To Bury the Bones

Greetings!

The Gringo Delegation (aka wedding travelers) arrived at Dora's home on Sunday afternoon, April 29th.  It was little less than 24 hours since the Tres Marias--Dora, Alice, and Olga--had co-hosted the wonderful outdoor party in Itaipu.  Our party of 12 exited 3 navy taxis; we climbed the 35 stairsteps from street level to kitchen door, pacing ourselves with pauses to pet lively Gracie, the lab mix.  Her companion Snowball was less effusive, but sat half-way up the final flight of steps with a happy grin and wagging tail.  Maria Cecilia ran interference for the delegation with stern words for the welcoming canines.  Then she greeted all of us with her kind smile topped with kisses and hugs.

Our afternoon agenda, relaxed as it was, involved three items.

• We were invited to "Bury The Bones," which meant we would be helping to eat up the leftover meats from Saturday's wedding churrasco.
• We wanted to chill out and visit.
• We hoped to feed the micos--those little monkeys that often show up in the late afternoon. 

Here's the eatin, and the chillin'.

Our "Bury the Bones" Buffet Table

Potato Salad

Main course was a cold meat and rice dish
filled with the sausage, chicken, beef, and pork
from Saturday's wedding party.



In Dora's rede, Luey waited her turn for the buffet line.

The open patio at Dora's was perfect this Sunday afternoon.
It was breezy, cool, and relaxing.

John looked like he was camouflaged
on the couch next to Jo.

A delighted Dora soaked in Daniel.

Helio talked with John, Cecilia, and Tiago.

Tiago and Julia joined us at Dora's.

Cousins Tacio and Marcia at the kitchen table

We did a great job of eating and chilling!  As far as our third agenda item--feeding the micos--we didn't get to do that.  The Gringo Delegation was disappointed that the little monkeys didn't show on this particular afternoon.  But the diappointment was short-lived when the sun began to set and the lights appeared around Guanabara Bay. 

Rose-Tinged Clouds from Dora's Patio at Nightfall

Doug Listened

The Thing to Do!

Smile and Watch the Sun Go Down

Another View of Guanabara Bay at Dusk

The bright white dot in the middle
of this picture is Christ the Redeemer
on Corcovado.

Fred and Michelle

Iris tried to find the right setting to take my picture after dark.

Doug helped Iris get this shot of
Julia, Tiago and the Gringa looking for kitties Jewel and Q.

Josie and GiGi
Sister Friends

A Little Music

Cafezinho--A Little Coffee

A tiny cup of Brasilian coffee is all you ever need.

Maria Cecilia (at the stove) fried up some dessert pastries:
the fillings included banana, doce de leite, and/or chocolate.
Cecilia and Flora enjoyed the dessert while
I visited with the kitchen crew
(back l-r) Maria Cecilia, Iris, Dora, Jo

Another Really Nice Day at Dora's

Our visit ended when we heard taxis honking at the bottom of the hill.  The Gringo Delegation lingered over hugs and kisses, with promises to come back to Dora's on return trips to Brasil.  We had chilled.  We had "Buried the Bone" of those wedding leftovers.  But there were still monkeys to feed!

BTW--before couples flew back to the States, I asked each person to tell me their favorite part of the trip.  At least 2 of the wedding travelers immediately said, "My Sunday afternoon at Dora's."  Dora has the gift of hospitality, and I'm so grateful that she shared it so freely.