Eventful days! part 2

Max and I planned a picnic in the desert we had hot-dogs and mountain-man-breakfast. Everyone were impressed with Max's camping skills.

 After having our picnic we venture to drive on the pony-express trail. We stopped on the first (maybe only rest area in the road) I think we were all tired but mostly dehydrated! It was fun!

Later, on the weekend we had our family pictures taken. My dear sister got a super deal for a family photo session on-line.

After the pictures we had to wait for my Brother to get off work and have dinner; in the meantime the rest of us went to Little Cotton Wood Canyon. Rodrigo wanted to check out the snow that was left and with some luck see some mountain goats. And we did see them!

 Our first snowman ever! How exciting!

Eventful days!

ok it has been a while since I last posted anything. Here is a summary!

Mom, Dad and Rodrigo came from Mexico to attend Grace's graduation hurray! Those weeks they were here were cold!

A new chapter in our lives!

My last day of classes is Wednesday April 13th, and I'm so happy; Max's last day is May 4th. It is interesting, we are in our late twenties and we have spent most of this decade of our lives in school. In perspective, it has been the best thing we could have done.
In a personal level, being in school has been a character building experience; who would have known how enticing cheat on assignments is, or how easy is to procrastinate and how hard it is to catch up.
Well, those lessons have been learned and being married and wanting a family in the very near future our lives we have to adjust the course and for sure all those lessons learned in college have to prove. However I do not think that relying only on our experiences will guaranteed our complete happiness.
I dear fondly what "The Family a Proclamation to the World" declares:

Happiness in family life is more likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

caching up!

We are going to Dallas, Texas; yeeha! We are so very excited for our new adventure! Max's brothers are already fighting for us to stay with them on the firsts weeks of May. That makes Max feel important at all levels!
This month of April has turned very busy already which I do not mind at all. My beautiful "hermanita" is graduating in Entrepreneurship (a major that suits her spirit and personality to perfection.) My parents and little brother (Rodrigo) are coming to town in less than a week, and I cannot wait to see them. Last time they were here was for my wedding; it was so very great! If all goes well my brother (Paco) will get into a master program this year. Our prayers and good wishes are with him and his wife.
I have to confess, I decided to take care of our "relocating affairs" after my sister's Commencement Ceremony (which by the way will take place for the first time in the history of LDS Business College in the Tabernacle at Temple Square, isn't it cool or what!)  by then I'll be through with school and staying home all day focusing my energy in 1) feeding Max properly, 2) going through stuff, 3) packing, 4) blogging and 5)enjoying my parent's visit, yay!
In other matters, this week I had the coolest experiences riding the bus to Tooele, and in the check out at WalMart. In the bus someone was swearing and the bus driver said "no swearing in the bus" it was amazing! and then on WalMart I had a nice lady checking me out she helped me with my big blue bag (IKEA bag) and she matched prices of some of the items I had, and ALLwith a great smile. There is goodness all around, what you think?

'till next entry... LPS VN

The-Boys-Home

The-Boys-Home

The-Boys-Home
Que hermoso!

general conference

La Conferencia General es uno de mis eventos favoritos del año. En este año en particular, celebramos el 75 aniversario del Programa de Bienestar de la Iglesia. Tras escuchar los multiples discursos de nuestros lideres, no hay lugar a dudas de que Dios conoce nuestras nescesidades y El sabe que a traves del servicio aprendemos y llevamos a cabo su obra.

http://lds.org/?lang=eng

General conference is one of my favorite times of the year. This year we celebrate 75ht anniversary of the Church's Welfare Program. After hearing the messages from our leaders there is no doubt that God knows our needs and there is no doubt that He knows that is through service that we learn and do His work.

back to normal, I guess

tumble weeds in the side of the road!

Spring brake is over and we (Max and I)did a couple interesting things during that time.
First Max took me for a walk couple evenings, besides feeling as a pet, I truly enjoyed it; the fresh air, stepped hills, and my heart beating faster, it is wonderful to be alive!
Max went for a Hike on Settlement Canyon, He loved it although he was sored for three days!
We had a fire on Friday Night and we took my Max's dad's 4-wheeler to the the desert! A completely different Exploring-Experience.
We rested on Sunday, the Lord's day!
Here some photographs from Saturday!

