Your Refrigerator, Ma'am, is Broken.

This post is gonna start out pretty ridiculous and kind of wordy, but I hope you keep on reading and make it to the end. 

For the last four weeks our Tuesdays have been pretty routine, not very eventful. Today started out much the same way all the others did. Our wake up call, Yasmin, sounded off promptly at 6AM. Mr. M. graciously offered to prepare breakfast and I took Yasmin for pottytime, and after that was said and done we made our way to the kitchen to see what Mr. M. was cooking up. 

As I walked into the kitchen things started getting interesting. There was a huge puddle of water by the fridge that Mr. M. hadn't notice and we began to investigate the root of the problem. We quickly realized the freezer temperature was no longer at 0 degrees F, but had climbed to 38. What? The ice dispenser was leaking and the contents of the freezer where thawing out. The temperature kept climbing. 

We quickly pulled out the manual and tried to resolve the issue, but after nothing worked we called the manufacture and requested a house call before all our goods went bye-bye. They obliged and we continued our day...ok maybe it wasn't that easy. First I freaked out, I may have said a few cuss words and then I pleaded for Mr. M. not to make the drive to Portland for school today. Three hours away he'd be and I'd be left with spoiling food and a needy toddler, I couldn't possibly make it through the next 48 hours alone. 

You might be thinking, wow this girl is quite the drama queen, and I'm sure there is truth in that. But my side of things is this: we got caught up living outside our means (a very prevalent issue in this country). Once we remembered that God (yes we are trying to be followers of Jesus) doesn't want us to live this way or share our devotion, we made the choice to sacrifice some comforts. I do not work outside the home so as to be more free to focus on caring for my family, meaning we only have one income and we still want to be able to pay off our debts plus help God's work and our extended family. A budget that doesn't always seem to balance out. In my own self-absorbed way I thought, well I've been giving up comforts left and right (we sold our 1400squarefoot home and moved to a 950squarefoot apartment only to have to move to an even smaller place) I should be able to have a little something. So that's were this lovely little fridge came into the picture. I told Mr. M., I will give up as much as we need, as long as we splurge on a fridge with an ice maker and ice dispenser. Its not asking for much, right? Well it might not be, but who am I to bargain with our Creator? 

I started reading this little book called Not a Fan. that in one section asks the question: What disappoints or frustrates you the most? The answer to this might tell you where your heart really is. My answer is financial difficulties and when my very prized items (fridge) that I feel I deserve to have don't work the way they should. I'm supposed to be following Jesus and I'm worried about having a fridge with an ice maker? I guess I'm still holding on pretty tightly to my material things, thinking they might be able to bring me happiness or something. What a wake up call. Don't get me wrong, I know material things are mostly necessary, but if a person falls apart because they don't get to have those things they want or they're willing to compromise their values to obtain the things they desire then I think that's where it gets a bit tricky. Following Jesus doesn't come without a price, but the alternative is much harder to swallow. I've got to trust that Jesus is calling me to a life free of financial burdens or a rat race that has no end. I've got to trust that my life has a greater purpose than all the pretty shoes I could own or the great car I can drive. 

I've got to trust that my life is better off in Jesus' hands.

An Unlikely Discovery

While we were out tracking down berries the other day we came across an unlikely little bag of flour with the name Indian Fry Bread Mix on the front. While I don't really know the history of fry bread, I do know this, it is absolutely delish. 

About six years ago I had my first introduction to fry bread and I was captivated. You can eat fry bread in many ways, but I particularly like the fry bread taco. (Being Mexican, I love anything taco). The little bag of fry bread mix was extremely easy to prepare, just add one cup of water it said. Except I must have added too much water or this simple recipe tricked me because it came out all gooey and I had to add more flour. After I resolved the little mishap we were on our way. I fried the little tortilla like patties and they came out great. We topped them with refried beans, ground turkey, tomato, avocado, lettuce and cheese. 

And then we had a feast! 

While fry bread tacos are not particularly healthy (particularly meaning not at all), we definitely enjoyed this discovery. Who knew a roadside fruit stand could yield so much greatness?

Berries

Yesterday Mr. M., the little mama and I took a drive to the country (ok the country is like 5 mintues from downtown here in the Palm Springs of WA, but it was still "a drive"). 

I woke up with a need for fresh picked berries, but the orchard I wanted to go to posted on their website that U-pick wouldn't be open until the second week of August. I told Mr. M that we should just take a drive and see if we found a roadside fruit stand that had berries. He obliged and we were on our way. 

I've always thought myself a city girl, but these last few weeks I've really found a new love for this small town we moved to. Maybe its the yummy berries we found, I don't know, but ask me how long it took us to eat ALL the berries? Not long, not long at all.

I hope the summer is treating you well, we love picking berries around these parts. What summer activities do you love to do?

Embrace the Camera: Spokane Adventure

Mr. M. recently had a work event to attend in Spokane and Yasmin and I tagged along. It was a short little trip, but one we thoroughly enjoyed.

