How Much Do You Like Strawberries?

I love the transition from winter to spring. Even though it is unpredictable, the weather is better and hope for more outside time in moderate temperatures is enough to make anyone happy. A side bonus for this time of year is strawberry season. I love going to the store and purchasing strawberries at ridiculously low prices. Those low prices haven't hit yet, but I still couldn't resist grabbing two containers the other day at the store. Those lasted all of about 12 hours and from this video you can see why.

Taking away the Information Advantage

In the internet world, one is capable of leveling the playing field between sales associate and buyer. Stinky for companies, but awesome for the consumer. This wonderful equalizing force reared its head yesterday as I had the responsibility of finding a replacement for our digital camera. You see, digital cameras and heat are not the best combination. So avoid my costly mistake and don't put your camera on the counter next to your working stove. The camera will still take pictures and movies, but they will be almost completely black. Just a tip.

Fernando is usually the one who is in charge of major purchases mainly because he is so into researching to find the best product and is willing to spend hours doing so. I on the other hand get bored of the research after a few minutes and simply look for a good price. Fernando said he wanted to empower me with the feeling of satisfaction that comes from thorough investigation. Hours later, I came up with a few stores that had similar options for similar prices. The camera of choice is the Canon PowerShot A series. Now there are several models available, but upon closer inspection they aren't that different in capacity just megapixels and optical zoom. (But don't take my word for it. . . . empower yourself if you are in the market.) In what I thought was the end, Ritz camera had the best deal: a A570 for $158.99 with tax, a free photobook, a $15 in store gift card, 20 free prints with cd, and a photo class that was supposedly worth $280. The sales reps were trying to push some products on me, but because of my research I was not fooled. When I showed it to Fernando, he started to inspect the camera's parts. He found a wiggly lens. In the real end, I returned the camera with all it's freebies and happened upon a steal of a deal. Office Depot offered a higher model and or higher megapixels and higher optical zoom for the same original price of Ritz Camera, but the sales associate was so wanting to sell me 20% off. So I purchase a $200 camera for $118 and got a protection plan that covers my life eg water damage, dropping the camera, and anything else you could imagine all for $20. I'm happy.

Rachael Ray+Sandra Lee in my Kitchen=Cereal for Dinner

So the other night I was feeling like I should put a little effort into dinner. Menu for the evening consisted of homemade Upside Down Ravioli* with a semi-homemade marinara, homemade garlic cheese bread sticks, and all to be finished at the same time. (ok it was a little longer then 30 minutes for the meal, but really Rachael Ray has some extra helps and no baby belly to work with). Just as the ravioli was about to be assembled, I realized that I had forgotten to get a dish to put it in. Stretching my pregnant self to the fullest extent, I some how was convinced that I could get the necessary pyrex hiding precariously under other pyrex dishes without causing a problem. You know, the same principle that allows magicians to pull a tablecloth out from under a beautiful table scape (to use the words of Sandra Lee). Wrong. The laws of physics would not be mocked and down came the glorious filling. The picture isn't very appetizing as Italian food unassembled and cheese less usually is, but I couldn't help but snapping a few shots. Good thing it turned into an amusing experience since my altered hormone levels could have conjured up disaster.


Recipe for Upside Down Ravioli (my altered version of a Barilla pasta recipe)

Ingredients
8 ounces jumbo pasta shells
1 lb lean ground beef or sausage
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 egg
1 cup artichoke spinach dip (recipe of your choosing or store bought)
1 cup cottage or ricotta cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1(26ounce)jar spaghetti sauce(Barilla Tomato & Basil Sauce works well says the original recipe. . .way to push your product Barilla)
Lots of your favorite cheese, grated


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook jumbo shells according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
3. While pasta is cooking, cook ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
4. Drain grease.
5. Stir in oil, onion and garlic; cooking until softened.
6. Remove from heat; add seasonings and blend well.
7. Let mixture cool.
8. Stir in egg, dip, cottage/ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese.
9. Pour 1 cup of tomato and basil sauce into 13x9-inch baking dish.
10. Fill shells with meat mixture; place in dish.
11. Pour remaining sauce over shells and smother in cheese; cover with foil.
12. Bake for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Vigilante married to an Outlaw

