Family time
There was a lot of that last week and on the weekend. My brother Mario arrived on Thursday, he stayed with us and we all attended our niece Elena’s baby shower on Saturday.
Mom-to-be Elena with my daughter Elizabeth and her boyfriend David.
A definite candid shot of Elena with from the left Aunt Ana, Uncle Manolo, Aunt Maria, her Mom Susy, me and Uncle Mario. We always try to capture a picture of all the siblings whenever we’re at a family gathering.
The shower was at Virginia Key Beach Park and although it was incredibly hot, it was wonderful to spend time with so much family. Elena looked beautiful in her seafoam green dress. We’re anxiously awaiting baby Joaquin’s arrival in mid to late September. During the shower, Vance and I won the Name That Tune game and one of the gifts was passes to HistoryMiami in Downtown. It was a really fun time. Needless to say, the spent the rest of the day at home recuperating and relaxing.
A display of suits worn by Willy Chirino with a colorful mural as the backdrop at HistoryMiami.
Sunday, Vance and I did one of our favorite things, we played tourist in Miami. We took the Metromover to HistoryMiami, using the passes we won at the shower, and enjoyed the Willy Chirino exhibit as well as the black and white photography of old time scenes from Miami. The main exhibition of dragons and mermaids and such wasn’t our favorite because it’s just not our cup of tea. But a visit to HistoryMiami is never a bad idea no matter what.
View from the second floor at Julia & Henry’s food hall. That’s a wine tower rising from the first to the third floor.
The Mezze Platter at Mensch at Julia & Henry’s
The chickpea salad bowl from Achar at Julia & Henry’s
We then walked over to the new food hall Julia & Henry’s in Downtown and had a few snacks. Located in the historic Walgreen’s building built in 1936, the very narrow structure is impressive and was packed that day. There’s so much to explore and try we’ll have to go back several times to try everything but this first time was fun. We had some delicious Mediterranean bites and local band Los Wizzards were performing too. Click the link above to visit their website.
The rest of the week was pretty quiet. The only things to report are the fun time we had at Old Tom’s Cafe for trivia night with the Wutzlers and getting take out for lunch yesterday at Little Havana Restaurant in North Miami, located just minutes from our house. They make fantastic black beans and rice and pollo a la plancha which is what Vance ordered and my tamale was delicious.
Tomorrow we’re headed to Aventura Mall because Nick wants to see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie again and on Sunday we’re driving to Patch of Heaven Sanctuary in The Redland to attend what I’m sure will be an emotional and beautiful Celebration of Life ceremony.
And this week my arts profile on Miami Dade College’s recently appointed Cultural Affairs Executive Director was published in Artburst Miami. Click here to read the article.
I’m looking forward to writing this blog next week when I’ll tell you about our trek to The Redland and whatever other fun adventures might happen during the week.
Until then… thanks for reading.
