Comfort In Cupcakes

Its been an exciting week in these parts. Our world is about to change a bit, Now that the initial shock has worn off things are beginning to fall into place. Our home is going to become a rental (OMG...my little house..)and so I am doing my very best to keep it clean and tidy for families to view (and not totally freak them out by asking a gazillion questions). Nothing really spells h.o.m.e. to me more than the smell of comfort food and baked sweets. So when I received this Sugar Mama cupcake mix in the mail I wanted to drop everything and bake them right then. I am nostalgic and missing home already! SHHESH. 

That evening my Mr. took the kiddos out to the park and left me alone at the house. I embraced the occasion! I poured a glass of wine put on De La Soul and baked up these bits of deliciousness.

Sadly I had no cool or funky cupcake baking papers...

I often bake gluten free but rarely do I bake vegan goodies. When Mr. became ill (just over a year ago now!!) changing our diet was first on the list. His Doctors played with the idea that he had Celiac Disease and although that was not the case cutting gluten from his diet helped digestion incredibly. As a family we have cut gluten down to a minimum although JQ loves his buttermilk toast in the morning and any and all sweets (like his Mama)!! I was quite surprised to find very slim, if none at all, gluten free bread/baked good options at our local farmers market and local bakeries. So you KNOW I was thrilled to find Sugar Mama's vegan and gluten free cupcake mixes via Ashley's blog. 

Just the thought of having the little ones arrive home to freshly made treats makes me happy. Needless to say the kiddos loved them.  I may or may not have taste tested a bit of frosting in advance of them arriving home...as it accidentally got on my finger of course!!! Let me tell you... delicious!  The following day we had another (don't judge) and I sent my Mom and sister home with some as well. They all loved them!

And tonight the rain has started. It finally feels and smells like fall outside. This time next month we will be in a new house, in a new city and with plenty of comfort foods to make it feel more like home...

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No compensation has been given for this post.  Sugar Mama Bake Shop provided a cupcake mix and frosting to me. All opinions are my own.

Primeros & Una Segunda Opinion

This past weekend Stella started clapping her hands. Personally I think it is the cutest thing ever(and it seems applause is in order as the warmer weather has finally arrived!). When she does it I stop whatever it is that I am doing and clap with her, signing "Yeah Stellita." She smiles really big for a moment, ...then stops. I think it is much more fun for her when JQ or other little ones join in. She is so attentive to other little kiddos already and seems a bit bored with her Momma sometimes. Being with my babies for these "firsts" is, in part, why I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom. For my mister and I it was a must until they started school.
Which brings me to my second bit of news. Mr. finally got the second opinion we were looking for on his Crohn's diagnosis. And Thank Goodness!! What we felt in our hearts seems to be correct...maybe this isn't Crohn's at all!! What I CAN say for sure (in this instance) is that our modern western medical industry has got nothin' on a good old fashioned healthy lifestyle, food and remedios.
Lastly and on a much lighter note JQ seems to be fascinated with "peepee!" Ehhm, yes. This is totally my doing and  I am going to do my best to use this current obsession to my advantage (with potty training round #2!!). Everything is fun and games with this little guy,...yes, even "peepee" is fun(ny).

Crohn's

A diagnosis. A regimen. A diet and lifestyle adjustment. An improvement?

Yes.

A cure all? No.

We are still learning about this disease since my Mr's diagnosis over a month ago. Testing its irritability has proven uneasy with devastating consequences. Our hope is to tame and coerce it into a deep sleep. Wish us luck wont you?

A Happy Ending & Rough Beginning

We said so long to 2010 with an impromptu trip to the central and southern California coast and greeted the new year with a quick trip into the city of Los Angeles.

We woke New Years Eve at the beach to clear skies and the sun shining.  A beautiful ending to a long, busy, and adventurous year.

The new year started off with a feverish toddler, a shopping spree and comida authentica. Not all bad but my poor little man is still very ill and seems to have shared his sickness with Stella. Having two sick babies is surely my first test of the year but with so much to look forward to this month things will certainly only get better.

Una Buena Aventura

My husband has been ill off and on now for more than a month. After multiple tests, scans, labs y mas we still do not know what is wrong but are hopeful to have a resolution soon. We thought he was well enough to take a quick trip to Los Angeles so that his family could meet Miss Stella but after just a day we decided to turn back and head home. It is about an eight hour drive and we knew we had to make regular stops to let Joaquin run and stretch and so that I could nurse the baby. We decided to take "El Camino Real" north (IE HWY 1) along the ocean for a few reasons. I had desperately wanted to visit the ocean at some point during our trip south and seeing as I would be the one driving....

We stopped just outside Ventura, our old stomping ground and somewhere I am still totally in love with. Joaquin ran and played for a bit. Henry got some fresh air and I introduced Stella to the beach!

Because it was already late afternoon when we left L.A. we made it as far as Pismo Beach and ended up staying in a fabulous beach side resort there for the night. So although my husband was/is ill I think he was able to enjoy himself a little or at least be pleased that the babies and I were not totally bummed about cutting our trip short.