Frankfurt Friends and a 7 hour layover

So, the age-old question.  How do you turn a 7 hour layover into the best part of the trip?  Sometimes you have to just go with what life gives.  I let the auto-flight selector pick my route to Nice, and the best fare included a 7 plus hour layover in Frankfurt.  I contacted Mette and Sascha, and said, hey, what are you doing May 14th?  Want to meet in Frankfurt?  Sascha had an additional request.... Tim, can you bring an iPad?  It's not available in Germany yet...

I was looking forward to it the whole flight.   Such wonderful people.  We last saw them 2 years ago, pre-Mark.  Look at him now!  Mr adventure.  I don't have pictures, but Ellen and Mark, both trying to figure out who this guy is in their car.... but as shown, in the pictures...  We re-bonded.  Such a wonderful time.  I love you guys.  Thanks for these pictures.

    Amazing visit, and back to the airport.  All in about 4 hours!!  I hope we can see each other in Denver this summer too!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy mother's day, to all you moms out there, and happy mom memories to all.

Yesterday was a girl-power day.  Kirsty and I went to a fund raiser, for an organization one of my super special sister-in-laws works for.  She is really excited about it, and has me intrigued about it too.  She is another woman who inspires me.  The recipient is Daraja Academy in Kenya, Africa.  It's a secondary school for girls who would otherwise not be able to go to school.  This couple(on left in the picture) started the school about 3-4 years ago with 25 girls.  It's a boarding school, to ensure the girls are in a safe, healthy environment.  Enough said.  The scholars are selected from very poor areas, and move into the school for 4 years of high school.  Amazing kids, crazy situations are common, like no living parents, two siblings dead.  And yet these kids are driven and determined, and so many smiles and love.  Anyways, I was moved, and doubled my donation in my mind.

Girl Power
We are listening to the founders (couple on left), and Deborah Santana (Carlos's ex-wife- yellow shirt, in the picture above), all dynamos.  And they start the 'bidding' with the highest numbers first!  And instantly, I see Kirsty and her mom put up their paddles.  Boom.  Done.  Just like that.  Ten times more than where I was prepared to go to, even with the doubled donation amount a had in mind. 

That's girl power. 

I feel so lucky and fortunate Kirsty is my princess.  She has a huge heart, and is making a difference in this world.  Her and her mom in kind.  Her mom is a special person.  Not vocal, but loud in her actions.  Afterward, I said - you really inspired me, going for it, in the bidding.  And her mom matter-of-fact, says, well, a lot of times it's the women in these situations who get forgotten.  BAM.

My sister-in-law is taking her family to the school this summer.  They are in the midst of a huge regimen of immunizations, etc.  The family will be there for 2 weeks, and Julie will be there an extra week, I am guessing at Daraja Academy itself.  What a fantastic trip for all of them.  Incredible for the kids to see, and the adults as well.  We take so much for granted.

 Mom, nieces Kallie (top), Lauren (below), Sheila, my sis in Santa Fe

Mom
You inspire me too.  Mom is mom.  I know I take you for granted too.  Sometimes I don't have the patience.  I know, it's dumb.  Something I can work on.  You instilled in me, the importance of connectedness.  You are the one who made family so special, and tight.  Mom, in a nutshell, you let worry creep in for the trivial stuff, but are a rock, when the proverbial doo doo hits the fan.  Even now, still working as a school nurse at impacted elementary schools in Denver.  I love you.

Blueberry and Pecan Pancakes

This is a quick and delicious breakfast.   Essentially, here's the thing.  I made a bunch of regular pancakes earlier in the week, when we ran out of toast for the kids....  So I took all the extra ones I made, and put them in the bread bag -since it was empty :-)  -  and put that in the fridge.

So, it may not sound as good as it is, but take those pancakes out of the fridge, toast them like toast, and not just warm, but actually add a little crunch to them.  Butter them, add blueberries, pecans and maple syrup.  Pure goodness.

Left-over pancakes, toasted, buttered
Frozen blueberries, thawed
Pecans, broken up
Maple syrup

Toast the pancakes, to a crunchy finish, maybe a little brown on the edges.  Butter them.
Spoon blueberries and juices over pancakes.  Squeeze nuts to crumble. Add maple syrup.

Jib Jab
There are plenty of variations here.  You can combine the blueberries and juices with the maple syrup and warm it.  You can also add sliced bananas.  And probably the first adaptation I would do is to toast the pecans.  I can hear your other suggestions too.  Add to comments section.

