Café crazed 1st Gen Cuban-American raised in Miami. 62 and starting anew!! Spanglish speaking Mother of 3, Abuela of 6; a human shot of espresso and earnest in my extremism. An adventurer, dancer of life; loving its’ locuras and celebrating the "humanness" of all people. The binding ties of family, being female, getting older and day to day life while hopefully enlightening and entertaining- this is the reason for Babushka and her dance.
♪A BAILAR SE HA DICHO!!♪
Summer is in full force y the Iced Coffee Cravings are undeniable. Babushka's here to help with some of those cravings with a $25 Starbucks Digital Giftcard. It's been a bit since a giveaway has posted, pero this one was worth the wait. Enter now for your chance to cool down in savory style.
Mommy’s Playbook Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is Sponsored by and hosted by Mommy’s Playbook. Participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. By entering this giveaway you are giving the giveaway host and/or event sponsor permission to retain your email address for future communication, you may choose to opt-out of such communications at any time. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any social media outlet including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Only authentic accounts are eligible to win. Dummy/fake accounts are not eligible for entry and will be blocked. Entrants who have created social accounts purely to enter competitions or sweepstakes will not be eligible to win. All social accounts used must be public. See Rafflecopter for official rules. Please contact Victoria (at) MommysPlaybook.com regarding any questions you have pertaining to this giveaway.
Of course, you can order anything you want from their menu, pero with temps over 90,
Mommy’s Playbook Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is Sponsored by and hosted by Mommy’s Playbook. Participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. By entering this giveaway you are giving the giveaway host and/or event sponsor permission to retain your email address for future communication, you may choose to opt-out of such communications at any time. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any social media outlet including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Only authentic accounts are eligible to win. Dummy/fake accounts are not eligible for entry and will be blocked. Entrants who have created social accounts purely to enter competitions or sweepstakes will not be eligible to win. All social accounts used must be public. See Rafflecopter for official rules. Please contact Victoria (at) MommysPlaybook.com regarding any questions you have pertaining to this giveaway.
Now you KNOW Babushka’s all about Social Good and Eating good . The new #TwistNDip campaign is exactly what BB loves. So glad they asked Babushka to share with you, porque a better twofer hay que fabricarlo! Now that school is out, esto es Perfecto for the summer breaks and time with The Grands, “Breakfast is fun again this summer with Einstein Bros. Bagels’ fun twist on the classic bagel, the Twist ‘N Dip. “ Not only is it yummy Beautifuls, but you get to win in many ways too!! · “Between now and July 31, bagel lovers everywhere have permission to play (with their food) to show off their best Twist ‘N Dip moves. Fans are invited to post a photo or video that captures how they Twist N’ Dip on Feibu, Tweety or Instagram using the hashtag #TwistNDip. Einstein Bros. will select weekly winners to receive cool prizes such as Six Flags prize packs, summer swag and even FREE bagels for a year. · Beginning May 5, the all new Twist N’ Dip bagel gives fans a reason to look forward to morning office meetings, an afternoon escape or even the simple joy of a shmear mustache on their kid’s face. The Twist N’ Dip bagel doesn’t just offer a new way to enjoy a bagel, it offers a FUN new way to play with your food! · Revolutionary perforated plain bagel easy to twist and tear into bite size pieces for dipping into two of Einstein’s 16 flavors of signature schmear. · For every Twist N’ Dip sold Einstein Bros. Bagels will donate a bagel to someone in need.”
Ahora, you know food isn’t the only thing BB gets The Grands. Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! Ok si, it’s the MAIN thing we do, pero they do like parks and rides too. Felizmente Einstein Bros. have us covered there too!
So, the reaction of El Dr. y La Princesa??
jehe No creo que the gift cards we got to try it out will make it through the summer.
; )
Go to your local Einstein Bros. today Beautifuls.
Enter the photo contests, feed someone in need, cool off at Six Flags.
To BB, you can't ask for a better Summer than that.
Day 6 of theAmerican Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip and Babushka's visiting Ybor City. Now part of modern day Tampa Florida, Ybor City has so many fascinating stories that a 2 hour walking tour just started my curiosity. I never imagined the importance this quaint locale had in our nations history. Imaginate, I could have kept asking questions even though the sol was already out- so you know BB was captivated!
And here's the man in the know-
Dr. Wallace Reyes, Historian and Master Cigar Maker
Now let's start listening to some of his know- Introduction into Ybor City's History.
The main industry in Ybor city was the cigar. Here the four nationalities came together to produce first class quality that was world renowned, but it was not just the quality of the cigar that was exemplary. The business practices and social organizations in Ybor City were ahead of their time in the US and the pride of being here was handed down to each generation. Dr. Reyes illustrates this point in this video where he explains a typical workday for a cigar artisan.
In a city where Spaniards, Cubans, Italian and Germans all resided together you know there had to be good food. Queee?? You thought I'd go to a Cuban town and not talk about food? JU SO FONII!! As a matter of fact, on my youtube channelyou'll see Dr. Reyes explain the history of the Ferlita Bakery -current housing of the museum. Naturally this brings to BB's mind the current debate about the real Cuban Sandwich. Sorry Miami, the ORIGINAL sandwich was called "The Brick" and then renamed "Cuban" sandwich because it became the main lunch item for Cuban cigar artisans.
