Home companion: Bookshelves

I love everything about this room, and the larger than life bookcase is the focal point. However, that farm table with the mismatched chairs is absolute heaven, and compliments the room exquisitely. I can see myself here throwing dinner parties, discussing the newest contemporary fiction or a  having dinner with the usual suspects (my family). What is it about books that makes everything  so cozy and inviting?

{Image via}

A birthday is soon approaching

 I still cannot believe our daughter is turning one next week. She was born on May 8th of last year. Her arrival was nothing short of exciting and miraculous. After three days of labor, a birth becomes extraordinary. In this short amount of time she has become a headstrong little lady with a luminous personality and a physical presence. At the playground, she's the one wanting to be close to other kids to touch them, chat them up (more like babble) and just to "experience" them. This, I find fascinating, because being a Taurus is about experiencing things with your whole body. It's the most sensuous sign of the zodiac, the one with the need to use its five senses simultaneously or you run the risk of getting scratched off easily.

My little lady here has been slowly graduating from being a high needs baby to becoming an independent, observant and intense toddler. Where does she get this temperament?  I can't wait to find out more.  In the meantime, I'm starting a letter for her about our lives together this past year, and all the hidden lessons I've come to learn by being a mother to her.  I hope she's proud of it, and one day can read it to her own children.


PS: If it was up to her, she'd be content being on top of me the whole day. I included this picture of her in the baby wrap to show you how attached she still is to her mami, even though she's excited about learning to walk, choosing more often than before to do this on her own (proud momma grin!)

Spotted: Umbra shop

This amazing Canadian based homegoods shop offers casual, contemporary and affordable design.  I have my eyes on these items, which I love to own.  That cute cord wrapped stool would look awesome in a nursery.  And the raspberry wine rack would be a cook gift for anyone who loves design and wine. My favorite is the round side table with its mid-century flair.  And that Big Ben clock would look good anywhere, really!

In the kitchen

{Roasted butternut caprese salad}

This recipe comes to you via The Forest Feast, a yummy food photography tumblr blog by food photographer Erin Gleeson, who moved from NYC to the woods of Northern California in search of seasonal ingredients and an inspired life.

>

In this dish, what you see is what you get.  So go ahead and roast some butternut squash and prepare your  caprese salad as you always do, add some avocado and mix.  Buen provecho!

Off topic: Visions

 Have your visions ever become real, years later?

When I was very young there was a Puerto Rican boy band, which was quite popular among school girls. I had this vision [or an eager imagination] while my brother and sister and I were playing in the yard in front of our house.  Sometimes we would climb up the trees without any shoes, and make out shapes from clouds or throw stones at the ground.  One day while I was up on a tree, and an unspoiled view of all the rooftops and neighbors' backyards sprawled before me, I had a vision of the boy band on one of the roofs.  The boys were wearing black and were joking at something.  I yelled for my brother and sister to come up and look and when they did, they couldn't see anything.  Strange. And while the world below seemed more real, as I could see the leaves piling up in a corner, or our shoes carelessly scattered about on the ground, I knew that this vision was undeniably real and genuine. I was always having visions and yet, my visions were never taken seriously.

Where am I going with this?  Well, just the other day I was walking Piki and when I looked up at the rowhouses  in our neighborhood, I noticed tree guys on the roof of one of them, wearing black and joking and laughing among themselves. I couldn't believe it.  Emotions came rushing in and I felt a serene wave engulfing me.  My mind's eye had never forgotten that vision. All I wanted to do, and could do, was simply to watch, because this time, it was real.

{Images from Atomic Atrocity, Andrew}

Have a lovely weekend

Source: livethemma.ikea.se

So the weekend is already upon us. These April days are flying by, between our playground excursions and the daily tribulations of life. We're excited because our family is going down to Florida to spend time with our families and friends.  We are planning a small family birthday celebration for Emilu, who turns one on May 8th.  I can't wait to soak up the sun, the beach and the good Latin food that awaits us in Miami.  This is a well deserved vacation for ALL of us, including my old good pal Piki.  So this weekend we are just going to relax, watch movies and do some grilling.  Tonight, a good friend of mine and I are going to the movies to watch The Five Year Engagement, apparently is a good laugh. How about you, lovely friends, any exciting plans?  How about these links to inspire your weekend. See you back Monday!
 

 wall bars that are perfect for tiny spaces

this sacramento house is exactly my style

 it seems like time stood still in Myrtle Beach

want to read about my most memorable romantic moment?

have you heard of the great pacific garbage patch?  sadly is not that great

this movie looks so witty; can't wait to Netflix it

love this practical modern jewelry organizer

this shrimp asparagus risotto

i heart London (it's one place I wish to visit and know before I die)

an igloo made of books!

i can't wait to visit this newly formed beach during our upcoming vacation(see below)

{Photos via Select Caribbean}

From baby food to toddler meals

We have transitioned.  Left behind the baby food and embraced real meals for my growing, soon-to-be one year old. This stage of eating is involved and requires creativity. Watching for nutrient rich foods and at the same time, tasty enough that she'll want to eat them. Gone are the days of breast-milk, formula, and liquid foods.  She now wants to hold the spoon, eat with her hands, and chew down her food.

Recently she stopped desiring the cereal-formula mix I gave her for breakfast everyday. She slapped that dish down and splashed everything around her. She did the same with her fruity, spoon-fed, liquidy afternoon snack (smashed fruits watered down). No more, mom. I want food that I can chew, and touch! So I listened.

We have finally reached the stage where we all sit down for dinner/lunch and eat the same meals.  Hallelujah!