We're Wild in Wakulla- Let the Partying begin!!

Whoever said only Latinos go all out, are over the top, has never been to my home town of Crawfordville.

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!  

Do you recognize our town/park mascot?

Quee?? Yes, it really is him.

Viste?? What a great job they did, right?  

Here are some other fun Halloween decorations.

And the pumpkins?

We love them here and take them quite seriously.

Another thing we love here-

Our Veterans and families.

Bellas verdad? 

 Yep, we go wild for our holidays here in Wakulla.  

And if you think I'm missing the weather in my other hometown...

 JU SO FONII!!!

; )  

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Day 6 of #SMCSFBlog Challenge

30 STRAIGHT Days of Blogging- SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

Always thought those who blogged daily were courageous and crazy.

to be loved you must love

the victory is in the knowing

I've always thought it, said it, and now gracias to the Social Media Club South Florida, I've proven it.  Daily blogging is not for the faint hearted or feeble minded.  Woah and Wow.  It truly was like exercise- something you should do, complain while doing it, but end up satisfied when you look at the result.  Actually, it WAS an exercise, both mental and physical.  For 30 straight days Babushka had to find a topic, find pictures (because studies show people prefer posts with pics) and still remain true to my voice. Not that I ever write in any other, but you know what I mean.  As a matter of fact, if we're talking truth...you know how songs get stuck in your mind sometimes? This is the one that popped up on some days of the challenge.

But BB persisted,finished & completed the challenge. 

As I said before, this was an exercise for Babushka, and we all know how BB feels about that.  

 However, as in exercising the end result shows the effort.  I made new friends, discovered great new sites, and am part of a Feibu group where learning and sharing are the main idea of membership.  For this I am very grateful and plan to keep in mind many of the lessons learned. I need to organize my writing schedule, posts don't need to be lengthy- just true to Babushka, there are many people who love to help, and lastly, I CAN write daily.  

Kudos to the daily bloggers. 

Will Babushka be joining your ranks anytime soon?

JU SO FONII!!!

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. BB is back on her Wednesday & Saturday blog posting. For now.

P.P.S.  A fellow participant had said only a fulltime blogger or someone who didn't have a fulltime job could do this challenge easily. 

I can see why they'd have that impression, but honestly I find it's like anything in life, you have to really want it.

Groaners 2- Day 29 of SMCSF 30 day challenge

Groaners- You know them and secretly love them.  Those jokes that are sooooo bad they're funny.  Babushka figured, since it's a Monday, which in itself may be stressful, and the holiday festivity preps are beginning, it would be a good time for another round of these.  Of course for those who didn't see the first round or who want to enjoy them again, Groaners.  Enjoy them and even feel free to chuckle.

I saw you.  You rolled your eyes, but you smirked while doing so.

Cheesy wasn't it?

Betcha animals are so glad they can't read this.

Only the King of the Jungle could eat that much meat- and speaking of the King of the Jungle...

Now go ahead and share this with your friends.  You know what they're gonna say right?

JU SO FONII!!!

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

GSG- A Mother's Prayer Day 28 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

I've enjoyed other versions of this song, but as a mother and grandmother this version filled my eyes with tears and my heart with gratitude and knowing.Truly a prayer we've all said, but never as beautifully. 

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.


P.S.  If you don't know the story of  Susan Boyle's rise to fame please click on the link.  For those who thought she was too old to achieve her dream-

JU SO FONII!!!

Happy Halloween Day 24 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

How BB used to feel at networking functions.

Hola Hola Hola My Beautifuls and a very Happy Halloween to all!!  

Queee??  JU SO FONII!!! 

Now you know BB's not going into the why, how, or shoulds of this very special day.  

Of course it's a special day- Babushka gets to buy BAGS of caramelo at a discount, and if all goes well tomorrow they'll be 50% off.  

Oh Si, a VERY special day.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

A Night of Firsts for BB & LatismSF - Day 20 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

When Babushka accepted this challenge I thought of all the pictures and stories I had waiting to be told from earlier in the year. Got a lot of 'em.  Seems like so much has happened since Hispanicize and the marvelous people and world I discovered there.  Case in point is Latism- Latinos in Social Media who tonight finished their yearly conference.  This year the conference was in Houston, Texas and I couldn't go, but I did get to go to the first EVER get together of the Latism chapter in South Florida. Oh yes I did- and I almost didn't make it.  You see, there was a storm...

