Tomorrow's Dinner

This is what the keeper will be having tomorrow evening.  Well, actually, she will be having half of what used to be on this plate.  In addition, there are some roasted chiles, guacamole, tortillas. We will be watching carefully for anything that might drop.

Post Madre de las Americas Party

We had to wait to have our dinner very late this evening.  It seems our keeper is moving at warp speed.  She should ask Santa for a helicopter, at least.  But we waved goodbye and she vanished into the thin air of whatever it is you all call "meetings" which seem to take up most of your time. She was trying to explain to us about a board she is on and how she is chair of a committee.  We think this committee should meet at our house rather than near downtown.  When she came home late tonight, bringing home a big container of leftovers from a meal she couldn't finish, we hoped they were for us. But no. It's for tomorrow night's dinner.  It seems that while we were starving she was yukking it up at Torero's in Renton with the committee who put together the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration at the cathedral last weekend. She told us she made more new friends.  Oh, great...more reasons not to be home with us.

Madre de las Americas Celebration

 Saint Juan Diego and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe

 The danzantes entered with their tambores.

And their feathers and their bells and their rattles.

Great Ministers

 This year we had the most wonderful set of ministers- hospitality, cross bearers, candle bearers, miter and crosier bearers, and of course, a sacristan extraordinaire.

Reunion

Today was also a day of reunions for old friends, and a new one, to pray with each other.

Offerings of Gratitude

Here are the folks who helped bring up the offerings at the big liturgy today..roses, fruits from the Skagit, financial gifts, bread, wine.  Each family also carries in their hearts amazing stories of gratitude which they carried with them as they presented the gifts to the Archbishop.

A Visit to Monte Virgine

This afternoon after the Madre de las Americas celebration the keeper didn't come home to us, but headed to South Bradner Street and the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Virgin.  This community originally was an Italian parish which now celebrates Mass in English. Lao, and Chinese.  The keeper was quite taken with the gardens which the Hmong have created there, and from which they grow most of the food they eat.  It is a fascinating plot of sticks and nets and very rich soil. It would also be a great fort, maze, or piece of art, depending on one's age.