Myself.

Max testing the camera!

Here Max and the  4-wheeler!

Spring is here.

Spring has officially started officially! wooho!
During the last couple of days Max and I have been doing some fun things.
Last Friday we had a little picnic the both of us with a fire at settlement canyon, it was very fun!
On Saturday we hiked one of the hills behind our home, I personally needed fresh air and exercise, it was great!
Sunday, we stayed home and later in the evening we drove around town.Monday, we both came to Salt Lake to school and work.
Yesterday, we hiked another hill and cooked some curried chicken. Delicious!
Max is running everyday, last week he did very well! He went running 4 days!
This current week is his Spring brake and I know he is having a good time!

Dear posterity,

Last Monday Dad and I, had our interview at the immigration office; we have good news, I am now a permanent resident of the United States. Aunty Kim P. exclaimed in her facebook post "freedom" which it is very true. Hopefully we will visit to Abuelo Checho y Abuelita during this year if all goes well!

Lately, I have been thinking about what are the things that you should know, what character traits I should encourage and how you all would look like!

In other matters, I decided that "determination" is very crucial for one's happiness and I've been lacking it. So this week that starts I have resolved to be more determined and act immediately upon the things I know and the impressions of the Spirit.

Love you all.

Atte. su Mamá.

spring brake is near...

Para el blog del dia de hoy he pensado escribir acerca de la renovada determinacion de Max por ejercitarse todos los dias y sus planes para spring brake. Hasta el momento el itinerario comprende acampar y escalar "Deseret Peak" para ello ya fue el por sus botas de alpinismo, harpones (para caminar/escalar sobre hielo) y pico.
No me cabe de duda de que el programa de television que hemos estado viendo acerca del Monte Everest le ha inspirado. Por  mi parte, he estado pensando en que seria bueno preparar de comer para susodicha empresa; no se me ha ocurrido nada ademas de un buena dotacion de sandwiches y agua.
Veremos que tal!

For today's blog entry I've been thinking in writing about Max's renewed determination to excercise every day and his plans for the upcoming spring brake. The itineray so far is to camp and climb Deseret Peak and he has already got his boots, crampons and axe for such enterprise.

I have no doubt that the show about the Mount Everst we have been watching has inspired him. As far as I am concern I've been thinking in the food; I haven't come up with any idea besides a big ration of sandwiches and water.

We'll see how it goes!

new year's resolutions

algo tiene hablar por telefono ...

El dia de ayer Papa llamo por telefono, lo cual me parecio raro porque por lo general usamos instant messenger, pero aun asi me  dio mucho mucho gusto; hablamos como en los viejos tiempos sobre negocios, inmigracion, y la charla del SEI (Sistema Educativo de la Iglesia). Debo mensionar que Papa es un hombre muy inteligente, espiritual, trabajador, y alegre.
Papa esta emocionado por el trabajo de Max, cuando le platique acerca de las circumstancias (escuela, inmigracion, trabajo) que rodearon nuestra decision de iniciar el trabajo en mayo en vez de marzo, el comprendio cabalmente y anadio que en muchos casos las companias no solo buscan personas capaces de desempenar la tarea asignada sino que buscan personas de caracter y vision en sus vidas.
Por ello creo que mama y papa quieren mucho a Max!


Last night I received a phone call from my Papa, it seemed odd to me that he called instead of using msn, nevertheless it made me happy! We talked like we used to about businesses ideas, my immigration paperwork, and the fireside he just watched. I must say that Papa is smart, spiritual, hard worker, and cheerful man.
Papa is excited about Max's new job, when I told him why we would start on May instead of March he understood completely and added that in most cases companies not only look for capable people they especially seek for people with caracter and vision.
I think Papa y Mama like Max for that!

