Grandma's Surprise 88th Birthday

On Tuesday, one of our favorite LA cousins flew into town to surprise our Grandma for her 88th birthday.  So we (mainly my mother-in-law) quickly put together a surprise birthday party and headed over to her place to surprise her.  All of the munchkins were thrilled and couldn't wait to see her reaction.

She was completely surprised and had no idea the entire family was going to show up for her birthday!  She had heard it was possible our cousin was flying in, but no one had confirmed his plans so it was a total surprise.  Luckily, her place had lent us their party room for the surprise (we were doubtful all 16 of us would fit in her apartment), so after she put on some lipstick and threw on a cardigan, we headed back to the party room.  They were very sweet and decorated the tables with Easter bunnies and baskets full of eggs and even had fresh coffee brewing and an ice bucket.

Our Grandmother is the sweetest lady, and was sure to acknowledge each one of us as we sang Happy Birthday to her.  Afterwards, she opened presents and received the sweetest drawings from our nieces, Abby and Mary.  Then it was coffee and cake followed by silly moments and lots of laughter.

Happy 88th Birthday, Grandma!

DIY Project Time

My boyfriend found three of these chairs near a dumpster so I am excited to be starting my first re-upholstery project EVER. Luckily the chairs were free to accommodate my learning curve. I have just taken it completely apart so the hard work begins now. Wish me luck!

Love Notes

     :)

My boyfriend has been so incredibly sweet lately leaving me love notes in my lunchbag or on the front door.  It just melts my heart and makes me feel so loved.  How about you - do you ever leave notes for your sweetheart?

Hello, Again

It is the first day of March and there are exactly 19 days until Spring begins - what better time to begin anew.  As a new season of my life begins, I sit here trying to refocus my attention to this blog having not succeeded in previous promises and NYE resolutions.

When I first began reading blogs 10 years ago, the content was limited - most blogs were personal diaries or filled with tech-savvy tips from people who lived on the internet (remember Live Journal!).  Then about 3 years ago, they seemed to hit an all-time peak drawing major traffic from stay-at-home moms, DIYers, foodies and shopaholics.  Lifestyle blogs became huge money makers and as a result, many bloggers have been able to work at home focusing entirely on their blogs and creating original content.  Today, there is some argument as to whether or not the sparkle of lifestyle blogs has faded, but I'd like to believe that there will be an ongoing need for them.  Especially original blogs.

After all, it is much easier for someone to search the web for a post on current fashion trends than to go to the market and scour through pages of magazines for the right dress.  Or how about that amazing mac & cheese recipe you found on one of your favorite blogs - imagine searching through recipe books for that and not knowing exactly whether or not it would turn out delicious.  Knowing it was on your favorite blog, and that it was amazing, takes the doubt out of trying and the work out of searching.

And so I begin again.  As an idealist, I always have big dreams for this blog but keeping it real - who knows if I'll be posting past April!  Here's hoping I will stay disciplined and focused and that maybe, just maybe, I can provide enough original content to keep you interested.  As a writer, baker, blogger, accountant, friend, girlfriend & daughter, I hope that my posts will encourage you to try new recipes, listen to new music or embrace different design aesthetics in your wardrobe and home.

Hello, again.


{photo via dwr.com}

My [almost] First Date Story

 {photo available here}

Don't you love remembering your first date with that special person in your life?  The giggling, your butterfly-filled stomach, and just an overwhelming amount of euphoria.  I honestly don't remember mine, but I do remember what was supposed to be my first date with my boyfriend of 7 splendid years.

We met in creative writing class in college and quickly became friends.  In fact, I tried to introduce him to a few other girls from class but that didn't quite work out well.  Then after a few months of hanging out, we had this one night where we spent hours on the phone talking about complete nonsense - do you squeeze your toothpaste from the top or bottom, favorite condiments for hotdogs, which side of the bed do you sleep on - and I could feel myself starting to have feelings for him.  A few weeks later it was Halloween, so some friends and I hung out at a local bar then went back to my place.  At about 3 am, everyone but me had crashed out.  So, I called him up.  Because I'm a mumbler and was whispering to keep from waking someone up, he decided to just come over and hang out.  Sitting by the pool that night, talking about random things I found myself wanting to kiss him.  I don't know if it was the moonlight or the alcohol, but it was at that moment I knew I liked him.

