I had to take a little trip South. 1hour and 45 minutes drive from the studio took me to a delightful place. You know this place, I know it exists in your world in some capacity. Maybe at a Momm's house, an Aunts house, a Granny's house or even a Godmothers house? Or maybe it is at your friends house, were you will find delicious edibles abound…
The place for me that is a treat-fest is my Momm's house(oops and Dad's). I walked in yesterday to a house full of treats…Desserts, bags of Mexican pastries, toasted Mexican breads with real butter soaked into them, blaring novelas…Perfect coffee, real cream, and…
While they were getting ready for us to go on an outing, a little business and then lunch at a delectable place in Tubac… I found myself tip-toeing through the treats, nibbling and nibbling…Being good? Not an option…Were those more desserts I saw there…
And what was this wonderful scent from this pot??? It was a cinnamon and what concotion???The aroma filled the room, and my nostrils…
There was something in the oven, yummy, it smelled like bread, and butter and sugar….What could it be? I decided I could not resist this little cheescake. One bite would not hurt…
Wait a minute here!! There was something really weird about this…Oh No! Just as I suspected….
This really was not the kind of sponginess I was looking for in my cake! Not real? What? What about the others???? So sad to report. They were not real either…
I guess she knew too well what her little munchkins would do if they were real??? And these two can be partners in crime…("Vanessa Valencia Fanciful,"older girl. Kandeedo Bandeedo, opinionated baby. We are 5 1/2 years apart).
So, about the buttery aroma…It was an Easter treat, "Capirotada" (here are some recipes, but none like Mom's, I can get hers if you are interested). Made around here during lent, especially on Fridays when there is no meat eating. When I saw the pictures I took of it, I thought, Yowsa, that looks scary. But, it is un-really delicious. It is buttered Mexican bread that is toasted, then cooled, then used as the main layering item in a huge pot with, prunes, raisins, pecans, bananas, butter, and more butter, and some liqueur, and the most decadent Mexican cheese and apricots. Everyone who knew she was making this was lining up for a portion. I even delivered some back to Tucson. Warm and toasty. It was so heavy coming out of the oven, we had to get Dad.
The huge breads on top were to distunguish the peanut side from the non-peanut side. I am the non-peanut side. Dad is the peanut side.
It was really really good. Especially right out of the oven…
I know I am sharing many pictures. But I hate it when I take a bunch and then forget to show them. So, if they bore, I am sorry. You know, people who know me are probably not at all surprised at the length of these things…
So, here is a picture Montage, the good news, I got to go to a place with real pastries. Momm gave me shoes, we talked jewels, which she happily modeled, we lunched at Nob Hill, & we shopped in the lovely Tubac…
I am off to the kiln opening at 3:45 p.m. Wish me luck!!!
Click on any pictures to enlarge!! And, thanks for putting up with me, long posts, lop-sided pictures, oh my…
Upon return, some links to share and art as well…I shipped off a great love to a wonderful girl. I hope she loves it! So much art when I return!!! Others, Yours, and mine!!!! XXO, Vanessa
PS: Hugs and kisses and fellow cackling to my dear little Sarah, who makes those treasures that warm my heart so much! Ride your sled down here, and when it gets too warm, switch to roller skates… I'll meet you in Santa Fe and we can hitch a plane the rest of the way!
Oh, I’m the first one here? I know you probably have 32 ahead of me in your email…
You have a happy, happy life. I’m looking past the fake desserts to the pool with a waterfall out back! I can’t wait to read your sister’s blog…
I’m crabby and fed-up and a wee bit depressed today and I just want to run away. Can I run away to you? Though, with all the ice, it will be more like a slow shuffle and I’m lazy and out of shape, so I probably won’t make it more than a few miles… pick me up at the movie theater. I’m waiting.
The day looked fun! Love all the pictures and the shoes…we saw Marie Antoinette last night, what incredible shoes!!!
BTW, for some reason I cannot email you, I live in Colorado, just outside of Boulder…
Boy Vanessa your posts get better and better and….
I love reading about your daily business and it sure seems you have alot of fun in your life!
I couldn’t believe the amount of goodness in your mom’s kitchen (I’m happy to know that some of it isn’t edible – I couldn’t get my head around all of those treats being in one person’s kitchen)! There are some pretty amazing shoes in that photo collage at the bottom of your post, too. How perfect – sweet treats and adorable shoes!
You are too good to my, my love! Thank you! You have made a smile, a feat in and of itself today.