May 10, 2010

Babushka usually uses public transportation in Miami, so Sonia, La Gallina Vieja doesn't like to be all "Babushkaized" while riding.  Thankfully she's outgrowing that silliness, but for this event she was going to do her Clark Kent imitation and had BB's hat, heels and blue eyeshadow in the Popa bag.  Upon arriving at the Lincoln Road Mall  Babushka was in for quite a shock.  The last time I was there it was a quaint little outdoor mall which catered to the older, mostly Jewish population of the area and though slower paced , BB always enjoyed going there- especially for the delis.

http://www.priceminister.com/image?action=slideshow&imagestype=PRODUCT&prdimageid=869096783&productid=112952357

the Lincoln Road Mall circa 1976




Bueno delis, make room for discos, 'cause this is the mall now!

http://greenstreetre.com/investments/details.asp?Inv_ID=5

Besides the shock, Babushka was battling the elements.  From out of nowhere a storm hit the city.  Ok si, it wasn't a tornado like we have Up North in The South, but it sure was close!  Sonia had to duck into store entrance to begin her transformation. Queee??   JU SO FONII!!!  No there weren't any phone booths, everyone in Miami has a cellular- and usually a smartphone at that.  Continuing.  Here's the first doorway I ducked into

Babushka now had her hat and heels, but there wasn't enough reflection so I moved to

and completed the transformation.  

Ah yes, that was quite a sight- una vieja in a furry Babushka hat taconiando and running between empty shops trying to keep dry, not melt, and not be carried away by the wind or the men in the white suits.Thankfully, like most sudden rains in Miami, it lasted about 10 mins. Fast, Furious y Fuerte- typical Miami.

But all ended well. 

I made it to the event, met a great group of people

Pic from Feibu

  

AND-

at 11:42 pm I met today's deadline for the SMCSF challenge.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

My Last Day in Miami Part 3 -Fans Forever Day 15 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

Hola Hola Hola My Beautifuls!  Today I am finishing the "My Last Day in Miami" series with the original intention of the viaje- the Fans Forever exhibit.  Ever since my brother had mentioned it to me I knew I had to go, I mean, how perfectly Babushka verdad?

Housed in the famous Freedom Tower, the Miami Dade College Museum of Art and Design always has ongoing exhibits, performances and events.  

The entrance to the museum itself is free and open from Tuesday to Saturday noon to 5 p.m. 

Of course the price is right and BB would be making the trip for the love of art, pero this trip is specifically for the love of fans.  

"The fan is not an accessory, but a perfect whole, a work of art in miniature and, as such, must be respected." 

~Dulce Maria Loynaz  Cuban poet and writer

Naturally I was enchanted by the fans and BB, being BB, had to find out more and express her appreciation. Babushka had the good fortune of speaking with Mr.Jeremy M. Mikolajczak, Executive Director & Chief Curator of the MDC Museum & Galleries of Art + Design who graciously gave me a more in depth history of the exhibit and a copy of the official book.  (Swag!!) From this publication- which is a work of art in itself- is where BB found the names of the artists and the titles of the fans.  However, again, BB being BB, had further questions on the decision of artists contributing in the exhibit, if there were any restrictions given to the artists and how long they had to complete their submission. Here I was put in contact with Mr. Gustavo Orta, the curator of Fans Forever who via email went into specifics.  Following is the Google translation of Mr. Ortas' reply: 

Bohemiam Babushka:

The project Fans Forever, recalls an exhibition held in Havana in July 1943, where distinguished Cuban artists painted fans to sell in  benefit of  the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario that needed restoration.

For this new exhibition of Fans Forever it was necessary, if possible, to get fans painted by artists who participated in that exhibition of 1943, as Wifredo Lam, Cundo Bermúdez, René Portocarrero, which we got.

Also spoke with relatives of deceased Cuban artists for us to facilitate their works on loan, as is the case for the fans of Cuban artist Mariano Rodriguez.

Then the next step was to get fans of later generations of artists, up to contemporary artists. What also could get (with living artists) in Cuba and in exile, to whom we sent fans unpainted, and explaining the project, encouraging them to participate in this exhibition.

Cuban artists began thinking of which fans we already had in our collection, works of art, and whose work we already knew, and then went to private collectors including other friends.

We thought initially that would entail a total of 30, and was then increased to 50 fans.

We would have liked to include many more, which also could have been on display, but we deliver the catalog which had 116 pages, and the space facilitated by MDC's Freedom Tower didn't have the  room for more .

There were no restrictions except those mentioned above (and catalog space already reached 116 pages).

The time it took to perform the show (since it was conceived) until the day of the opening was 2 years and 2 months.

If any additional information is necessary you can contact me by this route.

Thank you for your interest and attention.

