Bread Pudding (Cuban Style)

So I've given up dessert and wine for Lent, but that doesn't mean everyone else in my house has as well. I decided I would make dessert last night, and after sorting out what I had in the pantry, I made bread pudding. This isn't your usual bread pudding, I deem it Cuban Style Bread pudding. It's extra sweet and delicious with the final caramel coating.

Here's the recipe and instructions if you would like to make it:

Prep time:  20 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 loaf Cuban bread, (challah bread works great too or any good quality bakery loaf) cut into one-inch squares 

2 cups whole milk

1 12 oz can evaporated milk

1 can condensed milk

3 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup dark rum (optional)

4 eggs, well beaten
3/4 cup raisins (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a bundt pan.

To make bread mix:

In a medium bowl, mix the bread, whole milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk. Add 1 cup sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, dark rum and eggs. Mix with a spoon (do not use electric mixers.) Add raisins. Set aside.

To make caramel coating:

Add two cups of sugar to pan over high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until sugar is fully melted. Quickly pour into bundt pan.

It should look like this. Quickly and I mean quickly, pour into bundt pan. Coat pan evenly.

Once caramel in bundt pan has cooled, pour bread mix into bundt pan. This needs to be put in the oven in a water bath. Make sure the water has covered at least 1 ½ inches of the bottom of the bundt pan. Transfer to oven and cook for one hour. 

Bread pudding is done once knife inserted comes out clean.

 Once taken out of the oven, set aside for at least half an hour to cool. Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosed and then flip over onto a serving dish. Enjoy!!!

Do you like bread pudding? 

Spring Fever Update

they sprouted!! it has been 7 days and my basil and oregano sprouted. my others must be late bloomers, that's alright, they will catch up....

Weekend Recap 02/23 - 02/24

Let's see.....weekend recap time. I had all the kids this weekend so you know I did lots of kid-friendly activities. First off SOCCER!

 Team 15-the Heat won 2-1 (grey jerseys)

This picture shows my favorite part of the game- "Good game, good game." The kids have so much fun getting in line to high-five the other team and then each other. Two new players were added to our roster, which is always awesome. It let's me know that the kids think JC is such a great coach, they want their friends to play too. 

After soccer, we went back home, changed and went for pizza. This is the only way we can get three kids to sit quietly and wait for their lunch:

I have tried everything to get them to sit quietly while they wait, but this is the only thing that works. If you have any ideas other than coloring or doodling, please feel free to share. I am not a big fan of video games, but at moments like this, where we are out in public, its the only way to keep my sanity.

After lunch, off to Actiontown. This is a family fun center which has bounce houses, rock-climbing, arcade, indoor bumper cars, indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf, laser tag, indoor basketball and paintball. The kids had a blast. We did it all except the arcade (they had already played their DS) and paint ball (they aren't old enough.) 

Isn't it cool how my camera morphed two pics into one?

We were there for hours so by the time we left, it was evening and time to go home. I made dinner and all the kids were passed out by 8:30pm! WIN!!!

On Sunday, everyone was up early since they went to bed early the night before. I was the super-sneaky mom and made them sweet potato pancakes (have to make sure they eat their veggies) for breakfast. They loved them. After breakfast, we had homework time and then outside to run around. Then we went to the movies. We saw Escape from Planet Earth! It was actually good even though most reviews said "Skip." THe kids loved it. Then we took JC's kids to their mom's house and then home for us. I did some laundry while watching the Oscars... #notimpressedbysethmacfarlane.....and then bedtime!

What did you do this weekend? Did you go see watch any movies? Hit up any family fun centers?

Lent Challenge

As you know, Lent has arrived and as any self-torturing Catholic-raised girl, I decided to give up something for Lent. Well not just something, two of my most favorite things: sweets and wine! Yes I know, INSANENESS!!! I really don't know what I was thinking, this has been torture! The one thing that keeps me on it though is that I might lose a few pounds.

For Lent, I've also decided to take on a challenge. I was over on Memories on Clover Lane the other day and was reading about her 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge. You go through all the rooms in your house and take out what you don't want or need and place this stuff in big bags to throw out or donate.  I was like "AWESOME!" This is such a great idea. Great way to de-clutter the house and do a little spring cleaning while I'm at it.  I could totally do this. So I will. I might not get 40 bags out of it, but my house will finally be organized!

