Thankful!

My dear friend Melissa, started writing what she was thankful for on her blog each day in November. Each time she writes one I feel all warm and fuzzy inside and wish I had thought to do the same. But yesterday her words really hit home and I wanted to share since I feel the exact same thing.

So as Melissa so eloquently wrote

I am thankful for...

God. I believe that he has his own plan, that I cannot control what lies ahead. He will guide me down the path he has already written for me. His tests make me stronger

30 Before 30

Just after my 25th birthday in February I started compiling a list of things I really want to accomplish in the next 5 years. I like to think I am a goal oriented person so I hope that writing these things down and setting these goals for myself means I will accomplish them. These are not the most adventurous things, but just normal things I will aspire to finishing.

Daniella Karinne's 30 before 30 list

1. Buy a house
2. Make a family; have a child
3. Run a 5K (well at least jog it)
4. Go to Hawaii
5. Go to Punta Cana, DR
6. Go to Mardi Gras
7. Be brave and go back to Mexico
8. Visit NYC with Josue
9. Go on a classic American road trip
10. Go on a road trip up the pacific coast
11. Go on a mission trip
12. Learn conversational Spanish
13. Lose 30lbs
14. Read the bible all the way through
15. Purchase one piece of expensive jewelry for myself
16. Go snorkeling
17. Go Kayaking
18. Find a job I love
19. Take a pole dancing class
20. Begin more philanthropic ventures
21. Learn how to make a gourmet 5 course meal.
22. Finish my in progress scrapbooks
23. Make a first year scrapbook for my phantom child
24. Pay off our debt (school loan & Truck)
25. Grow berries and more organic things in my garden
26. Write a book (TKN?)
27. Start a retirement plan or an investment portfolio
28. Make a difference in at least one person’s life.
29. Find a church I really like
30. Forgive and move on

As I finish these I will cross them off my list and write a blog about each one.

When I am finished I will write a 40 before 40 list and so on.

Hopefully by then I can add some more adventurous things to my list.

Keith Smith – National Linebacker Of The Week - SJSUSpartans.com—Official Web Site of San Jose State Athletics

My cousin Keith Smith (SJSU #31) was National college linebacker of the week for his 3 sacs and 14 tackles. I was cheering for him at SJSU this last weekend. All I can say is that I am so proud of my cousin. What an accomplishment, especially as a freshman. Now if only we could get their offense to step up, we could win some games ;)



Keith Smith – National Linebacker Of The Week - SJSUSpartans.com—Official Web Site of San Jose State Athletics

Want a laugh?

The comedian Colleen made yet another amazing video. California Gurls by Katy Perry.

Enjoy!

Goodbye

Saturday we had a memorial service for my Aunt Jamie, who left earth for heaven on 9~11~2010. It was a sad yet uplifitng day. Our family is amazing and really came together. Goodbyes are always hard, but this one just didnt seem fair. She was an exceptional woman! She battled with cancer for 3 years and suffered greatly for the last 6 months. But through all her pain she was still able to smile and give us a wave or even a kiss. Jamie was a godly woman and she inspires me to share her love of christ with others. I hope I can be just half the giving, compastionate, & selfless woman that she was. Auntie you will never know how much that last goodbye and Kiss meant to me. Through all your pain you still made me laugh and cry =) I will miss you dearly and you will always be heavy on my heart. Say hello to Grandpa up in heaven for me. I promise I will be here if any of your kids if they ever need me. You left a great legacy. I love you always!

Jamie Lyn Alonzo <3

Jamie's Award Winning Salsa, yum!

Jamie's Ashes <3

Some of Jamie's delicious dessert recipes.







Some of Jamie's creative outlets,and gifts she made for us!

City of Hope walk for Breast Cancer October 2009







My Aunt at our wedding, thank you for sharing in our special day Aunt Jamie, we love you!!

Long Beach Cupcakes Reviewed

Miss Priss Cupcakes N Such

~

We had these cupcakes for Josue's Birthday. I bought some of there bitties to share and some regulars for the Birthday boy =) When you walk into the store you can see what a cute small business it is. You can choose from bitties (mini cupcakes), regular, or big daddy cupcakes. They have a variety of flavors, but I have to say Chocolate Chip is my favorite here, and a must try! I liked that even though they looked professional they tasted homemade. They cupcakes moist and the frosting is light and delicious. They also do custom orders which are gorgeous, and can't be done at all places.


Frosted Cupcakery~Belmont Shore

Josue and I have tried this place a couple times whenever we are in the Belmont area walking the beach or something. Unfortunately I only have one pictures, but it will suffice. This place has more of a commercial feel, kind of like sprinkles. My favorite cupcake here is the red velvet, yum! Their cupcakes are dense and moist at the same time! The frosting is thick and sweet! I enjoyed my cupcakes from here, but almost thought the frosting over powered my cake, which I am not a fan of. They have so many flavors to choose from, which I like but it makes it hard for me to make a choice ;)



Overall I liked Miss Priss better, though they are both great cupcake places. The prices are better at Miss Priss, and over all I liked the taste better. So if you are ever in Long Beach (or you want to come over)
Stop by Miss Priss Cupcakes N Such to try at mini or heck even a big daddy =)


MMMMMM now I want a cupcake ;)

Italian Risotto

Italian Risotto

I normally make my Italian Grandmother's risotto, but I decided to use Pioneer Womans recipe. With a few tweaks of my own ;) This isn't a healthy dish, actually it is pretty rich. Pair it with a grilled piece of chicken or fish and a nice vegetable.

Ingredients
■ 2 1/2 cups Arborio Rice
■ 3/4 cups of each Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago Cheese
■ 3 cloves Garlic
■ 1/4 whole Large Onion
■ 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
■ 1 Tablespoon Butter
■ 7 cups (to 8 Cups) Chicken Broth
■ 1 cup Heavy Cream
■ 1 Tablespoon Basil, Chopped
■ Salt And Pepper, to taste

I made just cheese risotto for blogging purposes but some options that we love to add are;

Italian Sausage

Feta Cheese

Broccoli

Asparagus

Mushrooms

Pepper Flakes

Chicken

Etc.

Preparation Instructions
Grate 2 cups of cheese. Peel and finely dice 3 to 4 cloves of garlic. Dice 1/4 of a large onion.

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter. Throw in the garlic and onion and sauté for a couple of minutes until the onion is translucent.

Add the Arborio rice and stir to coat the rice thoroughly. Adding 1 cup at a time, add 7-8 ounces of chicken broth, stirring constantly after each addition. As soon as it appears that the rice has absorbed each helping of broth, add in the next helping. Do not stop stirring. This process will take at least 20 minutes. Rice is done when it no longer has a hard bite.

When more of the broth is absorbed pour in 1 to 1 ½ cups of heavy cream. Next add the grated cheese and stir thoroughly. Add in plenty of fresh cracked pepper and about 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped basil. Add salt to taste.

Enjoy!