list about Max

Publish Post

dear posterity,

Everything is going well over here, Dad (Max) got into the TEXTRON leadership program, we are very excited!We will be moving from Tooele to somewhere in Texas in the first week of May.
Life at home is peaceful, and playful at times. We had our delicious cheese-stuffed bacon-wrapped hot-dogs for dinner last night; we were very hungry. After school, as usual we took the express bus to Tooele, then in our way home we did some errands; stop at D.I. to look for a digital audio cable with not luck that often happens when we go to the D.I. Do you have the same feeling sometimes when you go there?
The next stop was Mayce's grocery store getting some goodies. In the entrance we had a sample of stew that cheered up our empty bellies. We picked up what we needed and checked out.
Right after that we stop at the credit union next door to pay our monthly rent, by then Max was grinning and almost dancing while walking! why? well simply and obvious if you live with Max in a 24/7 basis, he does not like Wal-Mart at all neither big bank corporations. He would tell you that doing business in this places makes him feel guilty knowing that there are little girls in China that work long and hard for a ridiculous wage in order to make us pay less for our stuff. Sad uh!
Well, he was happy doing business in local places without the weight of China, which is a big place and a lot of people, over his shoulders!
We had our dinner, worked on some homeworks, and watched some documentaries on PBS.com (free streaming.)
Remember. brush your teeth thrice a day, and eat vegetables
Love, Mom (Liliana)

Family Home Evening

Before we got married we received many words of counsel from the first counselor from the stake and my bishop of course. One of the advices that sticked in our minds was praying together and having Family Home Evening..
What I remember the most from the Family Home Evenings at my parents' home is the little minute book we had to prepare the lessons. I consider it now a family keepsake full of significant memories.
It was in Family Home Evening that my siblings and I learned about the new little member that was going to become part of our family; Mom and dad told us about it sometime on the spring of 1997 and Rodrigo was born on December 4, that same year. It was funny to see our little brother growing and being part of the Family Home Evening, he became the official greeter and welcoming person. He was so cute!
Before my Brother Paco went on his mission he gave the most spiritual lessons those were beautiful days! 
My sister and I even danced once before everyone just for fun!
Family Home Evening was not always bubbling and pink,in couple occasions it was to discipline and warning everyone from the influences of the world!

Now, in our nucleus Max and I have given priority to this blessing of Family Home Evening. We are still working on making it more homey; with that being said I believe that some sweet goodies, music, and a significant lessons will augment homey-ness!

Family Home Evening is a wonderful opportunity to create family traditions and a tradition indeed.

Publish Post

3rd day blogging mmhh! ...this is looking promising!

Max and I teach the Sunday School class (14 and 15 year olds). It has been a challenge in many aspects. First it's hard to set apart time to prepare the lesson and secondly draw the boys attention in class (they are all boys).
Someways I wish technology were for people over 21 years old. Of course, I know that is impossible and absurd.
However there are those days when these young men listen and clearly understand the principles of the gospel and the application of them in their lives. Those moments cheers us (Max and I) up unimaginably!

Tip: little chocolate treats are the most efficient bait.

Max finally got the desk computer to work; he installed Windows 7 Fancy that!,
For dinner on Sunday he made his famous and perfected Horchata!
I did my home work and worked on a weekly planner layout!

typical friday

Today we slept in; my class was canceled and Max does not have classes on Fridays; with days like today it is easy to have a real breakfast and a decent lunch.
Max has been trying for the last couple days to fix the desk computer its problem basically is that it is mute and we want to plug in the fancy surround sound-system that my Brother gave us last week (he and his wife did not need it and they gave it to us) we want desperately to use it to watch netflix movies. It seems that there is no other solution than to plug the sound system to a laptop.
Later today we drove to Salt Lake City to go to the Temple and work in some homeworks at school.
Our visit in the Temple was great I always learn something new.
Then we went to the U of U so Max could do some homeworks using a special software while he was working hard I was playing with the blogging settings and I learned few tricks to make the blog look nice. Can you tell?

Now we are looking forward to watch a movie.

Good night!

post#1 and this is how we started

Family is very important to Max and I, I would say "importantísima." 
Well, since we think that way we decided to blog our family history for our future generations.We have been  married for 6 months and 21 days, I can't believe it! It seems that we got married yesterday!
We both are in school and it takes most of our energy and time, however there are great days like today when I get home first and earlier and I cook a decent meal. The meal for today was "pozole" easy to make, tasty, and warm. It's the famous Mexican hominy soup garnished with chicken or pork, sliced radishes, chopped cilantro,dried oregano, chopped onion, salsa, shredded lettuce, and cheese and cream are optional.

