Mother's Day Weekend: !

Mother's Day was the punctuation point of an intense week--an exclamation point symbolizing mountains of emotions and multitasking. But isn't that what being a mom is all about? Highlights in the blur:

1. Georgia's first Mother's Day school performance. She fidgeted and "sang." I cried.

2. Georgia making me a necklace at Sucatinho de Luxo's workshop at the bazaar. "For you mommy, so beautiful." ( I don't know if she meant me or the necklace but I got a lump in my throat.)

3. Receiving a heady bouquet of lilies and pale petals, connecting Greece to Brazil and from my mother (shouldn't it be the other way around?) at the end of a back-aching long day of baking and bazaar participating. (I swallowed hard even before I read the card...) *!^@$# distance!

I suppose the pregnancy hormones and party induced (preparing for parties and not attending, mind you) sleep deprivation doesn't help. Good Excuse. But motherhood can turn a practical girl into anything but...

Hope that all your Mother's Day commemorations included: uncountable kisses and children behaving like angels plus just a little time to put your feet up--or even a long hot shower with the bathroom door closed and, perhaps even, time to slather on some lotion... ahhhh!

Enjoy!

B is for Bella

And Bella's favorite crew: The Backyardigans.
And it is also for beautiful in Italian.
Happy 3rd Birthday beautiful Bella!

Bazar da Praça

Getting ready for this bazaar has resulted in a week of little sleep--easier when you are not pregnant and tired. Is it really possible to have morning sickness all day? And why does my own cooking (especially cupcakes) make my stomach flip/flop most? The good news: it forced me to try out some new recipes that I could actually smell. The new cakes: Snickerdoodle, Sicilian Lemon with Citrus Glacé and Spicy Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Sauce and Sugared Ginger Bits. I'm almost not nauseous anymore!

The sweets are available at the bazaar. Along with lots of other non-edible surprises. Of course the classics are there, too. Best of all, the other participants--an incredibly talented group of people--showing their wares. It really is a fast way to spend every penny you earn while you sell--really quite simultaneously. Don't forget to bring your little ones to enjoy Sucatinho de Luxo's children's workshop!

Open through Saturday at 20:00. Bazar da Praça.

Our family is growing.

Or as Georgia told Vovó Vera at lunch: "Mommy, Baby, Belly."
Hooray!

Mother's Day Bazaar

In full production mode....
Baking. Frosting. Sewing. Painting.
Hope to see you there.

Hair clip happy

Some new designs.
Can't seem to stop.

Friends and Bread

One of my very first posts was about homemade bread and the kindness of my Japanese neighbor Emi. She donated her fifteen year old yeast and time to teach me how to make this fantastic loaf. It was a month before Georgia was born and I vowed to take care of my own pot of yeast together with my eagerly awaited baby.

So for the last two years, the bread has been served every day at our breakfast table. It has contributed to the growth of my girl. And she helps me prepare it weekly. It is a part of our lives.

Only recently, I split my yeast and am now taking care of two (foreshadowing?). But two loaves is a lot of bread. So we started giving them away...and a new ritual was born. We like to wrap them in pretty remnants. And if I could only deliver it fresh out of the oven, I'd love to fill the homes of others with the scent of warm bread kneaded by hand and baked with love.

Chinnychinchin

Chinnychinchin calls itself an "original line of progressive clothing."
I call it too cute for words. For both Georgia and my closets, please. I'll take the tie for my husband, too.
How darling, really?

The Easiest Recipe Ever

I often get asked by Brazilians to explain the difference between a cupcake and a muffin. I usually start by saying that it is more common to eat muffins at breakfast. But then I remember that Brazilians often eat cake for breakfast. And aren't cupcakes little cakes? So then I go the fruit and nuts route. Until I remember my strawberry and hazelnut cupcake recipes. So I have decided to sum it up by saying that I wouldn't frost a muffin. And I would never let a sprinkle touch one either. And I feel so much better...no matter the eggs, sugar, and flour in the recipe. A muffin is a muffin and a cupcake is a cupcake.

