Beth has a new cat - Abby. She's Patches and Quetzl incarnate, a playful kitten and full of joy. You can't see Beth's new BEES in this photo, but soon you will.
All my Mexican toys are jammed into this shelf/cubby in our living room. I love the color and spirit of Mexico and here if I stand very close, I can breathe in the feeling I had there. 
These are actually glass baskets, inspired by Western Native American ones. They are exquisite and wowed me with their tribute to the human imagination, most notably Chihuly's.
Called Ikebana Boat, this structure is filled with glass flowers and reckons back to the artist's youth spent in his mother's garden.
Amazing fiery plants appear to be growing in the grass in the courtyard, with statuary overseeing it all. Please, can they stay, after the exhibition has moved on??
In the new cafe is a spiky cactus-like plant that reaches toward the ceiling and radiates brilliant light.
The most meditative of Chihuly's work concludes the exhibit. These cool, light shafts emanate out of birch logs. 
In Dylan's Mexican bag, featured here, I snuck in a ball cap. Thank goodness, as it turned out to be his favorite part. He wore it everywhere during the time I was at his house. 
and Yes, he liked the toy too, so primitive and folk-arty, so non-tehcno, but he liked pushing the button and seeing the tiger and trainer go at it. They DO look a bit fierce.
Sophia incorporated Soledad's doll into her fantasy play right away. This whimsical little chica now plays with fairies and Barbies.
The loteria game was a success with both kids, separately. And being so young, it is no problem learning the Mexican names for the objects, including Muerte with his scythe.
Through it all, my diligent d-i-l plumbed and plumbed some more, as well as cooked dinners and made the yummiest cookies on the planet, for which I am ever grateful.
I loved these marimba players. Their music added to the ambiance of the day. They'd pick up this instrument and set up in locations all around town. I was happy to donate 20 pesos to them, and even happier when asked a second and third time, that I was able to say, " ¡ya hice!" Learning the preterite has been so helpful. 
The sombrero that I got in Patzcuaro blows off my head when it is windy, so I brought it to my favorite cobbler and asked him to put in two grommeted holes and fit it with a long leather cord to tie under my chin. He was called at home and while I waited for him, I admired the many old tiles on his floor. 
Woven plastic bags are owned by all the locals and used daily. They're remarkable in that they are durable, colorful, basic and ever so handy. These four are outfitted for the grandkids, ready to go back to the States, filled with Mexican tchochke. 
Mexican Meter Man. At this moment he is writing out a ticket for one of these vehicles.
These sisters delighted me with their beauty and charm. Ages about 6 and 4.
Note the life size Christ figure in a room all his own and the sale of cast iron sinks in the front yard.
What ritual do these chrysanthemums denote, along with purple ribbon decorating an entryway to a home?
Street art way out in the hinterlands, looking very modern to me.
All over San Miguel, on Good Friday, altars are dedicated to Mary for the loss of her son. They are draped with camomile flowers and votive candles and oranges that represent her tears. This one was in the local tienda, on top of the soda cooler.
I'm in hot pursuit of dolls made by a local doll maker. She's different from the others as she makes each one differently, doesn't seem to use a template and is whimsical with her materials. Unfortunately she lives in poverty and when she isn't making dolls, needs to resort to begging. I've found four so far, but I'd really like to find HER and reimburse her appropriately.
Here in Mexico, many dogs live on roofs. These two are a couple of my favorites as they rarely bark and just seem like street observers.
The best thing about learning spanish is that I am now able to ask people politely and respectfully if I can take their photos. I am still embarrassed as I don't want to patronize them or lead them to believe that I think they're quaint, charming looking, etc. Which I DO of course. That's the point, but I'd rather they realize I appreciate their glow and vitality. THAT I can't say in spanish yet. 
No way I could get a Mexican lawn chair home with me, but I ADORE this one!