Dinner in Palo Alto

We went out on a double date last night, with our friends E and J.  They are friends from the neighborhood, that go way back, and we cross paths in a number of our circles, between church, and kids, and the gym, and book club and more.  They have two daughters and a son, our sons are the same age, and one of their daughters is the same age as Moira.  We have done soccer and I think baseball together, E and I used to coach the kids in soccer, Kirsty is in book club...., and already I digress...

Last night was the first time in a long time, we got together, and it really was a blast!  We went over
to their house for delicious margaritas before we left, and were into great conversation and laughing virtually immediately.

Reposado, Palo Alto
We had reservations for Reposado in Palo Alto, on Hamilton, just south of University.  I have seen the place from the street, and as you can see from the picture, it's one of those contemporary makeovers of an old something.  I think it was a creamery or something.  It really is a nice looking place, really impressive architecture and interior design, although I had this feeling of just a little too perfectly done, if that makes any sense - a bit too Palo Alto shee shee (try the link above, and you'll get an idea of what I mean with the flash website, music and animation- just a bit over the top).

Anyway, a really fun place, a bit noisy, but we had an awesome waiter, Mario, and he says, his kids call him Super Mario...which I called him all night long, largely because he was.  A number of us had the Cadillac margarita, which was very fresh, and tasty, and the appetizers came, and were totally impressive, even though it was simply empanadas and guacamole, salsa and chips.  Dang, those empanadas were so good.  Really good fillings.  I wonder what was in them!?

I had the lamb chops, which are not what I think of as a typical Mexican item.  Ironically, they were perfectly cooked, and drizzled with a nice smoky burnt mole sauce, and draped over what was mashed potatoes Mexican style, with chopped cabbage, cilantro, corn salsa sort of thing.  Actually, a really nice combo.  E had the short ribs, which were also delicious, definitely a little more of a Midwest flavor, and the girls had a fish dish, which I didn't get a chance to taste, or really even see.  We kinda huddled E and I chatting, as did the girls.  It was kind of loud to have a whole-table conversation.  Just a note, there is a crow's next area, with a small bar upstairs, which seemed a whole lot quieter...tips for next time.

After dinner, we went for a stroll down University, which would be dumb not to do.  It's such a happening place, and a really nice warm evening.  We were looking for a specific place, a frozen yogurt place.

L'Amour Frozen Yogurt Cafe
Okay, this place also struck me as, hmm, like I was being marketed to?  They have their own formula, different than most of these frozen yogurt places.  There are 10 self serve yogurt machines, I am not going into all the flavors, except for the ones I had, which the mango was stellar, and the red velvet was, mmm, okay, pretty good.  So, you self-serve your yogurt, and then your own toppings- a huge selection, all the usual, and then some.  Probably 50 or more choices.  Then, you weigh in.  It's 47 cents an ounce.  So, yes, it really was amazingly delicious.

Jib Jab
Dang, what a great evening.  One of those dates where you say, geez, why did it take so long to get this on the calendar, and we need to do this more often.  It was one of those times when I was happy to be.  Happy to be married to my princess. Happy to have good friends.  Happy to live in such a beautiful place, and have the resources to do what we do.  Basically, a pretty simple date, all in all.  Aren't they the best?

I really haven't seen their kids in a few years, and seeing them when we arrived was in stark contrast from how I remember them, as kids.  They are young adults.  Seeing them, I couldn't help think of how time is flying by.   And, somehow, I had this feeling of - mm, I look forward to our future, in their hands.  It was really nice to see them, and converse with the new adults, sensing their energy and passion and compassion.

This is my first post using someone else's pictures.  I was thinking I wanted to add some restaurants and so on, but who takes pictures at a restaurant?  Anyways, I think the pics add to the piece, just, they aren't mine.

There are a huge number of great places right around here.  Another of my favs, is the Italian Osteria.  Basically, kitty-corner to Reposado.  There is another place I like, Indian, buffet style.  Really good food.  A fun place to get a bunch of folks together for lunch.  No matter when people show up, lunch is served, and the food is great.  It's called Darbar .

Prom

Moira went to Prom.  She went with friends, including Christian.  I am so glad she went.  She had a great time.  It wasn't monumental.  She said, if it was my money, I wouldn't have gone. So often, Prom is talked about, and raved about as the thing to do.  It is a special day though.  And it's a day you have to make good yourself.  I'm glad Moira went.  She has good friends.

