My One Talent

I realize that most of you are multi-talented and good at just about everything.  I'm pretty novice at this and that, but the one thing I am experienced with is crocheting...unless its baby booties (let's just say the one pair I tried many years ago would have made a more suitable diaper than shoe).  My current project has been in the works for quite some time, and is finally finished!  I have a special purpose in mind for this afghan, but for now I will remain mysterious and vague.

Pretty Food is Overrated

I'm pretty fed up with seeing pictures of everyone's perfect looking food.  Why does food have to look perfect in order to taste great?  It doesn't.  In fact, it doesn't even have to look good.  Sometimes nasty-looking food tastes great.  That would be the case 99% of the time in my kitchen.  I'm sure people are just trying to taunt me with their Kraft-Food-magazine-worthy-photos, but I don't care.  I'm posting my ugly blueberry muffins anyways.  And by the way, they were fabulous.

Wicho's Cumpleaños

Remember me promising to tell you about the tent in our living room?  Here goes.

It all began in the year 1982 when a baby Wicho was born.  Little Wicho loved all things nature and grew up loving the great outdoors, including camping.  A little Creampuff was also born; however, she didn't love camping quite so much.  The two grew up, fell in love, and got married.  Throughout the years, Wicho kept asking to go camping and Creampuff kept reminding him they didn't have a tent (much to Creampuff's relief).  Wicho's birthday came around and he cleverly asked for a tent (much to Creampuff's dismay). 

The two went in search for a tent the week before his birthday.  They found a 5-man tent and snagged it up right away.  Upon arriving home, they began to set up said tent.  Sadly, the poles were broken.  Wicho cried.  Creampuff smiled.  They took it back and exchanged it for a smaller, but more reliable tent.  Wicho smiled and Creampuff cried.  Now, they have a tent and can in fact go camping.

Tent 1 

Tent 2

camping trip #1

Since Wicho got his presents a week early, Creampuff didn't want him to receive nothing on his actual birthday.  She settled on a TOY he's been wanting ever since he saw friend Bennett with one (Bennett is 2 years old).

Wicho also requested German Chocolate Cake with German Chocolate Cake Frosting.  Creampuff wasn't sure how to decorate it, but her mother gave her this great idea.  Her sister Amber should feast her eyes on this cake which, may I mention, is the FIRST cake Creampuff ever decorated.  She's really talented.

For dinner, Wicho chose Home Town Buffet.  They enjoyed the food and even got a free birthday hat.  Oh wait, that's the hideous lighting.

After stuffing themselves past all belt-holes, Wicho & Creampuff slumped back home, let their stomachs deflate, and enjoyed some YuMmY cumpleaños cake.

Little Wicho had a very happy birthday.

Great Harvest

I just wanted you to know, we found Great Harvest.

The end.

What Luis Has Been Doing

Now that Luis is out of school for the summer, you're probably wondering what he's been up to.  Let me take you into the secret life of Luis.

The other day, Luis was playing with our camera and found our banquet pictures.  I don't know where they disappeared to or how they came back, but just so you know, I am NOT crazy.  I'm thinking Luis rigged the camera to get back at me.  He claims I hide his things and then "find them" for him when he can't just so he'll remember how much he needs me.  For the record, this is absolutely not true.

 Remember those colored pencils I gave Luis two Christmases ago?  He finally opened them up to work on his tiger picture.

For our hike, Luis busted out his dragon-painted walking stick he made last Halloween.  It was very helpful when we had to ford some rivers.

Lu also helped me put together this "noodle game" tutorial.  Some of you have been asking me how to play the "noodle game."  Well, prepare to be enlightened.

STEP ONE
Buy some noodles from the local dollar store.


STEP TWO
Cut apart noodles using a sharp knife or box cutter.

Cut them about 2 inches long...

 ...until you have a buch.

STEP THREE
Learn the game by viewing one of the videos below.

Beginner Version

Advanced Version

You may be wondering, "Was that a tent I saw in their living room?"  Yes it was.  More on that excitement in a later post.

And that is some of what Luis has been doing.

Strawberry Festival

Luis is officially, finally, blessidly finished with his first year of Pharmacy School!  It's pretty much the best thing that's ever happened to me...except my new shoes...and toothpaste.

To celebrate, we headed off to Oxnard for their annual Strawberry Festival.  We parked at the local outlets to join a 1/2 mile line waiting for the shuttles (aka school buses) to take us to the event.  It sure beat paying $10 for parking. 

By the way Amber, I realize now that we were both riding school buses the same day!  How "twinnie!"

As a side note, I have found that wherever I am, my head is already trying to put the events in a blog.  As a result, I take way too many useless pictures...like the one below of Luis and I sitting on said school bus.

By the time we reached the festival we were starving.  Festival food is pretty much a rip off, but you kind of buy it anyway for the experience.  I was delighted to find that in this case, our experience included strawberries on tomales, taquitos, and curly fries.  The strawberries and guacamole: excellent.  the food: not so great.

Another not-to-be-missed food experience was our funnel cake.  It was good, but for $8, I expected more than 1/8 c. of strawberry topping.  We enjoyed it nonetheless...Luis maybe enjoyed it slightly more, but he's lke that.  We realized as we were at the festival that the world was supposed to be ending that day.  When I asked Luis what he would be doing if he thought he had one day left, he replied without hesitation, "I'd be eating a Krispy Kreme donut."  Luckily, he quickly tacked on "...with you, of course."  Yeah, he BETTER spend the last day of the world with me.

Inspiration tells me that I've hit a gold mine with my new idea for a side job.  Luis, time to suit up!



There were lots of events we wanted to participate in, like a pie-eating or pie-throwing contest.  But, it didn't work out.  We mostly just had fun walking around, talking, and just being together WITHOUT worrying about school.

 Afterwards, we spontaneously headed to the local State Beach.  When we got there, the nice park lady told us that if we wanted to be on the beach, we should head to the nearby 5th street and access the beach from there.  We followed her advice and found the most empty beach I have ever seen.  It was heavenly to have the beautiful beach all to ourselves. 

By the way, for a 1st year graduation present, I bought Luis the movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  It is an absolute gem!

New Shoes

My mom and sisters and I love to brag about good deals.  This is definately one I've gotta share.  Check out the price tag below.  That's right...I got a new pair of adorable shoes for $11.00 from Off-Broadway Shoes.

Jealous?