Once Upon a Time…35 Years Ago…We Met

Nov 2014 – celebrating the anniversary of the night we met!

It was Veterans Day eve and I had UAB Chamber Choir rehearsal that night. I remember all my friends from work were heading out to a “happy hour” and I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t going with them. But the Chamber Choir was getting ready for a performance and I knew I couldn’t miss rehearsal so…

A friend of mine said she would go later if I felt like it. So after rehearsal, I called her and we both got ready and headed to the happy hour. It was close to 10 p.m. and I thought there wouldn’t be anyone there. Turns out Mr. Right was there! And the party was just getting started!

Our big group danced and sang along with the band for the rest of the night. The band kept asking for requests and I kept asking them to play “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon to no avail. (I still do this when I’m out and I’ve yet to have anyone play it for me!) Eddie and I kept drifting toward one another when we were all dancing together and eventually we ended up dancing together. We had both been noticing each other at work and he told me later he’d had a secret crush on me when he’d see me at the office. I confessed the same to him.

This was our 30th “first” – 2011 and we were headed to Flemings that year for dinner.

Veterans Day eve became our “first” anniversary – the anniversary of the night we met and we’ve been celebrating it every year since. When the kids were little we’d have dinner at home and play up about the night we met. As they got older, we started going out to celebrate and reminisce about meeting and when we dated. It’s fun to keep those stories alive and even more interesting when new details emerge!

Card from our server at Firebirds two years ago as we celebrated our 33rd “first” anniversary.

The entire staff at Firebirds signed our card!

Our Firebirds server surprised us with this awesome dessert too!

Two years ago we went to Firebirds for dinner. I don’t know if it was the way we were talking or what, but the server asked if we were celebrating something special. We said, “yes, the anniversary of the night we met 33 years ago.” She thought that was the coolest thing ever and by the end of the meal, she brought out a fabulous dessert on the house along with a card addressed “To the sweet couple!” When we opened it, the entire staff had signed the card!

Tonight we will continue the tradition of celebrating our “first” anniversary. If there is a band wherever we go I’ll yell out “Werewolves of London” as a song request. Meanwhile, I’m so thankful that I decided to go to that “happy hour” on that night 35 years ago. I can’t imagine my life without this wonderful man in it!

Happy “first” anniversary, sweetheart!

What Brings You Comfort?

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Me and my shadow – Lucy

Today is the day after a rather historic and extremely stressful Presidential election. I began the day reading a number of social media posts but finally had to say…enough. It was getting to me too much and I had to get ready for work and I was already running late after staying up so late to watch the election returns.

A friend texted me while I was reading and was really having a hard time. How do you comfort someone via a text message. That was a hard one. I did what I could. I hope it was enough…but words of encouragement…even heartfelt words aren’t enough sometimes. I thought about that for a moment. How do people comfort themselves in times of stress? Is it food? Wine? Is it by talking to a trusted friend or family member? Or is it taking a walk or going to an exercise class?

I thought back on so many times in the past where I was stressed or hurting what did I do? All of the above – Yes! Those are all things that I’ve used for comfort. Especially the wine…in fact I’m having a glass of wine called “Custard Comfort Wine” as I write this. But the one thing that I go back to so many times when I need comfort? Lucy…my pup.

Photo of Lucy the night I brought her home…

A lot of research has been done into Pet Therapy and while it may sound like a made up, new age type of treatment, I am a true believer in the benefits of having a pet. More and more I am seeing places that allow owners to bring their dogs and just this weekend met someone with a dog that had a collar stating it was an “ESA – Emotional Support Animal.” That makes me smile because I know already know the benefits of having a pup.

For me, my pup Lucy has become my shadow. She came to us in early 2008. I went to get my haircut and my stylist said to me, “Teresa, you have to take one of my puppies!” I hem-hawed a bit and she gave me a Polaroid picture of the puppy and I said I would think about it. Meanwhile, I went by school to pick up my youngest and while the photo wasn’t in plain sight, Emily spotted it immediately and excitedly said, “are we getting a dog?!” I said I didn’t know and we would need to talk to dad about it. Well, Eddie wasn’t thrilled about the idea and even though I said I wasn’t sure either, apparently I was! I went and got Lucy the next day.

