In my last post I forgot to include some more pictures from Art Basel. So before I forget again, I will start this post out with something to wrap your minds around!
A whip cracking and look there's even dirt on the ground!
This seems to last forever.
Suspended in air?
These Evan Penny silicone sculptures were so perplexing to the mind and the eye!
Every single person's mind was boggled.
These two pieces were hyper-realistic yet had an illusional twist. Definitely the buzz at this year’s Art Basel in Miami.
I spy a winning fruit combination.
That morning I tried Udi’s Banaberry flavor – for kids! Overall I really liked the granola except the freeze-dried strawberries threw me off. The banana chips were so good though because added a natural sweetness. I had the granola with a sliced banana, and Sunland’s caramel peanut butter.
After my mom and I got our groove on we came home, got ready, and I prepared something to bring to my mom’s friend’s birthday get-together.
My first time trying fava beans.
Mondo-sized beans!
Did you guys know that in Portugal a Christmas Cake called Bolo Rei (“King Cake”) is baked with a “Fava” bean inside. Whoever eats the slice containing it, is supposed to buy next year’s cake.
Favetta
I got this very simple recipe from The Accidental Vegetarian. Then when I was done I just poured in a small pool of olive oil and freshly cracked black peppercorns. Simon Rimmer recommends serving it with coriander seed flatbread but anything dippable will do.
Look at how nicely my mom's friend set the table up!
And someone was proud of the gingerbread house they put together!
Brie!
Mom & Daughter
Then someone kindly offered to take a picture for us so I didn’t have to bust out the stretch armstrong camera move.
A bit blurry but that's okay - my mom looks adorable!
I love this shot! Laughing is such a wonderful thing.
One of the ladies made a very pretty seafood pate decorated with roasted red pepper!
Everyone exclaimed how delicious it was and asked her to share the recipe. Since I don’t eat fish, however, I just took their word for it!
Latinas could talk forever, and I love it.
A group of gorgeous women!
I want a pretty birthday cake like that.
Did I mention that twins were celebrating their birthdays?
They haven’t celebrated together in 10 years! The one in the blue shirt lives in Colombia so it’s not often that they’re together on their special day.
Slicing the cake wedding style!
Of course Colombian coffee was a must.
I loved being around these women. They were so full of life and just enjoyed each other’s company. I’m pretty sure my tummy was sore from laughing at the hilarious stories they shared – lots of funny confessions too!
Greek yogurt!
The kind folks at Oikos offered some freebie coupons to me to try out some of their products. My first choice was the plain 0% tub of Greek yogurt goodness! I really enjoyed the texture of this yogurt because it was thick but still creamy. Sometimes I find that certain ones can have this strange fluffiness to them. Not to mention, this yogurt is organic meaning it’s authentic and just how Greek shepherds made their yogurt. They have other flavors like strawberry, blueberry, vanilla, and honey that I’m looking forward to trying out.
What a bright breakfast!
Yesterday morning I tried Udi’s original flavor made with “Thick-Cut Rolled Oats, Wildflower Honey, Canola Oil, Raisins, Banana Chips, Walnuts, Cashews, Almonds, and Pistachios.” I had it with a sliced banana, papaya and pineapple bites, and Oikos yogurt. Yuuuuum! I loved the variety of nuts and the dried fruits have this sweetness that I love. Oh, did you perhaps notice my little army?
Chocolate-covered gummi bears
I usually munch on these while I make my breakfast but this time I thought I would be polite and invite them to my favorite meal of the day.
I made a quick sandwich since I was going to be on-the-go!
Slice No. 1 = Sunland’s dark chocolate peanut butter. Slice No. 2 = Cherry preserves. Chocolate-covered cherries in sandwich form! I think I’m becoming a chocolate lover too! Actually, I think I already am!!! I just noticed that I have chocolate every single day. And I must say, life is good. My friend picked me up and we were off to some thriftstores!
We found some little treasures.
For the mysterious Elizabeth. Hmm... who could she be?
I tried on someone's old wedding dress.
And I had a reunion with zany little Madeline!
She turned into a Swedish girl and I shared some of my mood-changing lip gloss with her!
