Day 4 Continued....Mr. Priddy's Texas Boys Choir Argentina Tour Travelogue

Day 4 continued...May 21, 2012

Today has been a traveling day for the most part.  We checked out of the hotel and departed only to realize a tux had been left in a hotel room closet.  Ugh!!!  We had to turn around and go back.  Doing this put us behind schedule for the rest of the day.  We turned a five hour trip into a 7 1/2 hour trip.  But it actually was fine.  It has rained most of the day, so even if we had gotten to the hotel per our original time line, we could not have done any site seeing on foot.  As it turned out, when we arrived at the hotel, rather than check in, we took the city bus tour.  Our guide told us about the city of Mar del Plata, a costal city due east of Buenos Aires.

We toured a Catholic site where supposed blessed water excuded from a rock.  Then we went to the harbor to see the fishing boats.  Each boat is a particular color.  The color represents the size of the vessel and this determines the amount of fish a boat can catch within a sixth month time frame.  A bonus of our time at the harbor was that we got to see Sea Lions.  They just jump out of the water and lie around on the side walk.  It was similar in a way to being at a zoo.  However, in this case there was no fence separating us from the animals.  We got several photos of our mammal friends before loading the bus and returning to the hotel.

After checking in, we ate dinner at an Italian place.  The food choices were varied enough so that everyone got plenty to eat.  The owners served us adults callamari. We had more than enough, so Mrs. Blevins served samples to those boys that wanted to try it.  As we were walking out of the restaurant, a football (soccer) team was seated to our left.  They saw we were from Texas and immediately wanted our guys to come over to their table to get a picture made.  The boys were a little surprised, but were happy to comply.  It seems that even when we are not singing, the fact that we are from the states has an impact.  The young people in particular here in Argentina have been very receptive of our guys.

Tomorrow is a busy day.  Wake up call at 7:15, breakfast at 8, load bus at 8:45, school performance at a private school at 9:15.  Then back to the hotel to change and site see.  Later in the afternoon we travel to the Cologne Theatre for rehearsal and an evening performance.  We will be joined on this performance by a local high school choir.  The advertisement and marketing for our concerts has been of superior quality.  Our tour company continues to be on top of all arrangements.  Any problems?  If they do not have the answer, they know who to call.  This type service has been invaluable to me and the other adults, as it allows us to focus on the boys needs.

I hope everyone is getting these updates and that you find them helpful.  If I am missing any aspect of trip reporting that you feel other parents would be interested in knowing more about, please let me know.

In closing, the boys are doing very well.  No illness to speak of...these guys are tough, and we left with everyone at 100% health.  This is how tours should be.

I will try to send another update tomorrow.  Once we finish our tenure at Mar del Plata, we head back to Buenos Aires to catch our internal connecting flight to Iguazu.  That is something to which all of the boys are looking forward.

Bryan Priddy
Artistic Director
Texas Boys Choir

Day 4: Mr. Priddy's Texas Boys Choir Argentina Tour Travelogue

Hmmm....I wonder if my son's Argentina tour notebook is filled in with as much detail as Mr. Priddy's?

Day 4: May 21, 2012

We have found that Argentina people are definitely night owls.  They prefer starting their day later, but basically they simply shift everything forward a couple of hours.  We just got back to the hotel about 20 minutes ago (2:10 am) following a full concert and dinner in Mercedes with Opus Cuatro.

When I last communicated, I think we were about to load the bus for departure to Mercedes.  The bus ride there was about an hour and a half drive.  Mercedes is a city with a population of around 70,000, but it feels much like a town.  It has a beautiful Cathedral and town square.  In fact the streets are so narrow that the bus actually had to park a block or so from the theatre where we performed.  Unlike much construction in the States, accessibility for loading/unloading, mobility devices, etc. is limited at best.  So we just haul everything we need.  I kind of feel like we have our own labor force.  If we need to move equipment, we just have the boys take action and poof, stuff gets moved.  So...we get things moved inside the theatre.  It is an old house, but its bones are good...high ceilings, plastered walls...all the things that make for good acoustics.  Plus they had a Steinway piano that was in good shape.  We also had a sound engineering crew, house manager, and additional agents there from our touring company to make sure everything went smoothly.

