Productionnnnnn

Why do I have 200 more hits two weeks ago than previous ones? That means 200 more people visited my blog for some reason! That encourages me to write more frequently, and not only that, to make more stuff so I can show things that at least are interesting to see and read ;) I am thinking that it might be because I am miles away to soooo many friends who didn't have to read my blog to know what was happening with our lives, and now from the distance, keep track of our lives through this window.

Porque tengo 200 visitas mas hace dos semanas que las anteriores?? Eso quiere decir que 200 personas mas visitaron mi blog por alguna razon! Eso me anima a escribir mas a menudo, y no solo eso, a crear mas cosas para poder ensenharlas y por lo menor tener algo interesante que mostrar y para leer ;) Estoy pensando que puede ser porque estoy muy lejos de muuuchos de mis amigos que no tenian que leer mi blog para saber lo que pasaba en nuestras vidas, y ahora en la distancia, nos siguen por esta ventanita.

About Luca. I have coaching in a weekly basis. That means, his teacher works with me to get better at whatever I want to do with Luca or we can discuss a topic from the many books that I have and I feel overwhelmed to go through by myself. Yesterday we spent 10 minutes with Luca working on how to play a game. I was exhausted by the end, in part because Luca was tired and was not cooperating so that made it even more difficult to get him to do what we want him to do. But the way they do it, behaving in a way that for Luca seems unexpected so that we can get his reaction, works. It's hard to remember to act like that in order to get him to talk, but it works. And they are using new verbs, grammatical forms, words that I think they are too hard for him, but they are not, the only reason why I feel that way is because it is new to him, but as long as you introduce to him in a consistent way, he will get it. Sooner than I expected. So basically I have to relearn how to play with him, and of course, do it at home. I get encouraged by these meetings and I can tell I am different at home after that; we get so much more from our games or activities. I feel so lucky to be here. I can even enjoy the COLD weather, check out our frozen pond.

Sobre Luca. Tengo entrenamiento cada semana, Eso quiere decir que su profesora trabaja conmigo para mejorar en lo que crea que necesito hacer con Luca o para poder hablar de un tema de los muchos que se encuentran entre los libros que tengo y con los que me siento sobresaturada pues no se ni por donde empezar. Ayer pasamos 10 minutos con Luca trabajando en como jugar a un juego. Estaba agotada al final, en parte porque Luca estaba cansado y no cooperaba mucho asi que era mucho mas dificil hacerle que hiciera lo que queriamos. Pero de la manera como lo hacen, comportandose de una manera que resulta inesperada para Luca para que reaccione, funciona. Cuesta acordarse de actuar de esa manera para que el hable, pero funciona. Y estan usando verbos, formas gramaticales y palabras nuevas que me parecen muy dificiles para el, pero que no lo son, y la unica razon por la que me parece asi es porque son nuevas para el pero mientras las introduzca de manera consistente, lo aprendera. Antes de lo esperado. Asi que lo que tengo que hacer es aprender de nuevo como jugar con el, y por supuesto, hacerlo en casa. Me animan estas reuniones y me doy cuenta de que actuo diferente despues en casa; aprovechamos mucho mas los juegos o las actividades. Me siento muy afortunada de estar aqui. E incluso puedo dusfrutar de este tiempo tan FRIO. Mirad nuestro laguito congelado

About my crafts: I have been productive these past days. I have been sewing, finally! and now that I know where the basic things such as scissors and thread and pins are, I plan to do it more often. I made a little handbag for a friend who took me shopping and taught me how to cook a couple of Japanese dishes. She was inquiring me about quilting, patchwork and all those things and I thought it would be nice to make her a patchwork bag with some quilting. I did the freestyle quilting and even though it is not perfect, it is getting a bit better and before. I gave her the bag tonight and she loved it.

Sobre mis labores: He estado productiva ultimamente. He estado cosiendo, por fin! y ahora que ya se donde tengo las cosas basicas cono las tijeras, los hilos y los alfileres, espero hacerlo mas a menudo. Hice una bolsita a una amiga que me llevo de compras y me ensenho a cocinar un par de platos Japoneses. Me preguntaba sobre acolchado y patcwork y todas esas coas y pense que seria buena idea hacerle una bolsa de patchwork con algo de alcolchado. Hice al acolchado de estilo libre y aunque aun no me sale perfecto, esta mejorando. Le di la bolsita esta noche y le encanto.

