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August 25, 2007 By Marta Darby 1 Comment

P51340061The Spanish name for godmother is "madrina."
When my oldest sister, Ofelia, had her first baby, she named my sister, Miriam as the godmother.
When the baby (Annette) started speaking, she called her "Manana" – her two year old version of "madrina."
And the name stuck.

Meet my beautiful sister, Miriam. But we all still call her Manana. (rhymes with "iguana", not with "banana")
She happens to be my daughter, Amy’s, "manana" too.

When I was growing up, I, along with all my pre-teen friends just IDOLIZED her.  She was the poster perfect teenager and in the 60’s could get her hair into a perfect Patty Duke style flip. (I’m not even going to attempt to explain that reference. I guess you just had to be there. =D) 
We all just wanted to be her.  (Okay, so I still want to be her… but that’s not important right now.)

She and her husband, Tony are The Best People. Her daughter, Nicole, (was the one who got to meet Bono and I’m still not quite over that, but that’s not important right now) could be a supermodel – well, if supermodels were as fun as they were pretty.  Not only that, but my sister has the best sense of humor of just about anyone I know.

Witty.  Smart. Beautiful. 

You would totally want her for a friend.  Or even a big sister.  Oh wait…

Aren’t I the lucky one? 😉

 A sister smiles when one tells one’s stories – for she knows where the decoration has been added. 

~Chris Montaigne

Happy Birthday, Manana! You are The Best.

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Fashion Icon Fairy Godparents? or Fairly Oddparents? Now you can check off item #60 from your Bucket List We are fa-mi-ly . . .

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  1. Nora says

    August 25, 2007 at 11:12 am

    Stunning picture and commentary of a lovely woman. You are indeed blessed to have her. She is pretty lucky, too.

    Reply

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I love all things Cuban. I love to share stories, my family, food & recipes. I'm Marta. 💋🎉 @martadarby
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Oh, the Cubanity!! 🇨🇺❤️#mybigfatcubanf Oh, the Cubanity!! 🇨🇺❤️#mybigfatcubanfamily
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#stpatricksday
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And @gloriaestefan singing about it makes it that much more beautiful. Am I right? 🤩I’m over here waiting (rather impatiently) for Noche Buena to arrive. ⏱️
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I have a gift for you today on the blog. 🎁 Thes I have a gift for you today on the blog. 🎁 These Classic Cuban Crema de Vie printable labels designed by the lovely and talented @lucyruthdarby // I also share the recipe for our amazing Cuban egg nog. // 🇨🇺❤️ Merry Christmas, my friends.🎄 #itsacubanthing
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Best way to get from here to Noche Buena. Bring on Best way to get from here to Noche Buena. Bring on the @cafelallave
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Felicidades, @anaqooks !!! I can’t wait to dig i Felicidades, @anaqooks !!!
I can’t wait to dig in! So proud of you, my friend. 😘❤️🥰
Bacon Guava Cream Cheese Bites. You should totally Bacon Guava Cream Cheese Bites. You should totally make these for Thanksgiving. Also, practice taking bows and saying, “it was nothing.” 🇨🇺🎉🏆 Here’s the link -  bit.ly/GuavaBites #thefoodofmypeople #guavabites
A big a Thank You shoutout to @santayanajwlrs in M A big a Thank You shoutout to @santayanajwlrs in Miami for this gorgeous Celia Cruz quarter which they made into a FINE piece of jewelry. 🤩🇨🇺💃🏻🎶
I’ll be wearing it with great pride.
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AZUCAR!!!#santayanajewelers
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#mybigfatcubanfamily
Our favorite sound…🙌🏼☕️💚🗝️“Mas cafecito, por favor.” ☕️❤️#cafelallave☕️
#thedrinkofmypeople🇨🇺☕️
#mybigfatcubanfamily
I want to recommend this beautiful story to you. 📕
1) Because the author @titaramirezwriter writes with such an appreciation for Cubanity. 🇨🇺🙌🏼
2) Also, is this the BEST quintessentially Cuban book title ever?? yes. Yes it is. 🇨🇺❤️🌴Felicidades, Tita on such a delicious read. ❤️🏆#ohthecubanity🇨🇺
#dimelocantando
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I’m excited and proud to share that my shop, Mar I’m excited and proud to share that my shop, Marta Darby Designs on Etsy is back open for business! 🎉
I have food posters from many countries available in multiple colors. ⭐️
Choose from digital uploads, printed posters, or framed posters. (Link in bio)
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Come take a look and shop around. You’re bound some to find something you love.❤️https://etsy.me/3ZWbWIS#cubanfoodposter
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My friends at @santayanajwlrs le pusieron la tapa al pomo!
Have you seen the new Celia Cruz quarters?? 🇨🇺💰
Well, Santayana has designed this gorgeous piece of jewelry. Seriously. 🤩
I’ll tell you all about it over on my blog. 🗣️ Porque I have all the chisme on this gorgeous piece. ❤️I know. Im a little crazy about it because we Cuban Queens have to stick together. 😉Link in profile! ☝🏼 ¡AZÚCAR! 💃🏻https://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/2024/08/santayana-loves-celia/
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Those of us who have difficulty finding Cuban Bread are so grateful for this very Cuban scent. 🇨🇺🥖
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We have known this our whole lives! “Oye, Chiqu We have known this our whole lives!
“Oye, Chiqui! Traéme el VIBAPORU!! 🎯💃🏻❤️🎉#mybigfatcubanfamily
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Marta Verdes Darby is a Cuban-American food blogger in South Orange County.

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