Home of the ORIGINAL Cuban Sandwich
As a matter of fact, thanks to the Italian influence in Ybor City, there were Italian meatcuts in the sandwich. A sandwich invented because the factory owners noticed that artisans would be slower after a typical Cuban lunch. In that, time has not changed. Heje Siesta- a tradition BB is proud to continue.
; )
And yes, another part of tradition I continue, loving my Latino roots, however I have never visited Cuba- until now. When I said Ybor City was a Cuban town I was not kidding. The Jose Marti Park located in Ybor City is governed by the same laws as embassies; it is still owned by the Cuban government and currently protected by the United States of America.
and while you're there check out the many pics I posted on Ybor
BBP (Babushka Bullet Points) of Ybor City
* Thanks to the foresight of Vicente Martinez-Ybor and Eduardo Manrara, an industrial and cultural powerhouse arose out of the Florida swamps.
*Ybor city revolutionized the Southeast United States, was second only to New York City in the artistic and theatrical events of the day, and brought together four distinct cultures in creating a community dedicated to cigars and their distribution. '
*The collaboration resulted in a world wide reputation for superior cigars- so much so that each of the major cigarmaking houses were the exclusive suppliers for different royals throughout Europe.
* Was the home to advanced thinkers in the area of industrialization and business practices
* At the peak year, 1929, half a million cigars were rolled in Ybor City
*DEFINITELY take the Ybor City Historic Walking Tour. Make reservations con tiempo and a recorder- sooo wish I had done the latter. http://yborwalkingtours.com/
Will I be going back to visit Ybor City?
Let's see... Dr. Reyes just skimmed the surface of the city's history.
I didn't get to try the Ybor City/Tampa Cuban Sandwich in the famous, open since 1905,
P.P.P.S. Thanks again to the sponsors of this roadtrip- without them there would have been no trip and I couldn't have expressed myself. Now, de verdad, how boring would that have been?? Gracias.
Last week on Facebook, the Tiki Tiki Blog asked what our New Year's Resolution was. My answer? To get older. JU SO FONII !!! Ok, si, but I sincerely hope this is one resolution I'll be able to keep!
Let me share with you a passage I got from Lord knows where, but I believe whole heartedly in it's message. To the author I apologize omitting your unknown name, but I embrace and share the wisdom of your words.
As I've aged, I've
become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own
friend.
I have seen too many
dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great
freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it, if
I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I
will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 &70's, and if
I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.
I will walk the beach,
in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the
waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet
set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes
forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I
eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years, my
heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one,
or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car?
But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and
compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know
the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have
lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs
be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and
so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is
easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't
question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your
question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have
become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not
waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And
I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
Think about it- a resolution I don't have to think about. Woah- no stress, and that's DEFINITELY what I'm hoping 2012 will be. A stress free year, a stress free life; just doing what comes naturally- no expectations, just excitation. Come on now, I'm Cuban- gotta have some blood pressure raising somehow! So I will continue my Spanglish soliloquies, sashaying in heels, blabbing and bailando all the way.
Seems BB was a good girl this year and got lots of goodies! JU SO FONII!!! You can lift your jaw from the floor now. Ok, Si, bueno, we'll be grateful for Mr. Kringle's oversights and failing memory and thank him for the gifts allright? Apparently the dear man in red saw my Merry Christmas Mambo (aka locura shopping/shipping) and found it in his heart to award me. The bounty was beautiful and plenty this year.
Caramelos from my Sweetie, my children, and a contest from Little Debbie's.
Proof I'm loved just as I am.
; P~~~~
A Babushka Doll w/lavender and jewelry inside from my friend Phoebe.
How great, perfect and aprobo is that?
: )
And speaking of dolls- for my Pocahontas Collection (yes, I collect Disney's Pocahontas)
Sweetie outdid himself by recordando my giddiness when I saw this on the DisneyStore site
Oh yes he did! And she sings!! Oh yes she does!!!
♪♫♪ : D ♪♫♪
And then, because I couldn't be with them in Miami this year, my children gave me the best present of all. They made sure I had pictures, many pictures of my grandbabies.
Being Sweet
La Tata, Rinquincaya y PicaPica
My 4 Little Loves
La Princesa, El Dr., PicaPica y Rinquincaya
Making Sweets
El Dr.'s 1st Gingerbread house.
Being Silly
Singing Silly
Being Precious
Hoping that the season brought you cheer and above all- Amor.
♪♫ Si-i-lent Night, Ho-o-ly Night. All is calm, All is bright ♪♫
As a child I remember being enchanted and entranced by the haunting music of Silent Night. Not only was the melody so peaceful and calming, but the lyrics spoke of a dreamlike world, one that could only live in my imagination. Silent? Calm? In a Cuban household? JU SO FONII !!!