And here this picture so you can see the actual size, it is a little bag, for the cell phone, the keys and a couple of other things.

Y esta foto es para que se aprecie el tamanho, es una bolsa pequenha, para el mobil, las llaves y un par de cosas mas.

One more try...and cheese cake recipe

I am trying to make this drawing so I can actually put in on the table I am redecorating...still not convinced about it but I like better than the previous one.

Estoy intentando hacer este dibujo que quiero poner en una mesa que estoy redecorando...aun no estoy convencida pero me gusta mas que el anterior.

I keep on making desserts, and found a store where they sell international food, including Japanese rice cakes...mochi...mmm, I better find a gym soon...
Sigo haciendo postres, encontre una tienda con comida internaciona, incluida los pastelitos de arroz Japoneses...mm...sera mejor que encuentre un gimnasio pronto...
And here I am going to post the recipe of lemon cheesecake that a Japanese friend gave me. All of this to celebrate that I am friends with my Japanese neighbors:)

Y aqui va una receta de tarta de queso con limon que me paso una Japonesa. Todo estoy para celebrar que me hice amiga de mis vecinos que tambien son Japoneses :)
Ingredients
250 g cream cheese
100 g sugar
3 eggs
200 ml whipping cream
the juice of half a lemon
Use ingredients (especially cream cheese) at room temperature
Set the oven to 350 F
Line a pan with baking paper and spread butter over it.
Blend all the ingredients well and pour on the pan.
Cook for 30 min and check until it starts to brown a little between 5-15 min extra.
Let it cool down and enjoy!

Ingredientes
250 g queso crema (philadelphia)
100 g azucar
3 huevos
200ml nata
el jugo de medio limon
Usar los ingredientes (sobretodo la crema de queso) a temperatura ambiente
Poner el horno a 180C
Poner un papel de hornear sobre una fuente y ponerle mantequilla por encima
Mezclar todos los ingredientes bien y echarlos en la fuente.
Hornear durante 30 min y seguir mirando a partir de ahi durante 5-15 min hasta que este un poquito tostado.
Dejar enfriar y a disfrutar!!

Sorry I don't have a picture, but it was gooooood!!!

Siento no tener una foto pero estaba ricoooo!!!

One month ago

One month ago we arrived to St Louis, our new home. I can't believe that time goes by so quickly. I remember the anxiety during weeks before moving without really knowing how our life would be here. Where would we be living, what kind of people would we have in our lives, what kind of city this was...and now we know. Or at least we are in the first stage of the journey. I am happy here, I like this city, people seem really nice, my home is cozy and nice and the most important part, the school is everything we had dreamed of.
Hace un mes que llegamos a San Luis, nuestro nuevo hogar. No me puedo creer que el tiempo vuele asi. Me acuerdo de la ansiedad de las semanas antes de la mudanza, con esa incertidumbre de no saber como seria nuestra vida aqui. Donde ibamos a vivir, que tipo de personas nos encontrariamos, que tipo de ciudad seria esta...pero ya lo sabemos. O por lo menos estamos en el inicio de nuestro viaje. Estoy muy contenta aqui, me gusta la ciudad, la gente parece muy maja, mi casita es muy acogedora y bonita y la parte mas importante, el colegio es como lo que habiamos sonhado.

Luca is a chatterbox, he talks and talks with new words everyday, words I am positive he didn't have before. He also likes to explain everything to me, which makes it so much better for him to learn faster. They told me that once they teach him speech so that he can be understood by others he will shine. And it is amazing how much progress he has made in just...11 days of school.

Luca no se calla, habla y habla y usa palabras que estoy segura que no sabia antes. Tambien le gusta explicarme todo, lo que esta muy bien para poder aprender mas rapido. Me dijeron que en cuanto le den suficientes sesiones de articulacion para que pueda ser entendido por otros, que va a lucirse. Y es increible lo que ha progresado en solo...11 dias de colegio.

And about my things around here, I am working on trying to figure out a design for this piece of furniture...but I am trying in paper first so that I don't mess it up. I am not happy yet with the results, but here is how it's coming about...

Y con respecto a mis cositas, estoy trabajando o tratando de disenhar como voy a decorar un mueble...pero lo estoy intentando en papel primero para que no me salga mal. No estoy contenta con los resultados, pero asi me va saliendo...

And the winner is...

