Happy New Year 2009

Happy New Year to all my family, friends and readers! OK, I know I am a bit tardy in sending you my New Year's wishes but they are sincere, just the same!

When I was a child, my mother, who was a second grade teacher, always took down the Christmas tree on New Year's Day because she had to return to work on Jan. 2nd. Also on New Year's Day, she cooked cabbage and said we eat cabbage on New Year's Day for good luck for the upcoming year.

When I moved to Chicago, friends taught me to eat herring on New Year's Day, and now that I am living in the south, I have learned yet another tradition for the holiday.

Some southerners eat black-eyed peas, collard greens and cornbread, saying that the peas represent pennies, the greens are for dollars, and the cornbread is for gold for the new year.

Other southern tables are loaded down with Hoppin' John (rice and black-eyed peas) and ham hocks.

I wondered about the cabbage that we used to eat and using the miracle of "Googling", I learned some interesting myths for New Year's.

Eating cabbage is a German practice while the Italians and Brazilians eat lentils---all hoping to become wealthy in the New Year. Herring is a Scandinavian and German custom and the Spaniards and Latin Americans eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight---one grape each time the clock strikes---in order to become healthy, wealthy and wise in the New Year!

Although I was in Mexico last year, I really don't know if they have a special superstition for New Year's Day food. If anyone knows a Mexican custom, please write a comment and let me know.

Many cultures eat some form of pork for the New Year's dinner. They say that since pigs root forward and never go backwards, that means good luck will come to you as you go forward into the new year. It seems a universal thought never to eat lobster on New Year's day because lobsters move backwards!!

Well, New Year's Day found my larders empty of black eyed peas, cabbage and herring! Oh, dear! What to do? What about my luck in 2009 and would I never get any money?!!? Searching through Mother Hubbard's cupboard, I found split peas which I made into a delicious soup and added cornbread (at least I will get some gold in 2009!).

Here is my New Year's meal, along with a bayberry candle which, as the poem goes:

A bayberry candle burned down to the socket,

Brings luck to the home and wealth to the pocket.

So perhaps I will be covered for luck and wealth in 2009, thanks to my cornbread and bayberry candle!

Hasta luego.

The December Holidays

Advent: the time of expectation; the time of waiting; the time of preparation.

It is a busy time, preparing for Christmas: shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking---but also a peaceful, quiet time: reading, attending church services, lighting advent candles.

We had some of both, during the month of December, beginning with three very delightful musical concerts.

Our son, MJ, plays bassoon in the Alpharetta City Band and on a chilly Sunday afternoon, we tapped our toes to Jingle Bells Forever, Sleighride, and other holiday favorites. What fun!

Next was a lovely holiday concert at Z and C's high school. There were about 60 students in the Wind Ensemble. The guys, very handsome in their tuxs and the gals, looking lovely in black dresses, played music from the "Nutcracker Suite", and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" among other selections. Z plays Euphonium and C plays the tuba and we are very impressed with the talent of all these young musicians.

Finally, we were entertained by M's 4th grade chorus at his elementary school. "Experiencing Winter Through Song and Poetry", the children said poems and sang songs about Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and winter. They had worked hard all fall on their music and did a great job!




Here is part of the 4th grade chorus.

Next we were entertained at our church's Great Wednesdays at Grace by Kristi, our expert caterer, and John, our florist extraordinaire, who gave us ideas for holiday table decorations and special holiday foods. Kristi was ably assisted by Mr. Neat and two friends who cook lunch each week for a local mission. We all had a good laugh as Kristi struggled to teach the men how to make a quiche!!!

Mr. Neat watches as Bill pours cream into the food processor.


As we got closer to Christmas, we decorated the Christmas tree and put out the manger scenes.


This is our tree, adorned on the top by the angel we bought for our first Christmas tree, and at the bottom by a tree skirt made by our sister-in-law many, many years ago. As we put each ornament on the tree, we talk about when and where we got the ornament and who gave it to us or where we bought it and why. We reminisce, recalling old friends and years gone past. Little pleasures!




Stockings made for each of us (including the dog), by our good friend and neighbor in Chicago, hang each year at the fireplace. Angels from Germany, a Christmas clock, and a tiny sheep that was from my mother's childhood are some of the special memories on the mantel. On the small table is one of our three manger scenes.

This manger scene must go on the table so Nellie, our Goldendoodle doesn't pick up the pieces!

And finally, the tiny nacimiento that I bought in Mexico brings back memories of last December when I celebrated Advent in Mexico. In Mexico, the baby Jesus is not placed in the nacimiento until Christmas Eve and the Wise Men continue on their journey, arriving at the nacimiento on the Three Kings Day, Jan. 6th.

Finally, all the work completed, the anticipation coming to an end, Christmas Eve arrives.

Our family gathers at our son's home for an afternoon of food, fun and music. CA's pretty table was laden with ham, turkey, salads and dips.

The afternoon passed quickly with everyone playing games.

C and Mr. Neat playing Gin Rummy!

After dinner, the ladies in red posed for a photo!

