the mommy’s signature drink: Glamorous Imperial Cocktail

It’s New Year’s Eve and it is time to celebrate! Although I only drink occasionally, in view of the fact that I’m a mommy now; I will make an exception tonight in moderation of course. When the hubby and I were first married we rented a little shack that came with a very tremendous bar; so needless to say we both became pretty good bartenders while living there. So to commemorate 2009, I will share the recipe to my signature drink the Glamorous Imperial, which is my twist on the Kir Imperial.

Glamorous Imperial Cocktail

1 ounce* Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
1 ounce Pineapple Juice
½ ounce Malibu Rum
Champagne (I prefer Gaetano D'Aquino Asti Champagne only $5.99 at Trader Joe’s)
Fresh berries for garnish
*1 ounce = 1 shot

Place Chambord, pineapple juice and rum in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, then strain into a martini glass or flute. Top off with champagne and add a few berries for garnish.

San Diego Day Trip: Extraordinary Desserts

After our wonderful tour of Balboa Park, we decided that it was time for something sweet. Maribel, our resident San Diegan suggested we try Extraordinary Desserts in Little Italy before heading to Chula Vista to see her new abode and let me tell you; this place is what dessert dreams are made of! The atmosphere was Zen-sophisticated and comfortable. Everything looked amazingly delicious, so we all tried something different and now we are officially addicted to this place. When day tripping in San Diego; visiting Extraordinary Desserts is a must (you may even see us there)!

Extraordinary Desserts

1430 Union St

(between Ash St and Beech St)

San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 294-7001

JD checking out Maribel's new place

San Diego Day Trip: Balboa Park

Our second stop in San Diego on Sunday was Balboa Park (visiting this park has become a San Diego day trip tradition). It is the nation’s largest urban cultural park. Balboa Park is home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the San Diego Zoo.

Balboa Park Visitors Center
1549 El Prado
San Diego CA 92101
Phone: (619) 239-0512

Balboa Park

Botanical Building

Monarch Caterpillar

JD and Auntie Mari

JD and Tia Maribel

JD and his Aunties

Walking Wings

About a week ago JD discovered his knees and with this discovery he has come to understand that with a little determination he can stand on his own. He has already mastered walking in his walker (on grandma and grandpa’s lovely hardwood floors) and every time we try to sit him down he thinks its time to climb and walk. So this little apparatus is really handy in aiding JD on his newest mission, “walking” (thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lopez for sharing this great invention).

Walking Wings

$24.99

Target

Babies"R"Us

OneStepAhead

Help your baby learn to walk, the safer, more comfortable way! This unique harness allows baby to balance naturally and hands-free, for fast-growing confidence — without falling. It's healthier for baby's shoulders (no tugging on little arms) and kinder to your back (no more bending over!). With long, adjustable parent's straps and a soft, padded vest that fits 19"-26" chests. For babies 6 months and older.

JD strutting his stuff

San Diego Day Trip: Mama Testa's Taqueria

This Sunday was our last day trip of 2009 and we visited so many great places in San Diego that I actually need to make this post a three part series.

Our first stop was Mama Testa Taqueria in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego. Mama Testa's Taqueria has earned a reputation and a good one at that! After watching Chef and owner Cesar face and beat Bobby Flay in a “Fish Taco Throwdown,” we had to try these tacos for ourselves. I personally had the fish tacos and they were crunchy and seasoned perfectly they came with a side of black beans and rice which I really enjoyed. Mama Testas is a little pricey (for tacos) but if you're looking for authentic Mexican cuisine in San Diego, this is the place to go.

Mama Testa
1417A University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone:(619) 298-8226

JD and Mari waiting for "Tacos" 

my yummy taco plate 

Gabi enjoying her tacos

Our Chritmas!

This year God has blessed us with so many gifts, the gift of a loving family, the gift of good friends and the most wonderful gift of all, a beautiful son; all these gifts, too grand to wrap in a box with a bow. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with the ones they cherish and may God continue to bless us all in the New Year. Christmas has now come and gone, but these memories will last a lifetime. 

 

JD helping mommy wrap gifts

Christmas Eve

 

  

Abu and Aba opening their gift

 

JD and his new Laptop

Christmas Morning

JD's gift from Nino and Nina

 

Eve and JD on Christmas day

Grandpas Birthday Brownie

(Christmas night)

 

JD loves to chase Olive around

  

Where's JD

Time to play

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas

from our family to yours

the daddy, the mommy & JD

It's Cristmas Eve!

I know, I said I wasn’t hosting Christmas dinner; but that didn’t stop my family from convincing me to host Christmas Eve dinner, even though I’m not the one cooking. My mom is babysitting JD today, because the hubby and I both work (we work in healthcare and hospitals never close), so we agreed that it would be easier for my mom to cook her delicious Dominican fare at our place. Being true to my love of food though, I will be making appetizers and dessert, here is one of recipes, I will be creating tonight.

Cranberry Baked Brie

• 1 wheel brie cheese (8-12 ounces)
  
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup cranberry sauce 
• assorted crackers or bread rounds 
  
  
  
  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove outer wrapping from brie wheel. Using a very sharp knife, remove the rind from the top of the wheel only, leaving the rind on the sides and bottom intact. Place brie in a shallow pie plate or casserole dish that is slightly bigger than the brie itself.
  

  
  

  Spread the cranberry sauce over the top of the brie, to within 1/4 inch of the edge all the way around. Bake brie in the preheated oven until heated through; about 12-15 minutes.
  

  
  

  Serve in the casserole dish or transfer carefully to a serving plate. Serve warm with crackers or bread.
  

  Makes about 12-14 appetizer-sized servings.
  

Our Christmas Ornaments!

We received our Christmas ornaments over the weekend and they are so cute. Needless to say, I did change my mind about JD's ornament and picked one that said Baby's 1st Christmas!

Our first family ornament

JD's first Christmas ornament

Daddy helping JD hang his ornament

Our Family Portraits

A few weeks ago we took our first family portraits at JCPenney Portrait Studio in Lakewood and I finally had a chance to post them; just in time for Christmas.