Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Playing in the "Jungle"


Matilda and Sebastian came over yesterday afternoon with their Dad.
First words out of their mouths were, "Let's go play in the jungle".

The jungle is the garden, which on looking at it from their eyes, it IS a jungle.

The above photo was taken by Matilda with my camera.  Pretty cute, don't you think?
She squealed with delight when she saw how good it is.

Then off they went to see what fruit was available for picking.  The lemon tree is still covered with lemons.  Up on her Daddy's shoulders, Mati was able to get many to take home.

Of course after Matilda took a photo, Sebastian had to take a photo too.  These are his dinosaurs
that live at Grammy's house in the toy box just waiting for him to come to get them.  (That's what he told me).

The BIG discovery of the day was the amount of pomegranates on the tree.  Of course, since Mati had gotten lemons, Sebastian wanted to get the pomegranates.  ALL boy.  So cute.

Dad really gets a workout lifting and running with the kids.  He loves every second of it!

While they were eating the pomegranate seeds, butterflies of all kinds were flying around.  I think we saw four or five different kinds.  Here they're looking for more..........

While in the "jungle" after Sebastian had watered all the plants, a bug was discovered. I took this photo from a distance.  I didn't want to disturb their "bug hunting" time.

Every time the children leave and I'm reflecting on all that we've done in a few hours, there are ALWAYS sweet memories of someone climbing into my lap for a hug, or telling me something cute or sweet.  First thing Sebastian said when he came in the door was "Grammy can you give Matilda some of your jewelry to play with, please".  Of course I immediately went downstairs and got all kinds of things for Matilda to wear.  She again squealed and laughed in delight.

What more could a Grammy ask for?
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Sunday, July 28, 2013

THRIFTY is coming to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico!


You will probably laugh at this.  But, the town is abuzz with those who "know"
 who Thrifty Ice Cream is - some of the best ice cream found in Mexico.

This ad was in the Atencion newspaper this week.  Quickly the phone lines were ablaze with comments like, "Have you heard?"

Those who have stayed in Melaque or Barra de Navidad KNOW Thrifty.  Others from nearby villages make a pilgrimage once in a while for ice cream.  It's that delicious.

When a friend here in San Miguel tasted it years ago, he contacted Thrifty's headquarters in California to see if he could open a franchise here.  They said no as it would be too hard for distribution purposes.

I don't know what has happened in the ensuing years to cause this to happen but I, along with many others, are very happy.

Since we've had to pay close to $16USD for a quart (I think that is the size), we will be so happy not to be paying those prices anymore.  In fact, I almost never have ice cream because of those prices.
Why is it that much?  I assume because it is imported.

We've all wished, at least those of us from Texas, that Blue Bell would be more widely available but that hasn't happened.

Thrifty will do just fine.  Oh my, Pralines and Cream.....and I don't have to drive to the border.

Now lest you think I'm daft..........many ex-pats experience cravings.  We get this excited when we hear there is okra at Mega.  Or crookneck squash or sweet corn.  It's those things we so seldom get to taste.
They now have Fritos at Walmart in Celaya - a 45 minute drive.  People do drive that far for Fritos!  I'm sure not very often.  A small bag is $4USD. 

What can I say?  Strangely it does happen.  However we do learn over time to substitute.   I must say, when it comes to ice cream, its hard to find a substitute.  Please don't say yogurt......

Happy faces will be seen in San Miguel in the coming weeks.  I bet there will be a line for the first week or so.  There always is in Melaque and Barra.
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Saturday, July 27, 2013

A Wonderful Mexican Wedding in San Miguel de Allende


Two dear friends married in San Miguel last evening.  Linda and Robert.  They met in
Austin a year ago and love bloomed.  Now, both in their early 70's can't stop grinning with the happiness they feel at having met each other.

It was an intimate wedding at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with approximately fifty guests.
The rituals in the church gave no indication of the fun and frivolity that was waiting for us
as we left the church~!

Waiting in the grassy area outside were mojigangas.  They are used at the beginning of parades, at parties and can often be seen in the jardin in the evenings.  We had a bride, a Mexican man and several others.  The costumes are worn by men which adds to the humor of it.  Look for the hairy legs in one of the mojiganga photos.  They love to dip at you when you get close as happened to me. 

In addition to the mojigangas were the estudiantes playing traditional Mexican songs and music.  They serenaded on the grass then paraded with us all the way to our dinner destination.

Another tradition is the burro carrying the baskets of little cups to serve tequila, along with the bottles of tequila.  As we exited the church, they were serving everyone tequila.  I declined.  But many began celebrating at that moment.

One of the most joyous things for me was to see Linda and Robert enjoying all the festivities as much as all their guests.  Here they are being serenaded.

On our way to our dinner destination, we all stopped for group photos.  The mojigangas were
clowning around.  Quite funny.

We headed toward Ancha de San Antonio which is a main north-south two lane road.  It is always crowded with traffic in mid day.  Friday evening was no exception.  However, we spilled out into the
street thereby rendering it into a one lane street.  Amazingly, people in cars were waving, smiling, taking photos and generally stopped and enjoying the festivities.

