All Treats, no Tricks here South of the Border.

It was 8:00pm & I began feeling like Charlie Brown in the Pumpkin Patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin. I had truly all but given up hope of passing out candy here in Los Misiones when I heard a couple of little voices call out "Mordida Halloween..." I rushed to the door with my candy in hand & saw these two little cuties asking for candy & very quick to say "Gracias un buen viaje". The boys posed for my shot while their Mom in turn, photographed them at my front door. We formed a mutual admiration society for one another since I thought her kids were adorable & she took my photo as I took thiers...I wonder if she has a blog? There were about 15 more Trick or Treaters before I turned out the lights & unplugged my purple Jack-o-lantern. One more Halloween in Mexico successfully past.

Halloween Mosaic!

I'm getting ready for those little trick or treaters. Last year the little kids in our neighborhood screamed & chanted "Mordida Halloween" at our front door since they knew we were American & celebrate Halloween (rather presumptuous...) They also broke the doorbell they rang it with such vigor. Well, this year I am ready. I have a small amount of candy & some decorations. Let's see if they are willing to walk that distance in the neighborhood here & climb these hills...we are ready!

Dia de la Muertos, Happy Halloween & all the rest!

Here's Looking at You~

Time Change~but not in the States...

Will try not to rant & rave too much but this weekend we had a time change South of the Border. We "Fall Back" & supposedly gain an hour but I don't see it that way when I am feeling tired on a Monday morning...Also, since television programing is from the states, both my computer & cable channel times are all off by an hour. **I do love my new Starbucks San Antonio mug my daughters gave me. Seeing the Alamo in the morning makes me smile!! Also, in case you wondered we had 54 degree temps here last night & this house is cold...I guess I will get over the time change here in a day or so!

What's inside my purse?

Inspired by an Flickr question; I thought I would show what was inside my purse....


















The only things missing are my cell phones which were charging this morning. I have a Mexico Cell phone & Texas Cell phone. Now the people who ask me why my purse is soooo heavy can surely understand!

Late night kitchen adventure~

A late cup of coffee can make many late night activities fly right along! A few apples, some Caramel wraps, dipping chocolate & Halloween sprinkles~the possibilities are truly endless...

What is better than having a trusty driver showin us the sights?

Yep, that is Senor John checking his emails & driving the women around Nuevo Leon keeping us laughing till our faces hurt!!! For such a serious guy he can keep us going~


















He has been full of ideas & quick with a joke, making light of some silly circumstance. (Gay may think John is the funniest guy alive!!!)





















Gay thought she would snap this shot for us. I think she just wanted to see those mountains a few minutes more!

A great visit~ natural beauty here South of the Border.

We have had picnics in the mountains, shopping in the city & exploring along 7 Mile Market. We saw thousands of butterflies this week as there is a butterfly migration afoot here South of the Border. Good times, Natural beauty & the great outdoors here in Mexico!

Good times are being had by all!

Making new friends & visit'n with the already friends & laughing till our cheeks hurt! These Texas Chicas are having a blast!


Having a blast & a "Chilada" somewhere South of the Border!!!

Talavera de cerámica espectacular!

Over the weekend we wandered through a Talavera shop & were overwhelmed by the colors & designs we saw. There were the very traditional patterns which are more Spanish in origin as well as contemporary pottery pieces with tropical scenery & bare chested mermaids.





So many selections, so much color, what a feast for the eyes!

If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a cake.

Let's see, I do know she is arriving soon~so I'm baking a cake!! I don't want to toil away in the Cocina while she is visiting so I'm getting ready! What would be great for a South of the Border Patti visit? I believe good old fashioned Chocolate!!!























CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE

2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
4 tbsp. cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. water
1 c. mayonnaise
1 tbsp. Mexican vanilla
Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl. Add the water and beat 1 minute. Add the mayonnaise and beat 1 minute. Add the vanilla and beat 1 minute.
Pour into a greased and floured pan, 13 x 9 inch square for a very high cake. *Sprinkle with chopped nuts and chocolate bits as frosting, or frost later. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Because she said it was funny ~ and it is....Mango Snickerdoodle???

