Category: Inspiration

Easy, Delicious Smores Waffle Cones
This dreary January weather has me dreaming of warm sunshine, sandy toes, and summer traditions. So I’m throwing it back to one of my favorite memories to chase away the winter blues.

Every summer, our crew heads to Horsetooth Reservoir, where we stay in cozy lakefront cabins. It’s become a beloved family tradition—20 to 30 of us packed in with beach towels, card games, and enough snacks to feed a small army. The kids spend hours playing on the beach while the adults catch up over cards and campfire stories. It’s pure joy.

Before each trip, I do what every snack-loving mom does—I hit Pinterest. And this year’s find? S’mores Waffle Cones.

Yes. You heard that right.
S’MORES. IN. WAFFLE. CONES.

It’s basically everything that is good and right in the world:
- Waffle cones
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate
- And a ridiculous amount of candy
We went all in with:
Oreos, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Cherry Nibs, Peanut M&Ms, chocolate chips, and pecans.

We let the kids go wild filling their cones, then wrapped them in foil and placed them over the fire. A few minutes later—magic.

Messy? Yup.
Ooey-gooey? Oh yeah.
Absolutely delicious? 100%.

The kids were thrilled, the adults were sneaking seconds, and yes—we’ll definitely be making these again. Next time, we’re throwing gummy bears into the mix. Because why not?

Summer can’t come soon enough.
January 7, 2025
Christmas Memories

Growing up, Christmas was magical, no denying it. To start the giddy, months-long anticipation, one of my favorite activities was going to my Grandma’s house and going through her huge JC Penney and Sears Catalogs. I absolutely loved going through every page of the girls clothing and toys. I would circle everything I wanted! It’s funny to think that as time went on, each year I would limit myself more and more. One year, I could only circle two things on each page, then I did it, I made myself choose only 1 thing from each page. So funny to recall.

I remember going to the mall with the entire family, splitting up at times to shop for each other. We would see movies, play in the arcade and grab some food. Such good memories. Stores would be decorated to the hilt along with the corridors of malls, the big stores still put up huge window displays back then. I remember there would always be a school choir singing in the middle courtyard too.

My parents would buy us several smaller gifts, clothes and then they would always have one huge present from Santa. The big presents were always out and assembled by the tree Christmas morning. I loved walking out to that! One year I got a Holly Hobbie Play Kitchen, HH Lunchbox and HH Colorforms!

Found some pictures, you have to love the internet! How cool is it that we can see pictures of toys from our past?

photos courtesy of eBay

Another year it was a yellow banana seat bike with handle bars strings and everything!

Here is a picture I found courtesy of Pinterest

I loved that bike! Then I left it out in the driveway overnight and someone stole it! A lesson my kids hear about often!

Family

Christmas Eve was always spent at my Uncle’s house, then Christmas Day was split between the two sets of Grandparents. It’s interesting, I just realized this tradition still lives on in my own family now. Christmas Eve always involved traditional New Mexican Spanish fare. It is a night filled with family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Carne Adovada, Frijoles con Chicos, Tortillas, Sopapillas, Pork Green Chili, Posole and more! Christmas day was always about traditional American fare, ham, roast, potatoes, veggies and pies. I remember my dad’s mom used to always put out the most beautiful ribbon candy. I haven’t seen that yummy delicacy in years.

I am very grateful for the precious memories I have and I pray that I am giving my children special memories to hold onto and to bring to mind each Christmas Season. Our Christmas’ of late have been about celebrating the true reason for the season, Jesus. His birth was the hope of God coming down, in the flesh, the only king to truly humble himself. It is my prayer also that my children carry on that tradition with their families. Pausing, praising, worshiping and thanking God for all we have and all He has done.

December 13, 2024
Manitou Springs Colorado Field Trip

One of the things we love most about living in Colorado is how much variety we have right in our backyard—plains, mountains, foothills… take your pick. There’s always somewhere new (or familiar) to explore.

One of our favorite spots? Manitou Springs, just west of Colorado Springs. It’s a quick, easy drive—just over an hour from home—and always worth the trip.

This past year, we visited the Cliff Dwellings and Museum, and invited some good friends to tag along. We had the best time! The kids were all in—climbing, exploring, soaking it all up. We had actually visited the year before with a school group, which was fun in a totally different way, but this time felt more relaxed and personal. Everyone loved it both times!

While we were in town, we also checked out one of the natural spring fountains. Cold, fizzy, and definitely a unique experience! It’s one of those quirky little things that makes Manitou Springs special—and a must-visit on our Colorado adventure list.

The Cliff Dwellings are just minutes away from downtown Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs is located in the foothills of the great Rocky Mountains, it is just a little way away from Pikes Peak! Did you know that Katharine Lee Bates wrote America the Beautiful while she attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs? It is believed that she wrote several lines after visiting the top of Pikes Peak!

