Tuesday, January 29, 2008

A True Prayer Warrior

Catalina Torres Rolon
Age 93
aka: Mama Catalina
This is the reason that we are a blessed family. This lady lives on her knees and prays for everyone of us. God has blessed our family with the priviledge of having such a prayer warrior with us for so many years. Now it's our turn, keep her in your prayers everyday for you are in hers.
Bendicion Mama.






Pic's from Tio Lou's house

Mom was reaching for oranges while Dave holds the branch down. Mama Catalina will not be out done. She actually was "jumping" for oranges.
93 years old..... AMAZING!!
Picture says it all.


Five Generations

We are truly blessed with having Mama around. This pic was taken at Tio Louis house the day we buried a saint...Titi Sara.
Five generations in this picture.

There are no BB's in my Gun!

Here is the classic video that would win $10,000.


Monday, January 28, 2008

More photos....

Three daper lookin dudes....

Baby photos

Someone said something about naked baby pictures... Well, I don't have any, but here are some photos of Jim and I. Since birth we have been joined at the hip.
Through it all, we've always been there for each other.


Sunday, January 27, 2008

Thank You

Next month our blog will be 2 years old.

Gracias to the familia for your participation, especially to the posters. You make us keep comin' back every day to see whaassup wit the fam. The latest addition of Miriam and Rosie will give us a much needed female perspective. Thanks to the family lurkers (readers) for checking it regularly too. When you're ready to jump in let me know. I'll set you up.

Until then, more recipes please :-O

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Another Family Addition (Surprise)

Most of you will be shocked to know that Jessica and I are also adding a new member to the Perez Family!!!!!!!

I know what some of you are thinking - "después de vieja" (b/c I know you know I still got it! -for the record). I digress, Anyway - NO NO. Let me explain.

I work part time for Kidspeace in their adoption division. I help prepare kids and adults for adoption. I helped Jarred for one a half years get adopted by his grandmother, which finalized last May 07. She died unexpectantly in June 07! When I found out, I called the County to see what would happen to little Jarred. To make a long story bearable, we were approved as foster parents with intent to adopt Jarred. Sooooooooooooo we now have the largest family among our cousins. Four children! The Lord worked the details out and our kids are excited and approved. Jarred moved in permanently last Friday, Jan 18. Here are some pics. His mother is blanquita and his father is Hispanic (not sure from where exactly). He is 5 years old and in kindergarden.






We'll keep you up to date. Pray with us.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

oh baby!



Thought this would be a good way to start off my contributions. I can't believe no one has beat me to this.





Polito and I are having a baby! I'm just over 8 weeks now and am due September 4, 2008. We are both so excited and I have been dying to share the news with everyone. I had my first ultasound last Friday and the baby is doing great with a strong heartbeat. They say the healthier the child, the sicker the mom. Oh Boy! I'll be sure to keep you updated over the next few months. Just don't try to play rabbit with my baby, ok.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Return of Michael Jackson !

How can we forget... The Return of Michael Jackson !

Monday, January 14, 2008

Rabbit

Here is a video that may explain... "What is Rabbit?"


Monday, January 07, 2008

"SURULLITOS"

My mother received tremendous pleasure in serving others. She especially loved having people praise her foods. She would always go out of her way to please everyone. As soon as she know that someone was coming over, she'd start thinking about what she could cook for them. She thought nothing about going to someone else's home, getting into the kitchen and preparing some of her "antojitos". One of her things was tweaking a recipe to add her touch. She didn't share that secret with anyone so that people would always admire her cooking. I have given up her secret herein since the actual recipe calls for 1 cup of water and no evaporated milk. The milk is what makes the surullitos come out smoother. Mom, forgive me for the indiscretion. I just don't want to die and take that secret with me.

I miss my mother more than words can say. Can you believe she's been gone for 6 1/2 years? I feel blessed that God let me have her all those years. I wish she was still here with us, but obviously God had other plans for her. I'm not here to question why. I accept His will for that is what faith calls for and I DO BELIEVE! I'm sure he didn't want her suffering and lingering for years and years like her parents did. Thanks to all for keeping her memory alive. It warms my heart everytime someone mentions her name. I can only hope to be remembered so fondly when He dicides to call me home.

So here is the recipe for her famous surullitos:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. salt
2 tsps. butter (or margarine)
1 1/4 cup corn meal
sugar to your liking

1. Mix the water, evaporated milk, salt and butter in a pot and bring to a boil. (DO NOT POUR IN SUGAR DURING THIS STEP SINCE THE SUGAR WILL MELT AND AFFECT THE END RESULT OF THE DOUGH.)

2. Once boiling, pour in the corn meal and mix rapidly until all the corn meal is moistened.

3. Place the mixture in a freezer bag or plastic bag and knead. Make sure to use a oven mitts or a towel to protect your hands for the misture will be very hot. Start pouring in the sugar in between kneading so that it will spread out evenly. Taste the mixture each time you add sugar to make sure the mixture is as sweet as you'd like it to be. Be careful not pour too much sugar in since this could affect the consistency of the dough.