Lucy experiences her first snow!

She was “supposed to be” the family dog, but you know how that goes. The kids were old enough to take her for walks and take general care of her but that didn’t happen. Eddie was determined they would take care of her so he refused to help…and when the kids wouldn’t take care of Lucy, who did it fall to? Me! Mom…

This puppy though…she became my joy and comfort. The year we got her was a rather trying year with my aunt going through treatment for ovarian cancer and my mother just finishing up treatment for breast cancer. I was trying to be available to care for them both and it took a toll on all of us. I would come home to Lucy and take her for a walk and she loved me for that. She would sit on the cushion of the sofa behind my head so she could be close to me in the evening. She slept between me and Eddie in our bed and would curl up right next to me every night, eventually moving to her own little bed at the foot of ours.

Odom family portrait

Lucy will be 9 years old this month. We don’t know what her actual birthdate is so we always say she was a Thanksgiving pup. These days she is attached to me at the hip. She won’t go outside unless I take her and she knows when my garage door opens and is waiting for me at the kitchen door. She barks at me when I sit too long at the kitchen table in the evening and she is ready to sit on the footrest of my recliner with me in it! She is one of my favorite photography models too. She has her own Instagram hashtag – #conversationswithlucy – and she is rather “famous” with many of my friends! Some say she needs her own Instagram page but I’m happy to share mine with her for the time being. I even have friends who tell me they have a voice they use for Lucy with my posts of her. They always begin with her saying “Mama…” – and she goes on to make her statement. That makes me laugh. To me that means she is bringing comfort and joy to others as well.

Mama…I hope Santa knows which stocking is mine! #conversationswithlucy

Sometimes I wonder if she knows how much I need her and how much her devotion means to me? She brings me such comfort and I can’t imagine my life without her. It makes me tear up just to think about this. She’s my puppy love and she knows it…

So for today and other times when I need comfort and a little puppy therapy, I will reach for Lucy, scratch her behind her ears and take her for a walk before we settle in for the evening and cuddle together on my recliner.

Lucy…you are my comfort…

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Mexican Tin Ornaments and Thrift Store Scores!

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A treasure trove of Mexican tin ornaments my mother found for me recently during a thrifting adventure!

Mexican tin art is a mainstay on my Mexican Christmas tree every year. I love the shapes and colors of these lightweight ornaments. I’ve collected them since the 1990s and always look for stores that carry the ornaments in particular. My last big haul was last year when I visited Austin, Texas at a cool store called Tesoros. They had quite a selection to choose from and wish I could have come away with more but honestly…I had to leave some for the other shoppers too, right?!

Last week my mother paid a visit to my favorite thrift store – The Salvation Army in Hoover. She confessed she went in only for a few moment and now two hours later she was still roaming around and finding all sorts of goodies! After a few trips around the knick knacks, she spotted a sandwich bag with something shiny and colorful. Turned out to be a baggie with 10 Mexican tin ornaments! For one dollar!!!!! She brought them to me that very evening and while they look a little worn, they are still so beautiful to me. I think the wearing of the tin and the color gives them a certain antique character. And I also think I might need a bigger Mexican Christmas tree this year with all these new ornaments!

The red color on this ornament is brilliant and this is one design that I didn’t have – happy to add to my collection!

