Last post for the 7 Posts in 7 Days Challenge

Today ends the 7 Post in 7 days challenge.  I do not have really much to write today.  We went to the zoo and I am exhausted.  Our family enjoys going to the zoo.  It is one of our favorite places to visit as a family.  We always have a great time.

I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday.  World Youth Day 2013 is over but can you believe 3 million pilgrim went to the WYD Mass.  It is just moving to watch.  God bless Pope Francis and all the pilgrims at WYD2013.  I am excited about the next WYD 2016 in Krakow, Poland!

Here are come pictures of the giraffes at the zoo.  There is a new baby giraffe at the zoo.  My daughters were excited to see the new baby giraffe.  ¡Hasta luego!

Baby Giraffe 

Catholic Home Altar

I wanted to share with you our new home altar.  It took me a few months to find a secretary desk through craigslist that we all liked and was in our budget.  But we finally found one a couple of months ago.  We placed our altar in our formal living room which is the room we pray.  

My Tîa Rosi brought us the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe and candle from Guadalajara, Mexico.

One of the reasons I wanted a secretary desk is because it is high enough so little toddler hands cannot reach any statues or candle but low enough so they can see everything that is on the altar.  Plus there is enough room to store books or religious articles.  

Our dear friend Fr. Andrew who was here this past week blessed our new home altar.

So you see, you do not need much to make a home altar.  A home altar is a wonderful reminder not only for us adults but our children to see that God is everywhere, especially in our home.  A reminder to pray.  

¡Hasta luego! 

7 Quick Takes

--- 1 ---

The Seven post in seven days has helped me get back into the swing of blogging.  I am glad I join in the fun.  Only two more days!  What to blog about tomorrow?

--- 2 ---

I just started to read Wheat Belly, by William Davis, MD.  I have to say this book so far is an eye opener.  I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to eat healthier and go gluten free.  I bought the cookbook and I am looking forward to try some new recipes.  I will definitely be posting some recipes.

--- 3 ---

Our dear friend Fr. Andrew came to visit us this past week.  He blessed our new business location last Friday.  He blessed our business when we first opened up and now at our new location.  God is great!

--- 4 ---

My oldest daughter started taking violin lessons this summer.  She is really enjoying it.  I have to say she is doing a great job so far.  I was not sure if I should enroll her in piano or violin but I think the violin suits her.  She is a very patient and calm child.

I have to say having a child taking music lessons is work.  We have to practice at least 5 days a week for 20 minutes each practice.  This does not count her violin lesson with her teacher.  Thankfully we have time to practice when my youngest daughter naps.  I am not sure what we are going to do once my youngest stops taking a nap.  I guess we will cross that road when we get there.  Any suggestions?

These figures are outside her teacher's house.  Cute!

--- 5 ---

I have been trying to watch as much as I can of World Youth Day (WYD) 2013 on EWTN.  I wish I was in Rio.  It is moving to see all the pilgrims at WYD.  Pope Francis is just an amazing pope.  He really connect with the youth.  God bless him and all the pilgrims at WYD2013.

--- 6 ---

Please visit Catholic Vote 365 and make a pledge to make a difference.  What an awesome idea!  I made the pledge and so can you.  Tell your friends.  Let's make a difference!  

--- 7 ---

I can hear my little ones waking up.  I leave you with some inspiring words for all mothers.  Have a great weekend!  ¡Hasta luego!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Theme Thursday: Askew

This is my first Theme Thursday!  There are plenty of things askew in our home but I decided to go outside and take some askew pictures on this beautiful sunny day.

Our toddler slide is not in service.  I believe we have a nest of earwigs! No bueno.  

¡Hasta Luego! 

Five Favorites

I have to warn you this is my first Five Favorites post, so bear with me. 

~1~

One of my favorites things this week is the 7 post and 7 days challenge.  It is really keeping me on my toes.  Plus so many bloggers who have joined the challenge......there is so much to read!  Thank you Jen! 

~2~

One of my favorite moments today was taking my daughter to her violin lesson.  She really enjoys going to her violin lessons.

~3~

Did you have an item on your baby registry that you did not receive but you have always wanted? I did have an item that I did not receive and wanted, a baby carrier.  I know....but I guess my family is not a fan of the baby carrier.  My mom does not like it.  She is old school.  She used a rebozo.  I tried a rebozo but had a hard time with it.  So, I told myself when a baby carrier goes on sale and I mean a great deal, I will purchase it.  And that day came my friends, last week.  I purchased the ergobaby baby carrier.  I am one happy mama.

rebozo

My new baby carrier! 

~4~

Anyone a guacamole fan?  Do I have the recipe for you!  I have discovered Frontera's Guacamole Mix, from Rick Bayless.  All natural and no preservatives.  All you need is 3 avacados, fresh cilantro and Frontera's guacamole mix and you will have a tasty guacamole.  I have done this guacamole so many times and EVERY time it is a hit.  A must for all you guacamole fans.  You will thank me.   

~5~

One of my favorite red wines, every week, Alamos, Malbec.  Argentinian wine is just delicious.   

¡Hasta Luego! 

Baked Salmon Recipe--Gluten Free (Day 2 of Blogging Challenge)

I enjoy cooking but I would not say I am an iron chef.  My family enjoys my food so I guess I am doing something right.  But I am still a work in process.

A few posts ago I said I would share with you my baked salmon recipe.  So for day 2 of blogging challenge I have decided to post the recipe.  Here it is!  Finally.

What you will need:

• 4 Salmon Fillets 
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 tomatoes chopped
• 2 chopped shallots
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and thyme
• Foil for each salmon fillet

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Clean salmon and sprinkle olive oil, salt and pepper on each one.

In a bowl combine the tomatoes, shallots, lemon juice, oregano, thyme and 2 tablespoons of olive oil together.

Cut four pieces of foil for each fillet.  Drizzle olive oil on each piece of foil, place salmon on foil and wrap the ends of the foil (look at picture below).  Pour the tomato mixture evenly on each salmon.  

Once you poured the tomato mixture on each salmon, close the foil loosely and bake for about 25 minutes.  Bake until the salmon is cooked.  Once cooked, you can remove the salmon with a spatula and serve it on a plate.  

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the salmon on a plate.  We were hungry!  But it really is delicious.  I really do not like salmon that much because it can be dry but with the tomato mixture it comes out delicious and juicy.  Enjoy! 

7 Posts in 7 days, Oh my!

Yes, I have decided to join Jennifer in her 7 post in 7 days challenge.  I thought it would be great idea to join her in this challenge so I can stop procrastinating and start blogging again.

Life has been a little bit off schedule since my last post.  We have had family visit us from out of town, we moved our business to a new location, vacation and some sad news, my father was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer.  The good news is that his radiation treatment helped and he is feeling much better.  There is no cure for secondary bone cancer.  His spirits are down.  My parents live about an hour away from us but we do try to go visit him often.  If you could please keep my father in your prayers.  I would greatly appreciate it.

I have to say Jennifer picked a great week for the 7 day challenge, World Youth Day 2013!  A very exciting week for Catholics.  Make sure you stay tune with EWTN.   Have a great week!  See you mañana.

¡Hasta luego!