North Pole Breakfast- Reindeer Breakfast


I love celebrating all holidays, special events and milestones but I LIVE for our North Pole Breakfast which kicks off the Christmas season.  It's the day our elf, Jingle arrives from the North Pole and it gets everyone in the spirit of the most magical season.  Every year I throw a different themed breakfast to celebrate the occasion.  This years theme was reindeers and hands down has been my favorite so far.

Easy Thanksgiving Dessert- Orange Creamsicle Pie


I'm the queen of easy peasy when it comes to cooking and baking.  I love homemade (read semi-homemade) but I don't have the time or the energy for a super hard recipe.  I love this recipe because it only takes minutes to whip together; you could even make it the same day you need to serve it.  Just allow about 4 hours to set in the freezer.

I was looking for a dessert recipe for our Thanksgiving meal but I wanted it to have a slight twist from the traditional.  Since citrus is in season and I'm looking for any way to sneak in some extra vitamin C I wanted to create a recipe with mandarins.  I always get my citrus from Bee Sweet Citrus because they have year-round availabilty for oranges, mandarins and lemons.  They have speciality citrus varieties during the California domestic season.  Right now us locals can look forward to Meyer Lemons, Cara Cara Navels (hello gorgeous!), Blood Oranges, Star Ruby Grapefruit and Pummelos.  Another reason I love supporting Bee Sweet Citrus is because they are a family owned and operated grower, packer and shopper of citrus.  

Enjoy your sweet and delicious dessert and wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:
  1. 2 blocks of cream cheese (16 oz each)
  2. 1 C. plus 2 Tbsp. of granulated sugar
  3. 1 C. of mandarin oranges, peeled
  4. 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
  5. 1 C. Cool Whip
  6. Graham Cracker Crust (ready made)
Instructions:

Add cream cheese, sugar, oranges and vanilla to a stand mixer and mix on low until all the ingredients are combined and smooth.  Gently fold in the Cool Whip.  Pour mixture into crust and freeze for at least 4 hours.  Top with a dollop of Cool Whip and a mandarin/orange.







The Lord is Within Her; She Will Not Fall


Emily's First Holy Communion was scheduled for right after the world shut down so of course it was postponed.  Unfortunately, it was moved to the hottest day of the year and didn't look normal at all.  Looking back the day makes me a little sad because it's one of the most important days in a child's life and it was stripped of all the sacred beauty.  But overall, I am grateful for Emily to receive this sacrament.

Since we were still in quarantine we did a very small party to celebrate the occasion.  Despite the intimate gathering I still wanted to make the day special for Emily.  The decor I used was simple: a chalkboard with bible verse, ballon arch, cake and flowers.

Halloween Fun & Traditions 2020

Halloween is such a fun time of year and this year it was so nice to get out and keep our traditions alive!  Anyone who knows me knows I live for traditions.  Is it even Halloween if you don't take a trip the pumpkin patch, carve pumpkins and go trick or treating?!?!  Those are our favorite activities during the season.











I can't get enough of these baby blues!!!!!




This is one of my favorite photos ever!  He has a special bond with his Mom Mom and I just love how much he loves her.









This year our sibling costumes were a Race Car Driver and his Pit Crew!  It turned out so cute.






We celebrated the holiday with the Serpa's and Trick-or-Treated in their neighborhood.