So Fernando's car desperately needed his rear brakes serviced. He has been very interested in diy projects like changing the oil and flushing his transmission fluid. The other day he even installed my air filter for $15 compared to the price Honda was charging of $60. (I didn't pay Fernando to change it. . .that was just the price of the filter.) We have both decided to force yes force our children to take some automotive class so they don't spend their life getting over charged for things that are easy ie putting in an air filter.
After some calls, he just decided to let 'professionals' handle the whole brake situation. Fernando is in the middle of doing an ER rotation down in Fairfax VA and didn't want to waste his time. A certain store seemed to offer the best bang for its buck. To preserve its character I will only refer to it as the P store that ends in "epBoys". Coupon in tow, we drop the car off and Fernando heads to Virginia in my car. Good thing for nice weather so we didn't have to be stuck inside all day. Fernando's car was finished later that day, but the ER shift didn't get finished in time. No biggie, the website said the store hours Mon-Fri are 7am-9pm. The next morning we drag the family to P store at 7:20 am and find it all locked up. Fernando has an hour and a half to get to Virginia in time (yeah right. . .even in good traffic that would be a miracle.) He starts knocking on all the windows to get someone's attention. Meanwhile, I start up his car that is sitting unlocked in the parking lot. Good thing the shop was concerned about keeping our car safe. Fernando finally reappears with a look of bewilderment on his face and tells me to take the kids home.
Later I get the update from Fernando. It seems like P store doesn't like people banging on their windows. Some sort of interaction occurred with Fernando and the store people and they threatened to call the police on him. Fernando will have to fill in the rest of the details because well they are still a little hazy to me. With all that said, it's good that we went home. I think my mother bear instincts would have made the situation all the worse. Besides, can you really be upset with this
handsome face?

Vigilante of the Playground

There was a distinct feeling of change in the air. Spring was riding in on the near horizon and many dormant hopes for . . . .oh what I am trying to say is that it was a whopping 60 degree Monday which meant short sleeved shirts and ice cream on the front porch. More importantly, our unfrozen limbs had the chance to go to some new parks in our neighborhood. Tiago and Mia pushed their vehicle of choice (a lawnmower and stroller that somehow makes Mom carrying either of them the rest of the way undesirable). We found the first new park amazing and free of any kids. Out of curiosity, we walked the half block to the other new park to find swarms of kids and for good reason. Aside from the new factor, there were rock climbing walls, interesting slides, and a giant "spiderweb" as Mia called it. Unfortunately, there was a group of 6 teenage boys atop this intricate climbing contraption. At first I thought I would do as all the other mothers were doing, ignore them. Then I realized something. . .they can sit and talk their filth anywhere, my kids and all these other kids have a right to play on the playground without being afraid to go on some toy. Encouraged by the clearly posted signs stating that the playgrounds are for use of children age 12 and UNDER, I called over to inquire about their presence on the playground. After finding out that they weren't there with anyone, simply said "Well, you will have to leave." Some of the moms looked around uncomfortably and pretended that I hadn't just disrupted the status quo. As you could have guessed a few boys made some smart comments and one even encouraged the group to leave. I gave them some time and they didn't budge. Well, not to go into the whole I said they said routine, it finally boiled down to me directly by the "spiderweb" reminding them how to read signs and letting them know that the next step was calling the police. The ring leader felt just as livid as I and pointed out that his mother had paid the same HOA fee as everyone else and thereby had the right to be there. I should state here that all the other 6 mothers around the playground with cell phones were still unwilling to stand up for their kids or the chance for them to have a safe environment for their kids to play. Though I was cell phoneless and blocks from home, I knew that my best bet was an empty threat. We walked to the other park in hopes to scare them off. Sure enough, when we returned the boys had left and we had fun again. (note to reader: you will probably notice the different attire the kids are wearing in the two pictures. Since I was busy policing on Monday, I didn't get many playground pictures. Luckily the weather was still nice enough to play outside today affording us of a few pictures to show the "spiderweb".)

Rainy Day Inspiration and BYU Men's Chorus

Those with kids know that rainy days can sometimes spell disaster especially with a lack of indoor play areas that are hygienic enough to run out energy. Today was no exception. With ample energy, but need for naps, the kids were ready to go. I decided to have the kids dance to some music. Remembering how long (or I should say short) that lasts, I introduced some interpretive dancing. Now some may think, "Hey don't you have to have some modern dance training to attempt such a feat." and "are you a tree or a. . . ." well you know where that is going. Never fear. Our family has never been one to shirk at the thought of incapacity or lack of skill. So, in went a recording of a Men's Chorus concert that Fernando sang in and off we went. From marching soldiers banging empty #10 food storage cans, to bulls rushing mom the matador, and proper gentlemen/women out on a fox hunt equipped with necessary bugles we finished the first three tracks. Then we took off in canoes down a gentle stream whose end destination was a waterfall. Luckily, we turned into soaring birds trying to find our nest. Dusting off our feathers, we had the chance to make pizza out of couch pillows and giant pretend ingredients. The trickiest part was climbing the pineapple tree in search of the perfect pineapple. As if that were enough, we marched around our coffee table/Walls of Jericho ready to shout them down. Of course, there was no time for pictures. I needed to focus on keeping them moving. In the end, all were ready for naps. So, we listened to "Think On Me" with eyes shut tight. Mission accomplished. (I've included the set of songs we used just in case you are in need of such energy out letting.)

Sunday Best

These clips are totally for the Grandparents and parents of these adorable children so feel free to enjoy with that mindset. Please note that Mia could also be a missionary just not in a big fluffy dress.