The Cliff Dwellings were home to the Anasazi people at one time. Read more about them HERE.

While at the Cliff Dwellings, the kids had an opportunity to grind corn the way the native people would have. I explained that they would have needed a large of amount of corn in their everyday life. The boys could not believe how hard people had to work for just one simple staple.

The actual dwellings are laid out really well to keep you flowing right along. They also have signs along the way to give you the history you are looking for.

There is a fantastic overlook complete with the super-fun, quarter-per-view binocular machine things. 🙂

Kids love looking through those!

Inside there is a awesome gift shop and a museum display area. Lots to learn! Self-paced too, just the way we like it!

Outside, there is also a huge teepee! The kids love this part!

After we left we headed to the main square and playground in Manitou Springs. They have a few natural spring water fountains in town and we went to Seven Spring Park:

We brought along some kool-aid mix and lemonade mix, I think Oliver’s face says it all:

Although, I liked it, it’s just like flavored sparkling water. The kids loved the park and playground, we ate some good food and headed back to Denver. What a fantastic day with friends! We love Colorado!

January 5, 2016
Easy, Sweet and Salty: Pretzels, Kisses and M&M’s

It’s that time of year! But the truth is, these are a HIT year round! Time to start making goodies galore, passing out gifts, meeting with friends and enjoying the season of Joy! Who doesn’t love it all? I always want it to last even longer! Lights, hot drinks, games, laughs, love and time well spent with loved ones. What’s not to love?

For my family’s Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange, I decided to go with something super quick, yummy and easy on the wallet. I am a huge fan of sweet and salty together, it is a magical combination! I knew I could not go wrong with these. Next time though, for Christmas, I must only use Red and Green M&M’s!

Here is what you need, pretzels, Hershey Kisses, and M&M’s, note I do prefer the square pretzels (they look cuter) from Snyders but they were all sold out:

Preheat your over to 350. I covered my cookie sheet in parchment paper so I could just slide it off when I need to reload the pan. Worked great! Layout the pretzels, then place 1 unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss on each one.

Pop in the oven for 1 to 2 mins, they should look glossy when soft and ready. Once hot, start putting the M&M’s on top of the Kisses, they should push right down, nice and easy. Slide off of pan to cool. I put in the freezer for 10 mins also.

These are so easy & delicious. I like this kind of treat. Especially in this season of younger kids, a busy schedule, and lots of gifts to give, these are perfect for any occasion, gift or snack!

They went fast at the cookie exchange, next year I am going to make 2x the amount. Everyone loves these. I also made a batch for all the neighbors and my children’s teachers. 🙂

December 18, 2015
OK Go – I Won’t Let You Down – Coolest Video Ever

This is fantastic, amazing, creative and quite a feat!! Shot in ONE take too! Amazing!

FUN, RIGHT!?!?!

Check out the interactive version of the video at http://iwontletyoudown.com

Buy the video here: http://smarturl.it/IWLYDVideo
From the album Hungry Ghosts, out now in North America on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/HungryGhostsiTunes

LYRICS:

I won’t let you down, no I won’t let you down. I won’t let you down, my love.

Nikki, she’s got no flag to fly, but she don’t seem to mind that much, no she don’t seem
to mind.
And you, you’ve got your armor on. Nights out in babylon, yeah, nights out in babylon.
But maybe all you need is someone to trust, maybe all you need is someone.
And I won’t let you down, no I won’t let you down. I won’t let you down, my love.
I won’t let you down.

Now Emily’s got no tricks to try, but she don’t seem that much to mind, no she don’t
seem to mind that much to me.
And you’ve got what the whole world wants, so strap that armor tighter on, double on
down like it’s gonna make you free.
But maybe all you need is someone to trust, maybe all you need is someone.
And I won’t let you down, no I won’t let you down. I won’t let you down, my love.
I won’t let you down.

CREDITS:

Creative Director: Morihiro Harano
Art Director: Jun Nishida
Director: Kazuaki Seki and Damian Kulash, Jr.
Choreographer: furitsukekagyou air:man

Cameraman: Makoto Okuguchi
Lighting: Akiyoshi Irio
GRIP: Takashi Taniguchi
DIT: Taito Oyama
Multi-Copter Pilot: Kenji Yasuda
Stylist: Kazuki Yunoki
Hair Make: Asuka Fujio
Sound Operator: Isao Yoshida
Location Coordinator: Kyohei Kitamura
Online Editor: Shunsuke Kakuuchi, Takashi Tanaka
Colorist: Shigeyuki Toriumi
Translator: Aiko Ishikawa, Ryuzo Tsutsui, Sumire Matsumura

