San Antonio is Colorful!

And we are OFF......headed to COLORFUL San Antonio, TX for a girl's weekend!  My friend Rhonda (with the cute Shanty) picked me up in her new ride and we broke it in!

We stayed at a cool, older hotel on the Riverwalk, El Tropicano.  It was built in the early 60's and was full of mid-century charm.  The reception desk had a great wall of masks.

And in the lobby were the cutest, most colorful phones ever! 

Here are some up close pictures of more masks and decorations. 

An angelic, baby/man faced creature..............

This was the view from our room.  It was very tropical and we felt like we were vacationing in "Me-he-co" (aka Mexico).  The reception area and elevators played salsa music that gotcha movin' and groovin'.

Aren't these the coolest couches ever?   Orange Leather!!!!

The rooms were classic and comfortable....

The bathroom, small but functional and chic!

Once settled, we were itching to get to the Riverwalk and check it out.  From a river that once used to be filled with sewage, etc., San Antonio has created an oasis of relaxation and fun.  No wonder Tourism is their biggest industry.

On Saturday, we headed to the "Mexican Market" and shopped.  Aguas Frescas are the delicious, icy, juice drinks sold in the middle of the market.

And a trip to San Antonio is not complete, without a trip to the 24-hour Mexican Restaurant and Panaderia (Bakery)....Mi Tierra.  Here is just a sampling of their wonderful baked goods. 

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)  is a Mexican holiday. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.  It's a three day celebration that sounds somber, but it is not.  It's a happy celebration and Day of the Dead decorations are very big in all the markets. 

And how about some ten gallon hats and sarape's.....just what every cowboy (vaquero) needs.

We ran across this pretty alter while shopping along the Riverwalk, known for its artsy goods and fun shops.

And of course, we had to PARTY AND DANCE!!!!    Hasta la vista...........baby!

Ugly Ornament Party

Yesterday my office held our annual Ugly Ornament Party. My camera is "on the blink" and since I was a relatively new blogger this time last year, I'm re-cycling my post from last year. This year about a dozen ladies attended (both current employees and ones that have left but we still love anyway!). We all brought appetizers and sweets and had a feast! Everyone broke out their most delicious dishes and we all ate WAY too much....but TIS the season.

The picture below of the "disturbing" gnome/flying monkey/scary fairy combo are winners from a few years back. It seems we go in buying cycles and one year many of us brought similar type ornaments. We put a BAN on gnome like creatures....they were just frightening. LOL! These are now our tree toppers...pretty ugly and tacky, huh!

This is an ornament from a few years ago and we all laugh because it resembles and reminds us of one of our male co-worker. But "mum's the word" and we WON'T reveal who we think it looks like! HEHEHE! We've decided "what HAPPENS at the Ugly Ornament Contest....STAYS at the Ugly Ornament contest! Did I mention I work with a BUNCH of REALLY fun ladies???This puppy with a hat on his tail was from this year. It's CUTE but we thought it kinda looked like he was pooping out the hat and the look on his little puppy face is priceless. Oh well...I guess you had to have been there!
This could have been cute, especially on a children's themed tree but the colors were SO garish it was a bit spooky. My camera doesn't do the colors justice!
And what is it about a Gun Cabinet that screams CHRISTmas! However, we all agreed that on a manly tree or a woodsy themed tree this could be cute.
Here's a blush pink mesh crawfish/lobster. If you look closely the eyes are pink pearls and there is a smattering of beads and pearls randomly and haphazardly glued on. We decided this might be a good decoration at a Cajun Wedding.
And what doesn't make you think of evergreen Christmas trees, shiny tinsel and bright colored balls like a heart shaped cow; standing on a beet/radish/pink carrot. Again....he's cute, but CHRISTMAS!?!?
And last, but not least.....OUR FAVORITE! No comment necessary...she's just kitchy, funky, and fun!!!
After adding our favorites from years past, we stepped back and admired our handiwork and announced we had ourselves a FINE little tree....what do ya'll think?
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FELLOW BLOGGERS! Hope all is merry and bright in your world today!