4. Once the dough is to your liking and cool enough, spoon out about a table spoon at a time and rub it between your hand to form the shape of your liking. Avoid squeezing the dough tightly so that they will not be hard once fried. The traditional shape is oblong in the form of a cigar. I also like to make them in small ball shapes.

5. Heat oil in a pan and fry until golden yellowish/brown. Do not put them in the frying pan with cold old for they will break up.

6. Serve them hot although they are just as good once they are cold.

I prepare a dip for my surullitos. If you like to try that just pour some ketchup, mayonnaise and hot sauce to taste in a bowl and mix well. (Sorry for not giving the measurements. This is one that I prepare from memory and taste.) Dip the surullitos and enjoy.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Reminiscing

Per the dictionary the word means: to recall past experiences, events, etc.; indulge in reminiscence. Ah, the daydreams that one has of fond things from the past. This is a pleasure that each of us goes through especially when we have moved to other places. I find myself reminiscing about my years in Pennsylvania. Aside from thinking about my family a lot, I miss going to Dorney and Hershey Parks and to Zern's and to Quakertown, and to. . .well you get the point. People think that I'm crazy because I have Disney World in my back yard. The truth of the matter is, one always misses what one does not have readily available or accessable. Although, with the prices on the Florida Theme Parks, I'll probably start reminiscing about them too in the near future. Parking alone has gone up to $10.00. Ridiculous right?

Sorry, I got side-tracked. As I was saying about reminiscing. . . somehow remembering foods always slips into my moments. I used to think about Rita's Waterice.










Now there are a few in our Sunshine State. I have visited two of them. Although a little far from our house, the trip was done with pleasure and well worth it I might add.
A few weeks ago after having my mouth water over the thought of pretzels. I found my Philly Pretzel Factory and fufilled the needs of my taste buds. What a moment! Nothing like a hot pretzel right out of the oven with some yellow mustard.












Today I had yet another Philly moment. I had a Philly Cheesteak sandwich. Boy oh boy, was it good! The sandwich was full of meat. It had soooo much cheese that it was seeping out through the side of the delicioso "Amorosa" bread. They bring in the bread, meats for their sandwiches, some bottles drinks, and chips from Philly. My next visit to this place will be for a hoagie! I didn't have my camara with me so here a picture of the menu instead:




















What those in PA would wonder is . . . What's the big deal about a photo of a menu. Ah, but what a treat for us "born-again Floridians". Those of us who reminisce about PA, but don't want to move back. We love the state, but our hearts are where the warm weather is. Those of us would notice the bottom of the menu. That right y'all,. It a TASTYKAKE pie!!!!! Oh yeah, and I ate the whole darn thing too.
What's next for the food hound. I don't know. Anyone for Yum-Yum donuts or sticky buns?

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy New Year 2008 From Us To You



God has truly blessed us over the years. Kim and I want to wish a very properous and exciting New Year to everyone.
We are blessed with two of the greatest boys in the world
Eric and Ryan

And we are blessed with a beautiful daughter, Jess.


There has been tears of sadness and tears of joy.

But together we are a GREAT Family.

Love to all.

Today's Top Ten

Here is a Christmas letter I received this year from a friend. I thought I'd pass it onto you who could appreciate her thoughts...even if you don't know who she is talking about (we don't either), you get a true blessing of positive thoughts that she has inspired into this note. Enjoy, stay safe and Happy New Year!

I trust that as you receive this greeting, you find yourself packaged in faith, wrapped up in love, and adorned with hope for the coming year. 2007 has been a year of closure and rest after having personally negotiated one of the most challenging seasons of our lives. During this season of rest & reflection we have received tremendous refreshment & encouragement through the support & instruction of many friends & teachers, through whom we have learned and/ or re-learned many valuable life lessons. So I thought I might bless you with a few of the jewels of truth that have encouraged us this year.

Lesson 1: From _____ who after being diagnosed with cancer came to the conclusion that we don't have control over anything except what we eat, drink and think. A change in focus can turn desperation into inspiration.

Lesson 2: Life is just too sweet to be bitter

Lesson 3: From ____, a cancer patient facing the reality of eminent death: Never underestimate the importance of having fun.

Lesson 4: Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want something.

Lesson 5: Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.

Lesson 6: Decide early on whether you are a Tigger or an Eeyore.

Lesson 7: Our deepest pain will open the door of our heart to receive our deepest sense of oneness with God, with others and with ourselves- walking through that door demands acceptance, forgiveness and a willingness to receive healing love.

Lesson 8: The Principle of Resting on the Sevens: In quietness and rest is our strength. God created the world in 6 days...on the 7th day He rested. The land produces crops for six years, but on the 7th year it must rest and replenish or it will have no nutrients to pass on to it's crops. Our week has 7 days...Can you see where I'm going with this? A burned out "body" is no good to any "body".

Lesson 9: It's not our big achievements, but rather the simple, daily things of life and our attitude toward them that give life it's flavor.

Lesson 10: The truth is our lives are comprised of a series of moments. The grounding question is, "What are you doing with this one?"

God's Blessings to You