A Reflection

The problem with mirrors, even those that are pretty and new...

Is that they never lie.
A mirror has the power to demand accountability; it commands verity to be shared.

I could hang up a painting and make you see what I want you to see.
You could stand at my window, on the outside looking in, and have a version of the truth within your view.

The truth is, your perception is your reality.
How you see things and people around you, is how they are in your world.

When I have doubts about what is real or not.
I need not go far; just to the end of the hall where my reality hangs.

When the truth is told, my next steps are what defines my reality.
How I react to my reflection speaks volumes.

When change is imminent, as shown by my sun-burst companion,
I have two choices.

The problem with mirrors...
Is that they never, ever lie.


**I've been thinking a lot of about my 2013 Word. I had one for 2012, but didn't quite follow-through on my posts and updates. As I started to think about the upcoming year, the above just came to me. It's not a normal, happy-go-lucky post, but the words are honest.  

Sharing Pleasanton

I've shared a few San Francisco posts with you. I've also held back a lot of pictures. I took several million, I am sure. I was going through my photos again yesterday afternoon and thought I'd share a few more.

Downtown Pleasanton is like a small town from any romance novel you've ever read. The buildings were beautiful. The trees were enormous. People were friendly. And yes, we were still in California. :D  What I loved most about the the area were the small shops. We were there in the beginning of October and all of the stores were decked out in Halloween decor.

The Witch is in
I can't remember the name of this particular store. I do remember, though, that the owners dad was manning the bakery counter. The place smelled divine and had the best tablescapes. Just lovely.

They had places with the greatest names. Look at Jaime Bridal. Of course, it's J'aime, which is French for love. 

Murphy's Paw
There was this extremely adorable shop called Murphy's Paw. I didn't want to take my camera out in all of the stores and freak people out. Instead, I secretly snapped some shots as the husband and I walked from store to store.

A Horse of Course

I think this is one of my most favorite shops; they sell western gear. And I made a friend. Passers-by probably thought I was insane for posing next to an inadament object. Oh well.

At one point, Marcos and I declared that Pleasanton would be the place we retired to when we are old and gray. That was until I decided to look at house prices on Zillow. I think we'll stay put.

A Sample For Our Sweet Teeth

The Mister all but begged me to bake cookies this weekend. And with him, it's never simple. Take, for example, his wants for Saturday breakfast. Where I am good with making pancakes. He wants pancakes, bacon, eggs with veggies, potatoes... I could go on. I could!

So, why should cookies wants be any different? But, I was ready for his request. Isabel and I pulled out three mixing bowls, pre-measured our dry ingredients and then one-by-one, mixed the wet ingredients in my Kitchen Aid, combined the dry and put everything back into the mixing bowl to add the good stuff. That was a total run on sentence. I couldn't stop myself.

Isa and I were quick and stealth-like. We were able to mix three cookie doughs in under 30 minutes. And then, everyone left me as I baked over eight dozen cookies. What the heck was I thinking? Oh yeah, I guess I should mention that Marcos was in the guest bath finishing up the new back splash tile (which looks AWESOME), so I guess I kind of owed him.

Eight dozen cookies?!
So not what you think. I gave at least a dozen to my neighbor, Jen. And Marcos took five dozen into work for his guys on Sunday. That left us with a mere two dozen to enjoy.

We made Chocolate Chip with walnuts, Mini Chocolate Chip with Christmas M&Ms and Peanut Butter Kisses (which some people may refer them to Peanut Butter Blossoms. I think Kisses sounds better. And sounds more delish at that!).

So these three are definitely on our Christmas Cookie list of this holiday season. I also want to try my hand at Gingerbread Men and Butter Pecan Balls. I've never made either before.

What's on your Christmas Cookie list?! Still looking for some ideas!