Friend's Visit

It is always such fun to have friends visit and just to remind y'all that everything in Texas is big, take a look at the before and after of this Texas streak . It is a serving for 2..

It was delicious.

Annette, Rolland, Sarah, Max and Ed came to visit last month and as it was the first trip for all except Annette we wanted them to enjoy some of what San Antonio has to offer.  This night it was at the Cowboy's rodeo.  It was an exciting evening for all.  Lots of very skillful rides and horrendous falls.

This provided the opportunity for dressing up.  Here Sarah is modelling her outfit.

Albert looked the part in his hat.

As did Ross.

While the family was here we also went to a Spurs basket ball came.  On each occasion we used a stretch limo to add to the fun of the evening.

The weather was just right for their visit so we took the opportunity to have lunch out on the weekend.  Here Ed, Max, Adrian and Sarah are making the most of their time together.

While Ross, Albert, Rolland and Annette enjoyed their glass of wine and a chat.

Annette is a fantastic, creative cook and following is the marvelous dinner she prepared for us before departing back to OZ .  The starter is a smoked salmon and fresh salsa stack.

The main course is a blue cheese and tomato tart.

Finishing with a fresh cherry and almond tart.

 Albert was so inspired with her creativity he decided to have a go himself and we now call him Chef Albert.

We had a great time with Annette, Rolland, Sarah, Max and Ed and hope that they get to come for another visit before we depart the USA.

Best wishes,

Beverley and Ross

Visit to Mexico

Recently we had the opportunity to travel on business to Piedras Negras which stands at the northeast edge of Coahuila on the U.S - Mexican Boarder across the Rio Grande River from Eagle Pass in the State of Texas.

The city has some interesting and unusual architecture such as the bee on the top of the world which signifies what busy bees do.

There some magnificent churches in  Piedas Negras and this is located just after crossing the border.

It is truly beautiful inside.

 The markets are full of brightly coloured wares.

With amazing pot plant holders.

The restaurants have wonderful paintings of a bygone era.

As can be seen from this photo it creates a great atmosphere to enjoy good food and fun times.

Throughout the restaurant there are interesting  artifacts to be enjoyed.

The food was delicious.

As mentioned it was a business trip and here Albert and Annette and catching their breath before meeting with colleagues.

We were meeting with doctors at a medical clinic in Piedras Negras and the doctor in this photo is an Australian doctor from Melbourne who lives in Belgium and works around the world.  It really is a small world in may ways.

It was a successful trip and an opportunity to have a glimpse into the delivery of primary health care in this part of Mexico.

Best wishes,

Beverley and Ross

New Year 2015

Happy New Year to you all.  Our New Years eve started by having a great dinner at Kirby's Steak House.   The 5 course menu was delicious and this is the roasted tomato dish which was Beverley's second course.  

While Ross and Albert enjoyed Western Australian Lobster.  This was the first Australian lobster that Albert has ever eaten and he was eyeing it off deciding just how to eat this.  The verdict after he finished it was that it was delicious.

Dessert was a delight as well.

Now to New Year's Day.  This time it was the Fish City Grill who had the best Bloody Mary's (did you know that Jan 1 is Bloody Mary Day).

Then it was into as much Alaskan snow crab that one could eat.  Albert is about to enjoy this feast.

As is Ross.

As you can see it takes a great deal of concentration to master the art of snow crab eating.

We hope that 2015 is a great year for you all and that there is more world peace.

Best wishes,

Beverley and Ross

Christmas 2014

 Christmas festivities started off early in San Antonio at Butch and Patt's home where we enjoyed the Aspen Medical USA Christmas party. While some of our work mates had already left for home Wayne, Chuck, Patt. Butch and ourselves took the opportunity to have a snap taken to remember the fun evening.  Thank you Susan for taking the shot. 

 Then it was back to Fredericton for our 5th Christmas in the snow.  You can see why we enjoy the snow, it is so beautiful.   It took us 2 days to get to Fredericton as we got as far as Detroit where we were grounded because of ice storms in Bangor Maine.  As is usual for us our luggage went to Boston.  As this has happened to us several times before we are well drilled in going to Walmart to stock up on the essentials required, hoping our luggage will get to our destination at the same time as us and submitting an insurance claim for the inconvenience.  We never take a flight these days without insurance.  

However, it does take an effort to keep drive ways etc clear.  Here Blair is rugged up and working very hard to ensure there is a clear passage.

On Christmas Eve after church we all meet up at Cathy and Doug's home for the usual and enjoyable get together.  Cathy and Doug are the across the road friends from where we used to live at Beaver Dam.  You can tell from the happy smiles that we all enjoy spending time together.

Boys will be boys and here Michael and Andrew are fooling around in the kitchen.  These guys are long time friends and really enjoy spending time together.  These days Michael who is an EMT works is Alberta while Andrew who is a plumber  is resident in Fredericton.

Here Laura, Angie and Andrew (siblings) pose for a snap with Michael.  They are all family.

Christmas trees in Canada are always real and beautifully decorated.

We stayed with Barb, Blair and Michael and this was Christmas Day.  Here Barb is waiting to see what Santa has brought her.

 Blair and Michael compare their calendars.  Michael has the ' girls from Hawaii' while Blair has 'landscape scenes from Hawaii', you can imagine the comments from Blair about Santa's choice.  

Ross on the other hand received among many things hand knitted socks which he was delighted with and really appreciated as it was very cold out doors.

Barb and Blair cooked up a great feast and shared with us some Newfound Land delicacies such as salted beef.

There is never any shortage of fridge space in the winter time in Canada as there is always the outside cooler.

It was also good to catch up with Jacqueline again. It is thanks to Jacqueline that we have our Beaver Dam friends as she found us the house we lived in a BD.  Jacqueline has just retired and is really enjoying time just relaxing.

There was more than once that Ross had to scrap the snow off the car before we could drive away.

It really snowed as you can see but it was just great.

Then it was time to return to Bangor Maine for our flight home.  Yes, there is snow in those clouds.

This was a great Christmas and we thank our lovely Canadian friends for welcoming us into their families.

Hopefully we will have more time next year, weather permitting, to spend more time with our friends that we could only chat to on the phone or pop in for a very short visit.

Best wishes to all,

Beverley and Ross