Seriously excellent use of my time South of the Border. This was sent to me by my friend Nancy just for fun! Give it a try! Fun, fun, fun!! You don't have to but copy it & try changing it up yourself or blog it!


1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) -"Cat Pacifica" (our first pet when I was tiny was a cat named Laurie & she had kittens:)
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) -"Mango Snickerdoodle"
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) "D-Kin" (yikes, sounds like an insecticide!)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) -Blue Cat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) -"Ann Jacksburo"~now that doesn't sound Redneck does it????
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) -"Kinda"~hmmm, kinda what???
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) -"The Pink Margarita"
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) -Dan Charlie ~ that could work! Sounds like it could work in Talladega Nights!
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) -Sicily Kisses!!! Dolce & Gabana would be so proud to have that perfume as a stripper name!
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) -"Prescott Pasadena" (Pretty sure we caught Mr. Prescott shaving his legs one time!!!)
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) -Thanksgiving Rose.
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) -"Raspberry Pajamie"
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) -"Bagel Live Oak"
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) -"The Sew/Scrap/Photo/Blog Lightening Tour" **Sounds way busy if you ask me, but I couldn't take any of that away! It is what keeps me going down here!!

Shrimp Salad~luncheon favorite!

A good salad to make on a warm day or evening in Mexico. Of course, the jar of good Curry Powder cost a small fortune in Mexico. This is not Mumbai India, you know!!! Just Monterrey Mexico & since most true Curry powders have as much as 27 spices they contain~I will pay the going rate South of the Border. Buen Provencho!



















Shrimp Salad
1 lb. small shrimp
2 cups seedless red or green grapes, halved
1 cup cashew nuts
2 Tbsp. chopped red bell pepper
2 Tbsp. red onion, diced
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Helman's mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger, or 1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbsp. lemon or lime juice
Pepper & Salt to taste

Peel, devein shrimp. Boil, chill. (frozen & thawed shrimp can be used as well)
Combine all ingredients with except of Sour Cream, Mayo, curry & ginger. Mix those ingredients for the dressing up & then blend shrimp mixture with dressing & chill for several hours. Serve on lettuce leaves, garnish with extra red pepper or cashew halves.

Happy Birthday Jacqueline!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

When life gives you Bananas~

Banana Bread

3 ripe bananas, mushed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven 350. Grease & flour large loaf pan.
Mix all wet ingredients adding 2 eggs last (1 at a time). Mix well. Sift all dry ingredients (except pecans)together, then mix in wet ingredients. Mix well. If adding nuts blend in then pour batter into lg. loaf pan or 2 small pans. Bake till top is firm or toothpick comes out clean after inserted. For one large loaf bake time is 1 hr.

This recipe is from St. Paul's United Methodist Church Cookbook~their Jubilee Cookbook. Some of the best recipes come from church cookbooks.

Hamburger Soup Anyone?

The weather down here is not exactly "soup weather" but the Fall seems to be a good time to make have Comfort Foods. Some call this Hamburger Soup or Beef & Vegetable. Today, we called it lunch! Of course, it does look yummy in my Mexican Posole bowls:)



















Hamburger Soup

1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion chopped fine
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
1 cups water
3 cans beef consomme soup
4 carrots, chopped fine
1 potato, diced
1 bay leaf
2 stalks celery, chopped fine
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 cup pearl barley or rice
fresh basil, salt & pepper to taste


Brown meat and drain off fat. Add onion and sauté about 3 minutes.
Combine all ingredients in large 5 quart pot or crock pot and simmer for a minimum 2 hours on high or low for 6 hours. If you cook it on the stove cook it till veggies & pearl barley or rice are tender.
Garnish with chopped, fresh basil & Parmesan cheese.

Pimento Cheese in Mexico~

Okay, everyone thinks their Recipe is best. I agree to personal favorites but here is yet one more Pimento Cheese recipe. No cream cheese or pickels here but great on celery or sandwiches. If you don't understand Pimento Cheese~it is a Southern thing! Buen Provencho!


























