Buen Camino Peregrino!

All good things come from above. James

Ana's Place for the Ordinary.

Ana's Place for the Ordinary.

Buen Camino Peregrino!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Unfinished business...

  
I have been told that life is easier when we learn to live freely by embracing our unfinished and unresolved issues.  I truly believe I had this one in my pocket until I decided to convert my seventies butcher block kitchen into the Food Channel standard.  
In February of last year, I entrusted this project to a reliable contractor and “friend”, whom I affectionately call Tony “Carpintero.”  As a point of reference, in our house, it is mandatory to add a suffix or identifier to anyone named Tony.  In all there are: Tony, the husband; Tony, the son-in-law; Tony, the father-in-law; Tona the aunt; Tony, the colleague; and now my son, Armando (the new Tony) as this is the name he has chosen for confirmation.  In any event, my new kitchen became my Valentine’s Day gift and all my Tony’s agreed to celebrate together some haute cuisine once the project was completed.
Well, spring came and went and Tony “Carpintero” disappeared.  Summer arrived and I got a promise to return.  In the fall, he asked that I not pressure him as he was in the midst of bigger projects.  The Floridian winter arrived and the kitchen still lacks all of her promised bells and whistles. My “Capintero” took his masterful mill work out of state and has yet to find his way back to his humble beginnings at 33012.  On a positive note, the work that was completed was well done but, I have learned to glance over the unfinished pantry, trims and shelves and still smile.  I have learned to embrace the loose ends. No denying I had my intermittent moments of mutinous thoughts and expletives, but that is behind me today.
After really, truly, accepting my station in kitchen life, I decided to employ some divine intervention to my plight and I ordered a small statue of Saint Lorenzo, the Patron Saint of Chefs from Italy.  
According to history, Saint Lorenzo, was one of seven deacons under Pope St. Sixtus and was condemned to death by the Prefect of Rome.  The story goes that as he was being grilled, he called out to those torturing him and said, ”Turn me over I’m done on this side!”. Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith may spread all over the world.  And right before he died, he said, “It’s cooked enough now.” Based on this story, it is said that Saint Lorenzo is the patron Saint of cooks. 
Today, my kitchen waits with a spiritual companion in the cupboard named Lorenzo. I have artfully concocted some haute cuisine to our satisfaction and I don't lose sleep over unfinished mill work.  In fact, no worries, this Valentine’s Day she may turnover as she will be done on all sides..
 
Saint Lorenzo, Patron Saint of Chefs - August 10th


 





Thursday, December 15, 2011

The time has come to say "goodbye" to Caterpillar Schemes and Dreams and "hello" to some currently nameless Dragonfly blog, for this new year is quickly rising to meet us with new hopes, challenges and gifts. Without further adieu and few original words, I wish everyone well-wishes of health, love and joy in abundance.
Quería mandar algo super especial
para felicitarte por el Año Nuevo,
pero tuve un problema…
¿Cómo envuelvo todo mi amor y un dulce beso?
“Solo existen dos días en el año en
los que nada puede ser hecho
Uno se llama ayer y el otro mañana
Por lo tanto hoy es el día ideal para amar,
creer, hacer y principalmente vivir!"
Se debe tener presente siempre que:
"Las cosas más lindas de la vida no pueden ser vistas
ni tocadas pero sí sentidas por el corazón"
“El futuro pertence a aquellos que
creen en la belleza de sus sueños,
por tanto que nunca nos falte
un sueño por el que luchar,
un proyecto que realizar,
algo que aprender, un lugar a donde ir,
y alguien a quien querer..."
Nunca dejemos de soñar!!!
 Deseo que en estas fiestas:
Jesús entre en los corazones de cada uno
La salud los acompañe
La magia sea el mejor traje
La sonrisa el mejor regalo
Sus ojos el mejor destino
El amor brille en cada hogar y
que haya gran felicidad
Que esta Navidad convierta....
cada deseo en flor,
cada dolor en estrella,
cada lágrima en sonrisa,
cada corazón en dulce morada.
¡Paz y amor para todos!
Se cambia de año...
Se cambia de sueños...
Se cambia de objetivos...
Se cambia de aspecto...
pero
JAMÁS CAMBIEMOS DE AMIGOS
 Que estas Fiestas estén envueltas en papel de felicidad
y atadas con cinta de amor para que
perduren todo el Año Nuevo.
¡ Que tengan Feliz Navidad y Fin de Año !
Para ustedes y los suyos:
¡Salud, Paz, Alegría, Amor y Prosperidad para el 2012!