Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Happy 9th Birthday, Carmen!!



 
 
Happy 9th Birthday, Sweet Carmen!!
 
 
Our precious granddaughter turned 9 on January 27th.
If you have followed me through the past three years or so
you may remember a couple of the pictures.
 
Carmen asked her birthday party guests to bring a gift  for a donation. This year she chose to give soccer shoes to children who are under the care of DIF... a program in Mexico which is a little like WIC in
the U.S. Last year she donated corrective shoes to needy
children. Every year Carmen picks a charity or a cause
 that is special to her.
 
Carmen, Abuela and Pops are so very proud of you...
and love you so much!



Sunday, January 6, 2013

Happy New Year!!



 
Happy New Year!
 
I'm late to say "Happy 2013",
but I learned today... it doesn't matter when, but that
it's done.
 
 
My dear friends, Nancy and Laura ("White Spray Paint")
and I met for coffee at a McDonald's in Columbus, Texas.
 
We had not found made, made,  found the time to
meet for coffee in probably a month. VERY rare for us.
Sadly I didn't get a picture but the one above is from
last year...
 
Not much has changed except...
a wrinkle or two, a pound or two.. or three,
and I was introduced to Medicare!
 
Oh well... we found ourselves attending the same wedding
out of town and quickly escaped the hotel coffee room
for the privacy of McDonald's... due to the sweet suggestion of my hubby.
 
The visit was too short but we did promise to meet again soon.
 
Just as I plan to be back here SOON!
 
Cheers!



Saturday, August 25, 2012

Can we have summer "do-overs"?




Do you ever wish you could relive an event?

My youngest brother had a birthday this summer and with his family out of the country I just HAD to be with him.
Coincidentally our oldest son and his family had just arrived from Mexico for a vacation.

As many of us as possible gathered at the
Elm Creek Cafe near tiny Lincoln, Texas.
(I will post about Lincoln, Texas in the future sometime. It's been our family's
meeting place for just over 60 years!)

Work kept some of our family members from attending
and we truly missed them... but we all understood that
life just has these twists sometimes.

For me, it was the first time to be there with family since the passing of both of my parents in 2008. Funny though how
I felt they were with us. Does that ever happen to you?

I was thrilled Aunt Jo Anne, my father's youngest sibling and only sister, enjoyed the spotlight of being the
"head" of the family! She is such a dear to us and so much fun! Every family should have an "Aunt Jo Anne"!

You'll see in the pictures a young man sitting at the head of a table. He is our nephew. Those blonde kiddos are his children. You'll see our son (red shirt) and his wife (blue blouse/yellow shorts) and the brunette grandchildren having a grand time with cousins they are spending time with for the first time. So many fun stories associated with this gathering.

In one of the  pictures you'll see one of my brothers is teasing the younger one "thrilled" to point out to him that he now qualifies for the senior citizen discount. They are so funny together and there are always tons of pranks and jokes when they're around.

One son drove all the way from Houston to see his oldest brother and relatives since this is a rare occassion these days for my family. His effort was so appreciated!

Just look at those children.
They were a hoot!

Carmen and Ava were inseparable. Young David (our grandson) clung to his older cousins Thomas Allen and Forrest. That was fun to watch. David prefers to speak Spanish although understands English perfectly. There was no language barrier between the children.

What a blessing the day was.
Any way to have "do-overs"???

*

Today I am linking to
Little Red House


for
Mosaic Monday
Check it out at

Thursday, July 26, 2012

They're almost here!!

Okay... I haven't blogged in nearly a month, but between a trip to Mexico, a family reunion that I am heavily involved with and now our oldest son, his wife and children arriving today for two weeks... well, late August is looking like a good time to start blogging again!


Here is our oldest son with his little boy on the plane.
Our grandson looks a little leary of the trip however he is a seasoned traveler at the ripe old age of four.



And here is our daughter-in-law with our granddaughter.
I suspect those are fashion magazines in their laps.
Surely they are mapping out their shopping excursions
between trips to see relatives and
a stay at S. Padre Island, Texas.

Lots of pictures will be taken so
for sure I'll be documenting this long-awaited visit.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!

Off to the airport...
Woo-hoo... let the fun begin!!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Carmen's Ricotta Cheese Spread




Carmen's Ricotta Cheese Spread

Recotta cheese, drained if necessary
Minced serrano chili to taste
Tops of green onins, sliced very thin
Fresh garlic to taste
Small amount of minced parsely

Mix and chill.
Spread on crisp tosadas
or
Pita crackers

This is so delicious!  It was served at a party this past weekend by my daughter-in-law's mother "Mother Carmen"... or "Cha-cha" as her children and grandchildren call her.

Be sure to visit
Designs by Gollum
for some great
"Foodie Friday" treats!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Carmen's Celebration in Mexico


Remembering back the day sweet Carmen was baptized I knew this was only the beginning of special events in her life.

This past Saturday we traveled to Mexico to see our
granddaughter celebrate her First Communion.



Baby's Breath filled large pots in the church and the children proceded into the church walking on a white
carpet. Carmen was accompanied by her sponsors, her aunt and uncle.



And as is the custom, a wonderful party was
held, complete with family and close friends.


So much wonderful food and
all who attended had a great time!

And when it was over...



Carmen grabbed her aunt's
high heel shoes and paraded around.

Sweet, sweet Carmen,
 how you steal our hearts!

*

I'm linking to Savvy Southern Style

for Wow Us Wednesdays