Horchata Misto

With the cooler mornings and brisk evenings comes spiced lattes or Mexican Hot Chocolates from the corner cafe. My own version of a fall drink I make at home is the Horchata Misto. It's friendly to the budget, nondairy and doesn't judge if your still in your PJ's at 10am! While I am strictly coffee and caffeine in the morning a cup of tea in the evening has also become part of my routine. Misto or Au Lait or as it is called at one of my favorite restaurants in Chico, A Bowl of Soul, this is my version of a fall spiced drink using tea and horchata.

A little history for those that are not familiar with horchata it is perhaps the original nondairy "milk". Made from rice, cinnamon and sugar it is a traditional Mexican drink and an absolute favorite of mine. Enjoyed chilled typically at anytime of the day with any meal. It is easily made at home or found at many Latino markets and some supermarkets and Mexican restaurants.

Horchata Misto

Here is what I do:

-Brew a strong cup of tea, (I used chamomile as it was in the evening) water filled halfway with boiling water.

-Warm a small amount of horchata, careful not to scorch it.

-Once the horchata is hot I create the foam with a handheld frother. Mine was $5 at Ikea years ago!

-I then fill the brewed tea cup with horchata and top it with the froth.

Happy Weekend

Salud!

In My Backyard

Home late last night from down south this morning we woke to a yard sprinkled with fallen leaves.

Nature provided the perfect distraction for these little ones...and myself as well.

Linking up with Unknown Mami ,

For The Love Of Blogs
and It's The Simple Things.

Traditions & My Mr.

While I was decorating the tree this year I was reminded that my Mr. and I have been together for eight years. Married for four years, my husband and I have lived together and shared the holiday eight times this year! Every year for Christmas I buy him an airplane ornament (silly I know) and there are seven on our tree right now. It has become just one of our quirky holiday traditions as a couple. Now with two little ones in tow there will be new traditions for them and for us as a family and I am so excited. 

Together for eight years our lives as a couple has changed the most in the last two, I would say. Planned change, exciting change, change for the good. As sort of a celebration of all that "change" and in light of the holidays and my husbands inproved health I thought it appropriate to have photos taken of our small, yet complete family. Henry was feeling well enough and Joaquin was feisty as ever. Jenn, our photographer was patient and resourceful. The photos turned our wonderful and I cannot wait to hang them in our home. I have chosen just a few of my favorites to share with you all.

I adore the photos of my children and those of us as a family but I cannot stop looking at the photos of just my husband and I. It is where it all started after all, right? ...with just the two of us. All that we have accomplished together and all that we have to look forward to has me over the moon, quirky traditions an all.

Treats

We have been up to the usual tricks (or treats..ha ha) around home, town and a little bit of everywhere it seems. A lot has changed in the past three weeks and for the most part we are enjoying it. We had a treat filled, busy Halloween weekend with parties and celebrations for the kiddos and adults! Thank You! We even attempted a professional photo shoot of Joaquin and Stella with a fabulous photographer her in town. Joaquin was not loving his costume by the time Halloween rolled around as he had already worn it for a handful of events but I am hoping a few of the pictures taken that Sunday morning turn out. I am terribly behind in keeping the blog up to date but thankfully Joaquin has been going to bed a bit early (because of the end of day light savings no doubt) so with any luck I will be all caught up soon!

Enjoying The Season

We are beginning to see the change in season as the leaves begin to turn and fall. With our first pile of leaves in the yard Joaquin is loving it!



Fall Leaves

As always I am loving the change in season especially this time of year, Fall. The leaves have finally started to turn in color and fall. The air is cold and breezy and I think I smelled a chimney going today too! Apple, pears, pumpkin and squash are at the market and baking is on the brain. Funny how that happens!! Joaquin is loving the changes outside. These past few mornings in the park he is bundled with a knit hat and gloves and he doesn't seem to mind them. He wiggles his toes and plays with the bright orange leaves. My husband blew all the leaves in the backyard into a nice pile the other day and I could not resist plopping Joaquin down in the middle and taking some photos. He loved it. Picking up the leaves one at a time and turning it in his hand. He is so precise and interested in small details it amazes me. He is so busy these days it doesn't seem like I have time for much else. We play a lot. When we are not playing we are eating or sleeping or bathing and even then...we make it a game. He is down to one nap a day now and still wakes once during the night to nurse. I have a feeling by the time spring rolls around my baby will be walking, ..or running! Happy Halloween everyone!