This is PQ, aka Paul.  What a nice guy.  All of them are so nice.  It makes us parents so crazy happy to see our kids happy.  There's a million stories in these pictures.  Paul and his bow tie.  Moira's dress is from Sarira's sister.  On and on.  It just makes me happy.

I remember for me, I wasn't all that interested in going when I was in high school.  As it turns out, a friend really wanted to go, and invited me, and actually took me.  I was so flattered, and will never forget it.  How special.  Anyways, more pictures to come.

Mount Tam Ride and spill

This is last weekend's ride.  I have to get pictures up.  It was probably the last for my camera.  I crushed it, along with tearing myself up, ending up with stitches.  It was a fantastic group, about 10 or 12 of us.  We rode about 3.5 or 4 hours, a big day.

The cool effect with the pictures is because the camera lens thing does not open all the way, and covers the picture.  I think it's messing up the shutter speed too.  Anyways, great day on Tamarancho.

Santa Clara Pueblo, Puye Cliff Dwellings, Connections

I am just excited about my renewed connection with Native American Indians, and their heritage.  It's a common feeling for me.  Being somewhere unique to me.  Wanting to know more, and knowing, well, it's not my heritage.  I think rather than feeling like I am out of place, our tour with Porter made me feel so connected.

I was moved by the whole thing and I am trying to understand why.  Porter was a big part of it.  I felt close to him.  He shared a personal part of himself.  Yes, he was knowledgeable.  No question.  But what made him attractive was hearing his personal stories, and interpretation.  He took the risk of sharing part of himself.  Actually, some important parts of himself.  Very sensitive too.  The more he shared, the more I liked him, and wanted to be a part of his community of friends.

Jib Jab
Here are some of the 'coincidences'
- Dan, my brother met Porter through his job at Crow Canyon Archeology Center
- Porter's mother is the famous Roxanne Swentzell, sculptor.  We saw her works at the Poeh museum.
    She is so impressive, in what she shares in her sculptures.  I thought she looked familiar, and it turns  out my in-laws have 3 of her pieces, one they had commissioned.  I need to re-look at them!
- Here is her website
- Another 'guide' on the tour, Linda Tafoya is also an interesting tie-in.  She used to play hide and seek with Porter in the Puye Cliff Dwellings when they were kids.  Now, Porter takes her youngest son under his wing, and he is also a guide.  Linda is a native American ceramicist.  Linda is the grand daughter of the famous Margaret Tafoya.  It was great talking with her, not as a native American, but as another human.
- Since then, Dan sent a video of Roxanne's daughter talking about archeology and ancestry.  The video piece is on respect, and how to visit an archeology site, respectfully.  Essentially, don't touch anything, or more specifically, if you touch it, don't move it from where you found it.  It changes the archeology.  Rose Simpson is also a potter, and sculptor like her mother.

Jib Jab
Anyways, not sure what it all means, but I like it.  We all struggle with our communities, our families.  It's that darn connectedness.  The picture is Linda Tafoya.  I was pretending like I was getting a shot of the cliffs behind her, but I knew I wanted a picture of her.  Later in our conversations, she shared her family ties with her grand mother, Margaret.  All said, it was so nice to meet her.  It made for a special day.  Another interesting piece to me. 

Before we started, we just met Porter.  We are at the Harvey House, which is sort of the museum, gift shop area.  Along with these rooms, there is someone in the patio area, selling Native American Indian jewelry.  Porter says if we are interested, take a look.  It was such a subtle endorsement, but I was intrigued. 

The jewelry totally caught my eye.  Beadwork, and some silver and semi-precious stones.  I was asking him about the jeweler, and he couldn't remember.  I could see how this might have sounded hmm, sketchy?  For whatever reason, I felt a connection with this person.  I felt strongly about the beauty of the pieces he was showing, and said so.  I ended up getting 3 or 4 pieces, and got so excited about it, I was shaking.  He was sharing with me.  He let me see the best in him, and when he saw I could see it, he let me in.  He kept making it easier and easier for me to purchase his work.  I judge, he was comfortable it was going to a 'good home'.  In the end, I thanked him, and complimented his pieces.  I was leaving and he stopped me and gave me another pair of earrings I was looking at.  I was beside myself with appreciation.  Not primarily for the jewelry.  Because he shared.  Anway, he suggested I wear the jewelry during the tour.  I wore a really cool turquoise and silver beaded necklace.