Brass and Carnelian Cuff

After much procrastinating I finally finished up this cuff for my mom and I've already got an order for another one!

DIY Gift: Tiger Bike Helmet

Sawako Furuno Helmet

Rawwr! My Tiger Helmet

     A few weeks ago my sister emailed me a picture of this super cute Sawako Furuno leopard print bike helmet saying she wanted it. I looked into it and was shocked to discover it was $200. While I couldn't buy it, I told my sister it looked like something I could paint. She got super excited and asked if I could make her a tiger helmet for Christmas. I didn't give her an answer but I knew that's exactly what I would do.
    The hardest part was finding the right helmet with a little brim. After trolling the internet I found great match in the GIRO Surface helmet. After lots of searching on Cyber Monday I was able to snag it for $22, a steal. Everything after that was easy.

Supplies:
-Helmet
-Orange spray paint
-White primer
-Clear Sealant
-Blue painter's tape
-Print out of tiger stripe pattern

1. I printed out an image of a tiger stripe pattern for a visual reference then using painter's tape started marking out the stripes on the helmet. I tore of the both long edges of the tape for all my stripes so that the stripes would be rough edged.

2. Cover the brim in tape. You do NOT want to paint the brim. Then stuff the air vents and head space with plastic bags and then tape over the bottom so you don't get paint inside your helmet.

3. In a well ventilated area spray the helmet with white primer, make sure to cover thoroughly. Let dry.

4. Spray the helmet with the orange paint. Let dry. Do second coat.

5. Spray with clear sealant. Let dry.

6. Carefully remove tape.

Ignore the black spot. I have no idea what that is.

Enjoy!

P.S. Try different animal prints. I'm tempted to try the original leopard print helmet.

Happy Birthday Dad!

He's been called the Most Interesting Man in the World

I'm not sure interesting is the right word

I just wanted to give a shout out to the man who taught me:
1. Bob Dylan is to be respected
2. Style is having self confidence
3. Travel anywhere and everywhere you can because the ability to explore our world is an amazing opportunity
4. Stop restricting your future with what-ifs and worries, pursue what you love and your passion and smarts will help you succeed
5. You're never too old to learn something new (he ran his first marathon at 60)
6. Read
7. History is Awesome
8. Those who talk the most usually have the least to say
9. Sarcasm is a powerful tool, use it wisely or you risk making an ass of yourself
10. Family is #1. Make time for them and let them know they are loved

Happy 62nd Birthday Dad! I love you.

What Happened to Me?

How could this face ever be in the evil mouse army?

     This past weekend was interesting. Saturday was cloudy and rainy and filled with movies, dance classes, homemade soup, and The Nutcracker rehearsal and Sunday was the day I realized I'm no longer a teenager and my body is done trying to pretend it is.

She's also an angel. The duality is quite fitting

     The day started off with beautiful weather and me excited about a trip to Magic Mountain. My bf's dad invited us and since I hadn't been to Magic Mountain in about 10 years I nervous but ready to ride some crazy coasters. We started off strong on X2, the absolute most insane roller coaster I've ever been on, Revolution, and Tatsu, another death defying feat of engineering. They were crazy, thrilling, and scream inducing but after just three rides I was out.

Tatsu. Yes, you free fall head first while you pray that your harness holds.

     My head was throbbing, my stomach was in my throat, and I just wanted to take a nap somewhere nice and quiet, which is impossible at Six Flags. Instead, I popped Advil, continued to feel terrible, and followed the group from ride to ride to sit out on the sidelines and feel like the ultimate party pooper. In my mind all I could think was "Who are you? You've never been the girl who sits out with a headache. Pull yourself together and rally." Then I realized "Oh yeah it's been 10 years since you've done this and your body has changed a hell of a lot. Remember, you can't even read in the car any longer without getting a headache. What did you expect riding a bunch of head jerking roller coasters back to back? A relaxing head massage?" I did manage to rally for Collossus, one of my absolute favorites, laughing and screaming the whole ride, but after that I really was done. All I could think about was the long car ride home and how I didn't want to puke in the car. The car ride was marked by a nap. Yep, I was able to pass out at 3:30 in the afternoon and you know what? That was fine with me.

X2-sending up another prayer about harness strength.

     Even with the headache and nausea I had a fun time because I enjoyed what I was able to and I realized that I'm more than alright with no longer trying to keep up with teenagers. They will always be younger and more energetic but they will never have the level head and self-acceptance that I have. As my grandma always says "Age is just a number, it's your state of mind that matters." Besides, I'm too busy to worry about competing with the youth. Not only do I have a family, job, and social life to balance but I've got to focus on bigger battles now, like the fact that I slowly seem to be metamorphosing into my mom.

This Ain't Stouffers: Great Grandma's Lasagna Bolognese Recipe

One of my all time favorite foods is my great grandma's lasagna bolognese recipe. Besides being delicious I love this recipe because of it's family history and the fact that it is such a labor of love to make. Now it's not incredibly complicated but it does take time and patience to make, but at first bite you'll understand why it's worth it. This is authentic lasagna that fed Sicilian ranchers, mafia (my great great uncle is Joseph Ardizzone), and movie stars. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I do.

F.Y.I. You won't find Ricotta in this recipe, but that's for the better. Trust me.  

