FABBY: May Rosary Gathering Tea

Hello sweet friends!

Right after we came back from our coastal vacation and had so much dirty clothing, shopping and cleaning around here, I also had to host my last Wednesday of the month Rosary gathering!
Anyway, it turned out lovely as always with the ten ladies and sometimes more. We had a lot of prayers request for sick relatives and friends.

The china I used is my 'Home Gallery' one I have for complete 16 place settings and for several years ago I can't count!

The friends that follow me might remember I changed my draperies two years ago from the living room and dining room to Hunter Douglas cloth shades, which I love...however, I re-purposed the old draperies and had a tablecloth made for $8 with a seamstress. Love the taylor pleats she did!

The material is a wonderful silk brocade and in real life it shines as it's in a silvery gray, with blue and beige lines in the pattern.

I bought the long baguette basket you see here with bread buns, at one of the beach towns, where they're so famous for making and weaving baskets and so many other lovely things for the home.

I also bought the bread basket in the back.

The most delicious home made 'Old Fashioned Fudge Brownies,' ever!. 'The recipe is at the end of this post.'

My flowers are in a galvanized flower vase I got as a present with an anniversary arrangement from hubby a few years back.

 

 

Display of glasses for my friends, as they always require some water after tea.



I always change the display in Alejandro's grandparents' English buffet. Previously I had my Easter one; now is replaced with my antique 'Japanese Satsuma' tea set and natural shells from our vacation. It's also on my header.

Thank you so much for your sweet and kind visits, you know you always make my day!

Thanking the lovely hostesses for having me at their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY

'Old Fashioned Chewy Fudge Brownies'

2 cups sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter or margarine
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans (use walnuts, which I always do)

Combine sugar, flour, and salt in the electric standing beater, or whichever you prefer.

Mix well and leave it there. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave, or double boiler if you rather.  Stirring well.
Gradually pour chocolate mixture into flour mix and beat lightly and add eggs one at a time, vanilla and chopped pecans.

Pour batter into greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Bake at 325F for 40-45 minutes. Test center to see is if it's dry. Cool. Cut into 8 squares to serve. For tea I always cut in half each square and they look more dainty, plus suddenly you have 16 pieces instead of just 8 big squares!


I will be joining:

Craftberry Bush at,  http://www.craftberrybush.com
Mix it Up Monday at,  http://www.flourmewithlove.com
Fabulously Creative Friday at,  http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Full Plate Thursday at,  http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com
The Homemaking Party at,  http://www.hopeineveryseason.com
Food on Friday at,  http://caroleschatter.blogspot.com
Fresh-Cut Friday at,  http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com
Chain Linky Climb at,  http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
From the Farm Blog Hop at,  http://www.sunnysimplelife.com
Saturday Sparks at,  http://peacedpastimes.blogspot.com
Say G'Day Saturday Linly party at,  http://www.natashainoz.com
Bouquet of Talent at,  http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://www.twiggstudios.com
Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

Roses for Tea Time at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
I's a Party at,  http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com
The SCOOP at,  http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com
TUESDAY'S AT OUR HOME at,  http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at,  http://www.kathewithane.com
Nick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com
Need to start counting my Blessings at,  http://www.marthasfavorites.com




















 

FABBY: Trip Around the Ecuadorian Coast

Hello dear Friends!

           Ok, looks like this week is going to be back to 'normal' in general. I even hosted our last Wednesday of the month Rosary prayer, last week, while I was still getting my house together.

I'm finally free so I can post some photos of our trip around the coastal region, called "The Route of the Spondylus" in Ecuador which we went with my dear Bil, Alejandro's brother, the owner of the rose farm and his wife Juanita... they are very dear to us, to be fair, all my Bils and Sils are dear to us both!

We people of the Andean-Highlands love the beach because is far away and lots of hours drive, that's why when we go, we stay for at least a week if not longer, like we did. When my girls were small, we stayed a month!

I will explain a little after some pictures...lots of them, lol!
 