"The best meal of the week" Max said.

In the middle of March we will have our interview with an emigration officer in order to get my permanent residency in the United States. We are very excited for that since we are already talking about traveling to Mexico; Yeehh!
I am happy and Max is happy. what else can I ask for now!? nothing I suppose...

Pivoting...

I'm in the Entrepreneurship program as many of you know are aware. This semester I have a peculiar class on Tuesdays and Thursdays called "BUSINESS MODEL" and the purpose of the class is to create a start-up business. Well my business is "Spanish Tutoring." The scary part of the class is the "BUSINESS COMPETITION" which purpose within is to submit and present a business model.
The three aspects that will be observed in the competition are"

• Pitch (steps for a great pitch: What is the problem?, How big?, What is the solution?, (here is where the idea first appears) and Why you? (have a compelling reason, story, credentials)
• Business Model
• and something else I do not remember...(next blog entry)

This is my Pich and following it there is feedback from fellowshipping.

My pitch

I'm Liliana Peralta and my business is "Spanish tutoring"
in a face to face study session where
questions are asked,
concepts expanded,
and speaking encouraged
in order to master Spanish in its
grammar, comprehension, and communication.

Feedback given in class:

Introduce the problem I am solving.
Mention that learning another language is hard and help is essential to success

ps.- Leave comments PLEASE!!!!

Another round...

Evaluation: It is february and I haven't written anything...
Believe it or not a made a great efford to blog last year. It was a great year, I rather call it  "a very busy year." [work, blogging, trip to Texas, wedding, mariage (wonderful!) college (oh, college again), thanksgiving, Christmas, New year.]

In this year that just started, I've been thinking in ways to launch Max&Liliana's plans.
we do have plans! and they are AWESOME!

I can't believe it is October and summer has gone...

First day of October, the landscape will change from dull-dried colors to vibrant- oranges.
I have to make my beloved husband to get us a handy camera to take random pictures. I have been wanting to take a picture of the apples we bought the other day, they are a beautiful  red.
I am falling more for my self-learning nature and I like it. I taught myself crocheting  (like the little book), I literally did. It is so easy. I tried knitting but it resulted a tedious tasks for me.
Here it is link for some free patterns... http://www.crochetme.com/
I will post some pictures of my new scarf later...it is fabulous!

school...I need some motivation to do homework... candies won't work...

I started another semester at LDS Business College last week. This time I'm taking fundamentals of entreprenurship, financial accounting, nutrition,, temple marriage (that is my institute credit) and business lecture-series. Although I've been in school for just ten days, I'm needing a vacation already. Balancing life with now a home and an also very busy husband with school isn't easy task, especially waking early in the morning. Although I believe it is doable. I think I will do good in school. It is a relief that I mostly have to read and  write papers instead of making color boards and drawing floor layouts, which are fun of course, but so time consuming.

Bro. Ralph K. Little teaches fundamentals of entreprenurship. He is cool. so far I've unlearned that "that higher the risk, higher the reward" and I LEARN that to start a business I'd like to chose my risk "low risk, high reward". and Bro Little ilustrated as follows: let's laid a bar one yard from the floor and walk upon it, if I fall I'm still alive, I can try again; business translation: the bar is the enterprise and the height is the risk, so I invest time, resoursces, mone for sure, and maybe sales dont go wery well but I'm still in business and in a situation in whinch I can try again, step back or come up with another idea. Low risk, high reward, right. NOW lets put the same bar conectin to buidings, it is a high risk, big investment, maybe a loan, the reward is great... but if I fall...If my business do not success,  from that distance for sure die... which equals bankcrupcy...which isn't good at all. I like that thinking a little here, a little there, the scripture states:

2 Ne. 28: 30

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Few things I want to share

Veinticinco cosas acerca de mi...