A few weeks later I decided to gather all of my courage and call him.  But not just call him, I wanted to ask him out.  He was totally up for it and said he'd love to go to a movie and dinner that Friday night.  Thursday rolled around and I was getting really excited about our date, until he called.  He said some friends had came into town and they all really wanted to get together and play Texas Hold 'Em.  He asked if I would mind us rescheduling.  I was a little sad about it, but decided to be a good sport and said it wasn't a problem.  Luckily for me, my friends were planning to go to Latin Night on Friday so I joined them and spent the entire night drinking, dancing and have an absolute blast.  When the bars closed around 2am, we weren't quite ready to finish having fun so we went to an after-party and kept on dancing.  It was about that point that the alcohol made me lose all sense of reason.  

I told my friends of the courage it took me to ask a guy out and how he had cancelled last minute.  Being in a drunken state as well, they encouraged me to call him that instant and let him know how horrible he had behaved.  Drunkenly obliging, I called him and told him he was a jerk for not going out with me that night.  He had just finished playing poker with the guys and was on his way home, but having noticed the drunken state I was in decided to come over to the party and make sure I got home safely.  About 15 minutes later, we walked into my apartment and I began telling him everything - about how much courage it took to ask him, about how much it stunk that he had cancelled and about how much I wanted to kiss him that night.  I was a babbling fool that was stopped only by his lips touching mine.  I looked at him in amazement, completely sure I had just imagined our first kiss.  He grinned back at me, and at that point I was his forever.

So, I guess you can say it was the best almost-first-date.  Either way, it was the beginning of "us".

Quote of the Day

photo copyright of redoryon, found here.

------

For my birthday almost a year ago, a co-worker gave me a "gift book" for my desk from Hallmark containing various quotes from different people.  Unknown to her at the time, I was in the middle of trying to decide to quit my job and go to pastry school.  As I flipped through it, the above quote struck a chord with me.  I loved making desserts.  Absolutely loved it.  Something about the precise production of a creative dessert made me happy.  Perhaps it was the opportunity to be creative I loved.  Or maybe I loved it because of the affirmation you receive once serving a dessert - the Oohs! and Aahs! were encouraging and made me want to keep baking.  It's were I found my heart to be at that particular time and this quote told me it was time to start doing exactly that.

I have exactly three months of school left before I begin my externship and today was the first day back after winter vacation.  It felt great to be in class again, to know that I would be learning more about the thing I most want to do.  Furthermore, Chef went off into these huge tangents today in class which were actually very inspiring.  She told us how the industry has evolved and what to expect once we get out there - tons of "words of advice" that I truly appreciated and needed. 

Just this morning I woke up feeling scared about where life may be taking me (especially since I don't really know yet), but now I'm feeling a little excited.

So, remember to "do what you love, because it's what you were meant to do".

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

It seems strange to me this year to say goodbye to 2011 - it was a year of life changes that looking back required a world of courage and one giant leap of faith.  If this were last January, I would have been taking stock of IRS forms, preparing 1099s and mentally prepping myself for tax season.  Instead, I am sitting at my desk after two weeks of school vacation searching through the web for bakeries and restaurants in Austin that may peak my interest.  My boyfriend of 7 years is at his parents' home two hours away (that sometimes feels like oceans away), and tonight we will have the pleasure of spending New Year's Eve together in San Antonio with his childhood friend Phil and his precious family.

Looking back, I would have never foresaw the big changes 2011 would bring.  For almost 11 months I pondered quitting my job and going to pastry school, talking to different admissions counselors and discussing the possibility with my close friends and family.  I wanted to, but was ridiculously scared to leave my job - I would be giving up financial security by quitting, moving to a different city (still undecided at the time), and wondered if the change would strain my relationship with my boyfriend.  I began saving as much money as possible just in case and numbed my mind with the craziness of tax season.  Then in March I received a call from an admissions counselor at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin. She said they had an opening for the classes beginning in early May.  Although I wanted to go, my lease was not over and I would not have enough time to pack and find a new apartment in Austin because of the hours of work tax season required.  She did say, however, that a new set of classes would begin in early July and for some crazy reason I said, Sign me up! 

