H-town...you feel like home

The Talamantez's in Texas
Mimi and Gia reading her Elmo book
Popa and Gia playing

Mimi and GiGi making rolls

Mrs. Burke and Gia "cuggling"

Well we arrived. This morning around 6:05am, we touched down at Bush Intercontinental Airport. We were greeted by my dad anxiously awaiting our arrival (my mom, Ralph and I like to pretend it was for us, but really it was for Miss G.) We then came home (to my mom and dad's house) where we took a LONG nap.

My dad made us "Thanksgiving" dinner...YUM-O and Mrs. Burke joined us. Needless to say everyone is having a blast. We leave for Dallas tomorrow morning and will be back in Houston on Saturday. Feels good to be in Texas!

Today....we DEPART!!!!

Well, actually at 12:05am. We will leave SFO and arrive at IAH around 6am. We will spend the day in Houston and then travel to Dallas to have Christmas...this is the first time in ten years that the original four Zansler's will be together for Christmas. EVEN BETTER! WE GET TO SHARE WITH OUR FAMILIES....Ralph, GiGi, Jenna, Kate....what fun. I am so excited and THRILLED. Merry Christmas...tis the season!

I am pretty sure this is the last time we were all together.....wow, that was a LONG time ago!

Santa, WE KNOW HIM!!!

Gia LOVED her visit to santa. She spent her time in line hugging the little "big" girl that was behind us in line and wooing everyone that crossed her path.

Tamales. Part One.

Gia and I are making tamales. We are making beef, pork, combo, chicken and pineapple. We went to the store today and got everthing it takes to make these fantastic treats. Right now, the meat is cooking. Then we will shred it and get on to the assembly line! Masa, corn husks and lard...yes lard...I never thought I would have that in my pantry.
The beef cooking away in the Crock Pot.

The chicken...which looks rather fowl in this picture.

My pork roasts.

and my HUGE tamale steaming pot. I am so excited about this pot. Last year my biggest challenge was steaming them all after I had put them together...well low and behold, they make pots just for this task, and I am now the proud owner!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We are officially festive in the Talamantez home. We are going to be in Texas for the actual "big day", but I am hoping that our tree last until mid January...one because I LOVE the holidays, and there is something just kind of sad about having to take it down....and two because we are hosting a dinner to celebrate with Ralph's family and I want the house to be festive....two Christmas's in one year....what lucky people we are! the mantel
Frosty...this is Gia's favorite thing in our house right now...


The tree and stockings by the fire with all of Gia's Christmas books

The sofa table

my island.....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Ice on the ground

I wish that I could be writing about the ground covered with snow, but here in California that is NOT going to happen. However, when I departed from home this morning the ground was covered with frost. The roads had a blanket of fog over them.

As I drove and sipped my beloved Cafe Bustelo, I couldn't help but think that it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. This tickles my fancy beyond belief. Thrilled beyond belief to have frost (which was no where to be found in Los Angeles) I can't wait to head home and cuggle (Gia's contraction of snuggle and cuddle) on the couch in front of the fire with my lovey, my Godson, my comadre and Delia.....WHAT A LOVELY NIGHT.

The boys will be at the Kings/Lakers game. So, I am sure that some fabulous wine, tantalizing conversation and fun times will be had by all!