1.- Name: LILIANA
2.- I love my family, they are my best friends, they help, scold, advise, and have fun. 
3.- I enjoy to cook. Once when I was in high School I took a cooking class, the teacher was tough, like that program "Hell Kitchen", she would sand her nails and taste the dough. Isn't that nasty?
4.- Drawing is one of my passions. I don't know what lines have, but I love to draw lines, they are conscise, straight, have a start and an end. No complications! 
5.- I quitted sports early in life, not because I wasn't good all the opposite I was way good and I'm still, the reason was to keep the Sabbath holy. All competitions had place on Sundays.
6.- I play piano, I started old; I was 15 years old when I first started taking lessons. My teacher is the Best and we love to play duets. 
7.- I'm graduating this April From LDS Business College; my program Interior Design... and uncertainty it's been the current concept to ponder about. It has given me the chance to re-visit old dusted dreams and plans. It is like moving, people keep what is significant, important, functional, and memorable.
8.- My friends are a source of happiness in my life. Girl talk, you know, needed once a month.
9.- I dislike getting mad, it gives me headaches.
10.- I would like to be a triathlete, you know swim as a mermaid, bike like Amstrong and run like Forrest. 
11.- Goals: I want to get married in the Temple, not because I was told to do so. I want to marry the man I love, and together have the most amazing adventure in our hands, "life." That remained me of a letter I wrote when I was 14 years old. It was a very detailed letter to my 18 years old self and Mom lost it, she will probably find it while she organizes our family pictures. Good that I have a great memory. I should have written a draft on my journal. Anyhow, is in my brain.
12.- Another goal: Learn French. 
13.- One more goal: Community Service, I found fascinating the extreme emphasis Arq. Julio Sanchez Juarez one of my teachers at University, put on community. It feels so good to help and do things for others! By the way I have a bachelors degree in Architecture...fun uh!
14.- My dream house has to be by the sea shore, it can be any beach but the Antartica or Artic. 
15.- My most recent and worthy to mention scar was gotten on Summer 2008. I touched a motorcicle moffle. At the beginnig wasn't too bad, but two days latter I got a blister. Auch!
16.-If you want real mexican food, RED IGUANA is the place! and real tacos going northbound North Temple by Albertson's. 
17.- Sometimes I speak while I sleep, my sister makes fun of me... :(
18.- Braces, I couldn't escape from them...painful but worth the pain and weird looks. 
19.- Turtles are my favorite type of pet, because is the only type I've ever had.
20.- You like it or not, I'm a Twilight fan although I still need to read the last book. 
21.- My parents are crazy for each other, they are sweet.
22.- Two more and I'll be done. I live with my Brother and Sister. The best Roommates I've ever had.
23.- My favorite colour: dark purple
24.- I always wanted to be bionic woman, she was cool! self reconstruction capability. And she had a guy! No complications!!! hahahaha! One day I'll be married and I'll tell how I met my husband...I'm sure it will be awesome and out of serie...
25.- Soy morena y Mexicana... ;)

my last few days as a single woman...

"My last few days as a single woman" sounds as if it were a regreting statement, but it is not. I am happy and excited for this new adventure in life, what makes it diferent from the others is that I will not be alone; a skilled cute blue-eyed guy will be with me and then who ever comes along (kids of course).

Last Sunday was the last Temple-prep class and all four girls that were taking the class shared their testimonies about the temple, Cherrie testified about charity, Tiffany about preparation, and Nicole about teaching. As you can tell I was the last one and I could not talk too much. I was overwhelmed by that sweet spirit that testifies the truth I just know that temples are a blessing from God, and a manifesation of His love to His children, temples are everything.

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Enriching Your Marriage

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Enriching Your Marriage

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Enriching Your Marriage

10 days and counting down...

Family is getting here, Salt lake City. I'm very excited!

Food storage refilled; wedding preparatives are unfolding right, although there
 always are rushing details to fix at last minute. I can't wait to see what will happen on these ten days...

Our-True-Identity

Our-True-Identity

Our-True-Identity
Elder F. Uchdorf ... is my favorite.

