LAST VISIT TO MEXICO.

Monday, February 18 – With our time quickly winding down here in South Texas, we decided on one more trip to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. We've wanted to get some Mexican pottery to take back to Ohio with us.

Pottery is plentiful in Mexico, but we've been meaning to stop just North of the border to check out a pottery place there. That would eliminate the need of carrying heavy pots through customs and to our parked truck. Of course, when we stopped about 9 a.m. it wasn't open yet. Guess, we'll stop on the way home.

Once we paid our fifty cents to cross into Mexico, we enjoyed strolling along the street and stopping in several stores.

Marsha found several gifts and some nice wine glasses. We stopped and visited with Jose, the painter, and then had lunch at the Marcado at our favorite restaurant......two for one Margaritas.....yummmmmm.

Paul stopped at Gloria's Barbershop and got a haircut for $4. What a bargain and the best haircut Paul's gotten in years!

After covering most of the main drag in Nueva Progreso, we headed back across the border to the good ole' USA. We stopped at the pottery store and purchased a pottery Texas boot and a large Mexican vase. We plan on placing these outdoors in our garden.

A few nights back we enjoyed another happy hour at Rick and Angie's. The happy hour turned into dinner ending with a wonderful chat around the Chimenea.

Oh no…Marsha is starting a new hobby, Swedish weaving. Her friends, Donna and Susie, enjoy this hobby, and Marsha wanted to try her hand at it. Both ladies showed her how to get started, stitch and follow a pattern. Susie gave her some fabric to practice on. Marsha is hooked. She can't wait to get back to Ohio and start her first pattern.

Susie gave Marsha a homework assignment to practice sewing a pattern.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

QUINTA MAZATLAN WORLD BIRDING CENTER

Saturday, February 16– On Wednesday, we visited the Quinta Mazatlan McAllen Wing of the World Birding Center.

The Center is housed in a 1930's historic Adobe home on the South side of McAllen.

The home is an attraction by itself. We were free to roam around many of the beautiful rooms – what a magnificent place.

Outside the grounds can be explored using one of the many trails that loop through the vegetation. Much of the area is overgrown giving plenty of hiding places for the numerous birds. Feeding areas are spread out giving private viewing areas to enjoy the wildlife.

There are hundreds of hummingbird feeders and orange slices in the trees. We came across several water features that make great places for birds or animals to get a cool drink or go for a swim on a hot day.

Almost 500 species have been documented in this unique place. We saw many green jays and numerous other birds scattered around the property.

Green Jays

Great Kiskadee

We know it is a hummingbird but not the specific name.

No idea.

The best find was several rather large Chachalaca birds. We were quietly walking down one of the trails and two walked out of the brush right in front of us. We quickly stopped and sat down and enjoyed four of these big birds parading through the thick brush and crossing the trail all around us. How cool!

This little guy was causing a stir at the bird feeders.

We spent about two and a half hours wondering around the Birding Center before calling it an enjoyable day and heading home. Once home we sat outside soaking up some of the beautiful sunny days we've been having here in the South Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

TO BUSY TO BLOG

Tuesday, February 12 – WOWSIE has it been hot here in Mission. On Sunday, we were the hottest spot in the country. Yes, it does say 96 and this is just February.

We have been having another wonderful, fun, very busy winter here in the Rio Grande Valley. About a week ago, we met up with fellow bloggers, Gayle and Jim of Life's Little Adventures. We met Gayle and Jim last year and wanted to be sure to meet up again this year. They are co-activity directors at a nearby park. We had a wonderful lunch at BJs with a few beverages thrown in for good measure.

On Sunday after church, we all headed over to Angie and Rick's for an "Omelet in a Bag" brunch. If you have never tried an omelet in a bag, you are missing out on a real neat experience. To explain very quickly, the first thing you do is break two to three eggs into a Ziploc bag.

You don't need the bag holder, but the Bloody Mary next to the bag does help.

Press all the air out of the bag, zip it up and blend the eggs together. Then add as many condiments as you choose. We had onions, bacon, ham, cheese, green peppers, etc.

Zip the bag back up and mix all the ingredients together as Pablo, better known as Paul, is doing below.

Now it is ready to be placed in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Once done, slide it on your plate and enjoy. This is the quick version, if you want more details, just drop us a line we will be happy to give you some additional tips.

Our host/hostess and cookers, Angie and Rick.

While the omelet is cooking, don't forget to enjoy a few beverages of Mimosas, Bloody Marys, coffee, tea, or whatever.

The sweet table got a good workout also.

Marsha wants to share Angie and Rick's beautiful new window. It is made out of stain glass by a local gal. When the sun shines through, it is even more gorgeous.

We just can't get over all the different positions Bella sleeps in. For some reason, she loves to push against anything and everything, even when she sleeps.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!