Meanwhile, this past weekend I went to the grand reopening of another favorite thrift store – the Salvation Army store in Homewood, AL. The place was a madhouse! I found a few items but nothing that I couldn’t live without, especially with the length of the checkout line! Then I went to the jewelry counter – which was also packed – and gave it a look. Loads of beautiful things…still that growing line was a concern. I turned to walk toward the door when I spotted a long table filled with Christmas pins! Wow! I felt like I hit the mother-load of pins – something else I love to collect. I spotted one vintage Christmas tree pin and then another…and a lady holding one handed hers to me when she saw my interest. I thought that was nice! Then a saleslady showed up and said, “let’s put these in a baggie with your name on it and it will be ready for you when you check out.” I thought – “ok, let’s do this!” Then the saleslady started suggested pins and earrings to me to help me fill my bag. It was rather amusing. I’d say – “sure, put it in the bag!” And she would!

Such a unique necklace! This Mexican tin piece is adorned with a nativity scene!

The most unusual item I found in this sea of pins was a necklace. I wasn’t sure what it was at first all clustered together on the table, but it was made of Mexican tin – I knew that for sure! The saleslady picked it up and said it was a nativity scene and she thought it was beautiful. I agreed but then again, the necklace had me at “Mexican tin” and so I told her to add it to the bag!

Well, the line to check out got even longer while I was browsing these pins, earrings and the necklace. I figured I would leave the store to run some of my errands and come back before 7 p.m. to pick up the jewelry. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it back and figured it was just as well. Wasn’t meant to be and all that. Still, I kept thinking of that Mexican tin necklace and how unique it was…

So Monday at lunch I decided to take a ride over to the store and look around minus the 250 people who were there on Saturday! I went right to the jewelry counter and much to my surprise there were no Christmas pins anywhere! That was puzzling with all that they had on Saturday. Had someone come in and bought the entire table of pins? I checked the other jewelry counter and but found nothing there either. Then I saw several baggies of jewelry on the back of the counter. Mine was still there! SCORE!!! Was I excited? You bet! Couldn’t believe my good fortune!

I left the store Monday with a baggie full of vintage pins, the Mexican tin necklace and also a talavera pottery piece that I spotted right before check out! The colors on this talavera piece are perfect for my kitchen. It will be a nice addition to the Zuniga-Odom talavera collection! This is why I love thrift store shopping so much – you never know what you’ll find!

The House I Live In

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Sheet music to “The House I Live In.”

I was visiting my sister Kanista in North Carolina last month. On our last night together, she pulled out a Frank Sinatra songbook she had found at a thrift store. What a treasure of Sinatra songs over the years! We both flashed back to memories of listening to our parents’ Sinatra albums when we were growing up. I opened the book and we went page by page singing the songs we knew – and that was most of them!

The Sinatra Songbook that my sister found at a thrift store! We know practically all the songs in this book and sang then all our last night together in North Carolina!

When we got to “The House I Live In,” Kanista didn’t know this one. I only knew about it because of a Sinatra documentary I had seen on cable and got excited recalling the song and story. And although I couldn’t sing the song for her we both started reading the lyrics and couldn’t look it up on YouTube fast enough…

What is America to me
A name, a map, or a flag I see
A certain word, democracy
What is America to me

The house I live in
A plot of Earth, a street
The grocer and the butcher
And the people that I meet

The children in the playground
The faces that I see
All races and religions
That’s America to me

The song was part of a short 10 minute film written in 1945 by Albert Maltz and produced by Frank Ross and Mervyn LeRoy. The film was made to oppose anti-Semitism at the end of World War II and received an honorary Academy Award and a special Golden Globe award in 1946.

In the short movie, Sinatra plays himself taking a break from a recording session and stepping outside of the studio when he sees a group of boys chasing a Jewish boy and he steps in. First he talks to the boys and then goes into the song. He explains to the boys that we are “all” Americans and that one American’s blood is as good as another’s. He also explains that all our religions are to be respected equally.

Me and my sister watch the 10 minute video of “The House I Live In” on YouTube.

As Kanista and I watched the video we began talking about the current election cycle and how crazy things have gotten. We reflected on how interesting it is that the same themes keep coming back over time. This video is as relevant now and it was in the 1940s. The Library of Congress selected the movie to be preserved in the US National Film Registry as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” In fact, this was done in 2007.

