Happy Thanksgiving

We had a full house full of yummy food, lots of laughs, hugs and smiles with our Southern family the Poche's & Diez's. Had a warm beautiful day. Couldn't ask for a better Thanksgiving and Dad felt better that day. We had alot to be thankful for having everyone together . 

The youngest members of the family enjoying the holiday.
Abby and her brother Cameron Diez and Josie Diez their cousin. 

Derek pulling a perfect turkey out of the fryer........Yum!! 

One of two cooking pots for the Deep Fried Turkeys. Down South EVERYONE knows how to use these for their Thanksgiving dinners.
Secret success.....don't over fill the oil, slowly put the turkey into the pot that is 285 degrees. Cook 5 min per pound.
The metal surrounding the base of the pot is to help keep the wind away from the propane flame.

Special oil used for Deep fried Turkeys, I prefer the hog lard oil, Turkeys brown nicer. 

Dan helping to unload the trucks with all the cooking things for the Deep Fried Turkeys. 

Mabel's Pineapple plants from Larry Jr, and his girlfriend Shirley.

Mabel's flowers from Jenny, Dan & Larry Sr.

Mama Mabel Poche celebrating her 83rd Birthday.

Family dinner at O'Henrys to celebrate Mama Mabel's 83rd Birthday.
Amber, Larry & Mabel's great granddaughter works there.

Medina Lake Campground in Texas with Friends

Enjoying the Ice Cream Social up at the clubhouse with good friends Larry Emmons, Bruce Monte, Dan, Rosemary Monte and Lorna Emmons. Three scoops of ice cream for $1.00.....YUM!!!

The Montes were the Host & Hostess of the Alfaseeya's rally in Boerne Texas. We found out that Larry & Lorna were over at Lakehills TX 30 miles away at the Medina Lake Campground. So we traveled together to go see them. Had a great time playing Domino's or Pegs N Jokers each night. One day we ventured over to Bandera home of the cowboys and walked around and had dinner there. 

Caught me! Yep, feeding wild kittys again! I wanted to catch the little Black one but it wanted to stay with it's Mama the darker Calico that looked like our friends cat Evita. I know....I know...I already have 3 cats! 

What a majestic fellow! I was in awe of this guy!! He wandered through our campsite everyday!! 

Jenny hand feeding sugar corn and pellets to the Does. I noticed the Does were very thin so I'd put out extra food for them and try to keep the Bucks away. I had a couple Does that came out and would eat right out of my hand. All I had to do was shake a can with corn in it and the Deer would come running. I was glad to see alot of people feeding them because their food source was scarce. 

Two Spikes head butting, I noticed the young Spikes were very aggressive in the park and would shove young Does away from the food. 

This Fawn was the only one with spots in the campground. The other young ones appeared to be older. The Mama kept it away from the rest of the herd. 

Alfaseeya's Dinner at La Margarita's

Good food, good drinks, good friends....can't get any better than this!

Day Of The Dead alter in front of the Mi Tierra Restaurant. 

Day of the Dead at the San Jose Mission

Cultures throughout the ancient world observed ceremonies focusing on the human mortality and the afterlife. Today the Day Of The Dead ( Dia de los Muertos) celebration, interwoven with the European and Catholic traditions, endures with many customs of the native people in place. In Hispanic culture, preperations for this festival culminate on the Catholic liturgical days known as All Saints Day Nov 1st and All Souls Day Nov 2. On the surface it may seem like a morbid holiday, concentrating on death and featuring the morose images of Skeletons. However, it is truly a time bursting with life, color and festivities of honor and respect. 

The San Jose Mission
In 1720 Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus founded what became the best known of the Texas Missions, San Jose' y San Miguel de Aguayo. The Queen of the Missions. The village was the central feature of every successful mission. The importance of community life is evident in the physical arrangement of the mission compound. The Massive stone walls reflect it's defensive role. Because of the threat of raids by the Apache and Comanche Indians, mission residents learned to use firearms to defend themselves. This training along with the imposing walls, discouraged enemy attacks. 

Quick stop at the Japanese Sunken gardens ( funny how the sign says Chinese Gardens though...that was because of World War 2) Ken Baas, Dan, Paul & Jan Smith, Deane & Don Bowman

Lunch at the Steak & Brew along the River Walk in San Antonio TX.
left to right : Hannah Dubuc, Richard Hugo , Deane Bowman, Jenny, Dan ,
Don Bowman and Karen Hugo took the photo.

Statue of the men of the Alamo, William Travis and Davy Crockett stand out here. 

The Alamo .... most famous for the war between Mexican General Santa Ana and Americans. It was a Mission in 1718, called Mission San Antonio de Valero. It plunged into history on March 6, 1836 when 188 men died after being attacked by Santa Ana's forces. Among the famous defenders were Jim Bowie, William B. Travis , and Davy Crockett. Jim Bowie's knife and Davy Crockett's rifle " Old Betsy" are displayed there. 

One of the wonderful Restaurants along the Riverwalk in San Antonio. We ate dinner here on our last trip.