Bellablog

Dad and Me and the Man and his Cart

Today I did something I haven't done in a while!  I opened the fridge and staring back at me was the coconut I had bought at the store last weekend.  I bought it with the intention of toasting it and using it to top an undetermined dessert in the near future.  I saw the coconut today and my mouth watered, I just had to have it all to myself, right here, right now.  I whacked at the top with a knife just enough to reveal a bit of weaker shell at the top, made a hole all the way through and popped in a straw.  With the first cold sip of coconut water I was catapulted back to my childhood, to a little ritual I had with my Dad.

My sis, Heidi, did not like coconut water so this little outing was always a guilty pleasure for me, it was something I had all to myself with my Dad!  I remember riding home from school in Dad's car when he would sometimes look over and ask if I wanted to get some agua de pipa.  The answer was ALWAYS yes!  We would drive down past the house and pull over on the side of the road.  There, under a little umbrella, was always the same man with his refrigerated cart full of very large, very cold coconuts.  Dad, who said this man had the coldest in the area, would order two and in a matter of seconds we would be sipping our coconut water in the blazing heat while standing on the side of road by the ocean. 

For those few minutes the traffic whizzing past did not bother me, the hours of homework and studying that awaited me were not foremost in my mind.  Here we were, Dad in his work guayabera, me in my school uniform standing there chatting and drinking and comparing to see who got the colder coconut. It was always, to me, a perfect moment.

So while today I was standing alone in my kitchen in Los Angeles, with my dad thousands of miles away, and the little man and his cart nowhere to be seen, I was taken back to those afternoons and my heart was filled with memories and warmth and I had to smile to myself...

Thank you, Come Again

With the release of the much anticipated The Simpsons Movie, several 7-11s across the U.S. have been transformed into Kwik-E-Marts complete with pink donuts, squshies and in some cases even an Apu or two.  That is how we were able to, for one afternoon, suspend reality and step into the animated world we've all enjoyed for so many years. 

After visiting our little piece of Springfield, we went to see The Simpsons Movie and it did not disappoint! Hearing all the familiar voices in surround sound was quite surreal!  We were pleased to see the animation stood up to the big screen and the storyline was both funny and touching.  If you are a fan of the show, I highly recommend the movie.  Oh, and stay for the end credits to hear Maggie's first word!

Nobody knows where Springfield actually is, but we had fun playing pretend for one afternoon! Pics:  WOO-HOO!

Snail Mail Surprise!

We live in a world of emails and blogs and electronic birthday cards and text messages and most days I don't know what I would do without it.  But then there are those days when, through the slot, along with bills and junk mail and catalogs you never subscribed to you see a familiarly sized envelope with your name on it.  You scan it quickly to make sure it isn't some clever marketing ploy and then you see the name on the upper left hand corner and the smile that spreads across your face can be seen for miles.  Someone has sent you some good old fashioned "snail mail".  Today I received a card from Heidi that totally blew me away.  I ripped open the envelope and saw a custom made card just for me with the most touching message.  My heart swelled with warmies and I was overcome with a feeling of joy and longing. 

Technology has allowed us all to stay in touch in our day to day lives through the years and I am forever grateful, but nothing beats a good old fashioned envelope with your name on it!  Heidi, you made my day...thank you so much for one of the most beautiful cards I have ever gotten!

When Hubby is Away...it's Girlie day!

This weekend Austin went up to Owen's River to fish with his dad and brother in law.  I was not completely looking forward to a weekend of more packing all by my lonesome.  Luckily I was rescued by my good friend Angela Skirianos!!  Ski and I became friends while attending SVA in New York.  Since then, Angela has become a very succesful photography teacher in the Bronx.  At least once a year I get a text to my phone:  MICHELLE!  In LA!  Dinner tonight?  I reply: ANGELA!! YEY! What time??!!! And the answer is usually: Stinking Rose 7pm!  And we meet for a lovely evening of dinner and laughs and catching up where I always get to meet a new friend of Ski's ('cause she rarely travels alone).  This time I got an added bonus, a whole day of just Angela and me!  We met down in Laguna for lunch, a ride to the Top of the World, a walk to the beach and tons of laughter.  I had a really great day Ski...when hubby is away...it's GIRLIE DAY!

Happy Birthday!

There is no truer and no more faithful friend than Gabriel, I am truly lucky to have him as my friend and my brother.  Te quiero mucho Gabs, happy birthday!

All about Hailyn!

Hailyn Elizabeth Mutrie was baptized today!  We joined her parents, Shelley and Michael, in Huntington Beach and spent a beautiful day devoted to this little angel.  Click here for pics!

4th of July Goodies!

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Not only is it Claudia's birthday, it's also the fourth of July!  Today the USA is 231 years old....how old is that in dog years?  Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Happy Birthday Old Friend

Ten years ago when I met Austin, I had the great fortune of also gaining one of the greatest friends I will ever know.  To our ever faithful and truly loved Claudia, Happy Birthday my friend, I love you!

P.S.  Still lookin' good at 105!

Bring on the Briouats

After several years of shying away from cooking Moroccan food in our home, Austin and I have given it a shot.  We always thought it would be too tedious and labor intensive, but we were wrong!  We bought a tagine and have been making some very yummy dishes in the past weeks!  Tonight we made a green salad and then simply grilled some chicken with Moroccan inspired flavors such as cumin, coriander, garlic, honey etc. It was with the side dish that we got creative!  We made some lamb briouats and they were fantastic!  The lamb mixture has a great flavor and the outer pastry is crispy and flaky, you can't have just one! They are easy to make and not too bad for ya (the recipe comes from a cookbook called Fresh Moroccan with over 80 healthy recipes). 

As I was folding the neat little triangles I was taken back to my childhood kitchen.  Chris would make her special and very sought after Greek tiropita for dinner parties or get togethers and she would always let us help!  I would roll up my sleeves and stand on a stool and scoop and fold and brush and scoop and fold and brush.  I always felt so pleased when people would gush over the flaky snacks knowing I had helped create them.  Give these briouats a try, if you've got some little ones in your home you can let them help too!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Ingredients:

1tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 tsp. ground cumin

3.4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp black pepper

8 oz ground lamb (you could also use beef)

3.4 tsp salt

3 heaping tsp each chopped cilantro and parsley

5 sheets filo pastry, or as needed

1 egg yolk, beaten

peanut oil for brushing

Heat a large skillet.  Add the oil, onions, and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3-5 minutes.  Season with the cumin, paprika and pepper and stir well.  Then add the lamb and salt and cook the meat for 3-4 minutes, stirring, to brown thoroughly.  Continue to cook until any liquid has almost evaporated but not dried out.  Just before the end of cooking time add the cilantro and parsley.

Fold the filo sheets in half and cut strips 2 1/2 inches wide.  Keep the sheets you are not using under a wet cloth. Take one heaping tsp of the meat mixture and place in the corner at the narrow end of one filo strip.  Fold this corner up and over on the diagonal to make a triangular shape, then keep folding left and right until there is just one fold to go.  Moisten the end of the filo with the beaten egg yolk, make the last fold, and lightly press on the triangle to seal.  Repeat with the remaining filling and filo. 

Brush lightly all over with oil, place on non stick baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden.

Welcome to the Familia!

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILIA JACK!!