The room is kept chilly for the health of the plants. It is great fun to come back the day of the show and see the magic of how the designs developed. (After). 
and after.
All the fresh flowers and blooms present a welcome relief to the long cold winter. It's confirmation that spring is on its way.
was recently named a "New World Wonder" and is the best-known of the ancient monuments in the Yucatan. Impressive stone temples, pyramids, and several ball courts comprise this ancient city. El Castillo, the Pyramid of Kukulkan, was built with the Maya calendar in mind.
Below, the Temple of the Skulls coupled with the stories of human sacrifice drew quiet attention from the youngest four in our group.
And heading north and only a short drive from Chichen Itza are the ruins of Ek Balam. 
Only recently excavated (1997), these ruins have not captured the attention of the hoards of tourists, but they will in the future. We were practically the only ones roaming around, and were actually able to climb all over the ruins, including hiking the steps to the top of the pyramid. From the top, you can see overgrown hills to the north that hide yet untouched ruins. There is a sense of mystery surrounding all these ancient ruins and the life and times of the Maya. It was exciting to walk through history and imagine civilization as it once was.
adorns this English Bone China tea cup and saucer. Marked Aynsley on the bottom, complete with a crown, it is a colorful cup.
There must be an Afternoon Tea scheduled. There must be a visit to a herb shop, and there must be horses. 
We found a ranch south of Playa del Carmen that offers horseback riding along the beach.
We walked along a nice stretch of beach, and then back into a shady area.
It was a beautiful morning for a ride. 
Absolutely beautiful, peaceful, tranquil, and pristine. It competes as a favorite ride for some while the ocean ride is a favorite for others.
We like horseback riding... and these two experiences rank among the top rides we've done!
This Pennsylvania Dutch tradition was meant to use up all the fat in the house before Lent. A German word, Fastnacht means 'night before the fast'.
You will find as much variety in the spelling of Fastnacht as you will in the recipes. Although they are typically heavy yeast-raised doughnuts, this treat was created using baking powder. Traditionally, they are cut into triangles to represent the Trinity. You might also find them cut into circles without the hole in the center. They might be square too. Either way, they still are tasty.
Fastnachts
2-1/2 c. mashed potatoes
1 c. milk
3 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp. melted butter
2 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. baking powder
5 c. flour
Mix all ingredients together, adding the flour slowly at the end. Divide dough in half. Roll out 1/2 inch thick and cut into triangular shapes. Deep fry in hot oil, turning once, until done. Dust with confectioner's sugar.
while on our hiatus in Cancun. We had it sauteed with onions and green peppers, boiled, fried with corn meal flour, and pickled. We were thrilled to spot these cactus pads in the Mercado and look, the prickers are scraped off! Opuntia engelmannii (Prickly Pear Cactus) grow throughout Mexico. The spring pads provide a very tender vegetable. I understand the pads are used medicinally as poultice for wounds, much like Aloe is used. The fruit is edible as well, making a delicious jelly. Historically, used as a dye plant as well, the fruits produce a magenta or pink color. Gourmet Sleuth shares recipes, preparation techniques, and more on this website where they tout something delicious beneath the prickles.
Hidden from view for centuries, apparently a local farmer was chasing a meaty lizard into the brush when the lizard ran down this large hole. The farmer followed the lizard, only to discover this hidden cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites 
and a series of chambers with rock formations which date back 2.5 million years. This community-based eco-park, declared a nature reserve, was opened to the public in 2008.
we trekked into the cavern. At times walking through the cave,
and occasionally swimming through the emerald green pools, it was a truly unique journey. 
Our guide discussed the Maya underworld and shared about the rock formations, the bats, and the trees that send their roots down seeking water. At one point, all the helmet lights were turned off and silence and absolute darkness prevailed. Amazing.
Part of the Agavaceae family, all of the more than two hundred species of Agave originated in the Americas. By the time the Spaniards invaded the highlands of Mexico, indigenous Americans had used wild agaves for food and fiber for at least 9,000 years! Aztecs used agave for food, fiber, paper and beverages for several centuries. Mexicans use the flowering stalks for fishing poles and building materials. The fibers weave blankets, nets, cloth and paper. Also it was once used as a valuable source of water and nutrition in isolated areas. Today it is still used commercially to produce hard fibers: rope and twine. Residue from the fiber production yields a commercial wax and of course let's not forget Mescal and Tequila! Agave when slightly fermented produces a mild intoxicant which the Aztecs heavily regulated and used only ceremoniously. However, it was not until the indigenous people were introduced to distillation process that we got the highly intoxicating beverages. Agave is sometimes called Century plant because it only blooms once a year in its final year in life. The folklore is it bloomed only once every 100 years but in truth the life span of the species ranges from 8 - 30 years. It can be difficult to distinguish one species from another. Pictured above is Agave tequilana, blue agave used for beverages including Agave nectar or syrup, often used as a substitute for sugar. Yucca,
which is often grown as an ornamental plant in many gardens is also a member of the Agavacae family. Only the creamy white flowers and fleshy fruit of the Yucca are edible but the roots, trunk and heart are not. My good ole Joy of Cooking Cookbook provides a recipe for frittered Yucca flowers. Yucca root provides an amazing laundry soap or shampoo! Yucca will bloom early and most every year. Yuccas also have a needle point on the end of the sword like leaves. Yucca is not to be confused with Yuca (cassava) which we will discuss later.
Shown here is a vintage Lefton China floral teacup that is marked Hand Painted and Reg. U. S. Pat Off. The Lefton company was founded in 1941 by George Zoltan Lefton, a Hungarian immigrant who settled in Chicago.
very interesting, buckets full of fresh herbs to purchase.
Careful, don't walk on the oregano
spread out on a tarp in the middle of the square to dry in the hot sun. This stand sold the medicinal herbs.
Turistas wandering around among the locals.
was located at the horse riding stables of Punto Venado while this Shrine
was spotted in a small gift shop in Cancun. Visit here for more info and the complete history of Guadalupe.