And a banana muffin made from the easiest one bowl recipe ever? Delicious. I never throw away my blackening bunch. Because this recipe is so fast. You can usually start and finish it before your toddler notices you aren't paying attention to her/him.

Ingredients:
3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Preheat your oven to 350F/180C. Pour the hot butter over your mashed bananas. Mash some more. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Keep on mashing. Spread the baking soda and salt across the the mixture. Stir well. Add the flour. Pour the mixture into a greased cake pan or a muffin pan. Bake until your house starts to smell scrumptious. Today it was 35 minutes. But when you see they are golden around the edge and your knife comes clean, they are ready. If you want to get fancy put some dehydrated banana slices on top (before baking). And if you want and even lovelier smelling home, sprinkle some cinnamon on top (before baking).

And, by the way, mine are happily perched atop some new cupcake--err muffin--pedestals. These ceramic gems came out of the kiln yesterday. They are beautiful Heloisa!

Day 3: Victory!

In case you might like to know. It is 7:34 pm. And that is my girl.
No Tantrums.
Softly breathing.
Dreaming.
We love school.

Back at it.

Georgia put her school uniform on and pranced around the living room like a bird with new feathers. It seems she has already learned some new dance moves at school. And we headed to preschool in a burst of enthusiasm.

Again, I spied out of eyesight. And today Georgia participated more. She answered questions during story time. I had to laugh out loud when the teacher asked the class, "who is standing next to the little girl?" (Classes are in English.) And instead of saying a little boy, Georgia said a little guy. I think the class learned a new word today. And I realized how often I say cute little guy, nice little guy etc. She really shined during Rain, Rain, Go Away. How many cloud cookies and raindrop cookies have we decorated singing that tune at home?

Speaking of cookies...they baked soy chocolate chip ones today. It really is a school I'd like to attend. The teacher told me Georgia insisted on saving one for me. I think little G would like me to add something new to my cookie repertoire. And, by the way, they sent the recipe home in her little satchel.

It was a great day. Upon departure, I was told that my little girl is really well adjusted. They suggested I just drop her off tomorrow--no need to lurk in the corridors! And I happily strolled her home with the smile of a pleased parent. The smile was short lived. Unfortunately the minute we stepped inside our apartment, Georgia's well adjusted demeanor melted faster than an M&M in the sun. Another tantrum. A big one. It came out of nowhere. Georgia's dinner landed in my hair. I am certain the school would not recognize this little girl. And I am trying to understand that she must be going through a lot of emotions these days and is very overtired from the new routine. Naturally, (as a mother) she thinks it is all my fault. But didn't she want to save me a cookie? The storm subsided quicker than the previous night and bedtime was much smoother. But still, I was unnerved.

I suppose the most encouraging part of the tantrum was that she was extremely upset that the "spilled" dinner was all over her school uniform too. She didn't want to take it off. So I am hopeful. And we will be back at it tomorrow. And yes, I am just dropping her off--my well adjusted angel.

Adaptation Week

It isn't the beginning of the school year or even a new semester but Georgia started pre-school (afternoon session) today. I don't know if the impetus was her hugging other children at the Club during our morning outings and not letting them go or the fact that, on occasion, I let her eat too many sprinkles in the afternoon when I was trying to be a good mom and work from home. Anyway, something clicked and Felipe and I decided the time was right. Right now. Luckily, we found a flexible little school that emphasizes the Brazilian and American culture. It seems like an extension of our home (especially since it is a fifteen minute walk) and, most importantly, offers a loving environment and lots of good stimulus for an active little girl (music, capoeira, gardening, cooking--can i go?).

This week is "adaptation week." In other words, I am inside the school building spying on and an arms reach away from little G. Today went so well. She knew all the little songs, played a mean tambourine, and barely asked for me. The director of the school thought she might need just one more day of adaptation. Could it be true? But Is she adapted? Am I? (You knew that was coming.) Well we did have a little (big) melt down (tantrum) tonight at bedtime. But I think she was overtired.

So I am hopeful (and somewhat "adapted"). Tomorrow I am putting her in the school uniform.

Wish us luck!

Isadora turned two

Isadora turned two. Her party was all about animals. And Georgia thought she might like little birdies on her own special cupcake and lots of love on the others. Happy Day Isadora!

