The Rooster Goes To Washington...

 

The Rooster is in Washington DC and NY for a few days.

 He is on a trip with a few kids from the high school.

 Have I mentioned that I am SMITTEN with this boy... who is now much taller than I am???

 He left yesterday and will be gone all week!

 

 

 I am so glad that he is seeing a little bit if the world!

Puebla...A Little More...

Breakfast At A Roadside Stand...Mexico City

 

Street food in Mexico is amazing! There are food stands on every corner, with most any kind of food you may want. The moment we left the airport in Mexico City, the smell of those street food stands took over! The Farmer began his search of the yummy street tacos, that he has such fond memories of. I too gained a love for those tacos...and learned that if I would soak them in fresh lime juice...and drink a Coke along with...I would never get sick from eating the street food. And can I say...that has been true for me. I haven't gotten sick once, eating on the streets of Mexico. I am not saying it is fool proof...just saying it has worked for me;) Sadly, The Farmer didn't find the amazing tacos this trip...he was pretty sad about that. We began our journey early one morning to the town of Puebla, it was about a 2 hour drive from Mexico City. As we left, The Farmer assured me that we would find some great food along the way for our breakfast. Sure enough, as we climbed into the nearby mountains, we came to a little roadside stop, that was full of little stands...each begging us to enjoy breakfast with them. The Farmer selected the little stand...and as we exited the car, we realized that it had become very cold. The people who owned the stand offered us a table next to a cozy fire they had going. It was perfect!

 

The wood burning stove/grill, was loaded with food that was being prepared for the day.

All the ingredients were made from scratch and fresh.

 

The Farmer placed our breakfast order...and we waited as fresh tortillas were made and a Flor de Calabaza quesidilla was prepared. The salsas were the best! Freshly made just as we sat down to eat. Next came a regular quesidilla, made from fresh cheese, fresh tortillas and again amazing salsa. YUM!!

 

The culture in Southern Mexico is incredible! Because I haven't been too far South in a long time...I had forgotten how beautiful the culture is...and how much I enjoy it!

 

These are freshly roasted Poblano peppers...just off the grill, and being peeled for a Poblano Relleno.

 

The altar inside the roadside stand...

 

My feet...warming by the fire next to our table...

A Quick Trip...

 

The Farmer and I spent last weekend in Mexico City. The purpose of the trip???....a training for the Especially For Youth program that is beginning in our area. The Farmer will oversee the next two years of EFY...and he needed some training so he would know exactly what to do! I was just lucky he took me along for the "ride." When he invited me to go along...I began remembering the things that I really enjoyed in Mexico City...and the surrounding areas...and started making a list of

 things I hoped we could do, in a very short amount of time;)

 

 

Mexico City is the third largest city in the world. It seems that there are people everywhere! Driving is an adventure...and that is an understatement! Our GPS couldn't even help us most of the time...it was confused too! The day we flew into the city...was very clear, which is unusual. We had great views from the airplane. While landing...The Farmer and I began discussing some great...and not so great...memories in this city. It is the city where we spent our honeymoon...It is the city The Farmer served his LDS mission...It is the city we lived in during an internship, during our college days...It is a city full of beautiful places, great culture, and fun shopping! I enjoy a trip to Mexico City and hadn't been there in a very long time...so I was very excited to be there. The Farmer on the other hand, feels a bit of anxiety when he is in the city...after he and his brother were assaulted a few years back...the city taught him that it could not only be full of beauty and fun, it was also filled with danger. As the plane was landing, we remembered a trip we had made to Mexico City....years ago...when the then president of Mexico, Carlos Salinas, invited people from the "Mormon Colonies" to a dinner with him at Mexico's "White House"...called Los Pinos. The Farmer and I along with Uncle D. and Aunt M. had the chance to participate in the great trip. We had a wonderful time in Mexico City! We saw the sights, went to the special dinner at Los Pinos, and just had a great time. When it was time to go home, we boarded the airplane. It was a full flight. It was nighttime, and had been raining. As the plane began to taxi down the runway, and pick up speed, we suddenly heard a VERY loud BOOM!!!...keep in mind that both The Farmer and Uncle D. were trained pilots...(The Farmer hadn't completed his training, but he knew enough to know that we had a problem). The plane continued down the runway but was not getting the speed necessary to lift the plane into the air. The passengers were visibly confused and worried and what had been a happy light feeling on the plane as we boarded, turned to worry. After what seemed to be a lifetime...the pilot realized he couldn't get the plane up into the air and began breaking to slow the airplane. Somewhere during the experience, The Farmer remembered that there was a cement wall at the end

of the runway, and a very busy freeway past that wall, which added to our fear.