The rehearsal went reasonably well.  We rehearsed the logistics to our opening numbers and some pieces that were new to the Argentina tour repertoire.  Then Opus Cuatro showed up for rehearsal.  The boys got to sit through their sound check procedures and take notes on how professional ensembles go through the preconcert list of items to ensure that the concert itself goes well.  Eventually, we rehearsed together.  A few transitions to work out, but nothing major.  A funny part happened when we rehearsed the reprise to the song  Fantasia .  It is a section of music that is repeated if the audience response warrants it.  Well, we started the reprise and about half way through things fell apart.  The boys were singing one thing and Opus Cuatro another.  I told OC that if they did not sing the reprise just like they did on their recording, that the boys would not be able to keep up with them.  They then laughed and said they could not remember how they sang the reprise on the recording!  I showed them the score of the cuts they made per the recording.  Then Hernando, their arranger said "stop" and then said a few sentences in Spanish to the others.  We rehearsed again and things were perfect.  It was give and take like this with OC.  And they appreciated our ability to do similar adaptations when they changed some rhythms on sections of other pieces and we changed on the fly to make their music edits work.

Now the concert....
Again, we sang to an almost full house.  The boys entered from the rear of the house.  However, to get there they had to use an underground tunnel that connected the dressing room areas located behind and underneath the stage to the front of the house.  For an old building, whoever designed it was thinking ahead.  Going through the tunnel was kind of like walking through a cheesy haunted house maze.  Overhead were flourescent lights, but each one was covered in various colors of gels used for theatre fixtures.  The boys compared it to a Harry Potter movie.  At any rate it was wide enough for one person and it meandered about, but eventually led to a curved stairwell with limited head space, and once at the top, you took a left at the electrical power box and were dumped out into the front lobby.  

We opened the program with the now familiar Gregorian chant followed by the Personent Hodie processional.  At its conclusion, the crowd burst into applause.  Not the usual, o.k. that was good for the first two numbers applause, but one that sounded more like the applause used by crowds at the end of a full concert.  People were already on their feet and yelling bravo.  Well, let me just say that this really helped to inspire the boys and we were about to launch into singing an A plus performance.  We followed with Sure on this Shining Night, a composition by a contemporary American composer, Bourree, then Gabriels Oboe, and then a series of choreographed selections....John Williams is the Man, Old West Medley, and Bohemian Rhapsody.  With each the crowd enthusiatically responded.  Then on stage came Opus Cuatro and the people appluaded loudly.  Our set of music with them must rank with me as one of the top ten performances of my career.  It was magical, musical, momentous, and marvelous.  Those four guys combined with our boys created some of the finest choral music you will hear...period.  The Fantasia selection in particular was extraordinary.  Even OC, who has sung this piece for years, told me after the concert that we could sing that piece with them as much as we would like.  I did ask Hernando if he would send me the instrumental parts.  Since they do not tour regularly in the States, I asked him if they would not mind if we adopted this piece as a new signature piece for our choir and he said certainly.  OC also said that they would love to tour with us in the states if that possibility ever existed.  That is high praise coming from such a world class ensemble.  They also were so supportive of the boys.  They understand the discipline it takes to produce music at this level and as such gave encouragement to our guys to keep up the good work.  After we finished the set with OC, the boys were seated in the front of the auditorium to hear OC perform a set of songs by themselves.  After that, there were several presentations to our group and to OC.  Mrs. Lin and I both received framed pictures of the crest of the city of Mercedes by the Minister of Culture appointee.  The appointee also made similar presentations to OC.  Our own Gabriel Gutierrez, who speaks fluid Spanish, presented articles on behalf of the TBC.  I could not make out exactly what happened, but I believe he ended up presenting a hand carved horse head representing the City of Fort Worth to whom he believed was the Mercedes person and for some reason gave this person the title of minister.  It turns out this person was the house manager for the theatre company.  Everyone had a good laugh.  Personally I have not known any theatre people that were in the ministry...it always seemed there was a conflict of interests in that set up. :)  Gabriel also presented TBC CDs to members of OC as our gift to them.  

