Favorite Activity

 

I love playing the harp--in the woods or not.  

This still requires a lot of concentration.

This instrument is definitely one of my favorite things.

Italian Pianist

Attended a fabulous piano recital by an Italian pianist on Saturday night.  He was amazing!   Handsome and talented, he entertained his audience with information about the pieces he played as well as with his virtuosity.  The most amazing thing about the program was the fact that I sat no more than four yards from the keyboard of the grand piano.  Watching his fingers wander up and down the keyboard was mesmerizing.
The concert took place at the Casa de Plamas hotel in downtown McAllen.  It is a beautiful old hotel and we really enjoyed the reception on the sky walk preceding the program.
I love supporting the arts through enjoyable programming:  Win, Win!

On a Bike Ride

Finally got my knees in shape to take one of the bike rides from the park.  We drove to Port Isabel, unloaded the bikes and toured the sights of the town.  One of my favorites was the Yacht Club--a grand old hotel with lots of classic style and great antiques.

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

Maybe I haven't been so good, but I have tried.

Please bring someone--preferably Florenzio-- to put down the tile in my kitchen.

If you deliver, I'll have some tequila ready for you!

Thanks Santa & Feliz Navidad!

Mi cumpleanos--part two

Like all good Texans, when we go to Mexico, we shop, shop, shop!
We found some interesting art, some Diego Rivera knockoffs, and had a good time just looking.

I just had to get those dirty shoes shined so that I could make progress down the street by saying truthfully, "Lo tengo."

After my shoes were appropriately shiny, we realized we had worked up a powerful hunger.  We headed to Arturo's where we encountered these cute waiters.  They brought marguaritas, good food, and with our great companions, what more could a birthday girl (in my dreams) ask?

Oh, there is that!  FLAN complete with candle and a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday!"

Truly a wonderful and memorable birthday!


And that is without mentioning the lovely Mexican mirror and hand loomed rug provided by my husband and great friends.  WOW!


And then there was a present and greetings from my "gift daughters."  
Thank you Ann and Lynn!


And a birthday would not be complete without greetings from my long ago student.  This was followed by a delightful  phone conversation catching up on all her accomplishments of the past year--which are many.  Thank you Sherry for all your diligence and love over the years!


I am truly blessed by husband, friends, family, and years!

Mi Cumpleanos 2010

I decided that a perfect way to spend my **th birthday would be with a trip to Nuevo Progresso, MX with friends.  We left the park early and after taking the scenic route arrived at the border.  We paid our 25 cents and strolled over the bridge.  We stopped midway to take in the scenery which included a  fisherman on the Mexico side of the river.





Over the bridge we were stopped by this flock of chickens.   They were just too cute to pass by without photographs.

  Another sculpture--another photo-op!                                
 I wonder how many pictures have been taken at this exact spot...

There is evidence of the current unrest in Mexico.  We have been unaffected to date, but the stories are daunting!  With all the attention our government pays to difficulties around the globe, I have to wonder why the situation on our contiguous border is being ignored.


Despite the presence of the federales, we felt safe as we wandered down the tourist corridors of Nuevo Progresso.

Colors of Bailey

Finally, the painting is almost complete--two rooms to go.

If you do not fear color overexposure, continue through the tour of the latest Casa Bailey.

The doorway, complete with the tile stack for the upcoming project: kitchen floor--hoorah!!!
Also visible, the foyer and music area up the stairs.

 

Next is the dinig room, hallway, and guest bath. I warned you--lots of color.

 

Then there is the kitchen--can you guess why we are so ready for a new floor???--breakfast and laundry areas.
More color here--and I missed the red wall!!!

 

Bed room and master bath area...
Surprising to all of you viewing these photos, we actually LIKE living in this very colorful space. The two office spaces are left to be completed, but our sweat equity is finally paying off!