I struggle a lot with blogging. On the one hand, I find some blogs entertaining, at times even inspiring. I keep up with friends, and I’ve connected with some new friends and readers through my own blog. But I recoil at the thought of being, first, and foremost, a blogger (not a writer, or a poet, or a novelist)…though it is a kind of writing I do, it is not the kind of writing I want to be defined by.

And unfortunately, what has happened is that, with three little kids, and my husband’s work picking up, what has been easier to find time for is blogging over all else. Sorting through blogs to find something that’s of interest is a time-suck, but one that I’m more likely to engage in because it’s at my fingertips. Coming up with some lite writing is easier than writing that takes me deeper, even if its this second kind of writing that matters more to me.

So…

For at least the next few months, I will not be blogging. Instead, I’ll be writing (toiling away at my bigger project) and (because mami needs to supplement) teaching. LOTS of teaching. I’ll be teaching a session for the Afghan Women’s Writing Project, two classes online (including the brand-new Writers’ Recharge class…come sign up!), and one, possibly two local classes.

And, I will be trying to use whatever time I have left by spending it with my husband and kids. With my laptop cold, in another room.

There are products I’m asked to review for this blog that I turn down (because they’re a bad fit, or I’m not interested), and others that I will always review. Books are obvious…but the other thing I love to review is beauty products. You see, although I have certainly worn it, I am not a big fan of the “mommy uniform” of yoga pants, and tank top. When my older two kids potty trained (and I felt giddy at the milestone & possibility), I decided to step up my look a little bit, and I have, but I’m still short on time. I have my closet organized roughly into outfits, have my makeup in few steps, in a compact bag, and…I like to accomplish as much as I can in the shower…because, well, that’s probably the only place I’m most often alone.

Anyway, I was recently asked to review Dove’s new collection of NutriumMoisture body washes. As far as a company goes, I really love the message Dove puts out there, and I’ve happily used Dove products in the past.

The new body washes don’t disappoint. Their science says they penetrate deeper, to reduce driness and moisturize more effectively. But what you’ll notice right away? They foam up lusciously, smell nice (you will smell neither like a fruit salad or cheap perfume…you’ll just smell clean- a definite plus), and, when you step out of the shower, you’ll notice softer, more quenched skin that just keeps improving in appearance with more days of use.

The new NutriumMoisture line includes a Gentle Exfoliating wash, a Deep Moisture wash (my favorite), and a Sensitive Skin wash. If you like Dove’s philosophy and are in search of a fast, easy way to fight dry skin, pick up the new body washes and try them out- you won’t be disappointed.

Ahh!! So the last month has left me behind on so many things. I was ill for a couple of weeks, and then our older daughter had an E.R. trip and a surgery. And then there was all the work that I got behind on, and all the fall work I had to prep for. So, crazy, crazy time, and lots of changes coming up. Stay tuned.

Our older daughter has happened to see a lot of trailers for G-Force (or, as I knew it until the writing of this post, the new guinea pig movie) lately.

Have you heard of this?  Am I missing something?

But no matter, it has inspired my 3 year old to come up with the following 4-step plan, which she delivered to me last night, at about 11:30pm.

Her: “Step 1: I want a white guinea pig!  Step 2: I want two guinea pigs.  Step 3: I want three guinea pigs.  Step 4: I want ALL the guinea pigs.”

It’s worth mentioning that she pronounces “guinea pig” like “in-ee-peeg.” With that accent, and those grand plans… I might cave.

I was lucky to have a mother who was, and is, a good cook, and who believed in fresh, healthy meals and family dinners in either of the countries we lived in.  Even with that as my legacy, and in spite of many years (a life) of loving to eat, taste, and think of food, I only started to really learn to cook in my first place on my own.   After a day of classes or work, I’d steam some broccoli, and pan fry some salmon, and cook up a box or Rice-A-Roni or (gulp!) try to make mashed potatoes by putting nearly raw potatoes in a blender.  Then I’d serve it to my boyfriend (now husband) with a flourish.

Between a crush on Jamie Olive (the “Naked Chef”) and a stack of Rachael Ray cookbooks my grandmother bought me, I slowly stepped up my dishes into more exciting, edible terrain.  We got married and moved into a bigger house and I learned in those years to make bigger portions, my own babyfood, and propper mashed potatoes.  And, as my enthusiasm for food and cooking combined with increasing skill and confidence, I think I finally became a good cook.  (My mom celebrated the fact that she could now look forward to dishes I’d make by buying me a lovely new set of pots and pans when my family moved into a third, and final, home).

