Old, Young, and In Between

Dressing up and performing in Carnaval is like breathing to the Uruguayos.  They have samba schools that start teaching children at the age of three.  Old ladies and men still dress up in their outfits.  And they think of it as a family event.  When we left the parade after midnight, there were still preschoolers raptly watching.  The following pictures show some of the family and community aspect of the Inaugural parade.

Beautiful Food

We went to Ricci's last week, and as usual, they had great food well presented - and used real sauces!  This was the appetizer, their version of a tabla del campo.  Plenty of food on it, although you'd think that "frutas secas" would mean maybe a bit more than raisins.  On the other hand, they had actual walnuts and cashews.

This was Andreas' main course - salmon in a leek and parsley sauce with potatoes and beets.  Beets are popular here.  I'm not sure why.

And this was mine.  I had chicken in a sweet sauce that could have used more spice.  In the ramekin is a sweet potato and carrot brulee.  It could have used more spice too.  They were both good and almost overly spiced for the food here, since Uruguayos run away from the stuff.

Grapes and Vines

They're sprouting out of the rectangle now. 

Something Complete

I made the Tis Red ornament from JCS 2010 into a pillow ornament with beaded edges.  One more to add to my stash for giving!

The Parades Go On and On

 Behold, with this broom, I will sweep you away!  The brooms are twirled and balanced and such - all by males.  It'd be interesting to put these guys up against some high school and college drum majors and baton twirlers.  They'd at least learn something from each other.

I promise, he's not the Burger King.

This is the bicentennial of the landing of the Treinte y Tres, Uruguay's liberators.  So all year there are extra celebrations.

Thank You Tina!

 This is the ornament Tina gave me in the Lunar New Year GITS.  She was inspired by a crocheted ornament.  I think it's great, especially the tassels around the middle that look like the backs of bunnies.  It's the year of the rabbit, and so appropriate!

One Last Corner

I just need to finish one last corner, and it'll be done!