Ingredients:

-1 lb lasagna noodles

-1 lb Mozzarella cheese, grated

-1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Meat Sauce

-1 c. chopped onion          -1 clove garlic minced          -1/2 c. chopped celery          -2 Tbs butter                       

-1 lb mild Italian sausage          -1 lb ground beef          -2 Tbs olive oil          -1/2 c. dry white wine          

-2 c. chopped tomatoes, peeled/seeded          -3 Tbs tomato paste          -2 c. beef stock          -1 bay leaf

-1/2 tsp sugar          -1/2 tsp dried oregano          -1/8 tsp allspice          -salt and pepper to taste

Besciamella (Bechamel)

-3 Tbs butter         -6 Tbs flour         -2 c. milk         -1 c. heavy cream          -1 tsp salt          -dash nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13" baking dish. Cook lasagna according to package. Drain and cover with cold water. Then lift out strips and let dry on paper towels.

Meat Sauce- Combine onion, garlic, and celery. Saute over low heat in 2 Tbs butter until golden, 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove to a heavy 3-4 quart saucepan. In same fry pan saute sausage and beef in olive oil until lightly browned. Stir to break up lumps. Remove excess grease. Add wine to meat. Boil, stirring constantly, until almost evaporated. Add meat to saucepan and add tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, and seasonings. Simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour stirring occasionally. 

Besciamella- Melt 3 Tbs butter in heavy 2-3 quart saucepan, over low heat. Stir in flour and cook slowly 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in milk and cream slowly, stirring with a whisk to obtain a smooth sauce. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp salt and nutmeg. Set aside.

Assemble- Spread 1/3 of  meat sauce onto bottom of baking dish. Cover with 1/3 of noodles. Make sure noodle edges overlap. Spread 1/3 of besciamella over noodles, making sure to cover noodles. Top with 1/3 of mozzarella. Repeat 2 more times. Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top and bake until bubbly, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately or cool and freeze for a later day. 

Enjoy!

New York's Alright if You Like Saxophones

I'm so excited! After a five year absence(too long) I'm finally heading back to NY for a long weekend to meet up with my old roomie and my sister. I left NY much sooner than I ever anticipated, and while I always planned on moving back to CA I was definitely bummed about not reaching alumni status at the university I spent three years at (I'm a Chapman alum) and starting my "adult life" out there. Life is full of crazy loops and turns and you never know what's around the next corner but you gotta just keeping rolling. While my life has been turned upside down more than a few times over the last couple years, I'm always excited to see what lies ahead because it could be something fantastic like meeting up with great friends in a city I love.


P.S. I like saxophones. I actually took sax lessons for a few months when I was in 4th grade.

What my mother taught me...

My mom and me

Let me just say Happy Mother's Day to all the lovely mommas out there. I meant to actually post on Sunday but between helping my mom put on a brunch and dealing with my own mommy duties I barely had time to eat that day let alone blog.  I even had grand intentions of writing a loving post dedicated to my mom and I had a very specific beautiful photo of my mother I wanted to use. Well that photo seems to have disappeared but I managed to find another one that I love. 

     In it my mom and I are holding hands walking down the stairs probably headed to a much needed nap from the looks of it. In the photo I'm the adorable shirtless 22 mo. old and my mom is the a very pregnant 26 year old married homemaker.  Now I'm 26, single, working, and the momma of one little girl. It's strange to look at this old photo and think about how different our lives our at the same age yet still connected by our shared experience of young motherhood. I was 20 when I had my daughter and my mom was 18 when she gave birth to the first of her three children. I think it is my personal triumphs and struggles of not only motherhood, but young motherhood, that have helped me connect with her and understand her in a way I was incapable of in the past. 

      We still have our ups and downs and my parenting style is different then her's but she is my rock and the confidant I can turn to when I feel like I'm doing everything wrong who listens, smiles, then tells me  she thinks I'm doing an amazing job and that she wishes she had some of my mothering skills. Coming from a woman who spent a good  part of her life dedicated to raising her children I count this as the highest compliment I could receive and a great help in relieving my mother guilt. More valuable than any compliments though is the strong example and unlimited love she has provided over the years that have taught me what it means to be a good mom. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom! 

Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do for me.

My mom and my daughter.

Cinco de Mayo

     Cinco de Mayo is over and my plan to share a delicious recipe to include in your dinner tonight has failed. Oh well. I'm posting the recipe anyway because it is simple and delicious and you really don't need a holiday to enjoy it.

     This is a recipe for Mexican Red Rice. Yes, Mexican, not Spanish. I have been enjoying this rice my whole life and I plan to keep enjoying it until I can no longer chew solid food. Ironically it comes via my mom, la gringa. It's supremacy over my Grammie's recipe was hard for my dad's family to admit at first because doing so was almost a betrayal of their mother and her amazing talent in the kitchen. Then they got over it because as we all know if food is good, it's good, no matter who makes it. So enjoy this super simple recipe and share it with your friends/family because food always tastes better when prepared with love.  

Mexican Red Rice

8-10 servings

From Mexican Family Cooking 

by Aida Gabilondo

(Highly recommend this cookbook for multiple great recipes)

1/4 c oil

2 c long grain rice

4 c chicken stock

3 garlic cloves, mashed

1/2 onion in thick slices

1/2 c canned tomato sauce

Salt and pepper

1 cup frozen peas and carrots, parboiled in salted water 1 minute and drained (I just cook them in the microwave)

     Heat oil in deep saucepan and saute the rice until golden. Add chicken stock, garlic, onion, and tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; lower the heat, cover, and cook until almost all liquid has been absorbed. Uncover, fold in the peas and carrots carefully, cover again, and cook until all liquid has been absorbed.

     Serve with some carne asada or just eat it straight out of the pot by itself. Trust me you'll want to.