About Me

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I was motivated to start a blog by reading all the wonderful talented individual's who have blogs out there. So, I want to make this blog about everyone who reads it. My family and God always comes first in my life. I want to share my experiences and in turn, hope to get feedback and ideas from you. I love unique things, I adore anything that sparkles (not over the top though) I love decorating, cooking, gardening, photography and shopping. My number one passion is photography! To me it becomes more than a picture, it can become a piece of art, or a beautiful memory. Decorating, though I am not a professional, and don't claim to be, has been a part of my life since I was very young, and just love searching and shopping for new ideas and incorporate the old, such as Mid-Century Modern and Hollywood Regency with contemporary. Living close to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, and being of Hispanic heritage, I love cooking Mexican food, and love to share my authentic recipes. Though I live in Florida, my heart is in the desert southwest, and hope that my family and I will return there very soon…keep your fingers crossed that my prayers are answered SOON!!!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Heat it up...

Beautiful, relaxing and cozy fire-pits

Glass fire-pit, hot and cool

Love this fire-pit and with Diamond Head in the background, perfect!
Just simple and elegant

Cozy
Romantic
Simple but yet so pretty
Perfect for a nice family gathering

Love the view

Exotic

Over looking the Pacific Ocean

High in the Western Mountains

One style of a Molinillo and a yummy picture of the wonderful hot Mexican chocolate.


Ibarra Mexican Chocolate is made in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. In English it means "table chocolate". It is flavored from cacoa nibs (cocoa bean), almond and cinnamon. One way to prepare it and I found to be the best is to add:

1 quart of whole milk
10 ounces Ibarra chocolate (the chocolate is shaped in little wedges)

Bring milk to a boil, reduce the heat, add the chocolate, and use a Molinillo (Spanish for "little mill"), between the palms of your hands and and make a twisting type motion until the chocolate becomes frothy. If you are really brave, you can add a pinch of chili powder, or if it's really cold out a little vanilla rum or vodka. I prefer it simple and with maybe a little whipped cream on top. Sit back in front of a nice fireplace or fire-pit and enjoy!

OK...for you lucky people out there that actually has cool weather, and fall is in the air...this is for you and for us living in Florida or other areas of the country that it still feels like summer, hope to follow soon!
One of my family's favorite things to do in the last fall and winter is sit in our back yard in front of a warm fire-pit and roast marshmallows and sip on some hot Mexican chocolate, and yes, watch the swaying of the palm trees blowing in the cool breeze. So, I've attached a few of my favorite pictures of fire-pits, and a recipe of some of the greatest hot chocolate there is. Once you try it, you may not be able to go back to just plain hot cocoa or chocolate.