Later on I went to the bookstore to flip through magazines for ideas. Cookie ideas! Three-course meal ideas! By the way, I haven’t mentioned this but some time soon I will be hosting my first cooking clinic! It was going to take place this Wednesday but I think that may be too stressful. Anywho, I’m so excited! My mom has also been bugging me about making a Christmas list so I browsed through fashion magazines and fell in love with so many things. I have a feeling my list won’t be so hard to make! I don’t usually ask for presents though because I like to see the thought behind the gift. At some point my mom met up with me at the bookstore and we exchanged magazines and shared some cheesecake and a cappuccino. She always orders a cappuccino and I always steal some sips. But I love that she never minds. We lost track of time and before you know it my belly was telling me “I want dinner!” I was going to prepare something last night but I looked at the recipe and it called for two hours! So I just saved it for another day.
Instead I quickly put this together.
Have any of you tried Mestemacher bread? It’s a brand from Germany that makes all-natural, whole grain bread. Some don’t like it, but my family does! It’s especially delicious with cream cheese and raspberry preserves. Last night I had it with gouda, leftover vegan Caesar dressing, heirloom tomato slices, capers, and small bell peppers. These bell peppers were bursting with flavor!!! Gosh this just made me remember the fresh broetchen that was had every morning when I lived in Germany. German bread is so good! After my dinner I decided to relax and take a bubble bath.
Candles were lit.
The bubbles kept rising!
I poured so much of the bubble bath liquid in before I turned on the jets. So once those were turned on the bubbles went above my head. Santa Claus beard! Sometimes I think we forget about little things like bubble baths, cozy spots, or anything else. A friend of mine takes bubble baths almost everyday, and I think that’s a wonderful idea. Maybe for you it’s not specifically a bubble bath, it could be picking out a delicious recipe, or a morning stretch. Whatever it may be, may it bring you joy!
yumm i love fava beans! especially when it has been soaking in lemon juice and sprinkled with a little bit of salt! I havent had them in forever!
Getting married, are ya?
You look beautiful, as always, even if the dress isn’t yours.
Can I fly over there and we can have a chocolate-covered day where ALL we eat are chocolate-covered foods???
Those sculptures are crazy! I stared at the pictures, mind boggled as you said, for about a minute each. They are incredible!
Art Basel looked like a wonderful time.
And AH! German bread is incredible, German anything really. My dad just came back from a business trip in Germany and brought me goodies like potato chips, cookies, and even a baby apple.
Everything tastes so fresh!
Hehe, and as a fellow latina, I second that Latina women can talk and talk and talk!
Family get togethers are NEVER boring. My non-hispanic friends even love to come to our family reunions because they aren’t dull like others.
Its great!!!
Have a happy holiday, Katharina!
<3Karina
Hey! Looks like you are having a great time in FL! I love your use of the granola and that bean dip looks delightful. I always learn so much about other foods when I read your blog..your so creative! I actually have a few questions I thought maybe you could answer? Where did you get that backpack you always carry around? Those red shoes you worn to the farmers market a while ago? And do you ever wear braids in your hair yourself? Random I know but its so fun answering questions I thought you would love to answer!
xoxo
Maggie
STUNNING sculptures, perfect party, and beautiful bubbles!
Here’s to MORE joyful experiences!
P.S. – So interesting about the fava bean-type “King Cake.” Personally, I like the plastic baby tradition, haha.
Good luck with your first cooking clinic!! Don’t stress, just impress
i love the pictures of your family!! so beautiful
i LOVE bubble baths! that looks soo relaxing. i just love the pictures of you and your mom-so much love and close-ness in them!
that looks like such a fun partayy! i bet it is warm in flordia!! im SO jelous-but im not to far from you in SC
Beautiful celebratory set up. I love big get togethers.
Your bright breakfast is beautiful!!!! And so are you and your madre
I, too, just received some Oikos coupons and can’t wait to try them out!
…I have this weird desire to take a bath now, I wonder where it came from?
i lovelove love you!
“laughing IS such a wonderful thing”
and you caught that photo perfectly.
those sculptures.. amazing. i’d love to see them in person.
Fava beans in cake!? woah. whos buying cake next year!?? hehe
this post made me smile! your family is gorgeous and so are you
I am so jealous of that relaxing bath!
I <3 OIKOS TOO!
Especially the plain.
Happy Tuesday,
Katie
http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/2009/12/win-some-booty-slim-secrets-winners.html
great bubble bath! You’re brave for posting that. I posted myself in a bikini and got wayyyyy too many comments LOL
The Chocolate-covered gummi bears…WHERE did you find those??!! They are RIGHT up my alley!
