Turkey Day Birthday

Well, my birthday fell right on Thanksgiving Day this year. And yes, thanks to my friend Livia, I did get a new coffee maker. :) Thanks, L!

The first time my birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day was when I turned 4 and I can actually remember it. And it didn't bother me. But when I turned 9 it happened again and I was steaming mad. A little girl wants a birthday cake with 9 candles on top ...not a turkey with a big 9 candle stuck in it.

When I was little, I didn't have birthday parties because all my friends were out of town for the holiday. So growing up, the birthday was just not a big deal and over time it was actually fine with me. It bothered me when I was really young, but it didn't take me long to understand the importance of a low profile. I still celebrate, but it's low key.

So this year, I was hoping my Turkey Day Birthday would be a little under the radar. But it was not. My coworker, Nancy, decided to bake a cake for me. She did it on a Sunday night and took it to work the Monday after the holiday. I was so surprised! Then she opened the lid and I saw this:

I laughed so hard that I was wiping away the tears and almost couldn't breathe. Evidently, after icing the cake on Sunday night, the top layer of the cake split and slid down the sides of the bottom layer. To fix it, she decided to pre-slice the cake. But it didn't work and you can see the result. It was, by far, the most creative cake I've ever had! The best part was that it tasted awesome! Moist, chocolately goodness. And it didn't take long for word of the "eruption cake" to get around the office.

So my birthday was not exactly under the radar as usual. But what a way to make a debut!

Coffee Maker Funeral

Ok, so yesterday I discovered that my darling little 4-cup coffee maker bit the dust. This was a major bummer and here's why...

When I bought my house everyone told me I was crazy because I had never even lived alone. Why would single, little me buy a house? Truth is, that house swept me off my feet and we have continued our real estate love affair for almost 5 years now. In yo face, naysayers!

The downside of buying a house before you are married is all the expensive loot you must buy to make the house a home. I had no bridal shower or wedding reception to provide me with things like a toaster oven, a blender, real plates and, of course, a coffee maker. Plus, I had to adjust my spending for the mortgage. So I budgeted and slowly started buying stuff for the house. And every birthday and Christmas I was begging for a "house something." I hated sending out my Christmas wish list filled with things like an electric drill and a rake instead of Cynthia Rowley heels and a Yorkie-Poo. But over time, I was done and the "Pimp My House" years were gone.

Also, finding that perfect coffee maker was NOT easy. I needed a 4-cupper that was short enough to fit under my cabinet and no paper filter required - save a tree! And I didn't want a digital read-out because I want to unplug it after I use it - save energy! Of course, to match the kitchen, it needed to be white - save HGTV! A tall order, indeed! I called it my "Starbucks Tall Order!" But one magical day in 2003 I was in Target and found it *on sale* ...and yesterday, it died.

In the last 24 hours I have been to 3 stores and roughly 2,386 web sites. Still no replacement. I hope you have set aside some cash for a coffee maker. My birthday is in 2 weeks.

Some Things Never Change

I flew to the Panhandle to visit some friends and family. The Amarillo area is weird because there is a certain small town feel to it after all these years. I went to pick up my rental car on the other side of the airport and the worker just handed me the keys. He didn't check my paperwork, he didn't even ask my name. He just smiled, put my luggage in the rental and waved as I drove away. It was something right out of 1967 ...minus the whole racist/segregation thing.

I spent Friday at my Tía Susana's house in my old home-town and she showed me some of her awesome recipes. Albondigas, frijoles and home-made corn tortillas. Yummy! On Saturday, my buddy Livia and I decided to go back to my old hometown to see my Tía and hit the garage sales. We went to a local convenience store and looked for the newspaper but they, "didn't have it yet." It was 9:30 a.m. and there was no paper yet? WTF? We checked another store and there was nothing. Finally, at the 3rd store we were able to pick up a copy of Friday's newspaper! I felt as if I Livia and I were in the twilight zone. That crazy episode where it turns into 1967 once you cross the city limits of the small town.

On Sunday, Livia and I stayed in Amarillo and went out searching for some breakfast tacos. We went to a store and they only had bacon tacos. Yuck. This little Latina eats no pork so we had to try another store. The second store only had tortas at lunch. Dammit! Finally, the third store was the charm. I had to beg them not to put beef on mine. This little Latina eats no beef either! We felt like Goldilocks needing 3 tries to get the right food.

I couldn't believe it took 3 stores to get an old newspaper and 3 stores to get breakfast. But, in all honesty, the trip was a success. I scored some cool old books for my collection and I found some funny stuff at the Amarillo Flea Market. I got to watch Livia kick ass in a tennis match. I got a tour of my old university. And best of all, My Tía Susana showed me her coveted recipe for capirotada. And I have proof...

My Tía's apron but my capirotada!


My Tía and me after 2 long days of cooking.