California!

We had an easy nonstop flight from RDU to SFO. We rented a car and drove down to Palo Alto to visit Sim's nephew, Avi, and his wife, Gila. Avi's brother, Danny joined us for dinner. On Thursday we drove to Monterey and Carmel--nice places. The aquarium was wonderful. Then we drove to Nachum and Barbara's home in Sunnyvale. Nachum is Avi's father and Sim's brother-in-law. On Friday we went to Ano Nuevo State Park and hiked along the coast and watched elephant seals bask in the sunshine. That night we went back to Avi's and had a Shabbat followed by yummy dinner. Avi's other brother, David, and his family joined us.

On Saturday we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to Novato where we visited with Robert until ML got home from work. Today we took the ferry to San Francisco and had Dim Sum with my friend, Rob. Next we went to the Academy of Sciences Museum in Golden Gate Park where we saw 2 planetarium shows: Earthquake and Cosmic Collisions. We saw reindeer and penguins as well.

Gila, Sim, Danny, and Avi

Nachum, Sim, and Barbara

Jellyfish at the Monterey Aquarium

Sim and me in Carmel

Ano Nuevo

With Rob in San Francisco

Early December

After getting home from Mexico, we had 2 weeks of very busy schedules. We celebrated my birthday with several concerts and a wonderful dinner at One in Chapel Hill.  We went to the Porshe exhibit at the NC Museum of Art.  Below is a pic of Janice Joplin's Porche.  Made some beautiful snowflake cookies for a lunch of empanadas and ponset for some chorus folks.  I showed Joyce how to make cutout cookies which she had never done. Then I had rehearsal week leading up to our Voices concert Dec 13-14.  All day on the 15th I counted the ticket and pecan sales cash and checks. I made over a $9000 deposit on the 16th for Voices. Then was Xmas shopping and shipping to do but never got around to sending Xmas cards. I packed my new carryon suitcase and left home this morning at 4:45. I am now in Palo Alto, CA. Tomorrow we may drive down to Monterey and Carmel.

Mexico City

On Saturday, Sim and I took a bus to Mexico City. It took about 4 hours but was a very nice bus. We took a taxi to the Ramada down town near a big park. We walked around for a few hours taking the snaps below. For dinner we had some street-food tacos which were very good. There were lots of folks out on a Saturday afternoon.  We left early Sunday morning and spent the day in travel.  We had a shipping place pack up the lantern sconces I bought so I could check them on the flights. No problem getting through customs in Houston with them, but when we got to RDU, they were not there.  They were still in Houston so they delivered them the next day to me.  They were really well packed! I'm now working on getting them electrified and installed. We had a great time but it's always good to be home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are still enjoying our week in SM de Allende. We've been through markets, ruins, fun movies, and eaten lots of good food. Tuesday drove up to Guanajuato for the afternoon which is the capital of this state. Last night we celebrated Chanukah with latkes and applesauce. We are roasting a chicken for today with a flan for dessert. Off to Mexico City on Saturday. Hope you have a great T-day.

Lee, Noah, Richard, and Sim after lighting the Chanukah candles

Kissing alley in Guantajuato

Thursday afternoon we spent walking around the botanical gardens which is a multiacre desert with many fascinating cacti.

Table ready for Thanksgiving dinner of roast chicken, stuffing, and cauliflower

Art in the botanical garden

San Miguel de Allende

It wasn't easy to get here but SMA is beautiful! We flew to Mexico City via Houston then took a 3-hour bus ride and a 60 minute taxi ride. I did not realize how little Spanish I speak until I arrived. Lee and Richard's house it exceedingly beautiful. It feels a lot like the medinas of Morocco. High walls on the sidewalks are no indication of the beauty behind the front door. Lee's house opens to a courtyard with pool and fountain, then all the rooms are off the surrounding colonnade.

Courtyard of our house

our guest room

Ceiling

Sim, Lee, and Richard

On Monday, we went to La Gruta which had several pools with higher levels of heat, the last was in a cave with a large powerful waterwall and very hot water.  They are spring fed with naturally hot water.

Finished Kitchen

I am very happy with my new kitchen. See pics-- I also went ahead and put up my holiday tree of lights for maximum enjoyment since I will be in and out over next 6 weeks. There's only one thing more fun than having a pretty new kitchen and that is having a beautiful grandchild! ML & R are expecting a Taurus baby so it is very happy at my house this November in great anticipation.

I sang through the Soccerer which is the Durham Savoyards' Spring production and I think I will pass on it this year; so I will not be auditioning in December. That will leave my Sunday afternoons in Jan, Feb, and Mar free but Sim says he has lots of fun things for us to do.

Sunday before last, Sim and I went to Duke Chapel for All Saint's Day service. The former Dean gave a wonderful sermon on the difference between power and glory. I highly recommend your checking it out at this link.