Each year, a group of ladies meet for Fiesta lunch. It is always a day filled with laughter, fun stories, a little shopping and good times.

We were sitting outside and birds kept swooping down close to us, dropping twigs around. We were just waiting for them to make a deposit on one of us.

It reminded me of a story.....a story of how many years ago, beginning in my middle school years, I used to ALWAYS get pooped on by birds. Once in New Orleans on a field trip, once in Carlsbad Caverns, in a parking lot, on my car....etc.

Then, one day, my (then) husband was laying out by the pool next to me and HE got dumped on. I jumped up, sang, danced and celebrated because I knew that the curse was broken!

I told this story today, and then.....

The piñata was a tradition born in China. Piñata's were filled with seeds and after opened, the remains were burned and the ashes kept for good luck. The piñata came to Mexico during the 16th century. It is said that the Mexican Catholic interpretation of the piñata rested on the struggle of man against temptation. The piñata's photographed above are in a wonderful Mexican bakery....a temptation in it's own right!

A local Spanish channel asked if they could interview us about the Fiesta festivities. The director said "the first question we will ask is where you are from". So, the field anchor says ".....something something Nombre"....My reply was "San Antonio". He stops the tape and says "what is your name, I am asking your name". OOPS.
The second take went much better. I said my name when he asked, only with some Spanish flare. OOPS. I didn't even know I did it. When in Rome???


All in all, it was a day filled with great friends, a little crap and much laughter.....VIVA LA FIESTA!!!!!

All That Glitters.

This Christmas, there was no shortage of bright sparkly things to catch a little girls eye. Brilliant hues of red, pink, purple, turquoise and lime green. Christmas morning has that same magical quality and feeling as when you enter the gates of Disney World©. Only, it is over in about 10 minutes. Then, all we are left with is a graveyard of wrapping paper, boxes, tissue, twist ties, bows and whatever else was binding the toy to it's package.
I made my annual Creme Brulee' French Toast, Thick Cut Bacon and Sparkling Orange Juice. 
We went to Christmas dinner at my girl, Shannon's house. Mark and Shannon made a delicious dinner and I felt blessed to celebrate with people that I dearly love on Jesus' birthday. 
Christmas is a season and a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to celebrate life, appreciate family and to be thankful for all that glitters in our world.

Part-ayyyyyy

We made chocolate martinis, peppermint martinis, appletini's and mar-tiny's too.

We had a Holiday Cheer Martinis and Beer party with neighbors and friends. It was a super fun time. Everyone hung out in the kitchen, the rest of the house was untouched, funny how that happens. The kitchen is most certainly the heart of the home. There are a few friends that are super special to us that were not able to make it....I hope your evening was just as eventful!

I hope you have a lot to be "Cheerful" about this Christmas.

Sacred

Here, my Dad is teaching the girls how to play their new Fender guitar.
Paw Paw is in a band and is a wonderful guitar player. It is too bad he doesn't live closer, the girls really enjoyed their lessons. Look at the pure JOY on Lexie's face, it melts my heart.





Is that YOU Santa Claus?
What a delight it was to go to Gordie and Paw Paw's house and get to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Santa called out the girls names and they were shocked. It was so fun to see the merry bewilderment in their faces...."how'd he know we would be here?"...I remember, the magic, do you?
Now, giving that magic to our girls is even more amazing than my own childhood memories of Christmas mornings...




Dad and Gordie,
Thank you SO much for such a wonderful time. I don't think there could have been a better gift than to spend time with the people we hold so dear in our hearts during Christmas. I remember the time I spent with my grandparents as a kid, and I truly hope that this will make an impression on our girls hearts. I know it has made one on mine.
Love you both,

Best Shot Monday - Louisiana

Sassy and T-bone



Pa-k, Nan-e and the girls (Grandparents)


Gabrielle, Lexie and Bella (cousins)


In the "Clubhouse" with Sarah, Emily and Rachel (Aunts)


Uncle Moose and Sassy (Siblings)

We had a great time with our family in Lafayette over the Christmas holiday. To me, there is nothing better than to be surrounded by people that you love during the holidays. We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family, extended family and friends to celebrate with....I hope you all feel comfort, joy and appreciate the blessings in your lives.

These are a few of my best shots. To see more, head over to Tracey's. Happy Monday Y'all!

Merry Christmas!

May your holidays be Merry and Bright.

Lighting the runway

If you want Santa to stop by, ya gotta give him a landing strip, right? The pitch on our roof is really high and since T-bone isn't fond of heights, well, you get runway lighting. Our neighborhood is having a "Griswold" Christmas contest. We grew a Christmas tree in our front yard (on the left) just for the occasion. The girls had the most fun putting up the ornaments on the tree outside.