I thought to myself, "Would this happen in many other places in the world?"  What fun.
Even the bus driver was waving!

We arrived to the Instituto for a delicious sit down dinner of
arrachera, rice and beans with little tomatoes, appetizers galore and open bar.
The service was exquisite as were all the beautiful flowers and table service.

Often during the dinner, "Besos, Besos" would ring out throughout the dining room.
The bride and groom would gladly kiss for the enjoyment of all.

More musicians were playing for us prior to dinner.
Of course after dinner, the chocolate wedding cake with white shaved chocolate
was served along with champagne.
 
The party ensued with dancing and many toasts. It was, without a doubt, the most
delightful wedding I have ever attended.  Mexican customs made it so joyful and surprising a long with seeing so many friends of many years.

The time of day was perfect to get a wonderful photo of the Parroquia along with all the accompanying religious buildings behind it.  It was just another breath taking moment
of the whole exciting evening.
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Thursday, July 25, 2013

Atotonilco ............from a different perspective


Typically when I go out to Atotonilco to take someone to the Sanctuary, we are just about the
only people around other then the people begging in front of the church.

Not the case yesterday as we rolled into town.  Quite a few people wandering the streets and many in the church.  The celebration of the consecration of the church is held on the 20th of July each year. So a celebration had just finished this past weekend.

The church was consecrated in 1740 and completed in 1777.  Hard to believe something this large and elaborate was completed the year after the Declaration of Independence was signed in the USA.

Okay, someone has to help me here.  I have drawn a blank on what the large (and I do mean large)
pillars of honor of the Virgin and others is called.  I have not been able to think of the name for at least two hours.  It's driving me nuts.  It begins with a "c"........Help?

When used in the processions in San Miguel, I don't think they have ever been this tall.  It takes about ten men in San Miguel.   These I can't even imagine.  They are at least thirty feet high.

Each thing on these tall poles is symbolic.  Reed from the river near Huertas is used.  Dried flowers.
Orchid paste and other dried items.  Someone fill in the blanks.

I couldn't photograph the interior of the sanctuary. No flash allowed. Flowers were everywhere.  Magnificently beautiful.  Besides the amazing frescoes, the wooden floor just always touches me.
You wonder about all the feet that have crossed it and the history it has experienced. 

It's extremely unusual to see a wooden floor in this area.  The only other place I've seen this in the area of  San Miguel is the home that Santa Ana stayed in on Mesones.  It too is quite beautiful.

I love that you just never know when you roll into a town in Mexico what you're going to see.

The carnival was on the outskirts of town.  I might have to drive back in a few days to see what is going to happen next........in Atotonilco.
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Oops, I goofed!


I posted photos of the guest house for rent in June for a rental date of September 1st.
I learned that people usually don't plan that far ahead!

There are two short term (one month duration) tenants in the house until September 1st, but no one after that.  Yikes.

It's a lovely, quiet place surrounded by gardens, views of the canyon and presa.  Sometimes even a waterfall down the cliffs! 
In the living room, the sleeper sofa is a queen size.  There is also satellite TV with 120 channels.

The house is light and airy with windows looking into the gardens.

The kitchen is fully stocked with every small appliance that you could want.
Even including a Foreman grill!

The queen size bed is comfy and lying in bed with the French balcony doors open one has a wonderful
view of flowers and the sky.

The house leases short term for $800 a month.  Long term is
$750 a month which includes all utilities, landline phone, satellite TV
and wireless internet.  In addition maid service is provided once a week.

Just another view with the balcony doors open.

The roof terrace has exquisite views of the birds, bats and very few humans.
There is also very few cars that use the road in front of the house!

It's a 10 minute walk to the jardin, five minutes down the hill to the mercado for
fresh produce and artisan goods.  A 5 minute cab ride up or about 10 minute walk back up.

It IS available September 1st.  Long term requires lease and security deposit.  Short term requires security deposit which is refundable in 45 days after telephone bill has arrived.

Sorry no smokers.  Pets on a case by case basis.

Preferably a long term lease, but open to short termers in the meantime!

To contact me send an email to babsofsanmiguel@yahoo.com

House is available to tour the last week of July through August 1st. 
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Dashing Out The Door


Yesterday afternoon I dashed out the door to take photos of what ten inches of
rain has brought in the last three weeks.

The cyclamen, the plant above, is blooming profusely.

The sculpture, made specially for me by my friend Hayes Parker about twenty years
ago looks very pleased.  Doesn't she?

The presa (reservoir) which was dry as a bone three weeks ago is now flowing out of those two small openings shown above.

The bluffs directly across from me are usually the same color as the plant material in the dry season.  Now they really are prominent!

I've never seen this little plant bloom before in the chicken from Chiapas.
This is located on the roof terrace under the roof canopy.  Obviously the rain
has blown in enough to give sustenance to the plants.  Love these tiny blooms.