So this is my list:
-My bedroom
-My closet
-JC's closet
-AAA's room
-AAA's closet
-Linen closet
-Downstairs storage closet
-Under the stairs closet
-My bathroom
-Downstairs bathroom
-My brother's closet
-Outside Storage Units
-Pantry
-Fridge/Freezer
-Kitchen cabinets
-Toy Storage/Media Area
-Backyard

Yes I know that's only 17, but I will be getting more than one bag out of some of these. So Far, I have tackled the pantry and linen closet. Three bags out of those. I'm sorry didn't take before-n-after pics to show you how much there was.

This challenge will also help me see what I already have. How can I keep buying stuff when I don't even know what I have.

So wish me luck!! Will keep you posted as to my progress!

On Repeat

I don't know about your kids, but once my son likes a pair of shoes, I might as well donate all the others he has. Right now, his red converse are on repeat. He wears them to school, he wears them to the park, he wears them everywhere. He calls them his "Fast Shoes". According to him, they make him run faster and running is all he does lately. Maybe I have a future track and field star on my hands, who knows.....

Well since all he wants to wear are his "fast shoes", of course, I make sure his outfits match. Right now this is his go-to outfit for his red shoes, other than his school uniform:

He loves this outfit!

Shirt: Arizona Thermal T-Shirt - Boys 4-20, right now on clearance for $7 at JC Penney
Jeans: Old Navy Boys Skinny Jeans, $15
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Kids Oxford Shoes, $28 at JC Penney

I don't typically spend alot on children's clothes. Why? They grow out of them in no time. Also, I always use a coupon, widely available through the retailers. I spend the most on shoes and even then, won't spend more than $30 on a pair of kids shoes.

What about your kids? Do they have a pair of "fast shoes?" Do they have an "on repeat" outfit?

Color of the week

Essie Wicked!

Spring Fever

Even though we actually had winter weather this weekend (well Miami's version of winter, it was in the 50's during the day, 40's at night), i had spring on my mind. While I was perusing the aisles at Target, I decided to go the outdoor section and check out the seed selection. This was what caught my attention:

OK, let's start with "I don't have a green thumb." I get on this gardening adventure every year and rarely does it work. I have high hopes for this year though, even with our deathly hot summers, that I will have a little garden of my own.  I bought sweet peppers, basil and oregano. Since I love to cook, I figured these would work for me and I won't have to continue going to the grocery store and paying $3 for a bunch of herbs. I also bought some impatiens, since AC wanted some flowers to grow in our yard as well.

I pulled out some pots I had stored away from last year's Easter party that I had purchased at Dollar Tree for $1 each. I also happened to have a bag of soil, so I used that. These seeds were all barely-cover types so I didn't really need that much soil. I put the seed-starting pods in the pots, added dirt, seeds and water and VOILA.......

Oh and here my assistant helping me label the pots:

So $8.35 later, I am hoping to have fresh herbs and peppers in my yard in a couple of months. According to the instructions, I have to keep the seedlings inside until they sprout and then I can take them outside. I will keep you posted on how this turns out. I'm very excited about this!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I have this canvas up in my room. I read it every morning when I wake up and at night before I go to sleep. Whether it's love from your significant other, children, siblings, parents, friends or yourself, all that really matters is that you are loved!

Breakfast time

Good morning! This morning I decided to forgo the scrambled eggs and cereal breakfast (I was running late!) and stop by my one of my favorite restaurants, Casa Larios. It's a Cuban restaurant a couple of blocks from the office. It's a gorgeous place and like typical Cuban restaurants,you walk up to the side window to order pastries such as pastelitos (fruit or meat filled pastries), croquetas and of course, cafe (cuban espresso).


See the window on the left, that's the walk-up and order window. The patio area is where most patrons drink their coffee and read the paper. I would usually sit out here, but once again, was running late so took my food to go.

This morning, I ordered 2 croquetas and an empanada. The croquetas are filled with ground ham in a bechamel sauce, breaded and then deep-fried, so delicious. I know that one day, I will develop a copycat recipe. In my opinion, these are the tastiest croquetas in the city. The empanada was chicken, I usually get meat-filled one but today I was in the mood for chicken.


