JAVS kitchen:

Pancakes:  it's what it's all about. 

Felipe arrives before Santa!

I must confess that the last few years, I've been breaking out the old Felipe "La Voz" Rodriguez Christmas songs very early.  Like my dear bro. Stevie used to do when he would X-out the days on the calendar months in advance in anticipation of the holidays.   

Today, I like to play around with some Christmas songs on guitar leading up to the holidays.
That's my way of reliving those awesome old Christmas days while mixing them up with brand new ones with Claudia and the kids.  It's a real blessing.

But today, celebrating my favorite time of year is bitter-sweet because of all the evils and injustice going on in the world; all the hurt, all the displacement of whole families, etc.    Not being able to share the season with my parents, brothers and sisters the way we used to.

The only source of strength that even makes sense to me is acknowledging the promises of God knowing that He is under control, and He has "overcome the world".  

And then the Word states that those who believe in Him are conquerors and are ourselves overcomers by way of "even our faith" - as it is written.

And so I know that justice has already overcome evil and thus celebrating the holidays and every day is in actuality WORSHIP towards God by faith, believing in those promises.

And we can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with absolute authority because He has known the end from the beginning, and it is His grand master plan of redemption for us.

So believe, dance, and sing praises to Him leading up to Christmas because He truly is worthy!   

Pass the Coquito!  :)

 



 

Fall is coming in quick!

.. bringing in the cold, and before we know it, Christmas will be here.  Rumor has it, we're supposed to have another diabolical winter... sigh.   Lets pray for a mild winter.  

And Look out for some new random tune ideas that might spark from my imagination on my tunewidget -  coming soon.  :)

 

Grand Canyon 2003

During our first trip to Las Vagas, We took a bus out to the Grand Canyon. 2003, was a good year. A lot of traveling.  Today, Not so much. :)

Jav's Mashed Potatoes...

Made with plenty of butter, whole milk, and whipped until creamy. My alternative to the usual rice. :)

My oatmeal...

I try and make like my Mami used to make it for me.  I also make a "Mami-like"

chicken stew too.  :)

FAO Schwartz...

The store is said to be closing on July 15 this year.

I'm gonna miss this place.  Remnants of my childhood in the city.  Although I could never find anything to buy in there - maybe that's why it's closing (?)  : /

: (

I'll never forget the song jingle while watching this huge clock thingy go round and round.   ... "Welcome to our world of toys"... 

A fun place to walk into every time I visited Central Park.  Part of the many changes taking place.  

Happy Birthday Mami ...

Happy Birthday to my dear Mami.  The first woman in my life and the one who I hold at the highest regard.  The deep heaviness comes to my heart knowing how hard it has been to get passed the issues of life in order to see her more often.  I've always said "life gets in the way" but that is never an excuse because regardless of how much I'm needed anywhere else, ... she's my momma and holds my heart.  It's literally like being away from my own heart.

I pray and thank God every day for how He has sustained her and how He has strengthened my dear sister and her family to take her in, and take care of her.  

Mami has always been my strength and balance in life. I witnessed her reverence for God when she prayed and her prayers were the grace in her life that allowed me to see Him in our lives growing up.  She always has the most practical attitude in all adversity and was always the one on my corner shaping my attitude towards life.  I can't thank her enough for that influence.  

Thank you Lord.  Continue to bless my beautiful Momma with health, strength and peace in her heart.  

Happy 2nd Birthday Victoria!

My blessing, my joy, ...
That God continue to bless you until you grow to know Him personally.
That you grow to fear Him and by this come to know who you really are, and what true joy and love is.
This is my prayer for you my little Bird, Vicky.

A poem by yours truly:

A poem by Yours truly:

It's my birthday today!

Oh, don't give me any of your gold and silver, your mansions, vacations or surprises.  I'm already an heir of heaven and eternity... I have it all, and soon it'll be before me.

Give me your time, your smile, your thoughts, your presence, prayers and friendship. Give me you.

Yes, it's the big things that matter most. 

A poem by yours truly.  

:)

Happy Bday to me!!!

TODAY I'm almost half-a century old!!  How do these things happen??

Alright, I'm ok now... I know how these things happen.  :) 

They happen Fast!