Visitors!

With all this beautiful weather we've had around here, it's just the perfect time to visit Arizona! We've had a few friends recently join us for everything springtime in AZ has to offer, and it has certainly been fun.

First my dear friend Crystal visited me for a few days from Australia! I've missed her so much while she has been away and it was nice for her to finally meet Jose! We had fun laughing about the good old days, watching girlie movies, and just talking and talking and laughing!

Then Jose's buddy Ron came for a golf weekend. They definitely packed in lots of golf, and movies, and some serious laughs! They even got me out on the course!

We love all our friends and family and love to spend time with them. Especially when it is a beautiful 85 degrees and sunny! Now there's less than a month until we take off for the summer.....Last Call!!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Wow...how time flies! Hard to believe that we got married 2 years ago yesterday! In some ways I feel like it just happened and in other ways I almost can't remember not being married to Jose! Strange how life does that! Here are a couple of pics to celebrate the day!

On our Honeymoon in Italy!

And Dinner at the Mansion on Turtle Creek the night Jose proposed.



This year we went to California for our anniversary (a week or so early) and had a great time! It was nice to have Jose all too myself for a few days without all the demands of his school work.

We enjoyed the beautiful views and the beach!

Relaxed and watched the sun set.


We visited friends and family. Here we are lunching with Blake & Julie at the Ivy. No, we didn't see anyone famous. Unless of course, you count Blake.

And I have to brag about my hubby for a minute...whenever we travel for holidays/anniversaries or sometimes just because, Jose calls the hotel ahead and has flowers delivered to our room. Isn't that just the sweetest? And these ones were especially beautiful! Thanks sweetie!

Here's to many more wonderful anniversaries to come!

Our St. Paddy's Day Tradition

Do you ever wish that Lucky Charms came with a little more Mallow and a lot less Oat? Well, if you answered yes we at the Castaneda Casa have the perfect treat for you! "Lucky Krispie Treats" are a tradition around here on St. Paddy's Day and well, any other day we get the craving! They might also be the simplest thing to make in the world. Here's the recipe!

3tbs Butter

2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

5 cups Lucky Charms Cereal

Melt the butter and marshmallows and mix into the cereal, a la rice kripie treats. Put in a greased 8x8 or so pan. Enjoy!

Oh...and don't even THINK about substituting in some nasty Marshmallow Maties. That's just wrong.

Confessions...

Time for a Confession. Yesterday, I did something I have NEVER done before - I went to a movie all by myself. So yeah, I'm a complete dork.

I've been dying to see Confessions of a Shopaholic, and apparently there aren't many people like me who don't have a job or kids, so that left me with two choices: a. wait until it comes out on video, or b. go alone. Poor Jose has been dragged to so many girl movies (he was a saint to see Sex and the City with me last summer!). But he really just doesn't have the time anymore with school being so busy. So I picked B.

Actually it was a pretty fabulous expercience. There were only 7 other people in the theatre and I got the matinee price (which is $7.00 here...highway robbery!). I had some treats and LOVED the movie. But I knew I would, I love the books. Being a reformed Shopaholic myself, It was definitely a flash back to my Neiman Marcus days. I miss the days of frivolous shopping (and all of it at least at 30% off)! And that sample sale scene brought back all kinds of memories, good and bad. Like the time a stupid girl on the 8th floor lied and stole my Oscar de la Renta dress I won in the silent auction. But I'm not bitter.

Anyway, I guess I've gotten really good at enjoying my own company, because I had a great time. It may have been the first time, but it certainly won't be the last.

A post for Yaya

So my wonderful sister-in-law Sonia (aka Yaya) gave me the most fabulous recipe for a traditional Italian "Crostata". It is a vanilla flavored pastry that has a filling of apricot jam and apples. It is uh-mazing. Mostly in part to a special kind of yeast used that is imported from Italy. I found some at an Italian market and attempted it for the first time this week. I have gotten nothing short of RAVE REVIEWS! I made and shared it with a few friends and my cute neighbor. So thank you Yaya (and mama Adelasia) for making me look like a rockstar chef. The recipe is on Yaya's blog if anyone wants it.

And also, a special shout out to Amber for the cutest Tea Towels ever!! (see above photo) What a welcome sight it was to receive a package via Royal Mail -Especially one that came from Harrods! Thanks for being the best Bestie a girl could dream of!