Wedding plans

Weddings, what a stressful task. What is funny to me is that getting married is the easy and cheapest part. The party is the expensive part. two weeks ago I was overwhelmed with worries and concerns about the wedding. I talked to Max and my parents about my feelings, that really helped me to cheer up and to feel their support and love. Adversity is always present  its manifestations are endless and necessary to grow in life. Max and my family are the most important in my wedding day.
Yesterday, I found my dress. I found this place on-line called "Fairy Godmother's Bridal' in Murray UT it is a home business, owned by a quiet lady. She and her helper showed us the dresses and few accesories; tiara, veil, jewely.The dresses were beautiful, modest and enchanting, but the one I chose was more "me like".
Fabric:Royal Taffeta
Colors:White/White and Ivory

My wedding planer is my gorgeous sister. Mom and Dad are very excited. During the weekend we made a great progress in all our preparatives; I set the date, Tuesday August 3rd of 2010 in the Salt Lake Temple and the Wedding Luncheon will be the same day at 2pm at the Bonneville Room in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Here the dress's description and pictures.

Description: Pleated cap sleeve gown has a beaded edge matching the scoop neckline. Pleating with accented beading drapes from the neckline through the bodice to the asymmetrical overlay along the skirt and semi-cathedral train.

My-New-Life

My-New-Life

My-New-Life
I'm spechless!!

A visit to the library...

A month ago I visited one of my favorite places "the City Library Store" in Salt Lake City, they have all sort of things I love, magnets, cards, Journals, toys, bags, book markers, pencils, note pads, seals...etc..etc..etc... That day I went there to get a new journal and a seal, two little notebooks for my techees... and OMG...they had an exhibit on Anna Frank in the entrance hall. How amazazing and how inspiring! I read each of the big boards with information about World War II and Anna's life. I read her journal last year and I was moved by her experience and Spirit.

When I read her journal I felt an urging feeling of gratitute towards my Father in Heaven for all the blessings I've received every single day of my life. "Bendiciones, cuenta y veras, cuantas bendiciones de Jesus tendras"  As Anna, I've been so very blessed with loving parents and an amazing life around me. Diferent from Anna's my country is a country of peace I can live my religion freely; there is not need to hide. I've never lack the essencials of life nor the essencials of spirit. I learned to work hard from my Father's great example, I learned to love and smile from my beautiful Mother, and I brought with me from Heaven my tenacity... probably I learned from someone there. My siblings are my friends and we have been always together. Things change always but our fraternal love has always been.

pastel pastel...como me encanta...how I love cake...

There is a single cake slide left from the cake I made last Sunday. Cakes have an especial place in my heart. At home with Mom and Dad we always have had cake to celebrate birthdays... ALWAYS... Cakes for me are an token for Happiness. I remember one winter, it was just around Christmas that we as a family gave (as present, we bought the cake, it was a 3 milks cake) a cake to our piano teacher. She was going through some hard situationss at the time, and when she saw us with a pink cake (I suppose it was pink, I do not exactly remember) we smiled, she told us that that day she wanted to eat cake but could not find some time to make one, we al felt happier that evening. So cakes makes life bright, because a cake was given hearts were touched. This is one of my favorite memories also.

Ok the recipe of the cake I made last Sunday is here, from the same book Seasons of my Heart by Susana Trilling. It's delicious!! This time I followed the recipe completly, however I made little mistake which I realized too late...the cake was fine though... my mistake was that I used baking powder instead of baking soda... I wonder what makes those two different...and I did not use rum, for obvious reasons.

PASTEL DE COCO
Coconut Pecan Cake
MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS

For the cake
5 eggs at room temperature for at least 1 hour
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sunflower  or vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup grated fresh coconut, toasted
1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted
For the frosting
1cup (2sticks) plus 1 tablespoon buttle, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 cups confetioner's sugar
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped and toasted
Rum to taste

FOR THE CAKE
Preheat the oven to 325⁰F. Oil a Bunt pan or two 8-inch square pans.
Separate the egg yolks and the whites into bowls.
In a large bowl, mix the butter, oil, and sugar until creamy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating after each addition.
Mix the baking soda and milk.
Add the flour to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Add the vainilla, coconut, and nuts. Mix well. Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks, then fold into the batter.
pour the batter into the greased cake pans and bake for 45 minutes or until the cake separates from the edge of the pan. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes, then remove from pans. Cool on a rack.

FOR THE FROSTING
Cream the butter and cream cheese with a hand or electric mixer. Add the vanilla, confectioner's sugar, nuts and rum. Mix well.
Brush off the excess crumbs. If using a Bundt pan, frost the cake on all sides and around the center hole. Decorate with fresh flowers. If using the square pans, invert  a layer onto a plate and cover the top pf the cake with frosting. Place the second layer (inverted) on top of the first and frost the sides of the cake. Finally, frost the top and decorate with fresh flowers.

