Our taste buds went to Spain.

This past weekend some friends and I decided it was time for a paella party. Some years back I had no idea what a paella was. Since then I have been introduced to this amazing dish, thanks to the fact that I have 3 brothers that served a mission in Spain. It has now become one of my favorite dishes.

The ambiance, the food, the freinds, all came together for a splendid evening.

For a minute, I forgot that I wasn't in lovely Espana--but it was just as lovely.

Babies

{This documentary film is a must see on my list when it comes out. It's about babies, how could one not gush at the idea of that?}

Cabin Fever with Bourdain

My left eye keeps watering. My sinus' are clogged up. My nose is bright red and chapped from wiping and blowing. I hear echoing when I speak. I keep sneezing. All signs of a cold.

It started last Monday. I woke up feeling somewhat down and trodden.

I made a ridiculous decision. I went snowshoeing that night. I got sicker. By Thursday I was not getting better, in fact my cold was getting worse. Not the best of feelings. Friday morning I woke up and decided staying home in bed would be to my advantage.

I needed my best armor to combat this cold--trust me I was ready to fight this thing off.

I went to the grocery store, bought tons of fruit

The last few days have consisted of me doing the same activities.

Sleep. Eat grapefruit. Drink water. Watch Anthony Bourdain. Read. Sleep. Eat grapefruit...oh you get the picture.

Needless to say, it's not been too exciting these past few days. I would say my saving grace was Mr. Bourdain. Any of you who know me well know that I absolutely love watching his show on The Travel Channel. I might go as far as saying I have a bit of a crush on Mr. Bourdain. Trust me he is no hottie. It is his crass, dry sense of humor, honest personality that attracts me to him and his show. I am a bit obsessed. He travels to far off exotic locations eating amazing cuisine and lets us into the culture along with his smart@#$ comments.

By Saturday night I had major cabin fever. I am always on the go and am not usually home. So to stay home since Thursday night was killing me. Even Mr. Bourdain was not doing it for me anymore.

Luckily there was a friends birthday party to get me out of the house.

Thank goodness I am on the mend now and thank goodness I had some good company.

Thanks Bourdain.

Bright colors, tan skin, it exudes Summer.

{Photos courtesy of The Sartorialist blog.}
The Sartiorialist was posting about all the hip fashion in Rio.

It's so fresh and beautiful that I swear I started hearing samba music ringing in my ear.

Alas I was reminded I was not in Brazil.

But I love this ladies style and I am looking forward to bright colors and tan skin.

About 5 months and counting until Summer is officially here...

{p.s. I am covetting her red dress.}

Sunday Dinners

I love Sunday dinners at my parents place.

I walk in, the windows are always fogged up from the many delicious things baking(my favorite being my mom's homemade rolls) and pots boiling or warming up on the stove top.

Everyone gathers together and we break bread together, talk about what the latest happenings are and just enjoy that it is Sunday, a day of rest.

I don't know where the future will take me, but if it takes me elsewhere, I know my heart will ache on Sunday evenings when us Santamaria's gathered together and just savored life.

{I just got a kick out of listening to a 3 year old reciting scriptures.}

Wise words to live by.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed

by the things that you didn’t do than by the things you did.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover."

-Mark Twain-

Snowshoeing

{Snowshoeing up Tibble Fork.}

I live for 3 day weekends because that is one more day of getting to do what I want to do.

Thanks Mr. King for the civil rights movement and years later for 3 day weekends so I could go play in the snow with my friends.