December 27, 2006

We hired a guided tour to take us to the "Country of the Monarch Butterfly". It was a wonderful way to go as the driver arrived at our door at 8:30 am and we had a vehicle all to ourselves as we traveled the 100 miles or so to the region of the migratory butterfly reserves high in the mountains near the eastern border of the state of Michoacan. http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/monarchs.html This link tells more about the El Rosario sanctuary we visited.

Carlos, the guide/driver was very knowledgeable about the history of the communities we passed on our way, so it made for an interesting drive. The curving ascents and descents on the mountain roads gave us panoramic views of the rural countryside and forested areas. Luckily no one suffered from the car sickness that Carlos said sometimes strikes the travelers on these mountain curves.


Once we reached the reserve, we hiked nearly two miles at an elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level. The weather conditions were perfect for viewing the fantastic sight of so many butterflies in flight, feeding, drinking and clustering in HUGE, heavy nucleus from the branches of the fir trees.
The video below shows how awestruck our grandson was at the sight of these beautiful Monarches! Look for more video tomorrow as S. really captured a glimpse of the butterflies in flight and feeding in the meadow (as in the photo above). It was an experience to have the butterflies flying everywhere around us, even occasionally landing on us!
Watch video here:

In the video titled rabbit meadow, you will see the guide, Carlos telling us some more tidbits about the area. He was full of information about the butterflies and their habitat too.
and here:

December 26, 2006

We stayed in Morelia today. We visited Morelia's central market
and visited M's Dad's work.It was good seeing where Checo
works and looking into the guts of the video games that he wires.
Hey Checo'sboss, he deserves more money, man it's tough
making any kind of a living in Morelia.

This is one of the many fruit stands in the market. I felt
a little guilty taking pictures without asking first, but M's Mom
said that as long as no one challenged me, it's OK.

Vegetables. I would have loved to have taken more time
in the market, but M was fussing.
Not really, I would have liked to have done more exploring,
but I was getting claustrophobia.

Garnish for food served at one of the many food
stands in the market.

OK, M's Mom is pointing at a calf's brain. I have read that
cow's brain in something or another is a Morelia
specialty.

Pig's heads, one hanging by it's tong, must have said
something against the ruling party.

Chicken feet and inerds, set out for sale and use to make
a local soup specialty.

Awful offal. Not really, it was interesting seeing how all
of these foods were treated so matter of factly.


Imagine, Saturday Night Fever, Travolta, walking down the
sidewalk. MJ, walking down the sidewalk, same swagger,
carrying a bag of chicharrones . Made at a very local
vendor. Our eyes were bigger than our bellies, that's saying
something, isn't it. We weren't able to finish the chicharrones
that we had purchased, they were very good though.
OK, by popular DEMAND, Chicharrones Night Fever.


M and his Mom after we returned from our visit to the market.
MJ and I watched M so that M's Mom and Dad could
go out for a nice dinner and see a movie. They had a
great dinner and both enjoyed seeing the new 007 movie.

MJ and I playing with M.

MJ bathing M. I tried to assist by being the runner, wash cloth,
towel, etc. Thanks sweetie.

Christmas Eve Day and Morning

Here are some pictures taken at L's on Christmas Eve and
M's Christmas Day.

M in exersauser again.

M's Dad & the Christmas M, spreading cheer!

M's Grandparents.

Grandma L with a present she just opened.

M with his pop-up "rat"

M with spoon given by his Aunt J

Great picture of M & his Mom

MJ with Michoacon made bowl.

M with puzzle from Uncle Michael.

December 23, 2006

Yesterday we picked up our lost bag. Unfortunately,

the bag had been opened and some gifts were stolen.

Nothing irreplaceable though.

M in his new exersaucer, he loves it. This was in

a box that made the trip no problem.

Walking to dinner. MJ took us out for my 50th birthday

celebration.

My app. Corn fungus, Huitlacoche [wee-tlah-KOH-cheh],

also spelled with a C,

in an avocado half, very tasty.

Santa, M and his Mom on main plaza.

Blowing out candle, it is a tres leche cake. This is

just before MJ pushed my face into the cake, a Mexican tradition.

Taken minutes ago, M and this Grandma.

We will have Christmas with M's other Grandparents

this evening.

Mom, glad to see you can get to the libr.

Mexico, Here We Are

We are here.
When we get back I will describe our trip down.
We made it, about 4 hours late and missing only
one bag, which we will pick up this morning.
We made a day trip to Santa Clara de Cobre yesterday.
Checo's Mom came with us,
Checo had to work, so wasn"t with us.

Signs of Spring

Thursday, December 21st at 7:22 PM EST, starts winter
in the northern hemisphere.
In West Michigan, spring is starting to show.

Lush parsley. Summers growth still.

New growth.

Grill time.

Garden goddess thanking the heavens for these easy days!

Pork loin chops just about done.

The sun is not be carrying much energy lately.

Today was mostly sunny, and the temperature reached

the low 40's, but ice persists on the bird bath.

The pork is ready to be eaten.

Early "B" Christmas Celebration, December 17th, 2006

We had an early "B" Christmas celebration today. Most everyone
was there. Sarah and Raymond left early, as Sarah was feeling poorly.
Rachael and Andy are in Central America, so were not present.

Greetings and salutation to our Mexican family.
Susan, Gil, Joey and Jake.

Just before blessing of the food by Bill B.
Issac, Sean, Michael, Beth, Patty, and MJ. In background,
Jake and Raymond.

MJ, Beth and Grandma B, greeting to Em's.

Temp's were in the low 50's when we started. Right after
our meal, these youngsters went out and played a little American
Football. Gil, Jake, Joey, Issac and Michael.

A good time was had by all. Thanks to Bill and Cheryl for
hosting this year.

Our Early Family Christmas Celebration

Since we will be in Mexico over Christmas, we had our family
celebration today at Mom and Dad's. I had told Mom that I
didn't want to have to cook before our trip, soshe prepared
virtually all of what we have for our traditional Swedish Christmas
Eve smörgåsbord.


She did a great job. The only thing that was missing
was the lutefisk. Mom, thanks so much, it was great!

Looking across the stove top, simmering potato sausage,
hasselback potatoes, carrot mold and Jansson's temptation.

Mom and I taking a break.

Jill and Sean making strawberry/coconut cookies.

Mom adding a decoration that Jill made, to the Christmas tree.

First coarse, fish, cheese and breads/lefse.

MJ helping herself to crudité.

Schrot guys at the cold coarse.

Dessert coarse.

Jill and Sean made a trip to the beach before dinner.

Mom and Dad opening their new camera, a gift from
Bill's.

Artfully taken picture, by Jill.