When the concert ended, you would think it would be time to travel the hour and a half back to Buenos Aires and go to bed, right?  No....remember we had not had dinner.  When we arrived, the touring company had provided sandwiches and bottled drinks to help tide the boys over until dinner.  After the concert we loaded the bus and traveled to an Italian place.  The boys got a big kick out of the name of the restaurant.  It was called the Anus restaurant.  I am not joking.  We found out this was the actual last name of the owner, but it is pronounced ahnoos.  After the initial shock of the name, we entered and found ourselves in a delightful eating space.  There was a dance floor with many round tables all decked in white linens, chargers, stemmed glass ware, and bread bowls.  Very elegant.  The dance floor was surround by colums which were lit with uplighting for dramatic effect...alternating with the colors red and teal.  Then above, there were many suspended paper lighting fixtures and in the center of the room about a three foot disco ball.  I was good until the disco ball fixture.  Can we just get over the 70s and move on with life?

Although the hour was late, they treated us like kings at this place.  The appetizer was a variety of anti pasta treats that were delectible.  Then came the fried empanadas, followed by the main course of Argentine beef slices with cheese and a creame sauce with chopped red peppers, served with carrots and peas.  The dessert was ice cream served in sugar waffle bowls and garnished with kiwi slices.  It was just too much.  To be so appreciated has meant a great deal to the boys.  I just hope we do not get too spoiled while we are here.

At dinner, most of the members of Opus Cuatro ate with us as well as the city organizer leaders.  At the conclusion of the meal, there was a picture taking time.  Cameras were flashing all over the place.  Lots of good bye hugs.  We made many new friends today.  I do not think any of us will forget the time in Mercedes any time soon.

In three and a half hours we have to get up to begin the checking out process at the Hotel Presedente here in Buenos Aires.  One of the perks we have had here is that each set of boys was assigned a suite.  Rather than one room for three, each group of three had two rooms and one of the rooms had a refrigerator.  They have enjoyed having bottled water and beverages which they have been able to purchase at the store which is literally a block away from the hotel.  Our stay here could not have been better.  We leave tomorrow around 9 am for Mar del Plata.  It is a five hour drive, so I am sure we will have the boys use most of this time to catch up on some needed sleep.  When we get to Mar del Plata, the rest of our day is pretty relaxed.  We check in to the hotel, then take a guided tour of the resort area, then back to the hotel to relax for a bit, then off to dinner and call it a day.  The following day gets very busy with a radio interview and two concerts.  More on that later.  For now, I need to get to bed.

The boys are holding up well.  Excitment remains high as we explore and encounter this place called Argentina.

Oh, one more thing.  Following the concert, I was interviewed by a journalist from a local radio station.  It was called FM Santa Maira 881.  Through a translator, he was able to ask me questions and I was able to respond.  Hopefully we will be able to get some good promo quotes for future concert publicity, should he actually do a concert review.  There were two people who approched Mrs. Lin after tonights concert.  One, a lady, said she cried the entire time because of the beauty of sound she heard from the boys.  Another, a man, said that the music the boys sang  filled his soul .  So the next time your son drives you nuts, just know that at some time on this tour he actually inspired someone else.  The potential for greatness with these guys is always there.  The challenge is to get them to realize it.  Food for thought...

Bryan Priddy
Artistic Director
Texas Boys Choir

Day 3: Mr. Priddy's Texas Boys Choir Argentina Tour Travelogue 2012

Day 3 - May 20, 2012

Eight minutes until we load the bus....

Tango Show last night.....in the words of the boys....HOT....

It seemed they were very focused for some resason...probably one of the best parts was the Guacho dancer. He weilded two swirling strings with round balls attached to the ends.  Amazing.

Today the boys were given the option to stay at the hotel this morning or go on a field trip to the market.  28 went on the field trip. 

This computer is not cooperating  so I will need to touch base later.

We are loading to transport to our evening concert site.  Won't get back till very late.  I will try to write an update before we leave Buenos Aires.

The boys are eating this trip up!  So are the adults.  An absolutely wonderful visit so far.

 
Bryan Priddy 
Artistic Director Texas Boys Choir 

Day 2: Mr. Priddy's Texas Boys Choir Argentina Tour Travelogue 2012

Another exciting, detail-filled e-mail from Mr. Priddy came this evening sharing another busy day of fun in Argentina!