The place I work in
The worker by my side
The little town the city
Where my people lived and died

The howdy and the handshake
The air a feeling free
And the right to speak your mind out
That’s America to me

The things I see about me
The big things and the small
The little corner newsstand
Or the house a mile tall

The song has been covered and recorded by a number of artists including Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. Sinatra performed the song as part of his repertory for decades in particular at a White House dinner during the Nixon Administration and the Reagan inaugural ceremonies in 1985.

As we go to vote tomorrow, this song and what it means will be on my mind. Regardless of who wins this election, my hope is that everyone will be able to come together for the good of our country after the dust settles. I know it’s not as easy as an actor/singer telling a story to a bunch of adolescents, but I think that’s a starting point and we need a place to start.

The wedding and the churchyard
The laughter and the tears
The dream that’s been a growing
For a hundred and fifty years

The town I live in
The street, the house, the room
The pavement of the city
Or the garden all in bloom

The church the school the clubhouse
The million lights I see
But especially the people
That’s America to me

Birmingham’s Dia de los Muertos 2016

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A look at the skyline of Bare Hands Inc.’s Dia de los Muertos festival in its new venue – Cahaba Brewery this year. Murals of Spider Martin and Guillermo Castro are displayed at the start of the altar displays.

I’ve said this before – aside from my beloved Fiesta, Bare Hands Inc.’s Dia de los Muertos festival is one of my favorites of the year. Both just celebrated year 14 and both will celebrate their 15th – or Quinceanera – next year. For a festival to make it that long is impressive and this year was even more so for DOTD Alabama.

Early in the year, I heard the festival had been cancelled. They had lost their long time location due to some changes in the geographic region and had also gone through some leadership changes with the retirement of long time ED Wendy Jarvis and installation of new ED, Robert Hernandez. But like any organization with volunteers who have a passion for what they do – they persevered and several months into 2016, they decided the show would go on (as they say) and partnered with Cahaba Brewery to move the festival to Avondale.

Roll Call of the dead is a time honored tradition at the festival – as names are called, if family/friends are in attendance, they call out “present” in the audience…

And what a move! The festival drew over 6,000 people this year! As I was leaving at 8:30 I ran into Robert and Festival Director-Jennifer Gowers and their faces said it all… Jennifer grabbed me and said “where are all these people coming from?!” We looked at the entrance and people were still streaming in and the festival opened at 4 p.m. After a group hug, we talked about the incredible turnout and all the hard work it took to pull the event together in a shorter period of time. Incredible is the only word I could think of at that moment. Labor of love is the phrase I choose now.

Day of the Dead is not your ordinary festival, after all. It is a way for people to honor and celebrate the memory of loved ones who have left us. The altar installations and tributes are always very moving and I find myself lingering in front of several because of the unique ways in which people are honored and remembered. I met a young woman from Mexico who described in detail the altar that she and her family pulled together to honor her family. Every single item on that altar had a unique significance and as she pointed them out to me, along with the stories, I felt myself tearing up. What a tribute! What beautiful stories…and I was so appreciate that she was sharing these with me. But then again, that is what this festival is all about…sharing your family stories, sharing the stories of your friends and others you love and cherish so that they are always remembered…

A portion of the altar that had so many interesting details recounted to me by a family member. Very traditional…

That’s what Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos means…that’s what Robert, Jennifer and the rest of the board members and volunteers accomplished this past November 2nd. Viva la Vida!!!

Artist Julianna Jackson poses with her incredible headpiece in the DOD Market. The creations at her booth were exquisite!

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My Favorite Tree

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My favorite tree against a brilliant blue sky this past week…

I was running errands today and looking for a few autumn leaf type decorations to add to my Thanksgiving décor. Do you know what I discovered? Halloween décor was 80-90% off at the stores I went to and Fall/Thanksgiving décor was nowhere to be found! Or, if I “did” find it – it was off to the side in a small section surrounded by Christmas décor! By the third store, I was just sad. What happened to fall? I love fall…the colors changing, the cooler weather and it felt like we went from pumpkins straight to jingle bells! I know this sounds like it has nothing to do with the title of my blog post, but bear with me just a moment.