That weekend my boyfriend and I came to Austin, signed a lease with the first apartment we saw and went home to start packing.  I gave my notice in late April and my last day at work was June 10th.  My apartment complex at the time let me out of my lease a month early and on June 16th I moved to Austin to begin preparing for pastry school.  It was undoubtedly, the best decision I have made thus far.  I am still scared, though.  In April I will begin my externship and I still haven't picked a place - I worry about finding a good fit, but have faith everything will work out in the end.

All of that aside, my Dad moved to Arkansas in October to take a new job, leaving the place I had grown up.  Only one of my three brothers remain in McAllen, making it no longer feel like home.  It seems a distant memory, a place where a life was lived but could not end.  Knowing I may never go back feels as if I am surrendering my childhood, but the memories of our life there in the hot & humid land filled with palm trees 10 minutes from the Texas-Mexico border sustain me.  I honestly do not know where I will be at the end of 2012 or what job I will have, but I have faith that it will be a year filled with success and love.

May you have a wonderfully magical New Year's Eve night!

{First picture found here, second picture found here}

Sick Day

I'm feeling so under the weather today.  It sucks.  But a cup of cocoa always makes everything better.

{picture via Pinterest}

Funky Hair

I kinda really want to do this.  Especially before I'm too old to even consider it.

(picture via Pinterest)

Disappearing Act

So, I kind of disappeared from the blogosphere for a week.  I know, I'm a horrible blogger.  Last week was rough.  Really rough.  Every now and then, life just is that way - a couple of thunderstorms come your way and you can either play in the rain (and not think about the possibility of getting sick or struck by lightning), or you can curl up and read a good book and watch a couple of movies.  As you may have guessed, I did the latter.  Stress built up and things just got a little crazy, so I took a step back to regroup.

Either way, thank you.  Your support of my blog is much appreciated and I hope everyone is having a lovely week.

{photo via TinyWhiteDaisies}

Birthday Wishes

For Mark Mulligan's 28th birthday, my incredibly creative future sister-in-law decided to ask all their friends and family to send in pictures wishing him (her husband) a wonderful birthday.  Since they are photographers, it was almost a sure bet that their equally creative friends would send in fun pictures wishing him the best.  Below are a few of my favorites.

Is this not the greatest idea for someone's birthday? She printed out all 50+/- pictures she received and pinned them up all around their apartment for him to see.  Super fun idea to make someone feel really special.

Happy Birthday Mark!

Ps. If you're wondering who some of these super talented people are, check out the links at right.  They are amazing photographers and people.

Salads!

 I absolutely love salads, but I definitely don't eat them enough.  However, because of all the bread we've been eating in pastry school, I've decided dinner will only be a salad for at least the next 4 weeks.  I have to implement this rule.  It is vital.  If the elastic on my uniform stretches any more, I may be forced to buy a segway to wheel myself around the kitchen.  Plus, the part of my body I like to call my muffin top would turn into a three tier cake.  And that would definitely be no bueno.

Tonight's salad was absolutely delicious - cucumbers, carrots (high in beta carotene!), one boiled egg, sunflower seeds and croutons on a field of greens (see Exhibit A).  All coaxed down my throat with some delicious ranch dressing (light, of course).

What are your favorite salads to eat?

Happy Weekend!

It's Friday, which means relaxation mode is in full effect.  Luckily for me, I get to hang out with this really gorgeous guy {my wonderful boyfriend} all weekend in the city that keeps it weird.  I can't wait!  We have big plans for the weekend including heading over to the local Farmer's Market to pick up some goodies, then off to go shopping for a dining room table.  After we've found a great whole in the wall to eat lunch in, we'll do some more shopping and then head over to our apartment to make a scrumptious dinner for two.  Then, it's Woody Allen time.  We are planning on going to the Violet Crown Cinema to see "Midnight in Paris".  Have you seen it yet?  It's received raved reviews and I am definitely looking forward to it.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

My boyfriend definitely knows how to make me smile.

While working late the other night, he changed the sign at work from the 

image on the left, to the right.  He's so amazing.  And he makes me laugh. :)

 {Image by my brilliant boyfriend}

Return to the Blogosphere

At long last, I am posting.  It's been about six months since my last post and so many things have happened that I wish I could share them all with you through a fun & quirky video montage. Unfortunately, I didn't make a video.  I have pictures, but no cute video.