And I wanted to share the beautiful cakes that were make this past weekend in out little international challenge. As you can see this was creativity over the top. I have to say mine was a success, my friends enjoyed it and so did I. The apples tasted really good with the mousse giving it a tart flavor.

Y queria compartir todas las imagenes de estas tartas tan increibles que creamos este fin de semana pasado en nuestro desafio internacional. Como ves sobretodo hubo mucha creatividad. La mia estuvo muy rica y a mis amigos les gusto y a mi tambien. Las manzanas estaban muy ricas y con al mus le daban un toque acido muy rico.

And the winner was...the Mozart profile cake...really beautiful, well done girls!! The final decision and the comments were given by the author of the recipe, Maria Lunarillos, thanks Maria!!! And of course the other two judges also had comments about every single one of them...mine was one of the favorites of Judge number one :) Thanks Juanita!!

Y la ganadora fue...la tarta con el perfil de Mozart...muy bonita, muy bien hecho!! La decision final y los comentarios fueron dados por la autora de la receta, Maria Lunarillos, gracias Maria! Y por supuesto las otras dos jurados tambien tuvieron comentarios sobre cada una de las tartas...la mia fue una de las favoritas de la jurado numero uno :) gracias Juanita!!!

And here is the picture of the artist with their pieces of art, the prize for the most original of course goes to my sister Isabel, camouflaged in the picture...

Y aqui va la foto de las artistas con sus obras de arte, el premio a la mas original por supuesto que va a mi hermana Isabel, la que esta camuflada en la foto...

The challenge

As I wrote on my previous post, I was involved in a challenge this past week organized by one of my sisters and that finished today. It seemed easier than it was but I have to say, in the process I learned a lot and also had lots of good laughs. My sister organized a cake challenge around the world. A group of 9 participants would be making a total of 8 cakes in 2 different continents at the same time. It was mostly family members, but a few friends who enjoy this type of entertainment and who have a good sense of humor were added along the way. We followed the recipe of a wonderful blogger and creator of cakes, Maria Lunarillos and as a common consesus we decided to make a cake that we could all easily get the ingredients in USA, Spain and Sweaden. We have made the Mozart cake and this is what my day looked like...

Como escribi en mi ultima entrada, estuve metida en un desafio durante esta semana organizado por una de mis hermana y que acabo hoy. Parecia mas facil de lo que era pero debo admitir que en el proceso he aprendido unas cuantas cosas y tambien me he reido mucho. Mi hermana organizo un deafio de tartas alrededor del mundo. Eramos 9 participantes que ibamos a crear 8 tartas en 2 continentes a la vez. Casi todas eramos familiares, pero algunas amigas que se divierten con este tipo de cosas y que tienen buen sentido del humor se fueron sumando poco a poco. Seguimos la receta de una blogera fantastica e increible creadora de tartas, Maria Lunarillos y llegamos al acuerdo de hacer una tarta que todas pudieramos conseguir lo ingredientes facilmente en EEUU, Espanha y Suecia. Hemos hecho la tarta Mozart y asi es como fue mi dia...

First, the dough became too sandy and I didn't know how to make it softer enough to be able to make it into a flat sheet. I was told by one of my rivals (generous to give me several tips) to add a bit of milk, and after one hour letting it rest (my friend called me so I got busy on the phone) the dough was great for the cookies I had to bake. Everything looked great after that. Until I got the cake out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for longer than I was supposed to....then when I took the ring out the cake started looking like a mud slide....what a mess...I was not going to win this challenge (yes, there will be a winner and a book as a prize, and there are 3 judges in line). So I had to take it apart and redo it all over again, I mean I should have taken a picture of THAT and after seeing that disaster you can appreciate better the final result. I can tell you something though, I have seen what my rivals have made and I was quite impressed with their creativity...so I am guessing I won't be the winner...

Primero, la masa estaba arenosa y no sabia como ablandarla para se pudiera estirar. Me dijo una de mis rivales (generosa porque me dio varios consejos) que anhadiera un chorrito de leche, y despues de dejarla reposaar durante una hora (mi amiga me llamo y estuve al telefono) la masa estaba perfecta para hacer las galletas. Todo estaba perfecto despues de eso. Hasta que saque el pastel de la nevera y lo deje en la cocina mas tiempo del debido...entonces cuando le saque el aro de alrededor espezo a derrummbarse como si fueran tierras movedizas..que desastre..asi no iba a ganar (si, habra una ganadora y un libro de premio, y hay 3 jueces alineados). Asi que tuve que desarmarla entera y rehacerla, osea que deberia haber hecho una foto de ESO y despues de haber visto ese desastre se puede apreciar mucho mas el resultado final. Pero he de decir algo, he visto las tartas de mis rivales y estoy impresionada con su creatividad...asi que creo que no voy a ganar...

