in" made at home. Theme meals are also a great opportunity for a lively family discussion at the dinner table where you can talk about the country you are "visiting" that night. However, don't be afraid to bring back favorites over and over again. You don't have to reinvent the wheel every night!

 
 
Monday Blog Hops





Friday, August 26, 2011

Pink Prayers


 
Pink Prayers is my tittle for the power for praying women.  When we gather in one cohesive spirit it is guaranteed to bring miracles.  Mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, lets gather in prayer for those affected by Hurricane Irene.  Lets lift our prayers and trust in the greatness of God to bring us through safely.  May God bless families with protection of life and property.