Leap Day

I'll use today to leap into some mighty fine pics of mi familia.

One month old - Lyle

Half way

My visit to Fairfax is half over. I must cherish these next 2 weeks.  Robert and ML's friend, Javi, was here last Saturday after his huge hit as art director for Grease: Live. I hope you saw it on TV.  We made some yummy almond cookies and homemade pretzels last week. Yesterday, we went to Sonoma to ride a little train around a park. I especially enjoyed the popcorn, nachos, and cotton candy from the concession stand. We walked to the farmer's market again today. They have a wonderful bakery that comes every week.  Their rustic white loaf of bread is terrific.

Spring has sprung here with daffodils, japonica, and magnolia trees blooming. We have enjoyed walking to the playground most days. Arlo has discovered the slides in addition to the big plastic cars that dot the park.  I spend a lot of time singing songs to Lyle including all Beatle songs I have memorized. I also sing him a lot of my old camp songs and WWI songs (which is what my Dad sang to me). Below are some pics.

Fairfax, CA

I have been in Fairfax for a week visiting the grandchildren and their parents. This is a lot of work keeping everyone happy but very satisfying knowing I can help. R returned to work this week so in the morning it is mostly Arlo and me while Mama and Lyle get more rest. Below are some pics.

Troncones, Mexico

Sim and I had a lovely time visiting his daughter, Lee, and her family for a vacation on the Pacific coast southwest of Mexico City. The town is a little fishing village with dirt roads. We rented a beautiful house overlooking the ocean just up the beach from Troncones. The common areas of the house were totally open to the air, no walls or windows. A big porch roof covered the stone floors and a triangular infinity pool was in one corner and the other corner had a hammock that I usually inhabited. The house came with Reyna who cooked our breakfast every morning and made us a delicious dinner of Chili Rellenos that included mashed potatoes in with the cheese stuffing.

 

We took a kayak trip on a lagoon lead by Alejandro who showed us magnificent water birds and explained the Eco-culture of the area. After the tour he gave us each a green coconut to drink the water. It was much better than the bottled coconut water.

 

 

One morning we went fishing in a motor boat and caught 13 bonitos (same family as tuna) which we had for supper that night.

 

 I took a short class in how to make tamales from the local restaurant. They cook everything on wood fires as if you were camping out -really incredible.  I spent a lot of time in the hammock overlooking the ocean and reading my book or studying my Spanish lessons. If you ever wish to go there I suggest staying at the Tres Mujeres . It's right on the beach within walking distance of restaurants.  Rent the Azul suite!  While we were there they were paving the dirt roads.  It will soon look very different so go within the next few years.

Because of the snowmageddon on the East coast we could not get home as planned. We could not rebook because we had no wifi or phone service.  We flew in and out of Ixtapa via Houston (IAH). We spent Saturday night in Houston with a friend of Lee's who kindly put us up. Then all day Sunday we tried to get flights back to RDU. We ended up going to Chicago at 6am then getting a flight from there to RDU at 6 pm. Luckily, United Airlines changed my flight to SFO from this morning to Wednesday morning. I have to wait 2 days to meet little Lyle but I need the rest from the travels. Below are some more photos from Troncones.

Tamales cooking class

 

 

 

 

Lyle Otis Bilek-Burt

Lyle was born Friday afternoon (January 15, 2016) in Kentfield CA. 7 lbs and 7 oz. He is very beautiful and all are fine. Arlo shows general disinterest but I am sure that will change. Congratulations ML and Robert!

January

I have a nasty cold with sinus congestion and laryngitis.  I hope it goes away before heading to Mexico, then California.  Got my visa for visiting Turkey in March and have been looking at the daily land excursions available.  Much decision making required!

I bit the bullet and gave up HBO on my cable in favor of a sports package that gives me the Big Ten Network.  Now I can see those Terps basketball games since they are no longer in the ACC and carried regularly on local TV.