Bueno, we did get the “bright” part of it right. Ok, ok, si, I know, I found out years later that this song is also in Spanish, but bb (that’s BB as a child) didn’t know that and thought it must be a school song because it definitely didn’t reflect any Christmas she ever knew. And how about “White Christmas” or the ever popular, “Winter Wonderland”? Being a niña from Miami, bb knew these had to be make-believe- kinda like Frosty the Snowman. Now, the Little Drummer Boy- at least that one had a drum in it and she could relate.
As an adult I of course enjoy a slew of holiday songs, with topics from sleighbells to sentimental. However, my first Christmas song I heard in Spanish will always be my favorite, Mi Burrito Sabanero. The original version of this song is the one we played in our fiestas Navideñas, and everyone danced, young and old, when this was on.♫♪ tuqui, tuqui, tuqui, tuqui, tuqui, tuqui, tuqui, tu ♫♪ Isn’t this the perfect Christmas song? It tells the story of Christ’s birth, es bailable, the voice of the little boy pulls at the heart strings, and it’s even a bit comical if you visualize it. The Little Drummer Boy a lo latino. Come on now, can’t you just see that burrito trotting hurriedly to see the King while the claymation Little Drummer Boy is being jostled up and down? Now you know the real reason he was so serious in that show…
Esta bien, it’s true, I’m a child of the sixties, but you have to admit, the visual will get you smiling. And isn’t that what the songs of the season should have you do? So be it for glorifying or gratitude, joy or joyful memories, sing and celebrate from the heart your true reasons for the season.
Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.
P.S. This post was originally written for the TikiTiki Blog and updated for Babushka's Baile. Can you believe BB was asked to guest post? The honor! The shaking nerves!! hehe
But I think BB did ok- que creen?
Here's the link to the original and look around the Tiki Tiki Blog- you'll be most impressed. BB2U
Thanksgiving Day- a day for family, food and gratitude. Hopefully you'll have plenty of all 3. This year BB will be celebrating sans grandbabies. Si, I know, but travel was not possible and though I will miss them I am thankful for the times we did share and will share again. The boys, they already were reminiscing about the turkey drumsticks so I know they're looking forward to the next time we celebrate together and truth be told, after almost 2 months in Miami Babushka is still bushed and needs to chill. In every sense of the word. Another 90 degree Dia de Dar Gracias? JU SO FONII !!!
Besides, common DNA is not the only requirement for family. Family- familiar, feeling "home", feeling welcomed...here in my little town Ms. June, owner and heart of The Skybox truly lives the meaning of the day. In gratitude for the community's patronage and to be a place of joyous gathering for all she prepares an open feast. Family, food, and gratitude. Yep, she's got it all covered and she's one more reason for joy on BB's long list of blessings.
May your Thanksgiving be plentiful and the bendiciones bountiful.
I remember my maternal Grandmother, Mima, using a fan. She looked so exotic and elegant. She was 1/2 Chinese and always straight and ladylike and reminded me of the old time Chinese courts of royalty. But those eyes peering over the fan were filled with Cuban passion, ready to bop you with the fan if you were impertinent. OH, the multi purpose hand fan!
There is a certain aire about women with fans, a mystery to be unraveled. From a time when females were not allowed to publicly share their voices, they created the language of the fan. Between the position of the fan, the speed of fanning and their eyes, women of yore were understood perfectly. And let's not forget the final "he dicho" when that fan is closed curtly. I myself have mastered that one and have passed it on to the following generations- it's so much classier than cursing.
Now, I've always liked the hand held fan, but I must admit my appreciation didn't set in until the last couple of years. Because I got old? JU SO FONII !!! Not really, well, kinda sorta, ok, Si- air conditioning doesn't do much against the inner flames of aging if you know what I mean. Society still doesn't embrace sweat all over a woman's face, so the elegance of a fan evens out the playing field.
Should you think fans are only for cooling, let me bring you into the circle. They are great fashion accessories, mood barometers, and social statements. My trio knows that when the lace fan is out, Babushka's feeling like a lady, but when the plain paper one is pulled out- a correr!! That's my no nonsense,you -best- behave- bopping- on- the- head fan. ::BOPASO::
My middle of the road- jeans fan
And lastly, but not least, my new favorite-
"Proud to be Cuban, ask me about my heritage" fan
I included the tag on this "only in Miami" fan find. Unfortunately I could find no boxes for my precious loves so BB will start making them herself! ::closing fan curtly::
Hope you've enjoyed this FANtastic tale and join me in the Fellaship of the Fan.
Come on now, vamos mi gente. It's two days after Halloween and I'm an abuela; did you really think I wouldn't post pics of my grandbabies in their costumes?JU SO FONI !!!
Each holiday has its' traditions and Halloween most definitely has plenty. For the past 6 years, I've bought a big bag of chocolates (the good kind) just in case someone comes by. Of course I live in such a rural area nobody bothers dirtying their pick up trucks for trick or treat so I must perform the sacrifice of eating the chocolates solita before the Christmas candies come out. Tradition! And who am I to say no? Another tradition is enjoying the little ones dress up and sharing the play acting as they become their costumes.
But truth be told, my little ones are always dressing up and pretending...
Si, always trying out new dreams, being whoever they desire
and in reality, isn't that one of the beauties of childhood?