I love fall. Every year, I look forward to the beginning of fall by the changing of one tree in my neighborhood. I couldn’t even tell you what kind of tree it is. All I know is that it is the most beautiful tree as it turns from green to orange and yellow and gold each year. For me it marks the beginning of fall and cooler weather. Of course, at this moment our state is in a stage 4 drought as we haven’t had rain in over two months so the fall colors were becoming questionable to those of us who love fall and the changing of the colors. I was a little concerned about this tree myself.

My first photo of my favorite tree this year…the sky was a bit overcast but I was just excited that this tree turned this year with the drought we are having!

But then it started…as I drove by it on my way to work one morning I noticed a spot on the green tree beginning to turn yellow and orange. It wouldn’t be long now until the whole tree was orange and yellow! I waited until the perfect moment to stop my car and take my yearly photo. Naturally, the day I chose there was a lot of traffic on the main road in front of the tree, so I drove around the block to get photos from a different angle. The sky wasn’t as blue as I would have liked, but still…the color and the fullness of the tree was beautiful and impressive.

The tree…from the back side after taking a ride around the block to photograph in less traffic…

A few days later I took a quick photo on my way out of the neighborhood against a brilliant blue sky. I could see the leaves blowing and falling to the ground because of the wind that morning. I knew it wouldn’t be long before all the trees were on the ground beneath this magnificent tree.

Two days ago, the shedding began. The back side of the tree is looking pretty skimpy but the ground beneath the tree looks like a golden quilt. For a moment, I had a glimpse of my daughter Anna Marie as a child. One year, we raked up all the leaves in our yard and suddenly she just jumped into them and started laughing and giggling and throwing the leaves in the air. I witnessed pure joy on her face and such a great memory for her mama…

The leaves begin to fall…

I know by next week the tree will be bare and I’ll begin the wait for it to turn green again and then begin its fall journey which I will photograph once again.

Happy fall y’all!

My Quinceañera Cookie Exchange Party!

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Can you smell the sugar?

Now that Day of the Dead is over, I like to begin planning my annual cookie exchange party! Last December was my 15th year to have a cookie swap and I always like to work with a theme. Last year, since it was my 15th year, it made perfect sense to celebrate it as my Quinceañera! (More on what this means in a moment!)

Every year my invitations go out at the beginning of December. Everyone brings 12 dozen of their ONE favorite cookie and they leave with 12 dozen DIFFERENT cookies! I always have margaritas, taquitos, and other snacks and my mother brings her homemade salsa! I shared her recipe for this salsa last year in a blog post – check it out! It’s delicious!

It’s always funny when someone new comes to the party. When I say bring 12 dozen of one cookie – they usually contact me to make sure they read the invitation correctly! So I’ve started putting on the invite – “yes, you read that right! 12 dozen of one cookie!” Anyway…

I always make two cookies or 288 cookies total! Last year I made my usual Mexican wedding cakes and the traditional Mexican biscochitos!

Every year I like to have a theme for my party and a special party favor. One year we were The Real Housewives of Birmingham and I made aprons for everyone with the Real Housewives logo! Another year, we had tacky Christmas sweaters and I had plenty of extra sweaters for those who forgot to wear one!!! Another year, I everyone wore their favorite Christmas pins and I gave everyone a Christmas pin as they left. It’s sometimes a challenge to come up with something new but I love a challenge!!!