Long weekend

On Monday it's Martin Luther King, a holiday around her for some, and Luca won't have school. Last week, we had a 4 day weekend and at home because of bad weather, and it was hard, even harder to return to school knowing that he didn't even feel completely familiarized with the new kids and teachers. By Wednesday he was alright, and by Friday he was the king of mambo at school! I guess we are both very sociable. I am pleased because in less than a month that we are here, and really, 10 days since we have been alone, I have managed to make some connections, some possible new friendships and I don't feel lonely at all. I actually like being alone, which I am not very frequently, but when I am, I always have a project going on, or things to solve or things to clean or pick up...

El lunes es el dia de Martin Lutero King, vacaciones por aqui, y Luca no tendra cole. La semana pasada, tuvimos un fin de semana de 4 dias en casa debido al mal tiempo, y no fue facil, aun peor fue el regreso al cole sabiendo que no se habia familiaridado aun con los ninhos y profesoras nuevas. El miercoles ya estaba bien, y el viernes Luca ya era el rey del mambo en el cole! Asi que concluyo que los dos debemos ser muy sociables. Estoy contenta porque en menos de un mes que estamos aqui, y en realidad, 10 dias que hemos estados solos, me las he apanhado para hacer algunas conexiones, algunas posibles amistades y no me siento nada sola. De hecho disfruto estando sola, que no lo estoy muy a menudo, pero cuando lo estoy, siempre tengo algun proyecto o cosas que resolver o cosas que limpiar o recoger...

There is nothing like the library to get inspired. I discovered it last week, very close to my home, and we have been there a couple of times since. I believe they are going to get to know us soon. I went one morning alone, while Luca was at school, and got a bunch of interesting books that were calling me. I am working on reconditioning a side table and trying to get my home in good shape, and as you can see, I always have hope to one day be able to play that guitar that is always looking at me...

No hay nada como ir a la biblioteca para inspirarme. La descubri la otra semana, y muy cerca de mi casa, y hemos estado alli un par de veces desde entonces. Creo que nos van a llegar a conocer. Un dia fui sola, cuando Luca estaba en el cole, y encontre muchos libros interesantes que me estaban "llamando". Estoy redecorando una mesita y tambien tratando de arreglar mi hogar un poco, y como podeis ver siempre tengo esperanzas de que algun dia podre tocar esta guitarra que me mira...

And I am participating in a very original challenge that my sister has organized...how is it going to come out...not sure but one thing is for sure, in the process all the participants are having lots of fun. I will post in more detail about it soon...

Y estoy participando en un desafio muy original que ha organizado mi hermana...como va a salir...no se pero una cosa esta clara, en el proceso las participantes se lo estan pasando pipa. Ya os contare con mas detalle pronto...

I have some time!!

I finally have some time for myself! Not much yet, but I will slowly start having block of time to really create things! I am so happy. I went to an art store yesterday to buy silver paint for my next project and my heart was pounding full of excitement, this is what I like, painting, creating...ayyy I want to make so many things!! So now that Luca is having long days at school, I will start having time...although until now I have had meetings and things going on before I could even realize that I do have some time. And I plan to keep it this way. I plan to have parent education meetings weekly. I had my first one today. I was happy, happy for two reasons, Luca was happy to go to school today, unlike the previous days, I guess he has finally started connecting with teachers and new friends, and the teacher told me wonderful things about my little guy. So of course, that makes me very happy. All the teachers that I run into say he is adapting so easily, he joins and does what everything else does, he talks and shares, he gets things quickly, he is easy to be taught new things, he is just great. I know that these past months since the summer, he has had a wonderful progress. I am so thankful to his teachers and therapists in Florida, because with their help and Luca's efforts and my two cents too, we have all made it happen, he is progressing nicely.

