tin tradition

¡Feliz Navidad!

My one and only collection (if you don't count the ridiculous amount of Twilight paraphernalia, books and DVDs I've acquired over the years) is my Mexican tin Christmas ornaments.

I've blogged about my passion for them on several occasions, and shared my tin ornament tree pictures last Christmas. This year, up in the far northeast, my collection means more to me than ever -- it's a little touch of home in an area that doesn't know chile con queso from chile con carne. So looking at the festive colors brings me much happiness.

Each one I unwrapped from the storage box had me saying, "Oh! This one's my favorite!" until it became abundantly clear that I really have no favorites -- they're all divine.

So, again, here's my gaudy Christmas display, festively perched on top of my kitchen table, just waiting for me to gaze at it's splendor ... while I munch on tortilla chips and pico de gallo with a good bowl of chile con queso (in my mind) ... and listen to traditional carols and hymns sung by King's College, Cambridge ... while visions of San Antonio dance through my head -- ahhh. What a perfect blend.

christmas in august

Anyone who knows me or has ever read my blog is likely aware of the fact that I ADORE Mexican tin ornaments. If I could find a way to display them all year, I would. But at Christmas time -- look out. My gaudy tin trees are a force to be reckoned with! And they make me inordinately happy.

Which is why I was positively giddy to receive a care package from Texas today ... hot off the press from San Antonio. By the way, if you're looking for tin ornaments, San Antonio is the place to be. It's a feast for the senses, actually.

My lovely aunt and cousin found some especially special ornaments and sent them up my way.

I cherish unexpected surprises sent from the heart. So, so great.

Muchas gracias, Aunt V and R! I love you both very much.

died and gone to heaven

As I blogged a few days ago, I just returned from San Antonio where I was able to hang out with my family for a few days.

The highlight was meeting my cousin's new baby (he's perfectly adorable, by the way), and spending time with aunts, uncles and cousins whom I adore. Every time we get together, I'm a bit sad that we don't do it more often, so it's sort of bittersweet. But I'm so blessed and lucky to have such dear people in my life, so instead I'll focus on that emotion.

But now ... on to serious business....

I GOT TO HANG OUT AT ALAMO FIESTA ON MAIN, BABY!

Give me a pitcher of sangria and a few hours in that place with some of my besties (Laura and Beverly come to mind), and I think I'd be happier than a pig in slop ... or, given the environment, más feliz que un cerdo en barro.

Not only was I able to add some bling to my Mexican tin ornament collection, but I was also able to visually feast on the colors of a culture I adore.

It was a beautiful day ... both outside and inside. Only in mi querida Texas can the sky be so blue. Plus, I got to spend my little excursion with the guy I married. Again -- más feliz que un cerdo en barro. :)

I swear, this store calls to my soul. There's no way I'd be able to post only a few pictures, so I'm sharing a crap-ton.

short trip to the alamo city

A big chunk of my heart lives in San Antonio, Texas. My dad's "half" of the family all reside in Bexar County, with only a small number of exceptions scattered outside the area.

Growing up, trips to San Antonio for me meant visiting Grandma and Grandpa's house and playing with cousins. If anything else existed in SA beyond the walls of my grandparent's home, it didn't really matter to me -- I didn't need, nor was I interested, in much more.

As I've grown up, I've discovered that San Antonio is a fun place to spend a few days away from home. The culture is uniquely and perfectly Tex-Mex, on a much greater scale than any other city of its size. There's a touristy element (beyond just the Alamo and the Riverwalk) that lends itself to visitors from out of town, but not in an overly garish manner, but just enough to be entertaining.

Tomorrow Ty, Aidan and I are hitting the road for a few days and heading over to the Alamo City. I'm most excited about meeting my new second cousin, Baby Bryson, and visiting with family. But hitting any of the following spots ... some of my favorites in San Antonio, would be queso on top.

1. The Menger Hotel -- one of my favorite hotels in the world. Within walking distance of the Alamo and the River, the Menger sits in a centrally perfect location in downtown SA. But my two favorite (yes, it's a tie) aspects of the Menger are its historically gorgeous bar, built in 1887, as well as the mysterious ghosts and spirits who reside inside the old hotel. I've even had my own unexplained spooky encounter at the Menger ... but that's a post for a different day. :)

According to the hotel's website, the watering hole at the Menger was where Teddy Roosevelt recruited many of his Rough Riders, volunteers for the American volunteer Cavalry in the Spanish-American war. The pub has a paneled ceiling of cherry wood, booths and beveled mirrors from France. It's cozy in size, yet perfectly so. Oh, and they serve a killer a cosmo.

2. Dolores Del Rio Ristorante & Grill Room - Betcha thought I'd be writing about a Tex-Mex restaurant in a post about San Antonio, didn't ya?! Believe it or not, one of the best overall experiences I've had at an Italian restaurant has been in San Antonio. Dolores Del Rio is a magnificent hidden gem. Look for the little place where a tree on the river grows right out of the building.

The restaurant is located in one of the less-travelled areas of the Riverwalk, and if you blink as you walk by it, it's easy to miss. With live jazz 7-nights a week, as well as a belly dancer who makes a sexy appearance at 8:30 in the evening (don't miss it!), the eclectic bohemian ambiance of this tiny restaurant is a total feast for all the senses.

Oh, and the menu and wine list (mostly Italians, heavy on reds) is top-notch. Menu tip du jour: go for the gnocchi and chicken in bay leaf sauce -- divine.

If you're lucky enough, you'll be seated right by the kitchen, which usually isn't the best location in most restaurants. But the owners and chefs at Dolores are eager to share old world stories about Italy, as well as tidbits about the menu. Again, such a super overall dining experience. It's hard to leave!

3. Alamo Fiesta on Main - THE place to go for gaudy (yet fun!) Tex-Mex party supplies, arts and crafts, as well as furniture and textiles from abroad -- an explosion of Dia de los Muertos, sugar skulls, papel picado, piñatas, and cascarones.

Located in an old white house near San Antonio College close to downtown on Main, Alamo Fiesta epitomizes color. It's also from where most of the ornaments on my Mexican tin ornament tree originated!

¡Felíz año nuevo!

I'm rarely surprised

So the early birthday present that was waiting for me in the mail today from my mother and father-in-law in Oregon was especially fun!

As noted earlier, I've started collecting Mexican tin ornaments. They very kindly added to my collection with some gorgeous new ornaments! I don't know how in the world I'm going to be able to put these away after Christmas -- I may have to buy a big cactus or something that I can keep out year round, just so I can occasionally look at some of my tin!

Surprises rock.