Z, CA, me, and AE dressed in our holiday finest!

Then it was time for the music to begin!

"The Family Band" plays Christmas music. M changed from playing piano to his new saxophone; C plays trumpet instead of tuba; and new member, MD, plays in the band for the first time with his toy tambourine! C was on guitar and MJ played piano for several rousing Christmas songs!

Finally everyone went to church for midnight mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas morning found all of us at our daughter, AE's home, to see what Santa left, to empty stockings, and exchange gifts.

Mr. Neat tries out the 3-D glasses that the boys got as he waits to open his stocking!

MD is delighted with his gift of a toy saxophone while MA waits to open his present.

Christmas Day is over but December celebrations continue! Friends invited us to their annual Boxing Day party.

Judy works in her new kitchen with the help of friends.

It was such a warm day that the party spilled over onto their patio. Good friends, good food, good fun!

We closed out December with a Christmas brunch, with AE's family, at our house . MJ's family left for Orlando the day after Christmas. The marching band was performing in the football bowl game on Saturday and marching in a parade on Monday so they missed out on the Feliz Navidad Huevos Rancheros, (Merry Christmas Eggs) fresh pineapple, orange juice and warm coffeecake--homemade yet!

The table looked festive.

After brunch, M and M watched a movie and played Lone Ranger, while the adults visited. Before going home, they gathered around the tree for a family photo.

Mr. Neat and I are truly blessed to have our families close and good friends with whom we can celebrate the season.

Christmases will come and go and the years will pass, but I will never forget my friends and the children with whom I celebrated the Advent season last year in Mexico. (I was home here for Christmas Eve and Day.) It was a wonderful experience, opening my eyes to the unique celebrations of others. This year I shared some happiness with my friends there by talking on the telephone to many of them before Christmas.

Just for fun, scroll down the page and look back at some of the blogs from December of last year and reread the writings about the Dia de Guadalupe and look at the picture of the children of the Salvation Army singing Christmas carols in front of WalMart.

I am very fortunate to have friends in both countries.

Hasta luego.

My English Class

This fall I have been teaching English as a Second Language to Hispanic adults here in Georgia. It is a great class with some beginners, a few intermediates and a couple of advanced students. These are parents of children who attend an elementary school in our town and they are a committed group. They are making great strides in learning English and I am proud of their efforts!

They not only study English with me for three hours, twice a week, but also take a parenting class taught in Spanish by Joyce. They are learning much about our culture and how parenting in the USA differs from parenting in their country.

Here is the class:





Last week I gave each of them a small Christmas remembrance: an ornament and a candy cane. They learned some Christmas vocabulary words and sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"!

Today Joyce organized a Christmas party for our students and their children. Pizza, drinks, candy, gifts for everyone, a Christmas story for the kids and a rousing chorus of Jingle Bells made a fun day for everyone! The adults gave a gift to each of their children and made little Christmas trees with candy hidden inside.

Some of the mothers put last minute touches to the Christmas trees. Lift up the tree and---a surprise: candy!

Joyce had poinsettias and bags of candy for everyone.

Lots of pictures, lots of smiles, and lots of fun! The children were so happy and the parents were very pleased.

We will have a break for Christmas but everyone will be back, studying English once again, at the beginning of January.

Hasta luego.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving: a unique American holiday; a day we set aside to give thanks for all our many blessings; and a day for family, food, football and fun!

In our family, the kids and grandkids come home to be together, eat turkey, and just enjoy being with each other. Our tradition has been that they come on Wednesday and leave on Saturday, so we have three days of "togetherness". A big turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a little football on TV, a card game of Hearts or Gin Rummy, and watching a movie or two fill the time.

A cornucopia, pilgrims (salt and pepper shakers), candles and fall leaves decorate the table.

The family gathers for Thanksgiving dinner while C takes the photo.

On Friday, Mr. Neat and the grandkids raked some leaves! They were a big help.

We were very grateful to have everyone together and especially for the many blessings that each of us have in our lives.

Hasta luego.

Family Day at Montessori

The Montessori school where our youngest grandson attends kindergarten had Family Day today. Parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters were invited to observe in the classroom, attend the Thanksgiving program, and nibble on snacks. What fun!

Miss Kathy, the teacher, helps M prepare to do some Mathematics. In the tray are ones, tens, hundreds and thousands. He was able to add four-place numbers and understands the placements.

Notice the fresh flower on his desk! Every week, a parent provides a bunch of fresh flowers for the classroom and the children care for them.

M reads a story to a proud Nana! The students learn to read and write at their own pace and M is pleased to be able to read now that he is in afternoon kindergarten!

Children choose their work and put it on mats on the floor or on a table. They learn to get out a project and put it away when finished and they don't go on to something else until they complete what they are doing. The classroom is very organized.

This Montessori school meets in a church so after observing in the classroom, we went into the church for the Thanksgiving program.

Here the toddlers joined the big kids to sing songs and the kindergartners said a Thanksgiving poem that they had written. Lots of proud parents and grandparents and many, many pictures!!!