We spent one whole day playing at the Riverfront Park (riding on the gondola, sliding on the giant red wagon, and playing on the blocks) and eating yummy food. We also made a pit stop at Target (where I found some awesome moccasins for winter on sale) and Apricot Lane (where I bought these great flats I'd been scouting out online at more than half the price!)

It was a fun time with the two people I love the most.

Embrace the Camera

Life Lately

Since we moved from Portland OR to Central WA about three weeks ago we have been constantly on the go. Despite all this running around, life has been wonderful. 

This past weekend my parents, younger sister and niece came to visit. We had a blast.

                       

We enjoyed some pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), a picnic and of course some great backyard fun including a BBQ.

We got the girls a kiddy pool and filled it up with lots of water. It was Yasmin's first swim in a kiddy pool so we filled it up with luke warm water from inside (so as not to traumitize her from her first outdoor swim). We ate some yummy Paletas (Mexican popsicles) and I even made my favorite cookies, Polvorones. 

 It was a lovely time and now I miss my family so much. It is definitely a bummer that they live far away, but it helps me cherish the time we are together that much more. 

Embrace the Camera: Little Treasure

Almost 15 months ago I met the most amazing little treasure. The moment I laid eyes on her I felt this incredible feeling of love come over me. 

I can't even begin to tell you how she has changed my life. Before we got pregnant I worked with at-risk youth as an afterschool program coordinator. My identity was very wrapped up in being an advocate and helping youth and parents navigate the public school system. At the beginning of our marriage Mr. M. and I discussed that when we had children I would stop working and focus my time on nurturing the new addition. As D-Day approached I was more than ready to stop working, but a part of me was very worried about what it would mean for me to leave my job and the small, but very important, social network I had developed through my career.

I am not going to say that motherhood is all bliss and that I don't think of going back to work from time to time. Because that would be a LIE! 

We have had to make so many sacrifices in order for me to stay home. As we are not the best savers or budget-followers (I make a budget, mind you, I just have a huge problem following it) we have had to sell our home, go down to one car, and move to the middle of the desert to keep me with the Little Mama. (that last one is not an exaggeration)

But I wouldn't change it for the world. Little Mama has blessed me with a new perspective on life. I am learning to be a little more aware of my inpatience, of the way I express my frustrations, of the way I treat myself and those around me. She is like my third eye. A little window through which our Creator gives me love, reassurance and hope that even if things are not perfect they will definitely be interesting. 

Thanks Emily from the anderson crew for inspiring us all to slow down and capture a lovely moment.

Awaiting a Special Package

A special package is on its way, that's what an email says anyway. 
Mr. M. decided it was time for me to say good-bye to my little brick of a cell phone and get a "smart phone" (and I reluctantly agreed). I'm not opposed to technology, don't get me wrong. I love all the conveniences it brings, but sometimes I'm afraid I get too hooked.

by the way the iced coffee recipe is from A Beautiful Mess, you have to try it.

Little Mama loves to play with the brick

I used to have a blackberry (back when they were something special), then some HP phone that I can't even remember the name of, and then an Android. I think that year I changed phones about five times. But after a while I got too caught up on who was messaging me, who wasn't, what social network I had or hadn't updated, what website I needed or didn't need to view to get to somewhere I was going. Now I've had my LG (with a full keyboard, my fave feature)for a little over two years. But it looks like its time to let it go. 
The other issue I have with these "smart phones" is the extra charge for data plans. Come on, I already pay like $60 for internet at home, you want me to pay $30 more so I can have it on my phone? Maybe I'm cheap or maybe I'm just afraid I will love this little device too much (Mr. M. got me an iPad for mother's day and some might say she is my second child). Either way, that little iPhone is on its way and it should be here TODAY!


What little conveniences do you resist or can't get enough of?


XO,
Silvia

Sweet Corn Muffins, Please!

I'm not the best cook or baker around these parts, but from time to time I discover these amazing little recipes I have to try. A while back I stumbled upon Jessica from The Novice Chef and her Jalapeno Sweet Corn Muffin Recipe and I knew I had to try it. In our home we love chili and corn bread, so naturally I had to pair these little muffins with some chili. 

Its been unbearably hot in the valley these last few weeks, but since today is only in the low 90s it seems like a perfect day for a hot bowl of chili (haha!) and these amazing little muffins. The recipe makes 12, and I think I might just eat them all. 


Go ahead, give these a try, you won't regret it.


XO,
Silvia

True Love on 7th St.

I grew up with the love of my grandmothers a whole country away. We moved to the US when I was only eight years old, and memories of them in those formative years are few. Because they lived so far away we didn't get to see them very often and I have always felt a little sad that I don't really have a very close connection with them.  

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"Abuelita" as we call my little lady's grandma is only a five minute drive away. Imagine, five minutes. The number of memories they will get to create are endless. True love, you can find it on 7th St. 

Did you get to live close to your grandmother(s) growing up? What are some of your most cherished memories?

XO,

Silvia