Pimento Cheese Spread

8 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
8 oz. Monterrey Jack Cheese, shredded
1 4 oz. can (or jar) Pimento Pepper strips, *fire roasted best
2 green onions, green tops only,finely chopped
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. *Tabasco sauce
1/2 to 3/4 c. Helman's Mayonaise

Mix well, chill. Serve on bread, crackers or celery sticks

*Okay~your choice, hotter is sometimes better!

¡vida de un animal doméstico!

Weekends south of the border are for relaxing & taking the path of least resistance. Our little Persian kitty is no exception. She decided this morning to hang out in the kitchen with us as we read the New York Times~our newly found pleasure or would that be treasure?? We decided to cook some bacon, perk some coffee & as I turned that over to both Katerina & John there were some issues.... Katerina ended up watching the second pot brew as the first one had to be discarded. (Odd how leaving out the filter can make quite the mess!!) Katerina is still distrustful of the burbling noise of the coffee maker!



















At times I swear she can read my mind...


Our busy feline does get her opportunities to relax & kick back regardless of what schedules the rest of the family keeps. The Kincke "Vida Loca" includes yet another road trip for Katerina to Torreon this week! Ah, the things a cat has to do!!

Safety in the work place?

Safety standards in Mexico can be "relaxed" as compared with the States. I am amazed & horrified when I see people try things one wouldn't dream of back home. The mountainside behind our house is being carved up for what would appear to be construction on a road of some sort. I have watched in amazement as the Dirt/Rock moving detail progresses each day. The heavy machinery operator keeps teetering on the brink of disaster with rocks sliding down the mountain both above & below him. It has been rather like averting the eyes from a disaster, I can't turn away. Don't these people read safety manuals or watch the nightly news? I certainly feel like a voyeur to something! The man is far above the houses in the neighborhood, working alone & seemingly oblivious to the danger he is in. The devil may care attitude South of the Border seems to work in this case. At least for another day~

Yes, I really did make something with that fabric!

I actually did make something more than Dinner Napkins with my Pink Dia de los Muertos Fabric. I decided to sew up an apron for the holiday ahead. This went together in about 1 1/2 hr. with a little extra time spent making some additional little trim selections. I added a beaded dangling daisy embellishment below the denim pocket as well as braided trims both at the apron neck & top of the pockets. Gosh, it either makes me want to cook or celebrate Dia de los Muertos...hmmmm. What to do, what to do. You may think this holiday is a little much even South of the Border~



You haven't met my little Friend!!!

Mug Shots or FM3 photos?

Since moving within Mexico we had to have our FM3 visas reissued. With the reissue comes the "Re-Photo". Who looks great in those photos, ever??? I haven't liked a passport photo since I was 18 years old & a guy in Lafayette, Louisiana "re-touched" my photos at his studio because he thought things looked better touched up.

Having passport/visa photos in Mexico is a dicey situation at best. The Ex Patriots tell wild stories of having to pin all of their hair away from their faces & holding everything away from the forehead & earlobes with their hands as the cameras flash away. Apparently US citizens have ears & foreheads that really make us stand out in a crowd. The rub for me came when I already had a set of passport photos made, then handed them over to government officials, when I was told that my ears & forehead didn't show as much as they should....At somepoint I am sure these all start to look like mug shots!

I finally quit my complaining & had more photos made with the promise that no one sees that photo anyway! Well, my front facing shot was hideous (no Exhibit A on display!) and somehow the woman who took my photo failed to tell me I had a huge hunk of hair sticking out of my head. It almost doesn't matter anyway. Travel isn't what it used to be. Gone are the days when people dressed up & were excited to visit new places. Now fate seems to lie in the hands of someone with latex gloves & an X ray machine. Ah, the Good Old Days!

Dinner Napkins~

Thought I would sew up some dinner napkins from some great fabric I found in Torreon. More surprising patterns, fabrics & textures South of the Border! Pink background, marigolds & skulls. Perfect whimsical napkins for Halloween or Dia de la Muertos...it makes me smile anyway!