Day 2 - May 19, 2012


This morning began by eating a buffet breakfast at the hotel.  The culture here puts a great deal of importance on meals and serving them properly.  Everything has linens and glasses (the real kind, not plastic).  So far it appears that the overall taste in sweets is slightly different here than in North America. The sodas, fruit drinks and foods in general seem less sweet than in the States.  However, everything is fresh.  After breakfast we loaded the bus to embark on our second tour of Buenos Aires.  We headed north and observed some facinating structures.  It seems that at one time the north of Buenos Aires was not inhabited.  Then a flu epedimic came through and devasted the population. In an effort to protect their families, the aristocratic families moved north to establish an elite area for themselves.  At this same time, there was no love lost between Argentina and Spain, because Argentina had won its independence from Spain some time before.  In fact, most of the Spanish buildings in Argentina were destroyed after Argentina won its independence.  So....the elite wanted to build their palaces to reflect their wealth but also to establish themselves on a par with the great countries in Europe.  France became their model.  The Argentine families brought over France experts in building design, landscaping and other matters.  As a result, an incredible collection of palaces were built to the north of Buenos Aires.  These are the mansions we saw today.  Most of them are owned by the government today, since the familes have all pretty much died out.

Then we went to a section of the city that is characterized by parks, statues and monuments.  One such sculpture called "Genetic Flower" was very interesting. It is a flower that literally opens in the morning as though it is blooming....then closes at night.  The flower is made completely of aluminum which has been recyled from airplanes.  If you are familiar with the stainless steel structure in the park in Chicago, the sculpture is made on a slightly larger scale.  The flower stem sits in a pool of water that extends beyond the diameter of the buds, which prevents people from getting too close to the structure.  It is at this place where we took several group photos.

Back on the bus, we traveled to the market place. This is an outdoor market full of vendors.  Pretty much anything you want is there (and even things you might not really want).  The culture of Argentina is more open in terms of sensual expression, if you get my drift.  I had to pull several boys away from the cards portraying "aristic" models of women.  And you try to ignore the coffee mugs that are shaped in the form of a woman's bust. Or the thongs for sale. The boys have a knack for finding all of these things, but such is the experience when one ventures to other countries.  So....I do know things were purchased.  What ever comes home, just act like it is great!  

Then to lunch...we were told that the caramel ice cream is really good.  We tried it....mixed verdict...some people liked it, others did not.  If you like burnt caramel, you would probably like it.

We then proceeded to the rehearsal site for today;s concert.  It was held at the law school. Here, in Argentina, their public education system extends to the college level, so public colleges are free!  The best schools in the country are public, not private.  The law school building itself was based on Roman design.  We rehearsed logistics for our part of the concert.  One of the members of Opus Cuatro was running late, so it got a little tense near the end trying to get pieces rehearsed that we had never sung together.

Now the concert.  The National Children's Choir of Argentina performed first.  A nice group with beautiful tone and discipline.  We were next.  The boys opened with the Gregorian chant.  Flanking the audience, they sang reasonably well considering the place was full and the temperature inside continued to rise.  We ended up cutting one piece due to time constraints. However, the more the boys sang, the more the audience responded.  We had to stop for long periods of time between pieces because they continued to applaud so much.  By the time we sang Stars and Stripes, they went nuts.  And then.......Opus Cuatro came on stage and you would have thought rock stars had entered house.  The crowd went bananas.  Then Opus Cuatro and the boys combined to perform four selections together.  Each one was received with loud audience approval.  In the end they demanded an encore.  We gave them Bohemian Rhapsody!  They went nuts again!  At that point we were out of time and I had to get the boys off stage.  The crowd clapped in unison the entire time the boys exited the stage.  I don;t think I have ever experienced such appreciation by a crowd.  If this is any indication of what lies ahead, we are going to have an amazing trip.

We are now a few minutes away from loading the bus to go to dinner and see a tango show.  We are sort of dressing up...Oxford shirts and ties. It should be fun.

By the way, I forgot to say that when opus cuatro performed with us, I got to stand right in the middle of them so that everyone could see.  The amount of volume those four men produce was equal to our entire output of sound from the boys.  I told the boys I am convinced that those guys are hollow. They are simply human resonating tubes.


For those of you that like to worry, just know that all is well.  We travel to Mercedes tomorrow for concerts there before returning to Buenos Aires for the night.  Then the next day we check out to go to our second hotel stop in Mar del Plata.  

Also, so far on the trip, the touring company has assigned a videographer to accompany us. I dont know how long he will be with us, but hopefully we will be able to secure some amazing footage and photos of the trip.

o.k., the bus is here....got to close up shop....more to come.... 

