I just returned from my annual winter getaway to Mexico. This year I stayed further down the coast of the Mayan Riviera at a resort that sat between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Unlike most winter sun-seekers, my husband and I don’t just sit on the beach for a week. We both love history and culture, so we prefer to explore ancient Mayans ruins. Coba was among this year’s trek and it was amazing. It dates back to 100 BC!

Coba sits in the jungle and isn’t entirely restored and/or excavated. It also boasts the second largest Mayan pyramid, sitting 12 stories high! My husband climbed it. I chickened out.

We were also enthralled by the large monoliths throughout the ruins. This one in particular discusses the 2012 Mayan Prophecy. I don’t speak Mayan and I can rally read this stone… but our guide told us it describes something major happening on December 21, 2012. Some fear the end of the world. Others say it means the end of an era. Our guide says his people, the modern Maya, believe there will be an eclipse. I guess we’ll have to wait a few months and see.

A conversation with a co-worker reminded me of one of my guilty pleasures. I hate to admit it, but I enjoy really cheesy movies from the 70s and 80s. Especially musical disco flicks with terrible production numbers.

One particular favorite has to be “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” featuring Peter Frampton and the BeeGees. Who knew Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees could make such good music, but such bad movies? Just because you are a great musician does not mean you will make a great actor. But, it is so worth watching. I just wonder what John, Paul, George and Ringo thought of it.

Next we have the classic “You Can’t Stop the Music” Yes, it is indeed the epic 1980 sensation story of the formation of none other than the Village People. Feathers, leather, and hard hats abound in this classic. Not only does this flick feature all five members of the village, it has a cut-off clad Bruce Jenner. Do I need to say more?

I am sure it is not easy to find these fine films at you neighborhood move store, but they are worth the extra effort. Just don’t hold me responsible if your head exploded while watching them.

The holidays are here which means it is time for me to start finding baking shortcuts for family get-togethers. Katie Thompson gave me this one. It is so easy, and yummy. Enjoy!

Small jello
1/4 cup boiling water
When it gets cool stir in
6 oz yogurt Strawberry
Put in tub of Coolwhip
Pour in a graham cracker crust
Refridgrate 4 hours

That’s it! Your family won’t even know it took you more time to buy the ingredients than put them together.

This is a very special Santa visiting with my two boys. This Santa Claus spends the off season as the head of the broadcasting department at Ohio Northern University. It warmed my heart when Santa hugged me and shook my husbands hand, then told my oldest son how special his parents are. It surely put a little more magic in my holiday. I even had to chuckle when I overheard my son tell his friend, “My Mom knows the real Santa. I met him.”

Happy holidays from my family to yours.

As if working mom guilt isn’t bad enough, here is what happened at my home while I was working last Friday evening:

No, this was not staged. Apparently my husband was making dinner and walked into the dinning room to find my son sitting at his little table reading ‘Working Mother’ magazine. He said he had just enough time to grab his iPad and snap this picture. Now, before you think my child is a super smart, or even a little strange… turns out he was really just looking at a Lego ad.

It is no secret I am a big fan of Halloween. I begin decorating in September and usually have an October full of activities planned. I even had carved pumpkins at my wedding (also in October.)

My husband tolerates me and sometimes even gets in to the spirit. I have even passed my love for Halloween on to my oldest son. (The baby is just 12 weeks old – I have plenty of time to convert him.) He starts planning his costume in August.

A few years ago we started a tradition of trick-or-treating at the Toledo Zoo. It’s a family affair which includes my nephew and in-laws. This year was no different. The weather cooperated and it was a gorgeous day.

My boys were a pumpkin head and a ghostbuster. Check them out:

Wow. My first week back after maternity leave has been a whirlwind. It didn’t take my husband and I long to realize that we needed to be a little more organized and do more planning ahead.

Enter the crock pot.

Our new plan is to use the crock pot… often. We have started to compile recipes to use. I decide to combine a few and come up with something for dinner Tuesday. The result was a yummy pork stew. Now I’ll share my creation with you.

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 lbs cubed pork (I used pork chops)
½ baby carrots
½ lb cubed potatoes
A handful or so of frozen peas
A handful or so of chopped onion
1 can chicken broth
1 packet brown gravy mix
Salt
Pepper

Brown the pork in the olive oil.

Throw the pork and other ingredients in your crock pot. Salt and pepper as desired. Mix and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.

Many people have wondered where I have been for the past few months. Well, I have been on maternity leave.

My husband and I welcomed our second son, Ian, in to the world August 3rd. He was a whopping 4 lbs. 4 oz. and 17 inches long. He’s small, but mighty. He was not premature and is perfectly healthy… just little. However, Ian is catching up fast.

My oldest, Kelan, is adjusting well. In fact, he is a great big brother. He is a big helper around the house and is always quick to try to entertain Ian when he is fussy.

Of course, I miss my boys, but I am happy to be back to work. I sure I will have lots of family update for you in the future. Stay tuned!

Here is perhaps my favorite all time summer recipe. I found it in a magazine years ago and modified it with my own touches. It is so easy, and delicious.

Ingredients:

3 cups berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries – or mix them all!)
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 (3 1/2 oz.) box berry Jello
1 graham cracker pie shell
Whipped Cream

Mix water, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook until thick. Add 1 box berry Jello. Stir until dissolved. Let cool and thicken. Fill pie shell with berries. Pour Jello mixture over berries. Chill then top with whip cream.

Its strawberry season! I picked my first out of my small garden last night. I don’t have many, so I hope to head off to a You-Pick strawberry farm this weekend. Luckily I have found several in the area. It will be a family affair. My mom is coming for a visit and my son will join us as well.

If you want to pick your own strawberries, here is a list of some area farms you can check out:

Suter Produce – Pandora
Freedom Farm Market – Delta
Johnston Fruit Farms – Swanton

If you know of any other you-pick farms, drop me an email at hmiller@foxtoledonews.com

Next week I’ll give you my easy strawberry pie recipe!