And the choc spread you put on your sandwich bread…yum!
That party looks like so much fun
And bubble baths… ohhh I definitely need to start taking more of those. I’m also jealous that it’s so warm where you are… we’re buried in like 3 ft of snow here!
You are a doll!!!
What a fun party! And all of you beautiful Latinas look so fabulous together.
Okios is my favorite of all the Greek Yogurts. I believe its the most reasonably priced as well. The honey is so wonderful!
Enjoy your week my love.
Aww this post just made me so happy. I’m so glad to hear that you’re loving life, and glad that you reminded us to just cherish the small stuff and enjoy ours as well!
This post has taught me that I:
a) need cherry preserves
b) want to take a bubble bath!
c) am craving granola + oikos…(will fix that in just a sec!)
and d) your family is GORGEOUS!!!!
I love bubble baths for relaxing!! They are the best!!!
What a nice party your moms friend had, you and your mom are so cute!!! So great to see how much you love her!!!
That birthday cake looed so good, lots of chocolate going on there!!!!
Have a great night girl! xoxo
I’m pretty sure you are the only person on earth that could pull off that wedding gown
you are such a beaut!!
Awwwww just got your sweet comment!!
Wow so your mom had you young too, thats awesome, she did a great job, you are such a great girl, I can tell from reading!! SO awesome , because it is cool that I had him younger, I feel like my son and I are so much closer because of that : )
Oh girl Sakebombs yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I was in Miami right now!!!
The parfait was delish, I just love anything mixed in greek yogurt, yum!!
Have a goodnight!!!!!!
I want an army of chocolate covered gummy bears. Actually, an army of chocolate covered anything would suffice.
That art exhibit looked insane! Would love to see something like that one day. I really like the whip one!
You look gorgeous in that wedding gown.
Hahahahaha, I LOVED that you took a pic of yourself in the bubble bath! You should be in a commercial for it, you look so naturally glowing! Hee hee.
And BRIE! PLease tell me you had a big chunk for me!
If I ever get to meet you, we’re going to an art exhibition!
Oh yes! I love that brand of German bread too
!
wow amazing pict you look beatifull there,,,nice..
hehehe ohhh you make me want to try on wedding dresses and take bubblebaths. I love your spontaneity with your activities and recipes and whatnot. I find our love of food and fashion is quite similar, BUT, I tend to plan a lot out, in my head, etc.
I love the chocolate cake and bean dip (yet, you can hardly call it that.) in this post!
oh how i need a bubble bath! and maybe some chocolate covered gummy bears….
so many german goods!! yummy!
merry christmas to you my love!
i hope that by next christmas i have had the pleasure of meeting you
xoxo
The dip looks great, but I have to tell you I was drooling over the brie.
Oh wow, that bath looks to die for! Looks like you pampered yourself in style
And I’m glad you had a wonderful time at the party. I especially love the gingerbread house.
Hannah xo
omg those stretched faces do look wild! ive said it before (i think) but im SO jealous youre able to experienceall of those works! but i guess thats what an amazingly talented artist like you deserves:)
and those chocolate covered gummies look too adorable to eat!!
I love the laughing photo! Why do models always look so serious in fashion spreads? I truly believe that everyone looks beautiful when they are laughing.
The first thing I thought when I saw those fava beans was of Hannibal Lector… Creepy!
Rachael*
I love the art pictures!! That cake looks delicious!
I love that about my mom–she loves it when I steal bites of her food or drink, no matter how much she loves it herself. I guess it makes her happy to see me happy, and I try and return the selflessness when I can.
I love thrifting! Maybe one day we can go on a thrifting adventure!
You’re making me miss living in FL! (I used to live in Weston.)
I bought The Accidental Vegetarian at B&N today entirely because of you!
Have an amazing xmas!
What a wonderful post; I love the art, the gingerbread houses and the fava beans…that dip looks delicious…so yummy.
Keep up the great blogging in 2010! Happy Holidays.
Best,
The Healthy Apple
katharina my love! i love you and the strong group of women you are obviously surrounded by!
i hope you are having a wonderful time celebrating the holidays with your family – lots of love and hugs to you!
love all the art basel stuff…very cool. especially those silicone sculptures!
anddddd i LOVE that wedding dress! its so vintage with the lace…i am obsessed. you should keep it and get it tailored…just in case your special day comes sooner than you think
xoxox