The Pink Ladies and the Pit Crew

Somehow my wonderful Zumba Team morphed into the Pink Ladies and the Pit Crew for a big show coming up this Saturday.  And that's where I've been (in addition to moving, teaching seven Zumba classes a week, and starting a new job)...  Rehearsing for this darn show!  It's going to be fun, and all the proceeds go to kids' programs at the YMCA, but man, talk about a time suck!  Here are some fun promotional shots we took last weekend.  That's me in all black trying to look all Sandra Dee post-makeover.

I'm looking forward to more time in the blogosphere when this is all over.  After I reunite with family and friends in my other sphere of course.  If they'll still have me.

New Hood!

Among other exciting 2012 developments, we are moving! This is very exciting because to say we have outgrown our current digs would be a gross, borderline irresponsible understatement. And while we haven't officially moved yet, we can't seem to stop ourselves from sneaking over to the new hood to experience snippets of all the newness that awaits. Among those today was our new (to us) neighborhood park which we will be able to walk to in five, bike to in three. The kids definitely approve!

Mobile Blogging

Oh my! Just put the Blogger app on my phone. Always takes me a while but sooner or later I do get around to things. Anyway, I've missed this place, and this could be just the answer to visiting more often. Also takes the formality out of the whole process, which can sometimes be intimidating. In the spirit of informality, these are my bundles giving each other a morning hug! Happy New Year!!!

Why, Lulu, Why?

Lately I've gotten into yoga, emphasis on lately, and I was doing just fine thank you in my Old Navy yoga pants. Fine, that is, until a very generous and well-meaning party gifted me some lululemon yoga pants. And now I'm royally screwed. Because the material, the fit, and the feel of my lulu's are all so superior to whatever the heck shmut I was wearing before that now I'm ruined and can never go back. Except that I have to go back because the price of my lulu's was ridonk.

So I say why? Why, lulu, why? Guess I'll be living for the days when my lulu's are clean.

P.S. Turns out I'm a Wunder Under Crop girl. In case, you know, you were wondering.

Happy Campers

Another missing piece of our springtime puzzle was that the kids and I got to go tent-camping for the first time over Memorial Day weekend!  It was quite the adventure.  I think my favorite part was being all cozy and cuddly with my bundles in the tent at night.  Not enough to start co-sleeping on a regular basis mind you, but it felt really sweet being the mama bear protecting my warm, little cubs all night long.  Nothing separating us from the night but a thin sheet of canvas.  So now that I've done it, for anyone interested in doing the same I would recommend the following:

Don't go alone.  Go with a pack of fun, experienced, and most importantly, organized neighbors whose kids play well with your kids, and whose Mad Libs skills will have you cackling like hyenas around the campfire until beddy-bye time.  It helps when they have mad cooking and bartending skills too!

If you can, try to camp at the Orange County Fairgrounds during the annual Scottish Festival. That way bagpipes will serenade you from morning until night, you can gnaw on turkey legs all day in case you forgot to pack some in your cooler, and you'll be in awe of some very cool people holding on for dear life to some very cool traditions from the Old Country.

And finally, make sure there's a Target and/or Old Navy nearby. Just in case.  I picked up a bikini on the trip.  Go fig!  Happy camping!

Summer Stew

The Food section this morning featured this cafe dish, which seems to embody the light, flavorful, and vegetarian cravings that are so common in the summer months.  I know that's the kind of food I've been jonesing for lately.  Actually, meat is taking less and less of a center stage for me in general.  I just can't seem to get enough of the veggies.  My mom must have done something right!  Anyway, if this dish is as easy to make and delicious to eat as it looks, I could see it becoming a summer staple.  Let me know if you try it!

Tunisian Chickpea Stew (Serves 4 to 6)

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced carrot
1 diced, seeded jalapeño pepper
2 chopped cloves garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon turmeric
1½ cups diced potato
2 cups cooked chick peas (garbanzo beans)
4 cups diced tomato
1 cup fresh arugula
3 cups vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil over medium heat in large saucepan. Add onion, carrot and jalapeño and sauté for 5 minutes. Add fresh garlic, cumin, chili powder and turmeric. Sauté an additional 30 seconds. Stir in potatoes and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Serve with couscous or steamed rice.

Garnish options: Toasted almonds, sun-dried apricots

Photo via The U-T

The Other Perri

I was never the biggest fan of that Jar of Hearts song.  I couldn't even have told you who sang it.  But then one night I happened to catch Christina Perri live as an opening act for another band, and during her entire set I was a mess of tears and goose bumps. This song in particular did me in. I hated to see her go. It's nice to have a new singer to love.

World Cup Destiny

 

I was rooting hard for the home team.  But it's hard to get too disappointed about this result.  Congratulations Japan!  It feels so good to feel your joy!!!

Time Machine Post #2

So let's take another quick spring break, if you don't mind . . .

Snook perfected her Pippa impersonation.

There was a never a day she came home from preschool without multi-colored hands.

My friend showed me how to make some kick-ass fried rice.

The H made some kick-ass guacamole.



I showed a lot of people my daughter's rustic-barn sketch.

This homemade wedge salad was sinfully good.



Bubs took our neighbor's niece to prom.  Just kidding.



There was a crab and butternut squash bisque topped with creme fraiche and caviar.



Nothing made him happier than this coin-operated ice cream truck.



I went to see my Zumba coach do her belly dance thing.



She was incredible.



I got coffee from this crazy place in my 'hood.



On the day the world was supposed to end.



Thankfully, it didn't.



Her sweet tooth didn't get any better.

In fact, it extended to her musical taste.  Aaaaagh!

Tri-colored greens struck me as very photogenic.

I had a good chuckle at the name of this nearby historic landmark on a walk with Bubs.

And gawked at the beauty of this garden trellis.

Me and my girl...

....baked these cookies.  Again and again.  With an M&M flourish.

She celebrated her last day of preschool.  Sniff.

We ate our first al fresco meal of the season.

The H got fancy.  Heaven!

I drank water out of this beautiful mason jar.

We went to nearby botanical gardens.

With one of my very best friends.

Where he never let go of this stick.

And we cooled ourselves by this cascading waterfall.

While she posed pretty much everywhere.

We went to the San Diego County Fair.  Twice.

It was fun.

Albeit exhausting.



We went to a baseball game.



And celebrated Memorial Day.

Which brings us to summer!  My favorite season!  And what a summer it's been so far.  But wait, I'm still getting ahead of myself just a little bit . . .

Photos via Instagram