My sled is on it’s way, but its still raining ice, so if I don’t make it, I’m stuck in a block of ice somewhere.
yum, yum, a million times yum!!!!!!!
also, I laughed out loud when you called Kandeedo an opinionated baby.
this whole post made me want to call my mommy and demand sweet cakes from my bubs.
oh, boy do I wish I could be with you sometime, and no I just love pictures, loads and loads of them, visible person I am.
Dang, for a second there I thought those desserts were real. I remember the big whole chocolate cake at Mum and Dad’s house, but I don’t remember those gorgeous slices of sin. Hey, so is Nob Hill a good place for my birthday? I wanted to do afternoon tea that Friday, but Auntie Denise and Gramms won’t be be able to make it.
oh wow- you have me hungry for sweets now! That “Capirotada” sounds heavenly. I have never heard of such a dish before- but now I MUST find it somewhere around here! Or perhaps if you post your mom’s recipe I could give it a try… 🙂
Wow, your parent’s kitchen is so clean and tidy! I am drooling over everything including the fake cakes 🙂 MMmmm…desserts, how can they be so cruel to put fake cakes there?! Would love to try some of that Mexican bread pudding.
Oh what a wonderful day, those cakes really got me going and to think they weren’t real!
Would I love to shop with you and your Mom!
Oh dear, after reading your posts I am absolutely sure I have gained 2 or 3 pounds. Is that possible?
All the delights of a sweet shop…
beautiful, beautiful…ummmmmm yummmmmmy!!
what a delicious looking blog entry…
what a heavenly way to live.
another fab-u-tastic entry into ur life,
how i wish to live like that.
u dont see many pools in gardens in the u.k.
have fun as im sure u are,
x x x x kazzy x x x
OMG I love all the photos and food and shoes and jewels..
Bread ,cheese butter and fruit!!!! I’m in! yum! your Mommbees kitchen looks marvy and intriguing! I’m off to do a matinee!
Sage wants me to tell you that she really loves your flower shoes- “i like the colors on those kind of pretty flowers”. I agree! And, we looooove your photo-heavy posts, they are so beautiful!
I am soooo addicted to your fantastical blog, my friend! Your’s is the first i visit now!!
oH, i wish i was lucky enough to visit my mom’s and have such luxerious treats…. mi madre’s kitchen is void of anything remotely yummy…she hates cooking,baking,making!! Skipped generation, since her 3 daughters are the complete opposite.
That bread dish looks so amazing, I’ve never heard of such a concoction!
Glad you had a nice visit with the folks!
I love the pictures, keep ’em coming! You know just last night I was in a Mexican restaurant and as an appitizer I got something called “Navajo Bread” that was soooo friggin’ good I couldn’t stand it. Do you know what I’m talking about? Like I can eat it every day. Although the Capirotada looks pretty good too. I *heart* carbs. 🙂
You girls are so wonderfully nice and supportive in your dessert and bread loving!!!!
what a fun visit I’ve had here today! I just got back from the beach, so your post was a perfect transition as I get ready for bed. . . and work tomorrow!
i came to your site because ‘shabby in the city’ told me it was a great one to visit…she was so right! i would love to try your mom’s capirotada, it looks and sounds so much better than some i have had! the pottery is really beautiful too. i did pottery a long time ago, i used to love the kiln openings…it is like christmas! i like the way it smells, and the tinkling sound of the pottery cooling!
wow those cakes look deliciously real!!! your mum’s house looks like a cool hangout…that mexican pudding looks really good…I might have to print out the recipe – I love trying new things to eat!
Great pics Vanessa! Your flats are sweet!
I cannot believe those treats were fake, I was convinced and ready to dive into the car and travel to a place with cheesecake, but since they were plastic… I’m feeling better now! Fun post!!!
I forgot to say that I love, love the little plates you made and would love to see the faces when they are painted, fired and finished! How exciting. I can’t believe how fast you work.
Also, love the little heart sugars!!!
mmmmmmmmmmmmm – just what I needed – some sweetness, some desert, some Mombees, some extra special super duper yummy delicious VANESSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel MUCH better
xox – eb.
Oh dear….you have made me hungry! What gorgeous photos and yummy sweets….
Love your bowls and plates….love your springtime photos……what a wonderful way to end my day! Thanks you!
I’m thinking if I ever won the lottery (not that I buy tickets) I wouldn’t want to go on cruises, or buy fast cars, or live in a mansion. I’d like to come and live a little of your life instead, because, even though it’s busy busy, it’s so full of goodness of every kind.
And that Capirotada, oh boy!