Sincerely,

Gustavo Orta

Curator. - 

Woah. 

How generous were both gentlemen with their time and how great was that answer?  Almost as great as the fans and the art themselves. 

Queee? It took over two years for the opening of Fans Forever,  and you think BB will show you her favorites in one post?

JU SO FONII!!! 

Ok si, esta bien. Here's the signature piece of the exhibit. 

Wilfredo Lam  1902- 1982

Painted in the 1940's this piece was a likely participant of the original 1943 exhibit.  

The female figure is his wife, Helena Holzer.

And here's BB's signature piece.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

; )

P.S.  The exhibit runs until November 2 and the blog challenge for another 15 days...

 y'all let me know when you want to see the fans.

P.P.S.  Each of the different colored "Fans Forever" links takes you to a different webpage. 

One is the MDC event, another their Feibu page, and one an article written on the exhibit. heje 

 And the suspense continues...

My Last Day in Miami- Day 11 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

My last day in Miami. Queee?? JU SO FONII!!!

Not as in LAST day in Miami, remember I have my grandbabies y familia there, last day as in last day I was there of last week.

::BOPASO::

Woke up early (bueno, 9 is early for BB) had mi café con leche and took the guagua to see the exhibition on fans currently showing in the Freedom Tower. Viste? Now you know I had to see that right? Ok, I had luckily scheduled going Wednesday-luckily because that's the only day bus #8 from Little Havana goes that way.  Unluckily I found this upon my arrival.

Open 12 pm

But luck is what you make of it, soooo I looked around and saw.... right across the street...

What is Bayside you ask?  

It is the Miami shopping experience that caters to tourists but is enjoyed by natives too.  Y como Babushka has the advantage of being both... an outsider with an insider's memories, it was time to revisit the beauty of Bayside.  As far as BB's concerned this is an almost perfect place to enjoy Miami's fama.

 It has the modern with the past

highrises with thatch huts...

Something for the Little Ones-

and something for the not so little ones.

There's culture-

Pop Culture

My Ode to Tom Hanks

and of course

SHOPPING FOR EVERYONE!!!

An old favorite-

The Disney Store.  Note to Santa- 

Pocahontas Doll Por fa. 

I promise I'll be...

better.

And new loves

Christmas in Miami- just the name makes me smile. 

and so does their merchandise.

This store deserves a post of it's own, and just like the holiday it represents,

it'll be here sooner than you think!

Oh my, the shops!!

Quick tour of some of my faves.  

TRAFFIC, used to shop for my trio there; so glad they're still around. Good shoes great prices.

The view of the shops from the inside - cool right?

How the police men patrol Bayside- even cooler huh?

Escalators to get to the segundo floor- after all the walking, the coolest of all!

Taste of India- might be visiting again for wedding attire.

Torrid- modern clothes for mujeres w/curves. Ms. Philly said there was a Torrid in Tally!  

How fonii is it that I'd find that out here in Miami.  Who knew??

And speaking of fonii- Crocs that actually look like shoes. 

Y guess what? These Crocs Babushka actually likes!

and speaking of likes...

if anyone's wondering what to get BB as a wedding present, any of these would be good.

; )

Continuing.

Two things Miami is famous for-  its' food and its' beautiful views

  

Completo.

And now in view is the original destination point- the Freedom Tower,

Pa' ya voy, I'm on my way

And I'm ready.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  To those of you who don't know what that little spray bottle is for-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OmNxS652oA

Wise words for a Wednesday- Day 10 of SMCSF 30 Day blog challenge

JU SO FONII!!! 

 Of course you have a purpose for being, so hang in there!

Besides, the weekends almost here.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

There's a Method to My Madness- Day 8 of SMCSF 30 day blog Challenge

Hola Hola Hola My Beautifuls!  It's Monday and I'm looking forward to this week.  Queee??  JU SO FONII!! No, there was nothing extra en mi café this morning, I just had a MARVELOUS weekend w/my Sweetie and so glad to be home!  Pero, you already know that if you read Day 6- if not, here it is.

Also, if you've been following BB during this blog challenge, you'll remember my quickie post on Babushka's background and how to understand my blog. If not,here IT is.  :: EXHALE::  Ok, hopefully now you're all caught up and ready for the Method of My Madness.  Honestamente there's no method to that, but I do have a pattern, routine I like to stick to.  Here goes:

Monday's Mayhem- 

 posted on Feibu (on Mondays 6:00 a.m.)     This is usually a fonii meme

10:00  a.m.  Tweety day begins.

Tuesday's Truth- 

posted on Feibu (on Tuesdays 6:00 a.m.)  An insightful quote to start this day.