Thankfully the plane came to a stop...without hitting the wall;)...and we returned to the gate.

 

 

 

As we prepared to get ourselves off of that plane...an announcement came over the speaker...it was the Captain...in a VERY shaky voice...assuring us that the plane we fine, that we had hit a large puddle of water which had gone into one of the engines and that was the reason for the loud sound and inability to get the plane off the ground.  But, there was no need to worry and that we would soon attempt to take off again and head to our final destination. Well, lets just say that the passengers on that plane were not happy about staying there...they wanted off!!! So then a very visibly shaken and disheveled Captain came into the cabin of the plane to address the passengers. Before he began his speech the stewardess handed him some kind of alcoholic beverage...which he threw back very quickly...and then he announced...."everything is OK!" His hands were shaking very badly,and it was hard for him to hold his drink! Again, he said that not one would be leaving the plane and that we would be taking off again in a few minutes. Which we did. Just before the plane took off...we held a camera above us and snapped a few pictures...just in case the plane went down...and the camera was somehow found!!;) Well, a few hours later, we landed in the city we were destined for...safe and sound...and the moment the plane touched the ground...the passengers burst into loud cheers and clapping! Just a fun memory from our travels to Mexico City!

 And trust me...we have alot more very similar to that one!!;)

 

 

We arrived in the city on Thursday evening...had a lovely dinner in the Zona Rosa...a beautiful area in the heart of Mexico City. I was reminded of how I love this country and it's beautiful culture.  Friday morning we headed to the city of Puebla...and were completely taken with the scenery along the way! This is a view of Mexico City from the nearby mountains...

 

 

This is the volcano...Popocatepetl...which is still active. It had a little eruption this past April, where smoke and ash were spewed, but no one was hurt. Another interesting side note...leading to another Mexico City story...I saw this volcano from our hospital window, everyday...for a few weeks...due to another "adventure" that we had in Mexico City a few years back;) Another story for another day! The scenery of our Thursday morning drive was stunning! The weather was perfect!

Traveling...(Summer Catch-Up)...

 

After putting The Darlings on a plane to Nauvoo for EFY...The Farmer and I headed to Las Vegas for a food show. We figured it would be the perfect time to attend...and still make it to Utah to pick up The Darlings the next Saturday. So off we went! Because the morning was hectic...we forgot to fill the car with gas...and about 5 miles outside of Lordsberg, NM the car just plain stopped! The Farmer had done some calculations and said it was going to be close...extremely close. Well, it wasn't close enough! We called for assistance and within about 10 minutes we were on the road again;) Boy am I sorry I didn't get a picture of the roadside guy, putting some gas into our car!

 

Once we were back on the road, The Farmer was commenting on how peaceful the ride was...just he and I;) And about that time...just outside of Tucson, the trailer we were pulling had a blow out! It was a HOT day...but The Farmer didn't complain, he just changed the tire...and in just a few minutes...we were back on

the road again!

 

He's a pretty handy guy...that Farmer!

 

Late that night...we arrived in Las Vegas...we figured that we had been in two countries, and three states in about 12 hours. It was a fun trip...even with the few challenges we had along the way!

The Last Few Days....

I have done alot of this....

Mexico....Texas.....Arizona.....Idaho....Arizona....Texas....and...Mexico.

This was all in just a few days....

Auntie and the new hubby, had an Open House in Boise...
and a dear brother of mine...and myself...thought it would be fun to visit a place we had
never been...as well as support Auntie. 

I had never been to this part of Idaho and didn't really know what to expect.

I did know, however....thanks to The Farmer...that it was going to be cold...snowing....

and more cold.  When we arrived in Boise...it was in the midst of snow flurries...and it

was beautiful!  We spent the next day exploring the area....visiting....laughing..(alot)...

and exploring more!  It was a wonderful couple of days and I enjoyed so much...

spending time with a dear brother! 

Boise was just lovely.

We happened upon a Veteran's Day Parade...

a great Farmer's Market....