"¡I WILL ALSO BE HAVING A GIVEAWAY I BROUGHT FOR YOU FROM MY TRIP!"

Please check out the announcement as soon as I find a hostess who would like to do me the favor!

There are many gorgeous beaches all around the coast of Ecuador. We were only at a few.
 
Beach season is over for the coastal region as children are back to school because the weather gets cooler, but in the 80's. Meanwhile, for us people of the Andean-High lands, the weather is perfect and it's Summer time, only cold, but the same months as is in the USA.

The weather is still lovely here and the water is warm, but with less people, so it was wonderful!

Fishermen boats. The Seafood is amazing in Ecuador, and we have the best shrimp ever, exported to Europe and the US.

The Salinas Yatch Club is near  the private boats and it's a wonderful club with great food!



Me, arriving at one of the most beautiful hotels we were at, on our way.
We slept in one and the following day we drove to another beach resort area and were sleeping in another beautiful hotel and different each one... it was great!

My 'conch ceviche' and plantain chips to go along.

In the back a shrimp ceviche and up front, a seafood rice with fish.

Plantain chips to accompany, along with a pretty and fresh salad.

Another lovely hotel.

We were going to the beach which was right outside a beautiful walk and it also had a pier or dock direct to the sea.

Here we are late in the afternoon taking a walk by the dock.

Juan, Juanita and us.

This place we stayed at was adorable!  Lots of bungalows with two rooms, TV and a small porch inside and outside...we loved it!

Walking distance directly to the beach. We would go for walks at the beach and to swim in the morning because of the light sun rays at that hour.

Another shrimp yummy dish.

A light sea-bass dish.

Another fun hotel which was surrounded by tropical trees, plants and flowers, and it looked like it was smack in the middle of the jungle...and so were the rooms! Ecuador has tropical jungles too and I've never been to them; I heard they're amazing too.

Me with my dear In law's

Alejandro and Juan, his older brother; but they both have an eldest bro too.

We visited a young artist couple that live by a beach area, all year round, very secluded as artists tend to like!  They have a fabulous modern home!

Here I am with my young friend. They used to live in the Andean city of Cuenca, where we live and we know their parents.

We spent the last three days before driving back home at my Bil's and his wife's high rise apartment at the resort of Salinas, which is simply gorgeous!

A view from the window.



My Sil's beautiful shell collection and some with interesting shapes.

Our breakfast table at my sister in law's Juanita's dining table, as we stayed the last three days of our trip at their high rise apartment at the beach resort.

The pretty tablecloth is hand made of 'Straw-shawl.'

I love beach sunsets!

Sorry I had so many pics and you are so kind to come by and visit me, as you know you always make my day!

Thank you to the lovely hostesses for having me at their great parties.

I will definitely join The Tablescaper on Thursday at: "Oh, the PLACES I've been!"
A Return to Loveliness at,  http://www.adelightsomelife.com
Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://www.thededicatedhouse.com
Tuesday's at our Home at,  http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Wordless Wednesday at,  http://www-createwithjoy.com
Wednesdays Adorned from Above at,  http://www.adornedfromabove.com
What we Accomplished Wednesday at,  http://www.greenwillowpond.com
Show and Share Party at,  http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Share your Cup Thursday at,  http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Wildly Original Linky Party at,  http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Before and After Wednesday at,  http://www.thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Saturday Show Off at,  http://maleviksrosentradgard.blogspot.com












 I will be participating in Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.
 

FABBY: Have You Missed Me a Little?

Hello dear friends!

          Today is "Memorial Day in the United States" and yes, all Veterans from wars past and present are honoured today for giving it all for freedom and safety to their country men. We are FOREVER grateful and may God bless those heroes, always!

I'm also back from our trip to the coast of Ecuador and all I can say is that we had a fabulous time with my Bil and his sweet wife!  I will be posting pics from it, plus some food dishes we had along the way, lol!  Now I'm dieting...heheheee...

At present I'm washing cloths, cleaning the house, buying groceries, etc. 
You all know the Price of having fun and disconnecting to enjoy life for a few days!
Wow, we sure rested our minds and souls!