Por fin tengo tiempo para mi! No mucho, pero poco a poco empezare a tener mas bloques de tiempo para crear cosas!! Estoy feliz.Ayer fui a una tienda de arte a comprar pintura plateada para mi ultimo proyecto y mi Corazon latia de emocion, esto es lo que a mi me gusta, pintar, crear…ayyyyy quiero hacer tantas cosas! Asi que ahora que Luca pasa muchas horas en el cole, empezare a tener mas tiempo…aunque hasta ahora he tenido muchas reunions y cosas sin poder ver el tiempo libre. Y quiero seguir asi. Quiero asistir a las clases para los padres todas las semanas. Hoy tuve la primera. Me puse muy contenta, feliz por dos razones, Luca no lloro cuando le deje como en los dias anteriores, asi que creo que por fin esta conectando con las profesoras y sus amiguitos nuevos, y ademas la senhoita me dijo cosas muy buenas de mi ninho. Asi que como no, eso me alegra mucho. Todas las senhoritas con las que me encuentro me dijeron que se esta adaptando muy bien, se une al grupo y hace lo que los demas hacen, habla, comparte, y aprende las cosas rapidamente, es facil ensenharle cosas, es incredible. Estoy muy agradecida a las senhoritas y terapeutas de Florida, porque son su ayuda y los esfuerzos de Luca y la parte que me corresponde, lo hemos hecho possible, esta progresando muy bien.

And our life here is great, I am loving it all, I wish my friends and family were closer, but other than that, I am enjoying the weather, the sun, my apartment, the excitements of life, like the three kings, and I even got to make a three kings roll and share it with friends. I have even had friends over twice!!! And I am making friends (online for now but hopefully soon in person) with people from St Louis. Life is good. And I think it all happened at the right time, maybe earlier or later wouldn’t have been as good as it is now, just good timing.

Y nuestra vida aqui es extupenda, me encanta, me gustaria que mis amigos y familia estuvieran mas cerca, pero por lo demas, disfruto del tiempo, del sol, de mi apartamento, de las emociones de la vida como los reyes magos, e incluso llegue a hacer un roscon de reyes y a compartirlo con amigas. Incluso he tenido amigos en casa dos veces ya! Y estoy hacienda amigos (en interenet por ahora pero espero que pronto los conozca en persona) con gente de San Luis. Que vida mas Buena. Y creo que todo esta pasando en el momento adecuado, ni antes ni despues hubiera sido tan bueno, es el mejor momento.

And some images…of the three kings morning…

Y algunas imagenes de la manhana de reyes…

Of my carpenter to be:

De mi futuro carpintero:

And of the three kings roll:

Y del roscon de reyes:

New life

Hi everyone! And happy new year!

I have decided to sit and write here tonight so I can start all over with the blog. We are finally settled in our new city and our new home and our new life, and even though we miss dearly our friends from Florida, we are happy here and I am looking forward to what our future holds for both of us here. Luca is being a good sport about getting used to the changes, and although once in a while says he wants his old house, he is having fun here with me, the new school, and the snow! Yes, we are enjoying COLD weather, seriously cold, but it hasn't bothered me so far, I have enjoyed it, and I am not complaining about it. I would appreciate it if once in a while it was above freezing, but other than that, we bundle up and we are ready to go!

Hola a todos! Y feliz anho nuevo!

He decidido sentarme y escribir aqui hoy para poder empezar de nuevo con el blog. Por fin estamos en nuestra nueva ciudad, nuestro nuevo hogar, y aunque echamos mucho de menos a nuestros amigos queridos de Florida, estamos felices aqui y con ganas de ver lo que nos augura el futuro para los dos. Luca esta siendo un campeon en lo que respecta al cambio, y aunque de vez en cuando me dice que quiere su casa antigua, se lo esta pasado bien conmigo, con el cole nuevo, y con la nieve! Si, estamos disfrutando de un tiempo FRIO, muy frio, pero no me ha molestado de momento, lo he disfrutado y no me quejo. Me gustaria que de vez en cuando la temperatura subiera por encima de los 0C, pero a pesar de eso, nos abrigamos bien y estamos listos!

The three kings haven't managed to find me home just yet, but they will, soon, and the camels will get their food (since there are no plants alive out here maybe some nuts) and the wine will be ready for the kings. Luca is looking forward to their visit, in the meantime, we enjoy life by ourselves.

Los reyes magos no se las han arreglado para encontrar nuestro hogar, pero lo haran, pronto, y los camellos recibiran su comida (ya que no hay hierba viva por aqui fuera les daremos unos frutos secos) y el vino estara listo para los resyes. Luca esta deseando que lleguen, mientras tanto, nos divertimos a la nuestra.