Quilt of this season!!!

The other day I put myself down. Routine seems boring, winter has been long, cold, and cloudy...but I'm larger than those "circumstances" so with a liberating attitude I revisited some ideas and my patriachal blessing, What a comfort!!!

Ok, so making a quilt every year around summer time is becoming a tradition to me. The first quilt was made on summer 2008, when Max and I started dating, he helped me to find a really cool store in Sugar House, Salt Lake -cool store, but I was out of its league, too advance for my skills- in such situation I bought a magazine in WalMart, and there I was and there I started. Hi there!!! hahaha!!!.

The magazine is Quilts and more-Summer 2008 Issue, and the project is called SQUARE OFF. "What's the secret for making this cozy quilt? A quick stich-and-flip method of adding corners to 8" squares." Here, the picture of that quilt, I learned so much from it. It has flaws all over, but it has an especial meaning to me. Max helped me in the cutting stage, it was FUN!That block by  the way has a story: it was the last piece of its kind and Max cut it in half by accident according to his testimonial, however I knew he dispises flowery fabrics...jk, to save it from being disposed with the rest of the straps we made use of our unknown surgical skills...and there it is a living proof!

You can see my feet and green pijama pants, and that I really like flowery patterns.

Last year's quilt wasn't that succesful, still in my craft-box I'm just gave it a rest.

This year, my sister is visiting Mormie and Pa, and I'd like to send them this new quilt as a gift. Here a picture of all the blocks ready to be sewn together.

cocinando!!!...cooking!!!

Last Sunday I decided to cook como Dios manda and it was great. The menu was italian chicken, savory fava bean soup and coconut cake for dessert. Fava bean soup is one of my favorite  dishes, my mom uses to make it frequently at home.

I got a good recipe from this marvelous recipe book entitled "Seasons of My Heart" by Susana Trilling, which has all sort of original and "from scratch" Mexican food recipes. The recipe is ... if you ever wonder...

SOPA DE HABA (Savory Fava Bean Soup)

MAKES 6 SERVINGS AS A FIRST COURSE, 4 AS A MAIN COURSE

1 pound fresh fava beans (see Hint)

1 medium white onion, finely chopped, and 1/2 medium onion chunked

12 garlic cloves, 7 finely chopped and 5 left whole

2 springs hierbabuena (see Note)

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1 pound tomatoes (2 medium-large round or 8-10 plum), boiled , peeled, and finely chopped (reserve one cup cooking water)

2 teaspoons sunflower oil

1/2 cup cilantro leaves, finely chopped.

In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 1 1/2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the fava beans, chopped onion, chopped garlic, and hierbabuenaand cover the pan. Lower the heat and cook until the beans are soft, about 45 minutes. Add the salt.

In a blender, combine the tomatoes, chunked onion, whole garlic with one cup of the reserved tomato water. Blend until smooth. Heat the oil in a medium frying pan and fry the tomato mixture for 5 minutes. Add the fava beans and stir in. Add the cilantro, adjust the seasoning, and serve.

Hint: You can substitute fresh peas for  the fava beans.

Note: Hierbabuena (MENTHA SPICATA): Spearmint, used as a flavoring in tea or a variety of dishes and for upset stomach.

I used canola oil instead of sunflower oil, I also used the pression cooker, olla presto,and I asked mom for how long should I cook the fava beans, her answer was "about 40 to 45 min, they have to be very soft so the soup gets thick." I did not have spearmint, so I did not add it... It tastes great anyway.... mmmm!!! hahaha!!!

...inspired...

Two days ago I was looking for a tote bag pattern on-line and I found this awesome blog ... -mmmcrafts.blogspot.com- and I'm enjoying it. I followed her instructions for a messenger bag...and I made it...here are few pictures of it... now I'm having a bunch of ideas for bag-projects for example make bags for my siblings and parents with our family crest on the flap...or collect all sort of pins an put them on the flap...or sew our names... or this or that...hahahaha!!!

here some pictures!!!!

Example-of-the-Believers

Example-of-the-Believers
I love it!