I also did some cute shopping things, and so you all know, I thought about you all very much, therefore I brought a lovely giveaway for you and they are place mats for the Summer. You'll see, and that's all I'm updating, lol!

I'm very happy to be back to blogging, specially to find out what you guys are up to!
I will soon answer some lovely comments I got while I was away...just give me a couple of days!

                                                                         LOVE,
                                                                        FABBY

Thank you lovely and gracious hostesses.

Tuesdays at our Home at,  http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
BLUE Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
The SCOOP at,  http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com




                                                                        
                                                                      

FABBY: GOODBY AND IKAT MADE IN ECUADOR

Hello sweet friends!

              I am taking off for a couple of weeks, so I won't be blogging because we are going all around the coastal region of Ecuador and be at the gorgeous beaches, in beautiful hotels and eating lobster that I love and some more great sea food dishes...I can't wait!

We will be driving tomorrow, Wednesday very early in the morning.

Alejandro and I are going with his brother and his wife, both wonderful siblings and a lot of fun to be with.

I will post photos when I come back.

Meanwhile, have a wonderful time!

I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT "IKAT-MACANA" CLOTH HAND MADE IN ECUADOR AND OF COURSE, SOME PHOTOS OF CLOTHING AS WELL.


A very simple and quick explanation here. An indigenous man weaving the "Ikat or Macana" in Ecuador.

Natural Dyes:
The dyeing process that Jose uses are only natural dyes which are available nearby. Walnut gives shades of brown. Indigo for many blues. Lichens for greens. Cochineal for reds and oranges. And minerals from rocks producing greys.

Detail of ikat pattern, naturally dyed, used in the shawl.

This striped shawl was made as such from the weaving and natural colorings explained above.
Weaving Ikat:
Once the warping and dyeing process is completed, in some ways, the weaving is the easiest step. Care must be taken that the warp-dyed pattern doesn’t shift on the loom, thereby throwing the pattern out of sequence. But since the weaving is all done on a backstrap loom, once the warp is taut around the frame and the body of the weaver, the pattern is secured and weaving can begin. The woven structure is a warp-faced plain weave so the weaving itself can go pretty quickly.

 Jose’s home and workshop sit off a back road that connects to the main highway leading to the town of Gualaceo, 35 km east of Cuenca in Ecuador. It is here that he and his family (his wife and their four children) are dedicated to weaving ikat, a tie-and-dye resist process of a highly intricate and complicated hand weaving technique practiced in a number of cultures around the world. But in Ecuador, particularly in the Cuenca region, Jose and his family are just a few remaining weavers still practicing this art.

Here a beautiful wrap in black and White. Cute ceramic figures of Ecuadorian Indigenous man and woman.



 

I did my tablecloth for my round table by putting to shawls like this one together.
You can look at the tablecloth on my table for 5 de Mayo.

I love this red and black shawl!



Another pretty shawl in black and white.



There are infinite color combinations and are great for upholstery as it shows here in the chairs, in this lovely purple and white.



 

We had made for this chairs the Ikat many years ago specially for upholstering them and for hubby's grandfather's reclining chair as well. 

I left a couple of shawls for my tablecloth, some of you who follow me just saw it on my 5 de Mayo tablescape.
They come in the form of long shawls with fringes. Two years ago I reupholstered these two chairs to go with my soft yellow couches in the den.

I still have one chairs left with the Ikat in the guest room, plus the recliner, which I'm sending them to my daughter Alexandra who wants them for her apartment.

 
So here you have it, a Little bit of the marvelous things in the 'IKAT' weaving sold around here.


See you when I get back and thank you so much for coming over to read about it, as I know some of you are interested about this
beautiful and dying art.

Thank you for coming by, even though I will not be here to answer your lovely and generous comments...and I will answer them as soon as I come back.

 Do take care of yourselves.

 I will join a couple of parties with this post and than I'm off! 
Thank you so much sweet ladies!

Tuesday Tune Link Up at,  http://www.natashainoz.com


                                                                      LOVE,
FABBY