Bryan Priddy
Artistic Director
Texas Boys Choir

Day1: Mr. Priddy's Texas Boys Choir Argentina Tour Travelogue 2012

The boys don't have their electronic devices to communicate with us while on their trip so we are relying on the emails we receive from artistic director, S. Bryan Priddy.  Each boy has been provided a notebook and pen, but Mr. Priddy is so eloquent and thorough in his descriptions, that I am preserving it here on my blog so when my son comes home with an empty notebook, I will have a momento of his trip.

Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, the boys were given permission to sing. 

Mr. Priddy's Argentina Tour Travelogue

Day 1 May 18, 2012

It has been a crazy ride but we are in Buenos Aires and all is well. It has been non stop since we landed this morning around 8 a.m.  The hotel is very nice and we are being treated like celebrities.  The hotel lobby has a big marque with a promo of all of our concerts.  They said we could take it with us when we left...and we will because it is so cool looking.  Great piece to frame and put in the choir room to inspire future singers.

Today we checked in to the hotel and then had time on our own to have the boys make quick calls home to say we made it here o.k.  Then we went to eat.  It was new experience trying to communicate in Spanish.  I know in my group we ended up at a pizza place.  I told the boys that I did not know what we ordered, but to be adventurous and try it just the same.  The pizza was great.  One of them actually had crumbled boiled eggs as a garnish on top.

We met at 3 pm to have our first of two guided tours of Buenos Aires.  It has been dark and overcast with light showers today, so the tour guide took us to visit the Basilica.  You may remember that the boys sang at the Basilica in St. Louis last year.  Today, the structure was not as large, but it was an imposing Romanesque style building.  I was struck by the fact that we were in what is referred to as their national church in the country of Argentina.  The only thing that would make this better is if we were allowed to sing here and perform a selection from the most popular folk mass in Argentina, composed by an Argentine.  Well, believe it or not, our tour guide asked the priest if we could sing.  He agreed, and we performed the Kyrie from the Ramierez folk Mass Misa Criolla.  It sounded wonderful in those acoustics.  Afterwards I was approached by a couple from Brazil.  They shared that they were on their honeymoon and had entered the Basilica to ask God for peace in their lives.  No sooner had they entered the space and suddenly angelic voices were heard from the Chancel area.  They were so appreciative.

I do not know how often I will be able to get updates posted, but I will send as many as I can.  It has been a little frustrating trying to type this update because I am using a Spanish keyboard and it has extra keys and I think I have hit every incorrect button so far.

Overall, we are having a wonderful time.  The schedule is so good about giving the boys some down time just to chill.  Today we also had opportunity to visit one of the artisan areas for shopping.  The boys have no problem shopping.  They are behaving well, and they are looking out for each other.  Everywhere we go, people comment on what a fine group we have.

And to you, parents, please know that I know we would have never gotten the boys down here without considerable help from you.  Many, many hours of behind the scenes work went on, especially the two weeks prior to our departure.  Our parent club president, Michelle, and Karen Mueller in particular went many extra miles getting the tuxes prepared.  But we also had helpers to pass out t'shirts, do baggage checks, organize journal notebooks, and a host of other things.  It really did take a village.  Thank you!

In a few minutes we are off to eat dinner.  It will be the perfect ending to a very long day.  Tomorrow we tour North Buenos Aires.  Then we travel to rehearse with Opus Cuatro.  Then we have our first performance with Opus Cuatro and the National Childrens Choir of Argentina.  Then back the hotel and then we go to dinner and watch the Tango Show.  Way too much fun.  The boys are discovering that South American girls are very attractive.  We are trying to keep their jaws off the payment as they gawk.  The city is amazing.  Kind of a mix between Paris, Madrid and other European cities.  

Again, I will try to send updates as I am able.  We will also try to upload pictures when possible.

Bryan Priddy
Artistic Director
Texas Boys Choir

Texas Boys Choir Travels to Argentina!

Recognized by composer Igor Stravinsky as the "best boys´ choir in the world," the Texas Boy's Choir is brilliant. Since 1946, it has won hundreds of recognitions including two Grammys awards. They have sung in several countries of the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, as well as for the Pope, several U.S. presidents, kings and heads of state from around the world.

The Texas Boys Choir is preparing to leave for Argentina on May 17, 2012 to participate in an international music festival in Argentina. This is the first time the choir has traveled internationally since 2004. They will be the only group representing North America at this festival. We are very proud of our boys and excited about the opportunity to participate in this event!