And some interesting causes that were seeking support.

p.s. it was a very interesting group of people who were signing the petition....and let's just say

they didn't look too sick to me....they looked pretty healthy and pretty happy!;)

The parade was well attended.  It reminded me how very much we do owe to

out Veteran's.  The open house was nice...it was wonderful to have long lost cousins arrive...and

even though years have passed....family is always the same...wonderful, supportative and just

a really great time!!  It was so great to catch up and commit to not loose touch again!

I was home for almost 24 hours...long enough to wash some clothing...and pack again.

The Grandparents S. arrived to hang out with The Darlings...and off I went again...

And now I am here....yes....again....and

Ahhhhhhhhhh, I do love Chicago!

Mexico.....Texas (El Paso, Dallas).....Kansas City....Chicago.....and in a couple of days...

I will do it all again!!!

Reunion

A few weeks ago, we found ourselves at the most darling Bed &Breakfast in Snowflake, Arizona.

The Arizona family have a gathering each year...at a cabin owned by family members, and this

year was no different..only..we were able to attend!

Past years we were unable to be there because of football schedules with The Boy...

this year he is busy with more important things and Mexico celebrated it's independance...

which meant a holiday for us and so we were able to attend.  We left a day early and enjoyed

our stay in this beautiful old home.  The hosts were wonderful and actully from England...which

made it all that much more fun for us!  Breakfast was a delight....served out on the porch,

in a beautiful garden...the food was very tasty....everyone was happy!

The rooms were so nice...each named for a person of influence in the area...some settlers...some

family members of the previous owners...(who happened to by cousins of ours)...one of the

rooms was named for my great-grandmother...that was fun!

So after enjoying the small town...we headed for the reunion site which was about 20 minutes away.

Some family had already arrived...kids were playing...some were fishing...others

were already planning the campfire for that evening...excited for the opportunity to play in a fire;)

The next several days were full of activity....some unanticipated...for sure...but good fun!

We do love it when our professional photographer Aunt/Sister-in-law...brings along her camera...

and this is why....(above)  She did the most darling photo shoot of the girl cousins, and they had

a great time doing it!  The pictures turned out amazing!

She also spent a good amount of time teaching PreShie about her camera and how to better

use it.  It really meant alot to PreSh..she has said many times, how much she learned from her

sweet Aunt.  Thank Dear Aunt K. for teaching PreSh!

Almost immediately the young boy cousins found a small snake..they quickly brought it to

Grandpa for analysis and discussion.  It was passed around...everyone had fun holding it...and

the poor thing was released...and hopefully didn't have too many lasting effects from the

young boy cousins:)

Some folks....after searching for cel. signal....discovered it could be found in certain locations....

Other people fished....other people stepped on those special fishing lures and got them stuck

deep in their feet...and had to be taken to the local Urgent Care for removal.....

that was pretty exciting....

The Farmer hosted a rock painting activity for the cousins....

he led them on a rock hunt, where they each selected as many rocks as they desired...to

make some sort of sculpture....he carefully glued the rocks together...forming the most interesting

sculptures...each of the cousins had a vision of what their rocks could become...and he

helped them realize their vision.  I think he actually had more fun than the kids did....who

knew he was so good with a glue gun!!

Next the cousins carefully painted the rocks...they really had fun doing that!

Even the little people loved it!

They all had great imaginations!

The Rooster really enjoyed painting too.

The Farmer "creating" the rock sculptures!

We ate wonderful food...every meal!  It was fun to be together and visit....we had a little

"group therapy" session that was quite fun, we laughed a whole lot...

and ended each day around the campfire with Grandpa teaching us more about

"who we are".....we had s'mores....and on the final evening....our Aunt who will remain nameless

(unless she wants me to post her name...) showed us her talent of Elk calling...that none of us had any

idea she could do.  She was great!!  So great in fact...that she call an Elk in...and it was calling her

back...ALL NIGHT LONG!!!  Now that my friends...was some good fun!!

PreShie enjoyed taking pictures....especially of this butterfly.....

We pack up and headed for home...we passed through the mountains that had been so badlly

burned early this Summer...that was really sad to see.  We passed through little towns that we

had visited for football and basketball tournaments with The Boy....that brought back some

great memories...and made our hearts hurt a little because we miss him!  One of the little towns

we passed through had these signs posted outside...I thought they were great...both of them!

It was a great trip!  It was especially great to spend time with family, that we

love so very much!