Croquetas and Empanada                 Croquetas

If you are a cuban,, you were raised on this for breakfast. Heaven!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Once I create my copycat recipe, I will post. Croquetas aren't the easiest to make, but man are they worth it!!!!!!!!

Color of the Week

So.........nail polish color of the week is............

Essie's Imported Bubbly!!

I do my own manicures and love Essie colors. I decided to tone the color down a little for my birthday so it would look good with anything I decided to wear, most times I don't care about this, but it mattered for Saturday!

Maybe next time I should jazz up the picture with a fabu ring and bright color.........

Weekend Recap 02/09-02/10

So Saturday was my birthday........Happy Birthday to me!!  The day began with three kids jumping into our bed and only one remembering it was my birthday, AAA mad at JC for some issue with the Nintendo DS (have no idea, I am NOT a video gamer) and the other child sick. Then off to soccer. The Heat tied 3-3 with the other team, not bad, then team meeting time:

See AAA is #10.........the other kids were bummed that it was a tied-game.

After soccer, we were going to go for pizza but JC's son started feeling worse, so home we went, we stayed in the rest of the day.

Around 7pm..........birthday dinner time. I wore my new birthday dress and my new Toms and looked fab! Here are some pics:

Me and my brother

me and my sister Elba

#lookoflove

Yay......you get to meet some family members in this post! So yes, nice birthday dinner with loved ones! Oh and the most amazing cake from the Sugar Shack....http://www.cakesonline.com/

My mom made her infamous red beans...........so delish!! I will post recipe soon. We also had roast pork, white rice, plaintains. We mama went all out!!!

Sunday,I woke up with a terrible eye infection so in I stayed. No continuous birthday celebrations for me this year :(

Next year I am hoping for a vacation for my birthday!!!!

About Me......

Once again, welcome!

I am a thirty-something year old Cuban girl from fabulous Miami!! Woo hoo!! Yes I live in paradise, but like most curly-haired girls wishing they had straight hair and vice-versa, sometimes I wish we had a winter season. I've made mistakes, lost it all and am starting over a new life. That's why this blog is titled "Second Chances Girl" Life has offered me many second chances in the past two years, second chance to be a great mom to my son, second chance at love, second chance at freedom (more about that another time), second chance at being the true me. I have three siblings whom I adore and which you will read alot about, a grown-up niece and nephew that drive me insane and uber-controlling parents that still haven't accepted the fact that I am an adult. Now that I think about it, we could probably entertain people with our own reality show. Kidding aside, I have the most amazing family that have stuck with me through thick and thin. Nobody will ever love me like they do.

My second chance at love is the most amazing guy I have ever met, JC. He is so handsome, patient, smart, funny and kind. We live together, work together and  are trying to establish a "normal-ish" family for my son and his two kids. We've been together for a little over a year and our little family is definitely a work in progress. But I guess, that's how most families are. We are OBSESSED with DIY, him being an architect and all makes it sooooo much easier. We rent our home, but daydream about this amazing fixer-upper we will one day purchase and transform into our own sanctuary. One day..........

Back to me......I wish I were a stay-at-home mom, but sadly have to work (Miami is a very expensive city to live in ), so I live vicariously through all the stay-at-home mom blogs I read. I'm constantly on Pinterest gathering ideas for parties, cooking and my dream home. Feel free to follow me. Love me some Martha Stewart, in my dream world, she is my mother, not that my  mother isn't awesome, she's just not Martha.

Then to my other obsession, my son, AAA. He is six years old and awesome. He is opinionated, funny, stubborn but adorable. My sisters are completely enamored with him and think he is perfect. As my son, I know all his flaws and adore him anyways, unconditional love, right? He is a pretty amazing kid.

That's enough for now........stay tuned for all the craziness!

me and JC........isn't he gorgeous?

me and AAA at my birthday dinner last year!

Welcome!

Welcome!

I'm Ida (though that's not my full name). I've been through alot but not half as much as everyone else. I believe we all have our own stories, sometimes terrifying, sometimes magical. I created this blog just so I can share mine and get all the crazy off my chest. I totally believe in second chances, I was offered an amazing one and am totally determined to make it my best. So welcome..........

Warning......I will write about nothing and everything. I just want to write. Thanks for reading!