I’m fairly certain I’m a foodie these days- not in the snobby, food-as-high-art way, but in the way of someone who comes to a plate of food hungry, and curious, and grateful.  I’m still learning, dish by dish.  In the last year, I’m pleased to report that I’ve learned to make my own tomato sauce, a little repertoire of great classic Spanish dishes, a number of delicious make-and-freeze meals; I’ve gotten more into baking, for the sake of my kids, who love baked goods; I’m even growing my own organic vegetable garden to harvest from; I can literally pick eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs by leaning out my kitchen window.

The domino effect of tasting and cooking and sharing makes me feel upon a strange trajectory. I like to be the one in charge, the one with the plan.  So, okay, where is this going?   Will I feed my family for (God willing) many decades?  Will I raise one of my children into some nutritional or culinary profession?  Teach others how to cook for their families? Write about food? Win an award for the best ___ in the county?

But it could be anywhere, or nowhere. Equally serenely.

Que hacer when you’re looking for a hair makeover (in honor of an upcoming birthday) and you can’t decide on a style…because your culturas are pulling you in different directions?

Exactly the “problem” I’m having.

Read more over at TikiTiki blog and comment (there or here) with which haircut/hairstyle you think I should get.

We’re just wrapping up a great 4th of July weekend.  My husband worked crazy hours all of Friday/ Friday night in order to have a rare weekend completely at home, and so we all have been enjoying a slower pace as a result.

On Saturday, we first had my mom and grandmother over for a little cook out, and then some friends and their daughter joined us for dessert and fireworks.

As I mentioned in my last column, I feel like our family has been feeling more comfortable (but authentically comfortable, not just lip-service comfortable) in how we’re embracing our multi-culturalism right now.  At home, in the community…and at the table.

At any rate, we concluded this quintessential American holiday with a Guatemalan dessert- Guatemalan Ice Box Cookies.  The recipe makes a ton of cookies, but they’re small and light.  They taste like the crispy almost-burnt top of a chocolate cake, but with a teeny bit of spice you can’t place.  Everyone, especially the kids (ours, and our friends’ daughter- all of whom happen to be Guatemalan-born) loved them.  Here’s the recipe:

Guatemalan Icebox Cookies:

• 1 1/2 t vanilla
• 1 egg
• 12 T unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 t cinammon
• 1/4 t cayenne (I’ve used chili in its place)
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/4 t ground black pepper

Beat egg, vanilla, and sugar together until mixture is white and creamy.  Add cold butter in small pats, and mix well.  Sift together dry ingredients.  Add them in to the butter/sugar/egg mixture until everything’s together, but don’t over-mix.  Take out half of the mixture and form into a ball; then roll into a log, and wrap in waxpaper.  Repeat with other half.  Freeze for at least 4 hrs.  

Take rolls out of freezer and slice into 1/2 inch thin coins.  Preheat oven to 350 and bake between 8-12 minutes.  Cookies will be crunchy and delicious!

Confession: I think I enjoy Father’s Day more than Mother’s Day.  Where Mother’s Day is high-profile and social, Father’s Day feels quieter and more intimate.  Plus, having grown up raised by a single mom, I’m completely in awe of my husband as a father and I enjoy the opportunity to reflect on it.  He rocks!  The kids and I are better for having him in our lives.

And so he deserves our love, and admiration and…some presents!

I’d been asked to participate in a financially-savvy Father’s Day promotion by the team at RocketXL and received two gift cards-one from T.J.Maxx and one from Marshalls- just in time to put to use in my Father’s Day shopping.  

Though both stores are within a 15 minute drive from our house, I’d never been in either.  (Another confession: I do at least 90% of all our non-food shopping online, a figure which seems to surprise most people that hear it…but oh, how it saves me time and appeals to my personality). One of my shop-aholic-iest friends heard about my participation in the promotion and assured me she’s had much success founding a variety of great deals at both stores in the past.  ”You just need to be willing to look,” she said.  

So on Saturday morning, I set out willing to look, though with very little time.  The weather was turning and I had to meet another friend for lunch in another part of the city, so I was concerned that I wouldn’t have enough time to find something good.  But I did, and fast!  I was out of both places in less than a half an hour, including the walk between the two, and came out with the perfect gifts for my husband.