Yummy snacks!

The children, parents and grandparents were happy and I am sure the teachers were relieved that it was all over!!

The Montessori school in Puerto Vallarta had a Thanksgiving program too. How nice it would be to see photos from their celebration!

Hasta luego.

Autumn in North Georgia

Autumn has been gorgeous in our neck of the woods. Even though we are in a severe drought, the trees have been beautiful. The colors of the leaves and the clear blue sky---sometimes with white fluffy clouds---have beckoned me to take more pictures than I know what to do with! Although the fall color in Georgia cannot compare with the color in the New England states (there the colors are sooo vivid!), the mountains are still glorious in their fall splendor.

Just look at the tree in our back yard!




The tree is full and vibrant with red, orange and yellow leaves even though there is a blanket of leaves below it already.





In our front yard, the Ginkgo tree, with its very yellow leaves, makes a nice contrast to the red oak next to it. When the Ginkgo loses its leaves, they all fall off quickly, in one day , leaving the bare branches with a carpet of yellow leaves beneath.

Just down the street in the yard of a friend stands this maple---one of my favorite trees.

Further down in our neighborhood, these trees were stunning! The small, burgundy red trees are dogwoods. Dogwoods line the street where we live and this fall their leaves were as pretty as their blossoms are in the spring.

These trees border the parking lot near our public library. The blue sky, red, yellow and green leaves---how pretty!

On two different Fridays in October, Mr. Neat and I took a ride to the mountains to see the fall color. The Appalachian Trail begins near our house so the Georgia mountain roads remind me of my West Virginia heritage!

Looking down the road....

Waves of mountains....

It reminds me of a patchwork quilt.

We enjoyed our sightseeing trips. One day we had lunch in Helen, a small town with Bavarian architecture and a wonderful German restaurant! On the next trip, after our drive, we stopped in Dahlonega, walked around the town square and lunched at a restaurant located in an old home with a front porch and rocking chairs. Quite a contrast!

After a couple of very windy days and some drizzling rain, the beautiful leaves are falling, leaving not-so-pretty piles to be raked! But they were nice while they lasted!

Although I am no longer in Mexico, writing about my local area allows my friends in Mexico to learn a bit about our beautiful country and its culture. But...I hope friends here are still reading my writings. I miss your comments! Please feel free to write a comment. It is good to know I have readers!

Hasta luego.

Mule Camp Market

On an almost weather-perfect Saturday afternoon, Mr. Neat and I wandered over to our town square (in Mexico this would be called the "plaza" or "zócalo") to check out the annual Mule Camp Market. For 3 days on the second weekend of October, lots of people gather to enjoy the music, crafts, games for the kids, and mouth-watering food!

Sponsored by the Jaycees, the fund-raiser supports the Empty Stocking Fund which provides school supplies, Christmas toys, and clothing for underprivileged children in our area. A very worthy cause!




The sign tells the "what" and "when"!




Folks check out the food tents. Chicken, gyros, pretzels, lemonade, and doughnuts, were just some of the food offerings available.




This scarecrow advertises the fried pies. "Come and get 'em while they're hot!"





And here are the ladies making the fried pies. You can't get fresher fried pies than this!




Moving on the the crafts...
You can buy handmade wooden bowls and other interesting pieces here.



These painted gourds remind me of the ones I saw at the market in Tonolá, Mexico. In Mexico (unpainted) gourds are frequently used in the fields as bird-houses. Several gourds are hung on a pole and many poles are put out in the fields.

In this booth here, the lady's bird houses were very attractively painted. See the one at the top of the picture? She also had some very handsome jugs made from gourds.



One of the more interesting crafts was the blacksmith booth.


This young man, Jason, a self-taught smithy, cranks up the fire to work on a piece he was making.

Here he uses the anvil to shape the rose that he is creating. Notice the large can of water in the lower left of the photo. He can put the iron into the water to cool it down. It is also there as a precaution since he is working with an open fire.

Here he pounds the rose he is making.

Watching him brought to my mind the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, "The Village Blacksmith", that I had to memorize in elementary school. Do you also remember:

Under the spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands; The smith a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands...

OK...so Jason doesn't exactly fit the description that Mr. Wadsworth had in mind!! but he was a good blacksmith!

And now on to the pumpkin patch. You can make jack-o'-lanterns or just decorate with pumpkins. But in the fall, one must have a pumpkin! It just wouldn't be autumn without one!

Want to buy some fun for Halloween? All kinds of Halloween decor made from tin was available here.

These two little guys sit, eating their caramel apples and playing with the balloon, while the couple takes a rest, and others still mill about. Everyone enjoys the day.

Here are my two favorite guys:

For my friends in Mexico who are reading this blog, maybe from these photos, you can get a feeling for the fall festivals we celebrate here. They are similar to the puestos in the plazas in Mexico.

For my friends in the good old USA, go out and enjoy the autumn: the festivals, the colored leaves, the pumpkins and the apple cider. It won't be long before the snow flies!

We had a fun afternoon!

Hasta luego.