UNI-CUB: Kazuyuki Iwata, Hirokazu Hara, Shinichiro Kobashi, Makoto Hasegawa
Mass Games Design + Previsualization: Daisuke Sasaki, David Robert, Munechika Inudo, Yoshifumi Sadahara, Gilles Brossard
Interactive: Ryo Tsukiji, Kousei Motoyoshi, Nobuaki Arikata, Kenshiro Nakashima, Junichi Arakawa, Masanobu Ishii, Yusuke Kitani
Making-of: Makoto Kubota

Assistant-director: Hideaki Jinbo
Production Manager: Satoshi Miyata
Agency Producer: Shiro Miyamoto, Naoyuki Masuda, Misato Tachibana
Producer: Mitsuru Yamamori

Cast: OK Go
Cameo: Perfume
Special thanks to: the school girl dancers and Honda

April 3, 2015
Good Friday – It’s Friday but Sunday’s Comin’

Who doesn’t love this? I remember the first time I saw it at church, as a new believer. I was moved to tears, my breath was taken away at the end. So moving. This is what He did for you and me. Everyone around was scared and frightened. But they didn’t know what was going to happen on Sunday. It’s what I need to remember when I get bogged down in unnecessary worldy things. That it’s only Friday, Sunday’s coming! Jesus will return to redeem us, to heal, to conquer, to get us. Amen.

Looking forward to Resurrection Sunday, rejoicing that He was raised from death into life, just as He does for us.

He is RISEN! He is RISEN indeed!

April 3, 2015
Love: 1 Corinthians 13 Printable

Love: 1 Corinthians 13 Printable

One of the all time best verses on Love. For it is convicting, I made this printable to hang up by my desk. Hope you enjoy it too. Click the picture below to open the PDF to print.

November 9, 2014
Breaking the Weight Loss Plateau – Change it Up

I am at 38 pounds lost which means, I broke the plateau! What did it take? A change up in my exercise routine, just like everyone told me! I started with swimming and water aerobics. Felt so good to get in the pool and swim in the water. Another thing that I have started is working out in a new area of my Gym. They call it the Red Zone and it is full of super fun equipment to get your workout on. Resistance bands, medicine balls, cross cable machines, rowing, tug of war ropes, and so much more.Here is a video taken in the Red Zone:

Post by Club USA.

I went in and did this Kettlebell workout. It was awesome! My legs got a really good workout.

August 15, 2014
My Weight Loss Journey – Plateauing

Created by MyFitnessPal – Free Weight Loss Tools

I have lost 33 pounds in the last 5 1/2 months. It feels great but I still have a ways to go. The problem: the last 6 weeks I am only losing .5 pounds a week! I guess this is what they call plateauing. I knew it would be coming sometime, everyone warns you. I am taking it in stride. My jeans are so baggy so I know that the weight is not always the best indicator.

People have mostly said that when you hit a plateau, kick up your workouts and change them up too. So that is what I am going to be doing.

Time to change things up!

I kicked up my workout and this week I plan on trying new things to shock my body back into gear. I have been doing the elliptical for 45 minutes, 3x a week and 25-35 minutes, 3x a week. I also do circuit training.

I am also interesting in taking one of the classes available at my gym, in an earlier post I stated that it was my desire to not start classes until I was in better shape. Well… I think now is the time!

Will let you know how that goes!

June 17, 2014
My Weight Loss Journey – Slowly but Surely

My new theme: Slow and Steady wins the race.

Since I started this journey, I have hit a wall of sorts. I have been losing a 1/2 pound per week for 4 weeks now. Frustrating to me but ultimately I know that losing it slowly will result in it staying off. I also need to consider that I have been strength training and building muscle. MOST importantly, however, is discipline.

I have thought about it and ultimately it was a few factors that have led to the slow down in weight loss recently.

1. Illness – Our family went through a round of a nasty colds and it put me out of commission. I did not work out for 5 days straight, that killed me. I was so afraid of getting out of the swing of things… and then I did.

2. Parties – Tis the season of parties. I had 3 parties and a dinner out. At the parties I scooped up the potato salad, pasta salad, chips, even soda pop! I was remorseful later but at the time I kept telling myself that it was a party and to enjoy myself. I need to remember that enjoying myself should not be predicated on eating. Will need tons of self-discipline for this Summer season. There is always fruit. I need to stick to that and to lean protein only. Nothing else is needed, at least for me.

3. Temptation – This can go along with #2 but I am specifically talking about having junk food in my house. There is no need. Yet, this past weekend we ended up with soda, candy, chips and donuts. The good stuff…right? Wrong! We really did have it all. And yep, I really ate some of it all. Bad idea. The solution for now: NO junk food in the house! My kids do not need it, my husband doesn’t need it, and I certainly do not need it.

I am back 100% starting yesterday, even had a great workout. Drinking lots of water with lemon and lime today, will eat light and have another great workout tonight. Onward! Looking forward to the 30 pound mark, only 1 pound to go!

May 21, 2014