So the Quince was a fun theme to work with. As a little background…a quinceañera is a coming of age celebration for a young Latina girl. It’s like a sweet 16 party but there are several special traditions that take place for a “quince.” Traditions also differ for many of the Latin American countries. For instance, in Mexico a young girl might have her Quince following a religious Catholic mass. A young girls’ godparents will typically give her a rosary, a necklace or bracelet with the image of Mexico’s patron saint, the Virgen de Guadalupe. She is also given a tiara as a gesture of love from her immediate family and can be interpreted as being a princess before God and the world. The young girl also typically leaves a bouquet of flowers on the altar for the Virgin Mary.

Cross bracelets for all my guests! They also got crowns!

Borrowing from a few of these traditions, I found some beautiful bracelets with crosses that I used as party favors. I decorated a small gold tree with these bracelets and everyone got to choose the one that most suited their taste and personality. I also provided everyone with small crowns to wear for the party. Honestly, I think everyone was most excited about the crowns!!! My friends were helping one another by teasing up their hair so the comb attached to the crowns would stay in place. It was comical and fun and I even pulled out a can of hairspray to help out with all this! My dog, Lucy also wore a crown – and I seriously don’t know how it stayed on her head but she looked cute and fit right in with everyone else!

Me and Lucy wearing our crowns!

Now back to the cookie swap…

All the cookies are placed on my dining room table in their original containers. Remembers, this is 144 of one type of cookie! The smell of sugar is always overwhelming and the presentation is always beautiful! I encourage everyone to bring an empty container that will hold 144 cookies but in case they forget, I always provide large boxes for them to use. Next we all gather in a circle around the table and everyone begins by taking 8 cookies from each type. We tend to get into a bit of a bottleneck around the table and it becomes quite amusing with some of my more competitive friends who urge those ahead of them to “hurry up!” Seriously, by the time everyone has gotten around the table, their boxes or containers are quite heavy! Then everyone goes back to their favorite cookie and takes a few more. It all works out in the end and everyone leaves with a beautiful assortment to share with family, friends and co-workers over the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The cookie swap begins!

Ideally you would have 12 friends bring 12 dozen of one cookie for everything to come out evenly. However, over the years my party has gotten pretty popular by word of mouth and photos on social media that I have people ask if they can join in the fun! I’m all about the more the merrier so of course, my answer is always yes!

This year will be my Sweet 16!!! Stay tuned for some fun photos and delicious cookies!

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Frida’s Lipstick and Nail Polish

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I was browsing Instagram few months ago when I came across a photo of Frida Kahlo nail polish and lipstick. I did a double-take. When was a line of Frida Kahlo make-up introduced, how did I miss it and more importantly, where could I buy some??!!! I commented on the photo and got a response that these items were found at a CVS store in California. My heart sank a little. I mean, with the large Hispanic population in California I could see this being a popular line but why not in Birmingham too? I mean, we have a large Hispanic population too! Granted, not to the level of California but still… Artist Frida Kahlo is iconic with the Mexican population, especially around Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos celebrations. (I’m working on a post about Frida that I’ll post soon!)

I was only able to find two lipstick designs at the Homewood store…I may need to check around and see if there are others!

So I grabbed my laptop, typed in Frida Kahlo nail polish and lipstick and the search directed me right to CVS. There I found several color options for both the nail polish and lipsticks and better yet, iconic paintings of Frida and some of her artwork! Now I knew I HAD to have these!!! Ordinarily I would have just ordered them all online but that wasn’t an option. There was, however, an option to search for a store that carried these products. So I entered my zip code and found several stores right in my area. Now I was getting excited! I wrote them down – all within a 10 mile radius – and began my hunt. At the first store in Homewood, I walked all over looking high and low. The big name cosmetic brands all have their designated space in the store, so I knew I wouldn’t see these there so I figured it would be a small display off to the side or on the very top of the shelves. No luck there. Crossed that off the list and headed to the CVS in Cahaba Heights. Once again, no luck and by now I was losing faith that I would find them. I went to one more store in Homewood and again…nothing. Maybe the product hadn’t landed in the stores yet? Maybe I was a bit ahead of the shipment? I really don’t know the answer to those questions. I was disappointed but then decided I really didn’t “need” the products – I just “wanted” them – and so tucked it out of my mind…temporarily.