25/3

I went to bed last night with my backpack sitting by the door and my Google map printed. First thing this morning I headed to São Paulo's infamous street 25 de Março (March 25th), an enormous commercial area in the center of town. Many Paulistanos (São Paulo natives) avoid this area. It used to be the commercial center of the city in the 30's and some of the historical buildings still remain (incredible architecture). But for the most part it is crowded, dirty, and confusing. I love it. You can find absolutely everything you need for crafting. Plus there is just tons of junk you don't and do need--costume jewelry, housewares, shoes, bootlegged designer wear, costumes. Just name something and, well, it is there. Best of all, it is at least half the price of the same product in a more upscale neighborhood. But you have to go with stamina and a discerning eye (BTW, don't dress nicely and keep your money close in a fanny pack). But it is worth it. For something you buy at vinte-cinco really takes on another value-added dimension when you get it out of vinte-cinco. (i.e. cheap can look expensive)

I went with a pretty strict list of items needed for an upcoming party--otherwise I know I'd lose my day wandering. On the list: grosgrain ribbon, fabrics, felt, paint, pillow stuffing, and colored steel buckets. And I also did something many Paulistanos avoid: I walked there. And I took the bus back home. I live in a town that does not have many pedestrians. Cars, cars, cars and traffic, traffic, traffic. Public transportation is pretty lousy. And, in third world countries (this will take a whole other post and will not sound politically correct) buses are the primary mode of transport for those who cannot afford a car. But I hate to drive. And I love to walk. I would have come back on foot if I didn't have so much loot to haul. Because, by the way, a huge traffic jam (a bomb threat downtown--don't ask) halted traffic. It took me 1 hour and 20 to get there on foot and 2 hours and 20 (sitting in a bus thinking about my time away from Georgia) to get home.

With the exception of a random costume shop (Snow White for little G), I stuck to my list and only visited three of the more than 1,500 shops:

Malhuy Tecidos - 100% cotton fabric prints
Rei do Armarinho - Ribbon, notions, and craft heaven
Aycrem - Felt

I'd love any other tips on 25/3. Do share.

Frozen

via

I asked for a freezer for my birthday. I chose one online and danced with joy over the internet purchase: holy cookie dough and meal planning, hurray.

But then I got depressed that I asked for a freezer (even if it is frost free). When Felipe and I got married I told him that I never wanted any presents that plugged in--not ever. But I used to store accessories in my kitchen cabinets, too.

So today when I was rushing to a meeting with my notes, menus, and swatches in a polka-dotted backpack, I created a luxury wish list. We'll start by replacing the rucksack with the leather satchel. I'll take the one above.

Please.

Quantos?

I slowly counted out 39 candles this afternoon. I had to open two packages.
I haven't planned anything for the last year of my thirties. In fact, it has been a while since I celebrated my own birthday.
I simply prefer commemorating the birth date of others.
I'm happy that way.
But next year?
Could be a party...

Thank you to all the incredible people in my lives for the well wishes! xo

Story Hour

I'm hoping to host/create a baby shower with books as the theme. Forget bringing diapers, bring a book and build junior's library. I'm imagining the cookies I could build around the classics and Caldecott winners. The best illustrations are lovingly nestled inside children's books. I found Little Red Riding Hood in the Society of Illustrator's Competition. Sweet.

Not Thinking

When I am down, I usually bury myself in busy. I try not to think too much. And I am rather awful at commiserating with others. I hide. So this week, I have been throwing all my energy into Georgia and my work. It's been a great mental eraser--except the cutout cookie shapes of cats (urgh) and Georgia asking where her pet is every morning. (Haven't quite figured out how to deal with that yet--she is only two, after all.)

Anyway, I've frosted, baked, and sewn my brains out--and for a good reason. I am going to be participating in a little bazaar with friends. Mariana will be selling incredible hand painted (shibori technique) leggings and Joy has charming and hip little clothes for boys mostly (an under-tapped market, I'd say...). So if you are out and about on Friday or Saturday, you can find us at Rua Al. Lorena, 1986 from noon to seven.