10:00 a.m.  Tweety day begins.

Wednesday- 

BB's latest post shown on Feibu.  (Usually my posts are only on Wed. & Sat.)

10:00 a.m.  Tweety day begins.

Thursday's Thoughts- 

posted on Feibu (Thursdays 6:00 a.m.)  Another quote to provoke thought.

10:00 a.m. Tweety day begins.

Friday's Fonii- 

(Fridays 6:00 a.m.)  A humorous meme to start your weekend off right.

10:00 a.m. Tweety day begins.

Sabado's Silly 

(Saturday 8:00 a.m.) Queee?? Yes, it's later- BB deserves some weekend ♥ too!! A fonii meme for My Beautifuls.  

Usually about housework or exercise- 2 of my favorite things to spend my Saturdays on.  Soooooooo NOT!!

10:00 a.m. Tweety day begins.

Sundays- 

One Feibu, One Tweety   Gigasecond of Gratitude

Also, at 4:40 p.m. Mon-Sat on both Feibu & Tweety a quote or inspirational meme is posted.  And to those who thinks BB gets up at 6:00 a.m. for Feibu I must once again say-  JU SO FONII!!!  Personally, Babushka loves the irony of my Tweety bird waking up so late- because la verdad, who wants to get a worm???

Now remember My Beautifuls, there is a difference between being dependable and being predictable.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Gigasecond of Gratitude- Day 7 of the SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

If you've been following Babushka for any length of time you'll realize two things about my posts. I try to keep them positive and Sunday's are for one Tweety/Feibu post only- to give thanks.  For the SMCSF Blog Challenge I will also post on my blog, but still, to give thanks.  And I have so much to give thanks for, we all do.  All it takes is a Gigasecond of Gratitude.  Queee??  JU SO FONII!!!  Of course you can take longer f you'd like, but if it's truly heartfelt, a GSG is enough.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Maaaa.... how do you??? Day 4 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

This 30 day blog challenge has inspired Babushka. Queee?? To write a daily blog?  JU SO FONII!!!  No way!
But I will start a monthly feature titled "Maaaa.... how do you???".  And it goes something like this:


It’s happened.  You have found your parents' brains.  They had lost them while you were going through puberty ::shudder::, but now that you’re the new parent the new grandparents are once again reliable and valuable sages.  I know this to be a true and never ending saga because I did it to my mother and now my trio is doing it to me.  Maaaa...How do you???

It can be anything and everything.  True, the first child is always raised via “the experts” as in doctors and child psychologists of the era, but when that fails, then common sense & experience are more reliable than “experts”.  It seems to me that today’s parents try to reason and cajole their offspring into doing what’s good for them.  Whatever happened to good old fashioned trickery?  Don’t look at me like that- we’ve all done it.  Or did your baby’s spoon really fly in the air or make choo choo sounds?  Ahuh... so today’s lesson is getting your children to eat their greeneries- veggies and salads.  

Don’t know about your children, but my trio loved the boxed Mac & Cheese and they loved hot dogs.  So I made macaroni & cheese with little bits of cut up hot dogs in them.  Once they started looking forward to that dish I added frozen vegetables cut up into small pieces “for color”.  “Look” BB would say, “Isn’t that so pretty?”  Naturally the first batch was lotsa cheese and hot dogs.  As they grew accustomed to the combination I would gradually add more veggies or have bigger pieces of veggies in them while tapering back on the cheese and hot dog.  The ratio was easily played with and calculated and they learned to eat their vegetables!  To this day I have grown up friends of my son admit to me that the only way they’d eat vegetables was at my house when I made them in mac & cheese.  

Now I know “the experts” are always touting the evils of sugar- but you know the evil of not eating greens is worse. So, Maaaaa...How do you???  make the child eat salad?  CATALINA DRESSING.  Yes it’s watered catsup w/lots of sugar, but it works!!  And like the mac & cheese you play with the ratio until they start to like other greens.  My eldest, now in her late 20’s still brightens up whenever she sees the bottle of Catalina in my home.  Think about it.  I’m sure there’s a food or ingredient that your parents have in their home that reminds you of your childhood.  Hopefully it’s a good memory and you’ll be using it in your home too.

Now what events, problems, questions did or do you have that you just had to ask- Maaaa...how do you???

So, que creen? How y'all like the first post of the series?  

What questions would you like BB to answer or topic you'd like her spin on?  

Or maybe you'd like to share a "Maaa....how do you???" moment of your own? I'd love to hear from you.

¡¡A BAILAR SE HA DICHO!!

; )

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.