About three weeks ago I ducked into the Homewood CVS to pick up a few items when I noticed a small display of sample products in front of the cash registers. I’m such a sucker for sample sized products so clearly my attention was peaked and as I browsed, there they were…several colors of the Frida Kahlo nail polish and several of the lipsticks too! I couldn’t believe my luck! And the colors are so vibrant and beautiful too! I picked up two of each and on a return visit two weeks later, I picked up one more nail polish.

The color and photo on this nail polish bottle are striking!

Honestly, I think I love these more for the artwork than the actual polish and lipstick…they are just so darn cute! But I did go back onto the CVS website and this time found several great reviews on the products so maybe I was a little ahead of the shipment after all. One person said she would put the polish up against OPI which I thought was quite a compliment. The lipstick was also given high marks.

I’m hoping this isn’t a one-time offering and that I’ll be able to find these again next year, or better yet, online! I guess time will tell. Meanwhile, I’m loving the fact that they were created at all and happy I was able to find these here in Birmingham!

Love the names of these lipsticks!

Zuniga-Odom Family Altars

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I started working on my Day of the Dead altars this weekend. It’s always a special time deciding on the perfect way to display the memories of loved ones who have left us. Then I head to the basement to pull out my DOD boxes which takes a bit more time these days with all the new items I’ve added to my collection over the years! But I do love going through the boxes and seeing what will work to enhance the beauty of the altars and memories.

This year, I made just a few tweaks to my altars. I picked up some very colorful papel picado tin buckets at Target in the “One Spot” section of the store last year and thought they would be the perfect addition to my altars. The turquoise, yellow and orange colors go perfectly with the other décor and in particular, the marigolds that I use to adorn all the altars. I’ve added tea light candles to each bucket and I know the light reflecting through the bucket will be beautiful tomorrow night…

Papel picado tins from Target will hold tealight candles for Day of the Dead. The blue bottle was hand painted by my daughter Emily – the other side sports a sugar skull. The photo on the bottom is of my dad and his niece Christie.

Mariachi hats were another addition this year. I found to child mariachi hats at the Alabama Thrift store earlier this year. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. These hats are not cheap and they are in excellent condition. I knew I would use them for something and when I started pulling my altars together, they just worked. In addition, my mother gave me three miniature mariachi hats for my birthday in February, so those were also added. One day I hope to add a full size mariachi hat to my altar. I can already envision what it will look like!

One of the mariachi hats I found this year during one of my thirfting adventures. Made a perfect backdrop for family photos on my DOD altar…

Finally, while I was in At Home a few weeks ago, I spotted a terra-cotta sugar skull as I was about to leave the store. So many of the DOD items you see these days are a little too mass-produced looking. I guess that’s why you can find them everywhere. But this one was different…and so if there was one, there had to be another! So I set out to search the store for one and I spotted it – out of sight in the Halloween section. Perfect! They look great on my dining room table!

Terra cotta sugar skull found at At Home a few weeks ago…

As for photographs of loved ones who have passed…I remember a scene from the movie “Book of Life” about remembering all your ancestors to keep their memory alive. As I’ve been getting photos organized this year, I came across several from my mother’s side – the Weavers and the Vansants. My great-great-grandfather Levi Weaver is pictured in one photo with his young wife Bessie Vansant Weaver along with his grown children and a few of their own. With the photo of Mary and Rufus Vansant I’m trying to recall the relationship. I think they were my great-great-grandmother’s parents and I know I have this written down somewhere but I have several boxes of photos and family tree information that I need to go through and sort and identify. My Aunt Gail gave me this photo many years ago and it has always spoken to me because of their clothing and where they are sitting. They look like sharecroppers to me but that’s just my impression so I’m not sure. And I imagine that life wasn’t very easy for them either. These are additions to my altar this year…

Photos on the Stone and Weaver family altar…these old photos are additions this year of my great-great-grandfather and his family!