The biggest news I'd like to share with everyone is that I have resigned from my day job at an incredible and loving accounting firm to pursue my passion for baking!  I would not have guessed three years ago that this is something I would be doing, but I am excited nonetheless and can't wait to enter pastry school on July 5th.  [I am secretly cringing at the thought that I may be the oldest person there, even though I wouldn't quite consider myself old just yet]  The other great part about going to pastry school (and baking up a storm) is moving to Austin, Texas!  I absolutely love Austin.  It's weird.  It has great vintage stores I can peruse before class.  It's a smorgasbord of fun & creative people.  And it makes my boyfriend happy.

So, I deeply apologize for being absent the last six months.  I did not die, I was not taken hostage by a maniacally deranged cupcake eater who forced me to make endless batches of red-velvet cupcakes, and I was not on a secluded island off the Pacific Coast without internet access (though I did spend many hours watching episodes of Lost).

I am back.  Hope you're ready!


{photo by Alicia Bock}

Happy Birthday!

 Happy Birthday Jenny!

You are an amazing mother, loving wife, patient sister and are incredibly smart, kind & beautiful.  I hope you have a fabulous day and wish you a thousand moments of happiness.  Thank you for being a great friend and my future sister-in-law!!

Ramblings

What a ridiculously busy day.  I feel so exhausted that I debated blogging but let's face it, I haven't posted regularly like I should.  Of course, I also assume no one is actually reading this blog yet, so if I don't post, I suppose it's not a big deal.

The weather has been amazing in Texas - high of 78, low of 56 - it's like a summer day in Seattle!  All I have wanted to do is bask in the sun and read but instead, I worked a little yesterday, read in bed & watched Julie & Julia.  It was a great day even without having spent the majority of it outside.

Speaking of Julie & Julia, is Meryl Streep not amazing in that movie?!  I absolutely love her and secretly wish the entire movie focused on her.  Don't get me wrong, I think Amy Adams is great too, but it was the character of Julie that didn't appeal to me.  I found the character to be a little self absorbed, especially standing next to such a supportive and upbeat husband. 

However, I do remember a few things ringing true, especially when Julie said "What does it say about me when I don't like any of my friends?"  High school was definitely like that for me - I was very different from the majority of my friends, but then there's college and you get the opportunity to make all new friends and take control of your future completely. 

Then, FaceBook happened and now everyone's there with a friend request, even people you don't know, and it's hard to click "Ignore" despite your overwhelming desire to.  You just can't seem to find it in yourself to be rude.  But then you end up with 100s of friends, 80% of which you really don't keep in contact with.  Perhaps I should just delete my FaceBook account.  After all, Mark Zuckerberg has made plenty of moola from it, and he will only continue to as he sells our information over & over & over....500 million active users, each one clicking away while ads pop up everywhere, new games are created to consume even more of our time where you herd animals, feed pets, pretend to be a gangster, a pirate, a ninja - Wow, that's mucho dinero.

Wow.  I'm exhausted and rambling.  I deeply apologize readers, but I do hope you're having a great day & that you're enjoying the amazing Fall weather.

xoxo, me

Photo courtesy of Maranatha

[heart]

I am totally crushing on my boyfriend right now. Here's the email he sent me:

from [boyfriend] <****@gmail.com>

to Crystal Estrada <****@gmail.com>

date Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 1:23 PM

subject: Various stuff I'm thinking of

1) Hug

2) Love you

3) Tomorrow is Jenay's Birthday

4) Tomorrow is Candice's Birthday

5) No work tomorrow or Tuesday, working Wednesday/Thursday, off for the weekend

6) Are we going to Dallas next weekend?

7) Is Jenay still trying to come visit us?

8) You should make arroz con pollo, and if not, I'm going to freeze the chicken broth

9) I will go to the grocery store tomorrow, getting:

        * Milk

        * Sandwich bags

        * Sandwich cheese

        * Lettuce

        * Enchilada Sauce

        * Jalapeno Chips

        * Anything else you need

10) hug again

11) If you need me to get anything done, please let me know.

Just chilling at work.

 

Isn't he amazing?!

Happy Birthday to my love, my sunshine, my best friend!  I love you more than yesterday, and I will love you more tomorrow.  Thank you for making me so happy and I hope you have a fantastic day doing all of the things you love to do. xoxo, me

(Photo by Brandon Warren)