With Santa at St. Luke's

Happy times

Tree lighting

Our local town had their tree lighting ceremony today. Elena has been talking about Christmas trees since we moved here, perhaps because they grow here and you can see them on the side of the road. She was thrilled beyond belief and thought we were going to buy a tree for the house. See her big smile in the picture below. She's never smiled so big. Omar assured her he would get a tree for the house this weekend. It will be the earliest that we have gotten one.

Loving the fire truck
the city tree

Omar happily posing with Marisa even with the flower patterned carrier!

Cranberry Bread Recipe

If you know me, you know cooking and baking aren't my strength. I first made this bread in my classroom with my kindergarten students. The entire grade level made it with their students after reading the story Cranberry Thanksgiving, so I had no choice. :) That should explain why it's simple; it's in the back of the book. But regardless of the fact that it's from a children's book, it really is delicious and perfect for the occasion. Go ahead, try it!

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup butter
1 egg beaten
1 tsp grated orange peel
3/4 cup orange juice
1 cup of fresh cranberries

Sift dry ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add egg, orange peel, and orange juice; stir until moist. Fold cranberries. Spoon into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for an hour and 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Holiday

At the museum. The only picture I got :(

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday here at home with my parents who were able to be with us for the week. They were great sports treking it to the Museum of Natural Science on their first day here in 24 degree weather! We really felt it since we didn't all fit in one car so we walked, bused and took the subway in the cold. This was my first experience in weather this cold... but no snow yet. We also had some delicious Cuban food. If you ever visit be assured that I will take you there...it is definitely one of my favorite places ever! We walked to Harvard Square, and walked a cemetery. Strange I know, but apparently cemeteries are sights to see and visit here. It really is beautiful and there are many historical figures buried there. The highlight is a tower on a mountain with a great view of Boston. As always my mom made her wonderful thanksgiving turkey and I managed to make dessert...proof below on video! Okay, so Elena helped me, but I contributed nonetheless. :) It was a good Thanksgiving.