When the lake in the botanical gardens above this crevice gets too full and they open the dam above, this is where the waterfall will be streaming down!  Can't wait.

Again, this white jasmine is so fragrant.  It's directly in front of the kitchen window. 
I leave the interior window open so the fragrance flows into the house.

Here is the elusive Rangoon Creeper.  I bought one of these in Houston at "It's About Time" years ago.  I bought it because I loved the name.  It NEVER bloomed in Houston.  Voila, this one purchased in San Miguel is blooming~!  Yippee.

Thankfully we had no rain yesterday.  The sun is allowing the plants to dry out just a bit.

And the humans too!
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Monday, July 22, 2013

Ten Inches is a LOT!


It's the 22nd of July.  We have had ten inches of rain in just this month.
It rains every evening and then again throughout the night.

The trees and plants are in ecstasy.  The umbrella business is prospering.

Those of us who might want to go out to dinner in the evening check the skies
before venturing out.  One must look in all directions.

Saturday night, for almost three hours, we had the most intense lightning storm I've witnessed in years. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen a continuous storm for that long.

It was truly amazing.  I've posted a photo on Facebook that someone else shot.  It's stark beauty was mesmerizing.

In the garden, even the elusive Rangoon Creeper is blooming.  I've patiently waited for a couple of years for it to mature to the point of blooming.  I'll get a photo this week and share it with you later.

In the meantime, I'm off to centro for the coffee klatch group with umbrella in hand.
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Saturday, July 20, 2013

Velcro's Routine


This past week as things settled down and I had a little time for observation as well as rest and relaxation, I've noticed something quite extraordinary about Velcro's routine.

She has a time schedule!

The day starts this way.  I have been checking the clock to see if it is the same time each day or not.
It is the same time!

She wakes me up in the morning in one of three ways to go out.  First she tries opening the door to outside with her claws.  If that doesn't work she goes to my side of the bed and bumps the closet door to wake me (it always does).  Then if I don't get up fast enough, she walks on the bookshelf above my head across to the table by the door and jumps down to wait.  By then I'm at the door to let her out.

This is at 6AM.

Then at 7:30, if I'm not up, she wakes me by shaking the screen door.  It thumps, I awaken and let her in.  She goes upstairs, eats, comes back downstairs and goes out the screen door.

She lollygags around the garden until I go upstairs to fix my coffee and possibly fix a bite to eat.  By this time she is at the kitchen door, bumps the door to let me know she's there.  (as if I didn't already know). 

She comes in, paces til I give her a wee bit of milk.  Then she jumps on the loveseat in the living room for her morning nap.  She might sleep there til noon!

I'm off doing this and that.  She goes out around 2 pm.  Back in at 4PM and sits on the chaise while I watch the 5:30 news.

When I come downstairs later in the evening - around 8, there she is.  She jumps up on the soft comforter at the foot of the bed, settles down and sleeps in that one position until 6AM in the morning.

I think I'm going to throw my watches away.  If a cat can tell what time it is without one, it seems I should be able to also.

Velcro continues to surprise me with her ability to let me know what she wants.  Her ability to exist without talking.  And her ability to terrorize the lizards on the walls and the birds in the trees.

What a life!
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Friday, July 19, 2013

Ole' Ole' Restaurant - San Miguel de Allende


In 2003, Bon Appetit produced a  Collector's Edition called, " The Soul of MEXICO".
It is a treasure from cover to cover.  Something I've used over and over as
I traveled throughout Mexico.

The editors included a Restaurant Directory of the "best".  In San Miguel some of the best were Chamonix, El Petit Four, Ole' Ole' among others.  All of which I patronized at the time and still do today.

In other cities, Ole' Ole' was in the company of fabulous places such as El Naranjo in Oaxaca; Casa del Conde in Valenciana, Guanajuato; Gaia in Cuernavaca and Izote in Mexico City.  In other words, some of the best of the best.

I've enjoyed exploring the list along with still enjoying Ole' Ole' each time I dine there.

It's funky, it's fun, quite delicious and totally unpretentious.  MY kind of place.

It's one of those old fashioned kind of places where the family lives in the back and the restaurant is in the front. 

In this case, the owner was a former matador.  Hence all the bullfighting kitsch.  It is a one of a kind place.

I have to admit it has been a couple of years since I had been there.  Instead of fajitas pollo being 60 pesos, they are now 85 pesos.  Around $6.50 US!  It's corn or flour tortillas.  All the sides and a pounded chicken breast that is seasoned well, tender and juicy.  Enough food for two to three tortillas.

It was as delicious and delightful as always.  The best fajitas in San Miguel.

Even though it had been two years or more the same waitress was there and she remembered me!

Ole'!

You could spend an hour just looking at the posters, plaques and photos.

Several bull heads follow you throughout the restaurant.

And then, a stuffed bull.  What can I say?
At least its not a stuffed chicken?

If you're interested in going there you won't regret it. 
Near the artisans market on Loreto.  Look for the black bull sign as you come down the street.
They are open from 1PM til..........

Ole!
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