Saturday, September 4, 2010

Brown Family Update

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I can't believe that the winds of change are upon our door once again as the summer season comes to an end. I still welcome the month of August with child-like anticipation...anticipation of another birthday, anticipation of school commencing, and of that crisp autumn air just around the corner.

It makes it the perfect time to re-cap the summer of 2010 for the Brown's!

The Brown family started off June with a big bang and participated in the Relay for Life Cancer fundrasier at Juan Diego Catholic Center, where we walked for 24hrs straight, in the very cold rain, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Paul helped set up the "camp site" and the boys helped decorate the illuminary bags in honor of my mother, Paul's mother, my sister Katina, aunt Nina, aunt Susie, and my dear friend Amy O'Grady. It was a very powerful event.

In June, we were also fortunate enough to attended a ReAL soccer game with full "red carpet" treatment, including dinner and drinks with the players, as well as, going out to our cushy seats via the player's hallway! All courtesy of Paul's sister Patti. She happens to be ReAl's PR director--lucky us. The boys kept telling me how they could get use to the VIP status. . We also said good-bye to Paul's nephew, Sean and his family, who were transfered to Austin TX for work--Paul will definitely miss his only BYU croonie in Ute country.

In July, we celebrated the 4th with a great BBQ, parade, and water fight at a friend's house and then headed off to the mountains and spent a couple of days fishing and lounging at Smith and Morehouse with the same bunch. We kept celebrating throughout the month with dinner parties, BBQs, concerts and spending time outdoors. Austin learned the meaning of working while everyone else had fun...he's a cabana boy at Cowabunga so how bad could it really be?...Kohnor had too much fun and time to get into plenty of mischeive. And as for Jack, well he worked on his tan.

We continued on the first several weeks of August celebrating the beautiful weather with family and friends, and trying to get every bit of summer in. But alas, here we are...school started the last week of August bringing with it books and pencils, due dates and homework....and another birthday... welcoming the crisper autumn air awaiting in the wings.

~Giovanna

Friday, September 3, 2010

September Birthday's

A very Happy Birthday to all the September Birthday's!

We wish you all the best on your day and your upcoming year!
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Michael & Peter-September 15th
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Mary-September 28th
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Jack-September 29th
P.S. I believe Nonno's birthday was September 25th from what I have in my list. I didn't have a picture of him on my computer, but a very Happy Birthday to our Nonno as well!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Santamaria Cookbook

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We all know that the Santamaria family likes to eat (especially the ones who are first in line at each family gathering!). And we eat really good and tasty food, "muy rico!" (by the way, we really miss sharing that delicious food with you.)

So I was thinking (even before we moved) how wonderful it would be if we combined all of that knowledge and enjoyment in a Family Cookbook. I am willing to head up the project, but I just need help from all the wonderful cooks in the family. I mean ALL! (Yes, each of you need to contribute to the cause!) It would be a great way to share with each other and to share with those who will grow up and enjoy eating all the good food we can make! I know, some of you will say you don't use a recipe because you are so good that you don't need to follow the recipe any more, but we would love to have a copy of the recipes that we enjoy so much together.

So if you could try to write down approximately what you put into your recipe we will take that too. I would love to be able to type everything up and have a real book made for each of us who want one by Christmas. I'm not sure if that is crazy and too fast, or if we can do it. I will need to type them up and get it ready for printing and there is a good chance we will move sometime in November (or maybe December) as Gianni will be finishing up his 6 months of training, so I make no promises, but I will do my best. Now, in order for this to work, I need recipes from everyone. Send as many recipes as you would like to. We need recipes in any category: Main Dish, Sides, Salads, Desserts, Breakfast, Cookies, Beverages, Sauces, Appetizers, Bread/baked goods, Pasta, BBQ,etc. (Does Paella need its own category?) We will make a category for whatever you have.

If you could get them to me by October 1, that would be ideal, but I know we are all busy. If some of you choose not to participate, I will hunt you down until you share! Not really, but I will beg you and bug you because I really want us to share and I think it will be a lot of fun. Thank you in advanced for your participation. Just email them to me at sportsfiendjc@yahoo.com or mail them to me at 253 Lakeville Cir. Petaluma, CA 94954. Hope to hear from you soon!

P.S. If there is a recipe that someone has made that you want to make sure gets into the cookbook, please let me know so I can ask that person for the specific recipe you would like!

Jolene