Spring arrives ... A New Awareness

With the arrival of spring, comes a new awareness.  The cold seems like a thing of the past ... the mornings feel different and the morning sun brings an added anticipation to the new day.

The air feels different up in the Texas Hill Country preparing us for the burst of color along Texas highways.   Pretty soon, the fields will be the stage for colorful art with the Texas bluebonnets.

Texans prepare to welcome spring-time with a variety of celebrations in cities and towns throughout the state. 

There's Fiesta San Antonio, Austin Reggae Fest and Fiesta de La Flor (remembering Selena) in Corpus Christi just to name a few.  The list goes on.  To check out more events happening in Texas go to this events link.

Fiesta San Antonio Street Parade

Thanks for stopping by ... 

The HookDude

Additional Hat Donations for the Oncology Unit

I've said it before, and I'll say it again ... crocheting/knitting is a soothing and meditative experience for me.   When I take the yarn in my fingers and let my hands do the work, I don't think about a thing.  I'm just in the moment, and it always manages to calm me down.

As you have noticed in previous blog posts, I make a lot of hats.  I've completed additional crocheted and knit hats to be donated to the oncology unit at a local hospital.  You can find the free patterns at this link

As always, I thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog page.

The HookDude

Happy Holidays 2014 - Felices Fiestas Navideñas 2014

At this time of the year of family reunions and special memories, I would like to wish all of you a special celebration.  Stay safe if you travel.

En esta época navideña de reuniones en familia, les deseo a todos unas felices fiestas con muy bonitos recuerdos.   Tengan precaución si es que tengan que viajar.

The HookDude

La Merienda de la Tarde - An Afternoon Snack

I still have vivid memories of getting out of school and stopping at my grandma Conchita's for "la merienda" or afternoon snack.   For me it was usually Mexican hot chocolate or cold chocolate milk and a piece of Mexican sweet bread or pastry.  Guëlita (Spanish for Grandma) would give me a nickel and I'd run to the corner grocery store run by Doña María and buy a pastry from an assortment of Mexican pastry that was displayed.  My favorite was called a "regalo" a square of thin pastry filled with red jelly or jam.  Calories and high cholesterol were unheard of in those days.  "La merienda" was my favorite part of the day.  Many children and adults in Latin-American countries and in the USA still look forward to the afternoon "merienda".
That was about 55 years ago in my hometown.  These days, I stay away from these sweet delicacies.

An Assortment of Mexican Pastries Found at Neighborhood Bakeries

Mexican pastries from a local "Panadería" (bakery)

Tengo bonitos recuerdos de mi niñez cuando salía de clase y pasaba por la casa de mi abuela para la merienda.  Típicamente, la merienda consistía de una taza de chocolate caliente o un vaso de leche con chocolate y pan de dulce.  Guëlita me daba un cinco para ir a la tiendita de Doña María ubicada a unos 200 pies de su casa para comprarme una pieza de pan de dulce.  Mi favorito era el "regalo" una pieza cuadrada de pan con mermelada por dentro.  En aquella época, se desconocían las calorías y el colesterol.  Para mí, la merienda era el tiempo preferido de la tarde.   Muchos niños y adultos en países latino-americanos y en EE. UU. todavía anticipan la "hora de la merienda".  Mis recuerdos son de mi niñez de hace 55 años.  Ahora, hago un gran esfuerzo de no entrar en una panadería y me alejo lo más que puedo de estas delicias azucaradas. 

The HookDude

Happy Festival of Lights - Happy Hanukkah

For all of you out there who celebrate this year's Festival of Lights, I want to say Happy Hanukkah.  

May this feast bring much light and peace into your lives.  

Thank you for stopping by and visiting.  Stay well and be safe.

The HookDude