I always say that "Halloween is the friendliest holiday." (You may quote me.) It's the one time of the year when everyone opens their doors and greets their neighbors. I think it's a beautiful thing to see the parade of tiny princesses and superheroes coming up the sidewalk. Makes me totally happy. Since we became grandparents, and the boys have ...
Halloween
Freaky Fruits and Spooky Sauces
Put down your pumpkin spice lattes, kids! I've got something you're going to like so much better. Does everyone know that it’s Freaky Fruit season? I know NOW. I did NOT know this tasty tidbit until my friends over at Melissa’s Produce (who know this kind of stuff; see this article) sent over a box of this season’s freakies (<--is that a word?) ...
There’s No Place Like Home
I'd like to be able to report that I had a Master Plan from the beginning, but that would be a lie. I'm talking about Halloween 2017 At The Darby's. I'm about to let you in on my creative process and how my family works with me to make me crazy help me make it happen. In this case, I had seen a friend's Facebook post last year. (Last year!) ...
Behind the Scenes at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Press Junket
I get to attend some pretty amazing events as part of my blog life, but none more anticipated (and shrouded in secrecy) as the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Press Junket. I received the coveted invitation which was pretty much a 'save the date' with no information as to the time and place. Can you imagine? Of course, I responded ...
Here, have some “Pi”
Do you love fall? I truly do. Although, here in Southern California, Fall is a little schizophrenic. We have very cool and blustery days and then the sun will come out and suddenly it's just a regular beach day. It even rained one day in September. We didn't know how to act, of course. We just don't know how to "do" weather. However, the calendar ...
October 31st.
I've been saying from the beginning of this month that I was too tired to "do" Halloween this year. I insisted that they were getting too old for this. (Notice I didn't say the "I" on that one? I know. Shut up.) Let's just shut off all the lights and sit upstairs in the dark and watch movies and ignore the ...
When the Zombie Apocalypse Happens, Havana Will Be Ready
And now for something completely different.... I don't usually enjoy horror movies. Wait. Let me rephrase. I don't like horror movies. At all. In fact, I hate them. They're usually so... well, horrific. (But I did enjoy An American Werewolf in London back in the day, mostly because of the comedic elements, but I'll deny it if ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Elena’s Story
Marta here: Most Cubans are familiar with Santayana Jewelers. They are a mainstay of the Cuban exile community in Miami. I'm delighted that Elena Santayana has graciously agreed to share her family's stories. Her memories of growing up Santayana are both hilarious and poignant. (Translations to her Cubanisms are marked with a red * and are at the ...
My (Super) Hero
A few months ago, my son, Jonathan (16) breathlessly runs in. "Mom, you've got to see this!" He then proceeds to show me the following movie trailer: Explosions! People in peril! ! MARVEL SUPERHEROES ! ! (Win.Win.WIN!) He knows (because I've told him repeatedly, as I have all four of my kids) that I was a nerdy ...
No “El Tri-co-tri” for you!
My mom calls. "Van a ir al tri-co-tri?" She's asking if the kids are going out and Trick or Treating. El Tri-co-tri. You have to say it phonetically, TREE-COH-TREE. It's what Trick or Treat sounds like with a Cuban accent. The "El" is just to make it grammatically correct. El Tri-co-tri. Noun. (Or verb?) The act of dressing up and begging for ...
