pumpkin week

Jay came home with two Large pumpkins last week so this past week we have been busy processing and cooking with pumpkin. 

The winning recipe was a wonderful creamy Thai Pumpkin Soup I found on my favorite recipe site. I added a couple of spices mentioned in one of the comments. 

 It was so delicious there were no leftovers.

Just in case a couple of big pumpkins show up on your doorstep, here is the link...
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/thai-pumpkin-soup/

Happy Thanksgiving!

barney

When in a pinch,

 a barnacle covered screen makes

an interesting beach photo subject.

sand and surf

The art of waves and small unidentified creatures buried in the sand.

my clam digger

While I happily collected snapshots Jay picked up enough shells to fill a suitcase.

Shells were not the only thing he found....

Early the next morning....

(note the sun-bow reflected in the water)

beach pm

We got to the little fishing village on Tuesday as the tide went out and just before the sun set. Had we made high tide we would have observed the daily routine of the fishing boats coming in and the entire village converging on the beach to help bring in the catch. 

As it was, the beach was quiet and deserted. We piled out of the Blue Corn Express into the parking lot of the hotel and the rest of while the group headed to the office to secure rooms I was drawn, as if by a magnet, to the waters edge.

The shutter was clicking long before the toes reached the water. 

I contentedly walked and danced and explored and admired for the golden hour until the sun was extinguished by the great blue water.

beach dance

This is just plain ol' happy to be at the ocean!

There was worship music playing in my head....

so I handed the camera to Jay and danced my praise on the beach. 

Nuff said.

The blessing

We brought donations for three different ministries to Mexico, a church in the barrio, a men's halfway shelter, and an "oldfolk's" home.

 Bright and early Monday morning we stopped by the Oldfolk's Home in Rocky Point to drop off some supplies. It was my first visit to this Catholic-run ministry and I had no inkling of the surprise the Father had waiting for me.

(The halls were painted with colorful murals)

The staff didn't speak English and we were without our translator but we managed to communicate our purpose and understand the invitation to tour the facility. The nun took us to meet the residents. As we greeted the elderly residents one of the assistants motioned for my camera. I gladly handed it over and continued working my way around the room.

After the sitting room we were escorted to a beautiful sunny courtyard were more residents were enjoying the lovely weather. My photo-taking-friend lead me to a tiny lady, helped her stand and then kind of handed me over to this sweet little woman. For the next several minutes she blessed me, she rubbed my arms and legs and prayed a blessing over me. No common words were shared but the meaning was clear. 

Never before have I received such a tender blessing.