Tomorrow night, I will light the candles and photograph the glow of the altars. Then I will sit in my living room and reflect on the lives represented on these altars and give thanks for each and every life.

Viva la vida!

Dia de los Muertos 2015…a look back…

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A little girl admires the sugar skull masks at Dia de los Muertos Birmingham Festival 2015

Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos is tomorrow and Birmingham has one of the best celebrations around! This is a story I did for Alabama News Center last year about the festival. I look forward to sharing more photos and stories from DOD 2016 later this week! (By the way…I’m about to #bloglikecrazy for the month of November as a blogging challenge through See Jane Write! Should be fun!)

Birmingham’s annual Day of the Dead Festival, organized by the nonprofit Bare Hands Inc., was Monday, Nov. 2 in downtown. This was the 13th year for the festival that celebrates the lives of departed loved ones with lively celebrations, food, music, flowers, dancing and stories. The event has grown in popularity in recent years and continues to expand, drawing a diverse crowd.

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican tradition that celebrates life rather than mourning death. The day coincides with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2). Many people describe this event as a colorful, vibrant and joyful commemoration rather than something somber. Altars feature photos, food or drink and hobbies of lost loved ones. Many Hispanic members of the community have embraced this event and participate as a remembrance of their native country.

Mural by artist Tim Kerr honored the Foot Soldiers of the Civil Rights era. Dia de los Muertos Birmingham 2015

This year, the festival invited visual artist Tim Kerr from Austin, Texas, to create the central memorial. He chose a mural to honor departed foot soldiers of the civil rights movement. It was featured next to the altar honoring photographer Spider Martin. This annual altar is created by his daughter, Tracy Martin – a founder of the festival – and always draws a crowd.

While the festival honors the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead, it incorporates other elements that make it unique. To many Alabamians, it brings to mind Decoration Day in the South. It also gives a New Orleans feel with the jazz funeral parade and procession that takes place around the event. “Dressing up” is a mainstay at the festival. A parade honoring celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo marched along with the jazz band and paraders performed on the main stage.

A young girl has her face painted as sugar skull at the festival. This is one of the most popular things to do at Dia de los Muertos.

The children’s area provided families with sugar skull or “calavera” crafts, activities and a puppet show. Speaking of sugar skulls, having one’s face painted at the festival is popular and not limited to children. The line to have faces painted was long but the results were praised. The public altar area provided a place for attendees to bring photos and personal remembrances or “ofrendas” and honor a departed loved one. One young woman, born and raised in Alabama, commented that she didn’t know much about Day of the Dead until recently when a friend told her about it. She was looking for a way to pay tribute to her father, who recently passed away, and she was excited to take part in this year’s event.

“I want to remember the good times and not dwell on my dad’s death,” she said. “I think this is why events like this are so meaningful and powerful to people like me.” She held a picture of her father holding her as a baby, and brought his favorite fruit, an apple, to include in the public altar area. Through tears, she remarked how happy she was to be a part of the event.

A couple dresses out in full sugar skull makeup and colorful clothing for Dia de los Muertos Birmingham 2015.

One of the most heartfelt moments at the festival is the annual roll call. People submit names of deceased loved ones to be called out from the main stage. As names are called, family and friends in the audience hold up pictures of their loved ones.

Robert Hernandez, a festival volunteer, created an altar to honor his family as well as Selena, who was known as the Queen of Tejano music before her murder in 1995. His creation of a large white flower was a central feature of his altar highlighted with music from the late artist. Hernandez met someone attending the festival who knows Selena’s family. The friend took pictures and promised to pass them along to her family.

Altar by Robert Hernandez dedicated to Tejana Musician Selena was a popular stop at Dia de los Muertos Birmigham 2015.

Another volunteer noted that Day of the Dead in Birmingham is not a secret anymore. “More and more people are discovering the beauty of this holiday and want to be here,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful and uplifting night.”

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