Iguazú en Concierto is an international festival featuring children and youth orchestras and choirs. Seven hundred children and youths from the five continents play music together in one of most amazing natural scenarios of the world: the Iguazú Falls and the Misiones forest in its entire splendor.

During 6 uninterrupted days, free concerts are held at the best hotels of the region, La Aripuca and the Puerto Iguazú amphitheater. The festival closes with a mega-concert at the Sheraton Hotel gardens, within the Iguazú National Park. An outstanding staging that gathers orchestras, choirs and soloists in a single stage with the Iguazú Falls as backdrop.

This year, Iguazú en Concierto will feature a film soundtrack repertoire that will go through greatest movie songs of all times. Also, Gustavo Santaolalla, winner of two Oscar awards for musical composition for Brokeback Mountain (2006) and Babel (2007), will be the guest of honor and one of the directors of the grand final concert.

The 700 children and young musicians

Iguazú en Concierto has received representatives from all over the world: China, United States, Russia, South Africa, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Spain, Costa Rica, among many others.

Each orchestra, choir and soloist is chosen after a thorough research by the festival´s Artistic Direction headed by Andrea Merenzon, nationally and internationally recognized in her field and winner of a Latin Grammy award in 2005.

The 700 children and youths rehearse all together at master classes conducted by professors and soloists of the Colón Theater. During those rehearsals, these little talents prepare the final repertoire that they will perform at the grand final concert, at the so-called “Iguazú en Concierto Grand Orchestra and Choir”.

Don't Miss Narnia!

You don't want to miss this fabulous musical rendition of C.S. Lewis' of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" at Scott Theater in Fort Worth, Texas.  There is still plenty of time to get tickets!

Texas Boys Choir singing "This Christmastide"

Texas Boys Choir 2011 Christmas Concert Schedule

Performances by the Texas Boys Choir

Getting to Know the Texas Boys Choir

Supporting the Texas Boys choir

Texas Boys Choir - Free Public Concert May 13th

Texas Boys Choir - Free Public Concert May 13th

Hello Again!

It's been a long time since I've blogged on this site. Back in the day when I first set this up Facebook was in its infancy, MySpace was for the young kids, and Twitter was unheard of. Boy have times changed quickly! 5 years ago, I vowed that I would not be one of those people constantly on my mobile phone - I would have one only for emergencies. Ummm yeah...famous last words. I now do almost everything on my mobile phone that I used to do on my desktop (except print and that's really annoying). My main form of communication with my family and friends is either text messaging or Facebook. I have even been known to text my kids to let them know when dinner is ready (mom fail).

So If you care to look back over the few years on this blog, you will see that I spent several years finishing my degree and working on my teacher certification. I finally achieved this, got a job as a teacher, then got too busy to blog! After 2 years in the classroom, I have finally come up for air. I am able to walk out of school without a huge bag of grading, teacher editions, or lessons plans. I have finally gotten into a groove and have figured out how to get MOST of my work done at school. With all of this newfound time, I am looking for ways to hone my teaching skills, share with other teachers, and hunt down great deals. Over Christmas break I watched TLC's Extreme Couponing and realized how much money I could be saving at the grocery store. I started collecting coupons and finding lots of information on couponing sites like Couponing 101,Passion for Savings,Budget Savvy Diva, and The Krazy Coupon Lady. After a few months of working at this, I realized that extreme couponing in the true sense is not for me, but stocking up on a reasonable amount of groceries and getting a few free things along the way sure is satisfying and fun! So if you are interested in what I have to share about my family, classroom, and couponing adventures feel free to follow along and share your comments on my "official" blog here. I will keep this blog for more personal things like bragging about my kids, random thoughts, and posting pictures.

Thanksgiving 2008

Texas Boys Choir at "A Celebration of Reading 2008"

New links to visit....

I just added two new links for you to visit: Heart and Seoul is about the journey of a couple adopting from Korea. In order to raise money for the adoption, they have launched a dessert business. I have personally tasted some of the desserts and not only are they delicious, they are also beautiful. Keep them in mind for your holiday entertaining.

The second site is Bluebonnets and Brownies. One of my classmates at Ashford University is a transplanted Texan living in the northeast and has found little in the way of southern comfort food up there. This site is a tribute Tex-Mex and other foods that we all find comfort in!

Friday Night Lights, Homecoming, and Halloween!

A routine of our own!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Some good CofC humor!