Here are the gifts I purchased: 

1. Digital money counting coin jar- from our older daughter, who loves to watch her dad empty his pockets, and help him put his loose change into the coin jar he keeps in his closet.  Now we won’t have to wonder how much money is in there!
2. Bourbon grill sauce- from our son, who loves to watch his dad grill, and is delighted by anything with the potential to be sticky.
3. Designer-brand dress tie- from our younger daughter, a total daddy’s girl, who loves it when she sees her dressed-up daddy off to work.
4. Designer-brand t-shirt AND
5. Stereo-quality headphones- from our two dogs, who had to give good presents in order to redeem themselves for their frequent and badly-timed barking while my husband tries to take work calls at home.

(what did I give my husband for Father’s Day?  the only thing I didn’t get at either store, because though they carried books, this title was not available- The Angel’s Game (just translated into English) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon)

Here’s what I could have spent (based on the items’ reg. dept. store prices) : $136

Here’s what I spent:  $56…after gift cards: $6

Verdict:  If I can tear myself away from my beloved online shopping, I’ll be back!  And for those of you who love the hunt for a good bargain, if you haven’t already, give T.J. Maxx and Marshalls a try.

In my writing, I come across one way.  In person, another.  Either way, I lack the ability to tell a short story (anyone who knows me well knows all my best stories are looong), but in my writing, you miss the eyebrow raise, the big earrings and the unruly hair.  So, if you’re curious about what I’d look and sound like if you met me at a party, watch me tell this crazy family story here.

* originally recorded for The Tiki Tiki Blog

Because I want to have blogged, but don’t feel very bloggy right now.

Recent Reading:

• Luis Alberto Urrea’s Into the Beautiful North- I wanted to like it, de verdad.  And I loved a number of his quirky characters enough to finish the book, but the plot/stlye/pacing was a bit “eh” at points.  Would not really recommend.
• Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers- a friend had recommended this long ago and I just now picked it up.  It’s a fast (I read the nearly 300 pgs in a night), fascinating read that will change the way you look at geniuses, success stories, and society.  Highly recommend!
• Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian- I’m ashamed to say I didn’t read this when it first came out and there was so much press about it.  But I just started this and am in love with/in awe of the writing.  It’s super engaging, but I’m trying to read it slowly.

Writing:

• Too bad brainstorming doesn’t count.  I’m in a mini funk.

Recent Viewing:

• Full episodes of Cuentame Como Paso here.  (highly recommended for any of my paisanas)  It’s like the Spanish version of The Wonder Years, don’t you think?
• Spirited Away, viewed with the kids.  The older two liked it (though not as much as the fabulous My Neighbor, Totoro which we all LOVE), but are a bit worried now that I might be turned into a pig. 
• Jon & Kate Plus 8.  It’s like a burning building that you can’t look away from.  

Memorable Eating:

• A fantastic dinner with my mom at a “seasonally progressive” restaurant where 80% of the menu is locally grown.  (Email me if you’re in my area, and I’ll give you the name).  I had an apricot arugula flatbread pizza, a salad, and spinach goat cheese ravioli with caponata.  So good!
• At home, I taught myself how to make memorable versions of Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Saagwala with extra veggies from our farm-share.  I have no authority over Indian cuisine, but my husband and older daughter (yeah, she’s 3…she’s loved Indian take-out since she was 18 mos old) particularly love it and we’re trying to save money and calories through less takeout.
• This week, I’m also going to try Marta’s Cuban “Peet-sah” recipe from TikiTiki.  Want some, too?  Go get it here!

Goings-on:

• Our veggie garden is looking so good!  I harvested a ton of Komatsu greens and Persian cress and moved a few seedlings around with the newly-cleared space.  I still can’t believe I like gardening this much but I find it so oddly fulfilling and calming.  
• I’m also very surprised to find how much I like running.  And reading/thinking about running! Like so many of my blog/facebook/twitter friends, I started Couch-to-5K recently- on Mother’s Day actually.  C25K helped me so much the first 3-4 weeks, but now I’m finding I can go at my own pace just as well (sometimes this means I run more than I would on the plan at this stage, vs. walking).  Anyway, I am signed up for 3 5Ks between July and October!

That’s all for me, for now.  What are you up to?