"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Showing posts with label Catalina Resort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catalina Resort. Show all posts

Thursday, April 22, 2021

2021 A to Z Challenge and Feline Friday!!!! April 23, 2021

Thanks to Sandee we have Feline Friday!

Our dear sweet Catalina cats !
Back in 2014 we spent several weeks in Zihuatenejo!
We had such a sweet time with their cats.
Have a lovely weekend!
And once again....here's today's soup!



Tortilla Soup

A traditional Mexican dish, tortilla soup is a spicy blend of tomatoes, vegetables, and crisp tortilla strips. This is an easy plant-powered version that you can whip it up in no time. Best of all, this dish relies on preserved goods, such as canned tomatoes, frozen corn, and canned beans, so you can make it year-round from your pantry. And it’s a great complement for a simple sandwich, burrito, or vegetable salad for lunch or dinner. 
Ingredients:
For the tortilla strips:
3 six-inch corn tortillas, 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 tsp chili powder
For the soup:
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium garlic clove, minced
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 small jalapeño pepper, finely diced
1 small zucchini, diced
1 cup frozen corn
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons cumin
4 cups water
1 tablespoon reduced sodium vegetable broth base
2 fourteen ounce cans diced tomatoes, with liquid
1 fifteen-ounce can black beans, with liquid or substitute cooked or canned white beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, or kidney beans for black beans, or use a combination.
2/3 cups plant-based cheese, optional
2/3 cups green onions, white and green parts, chopped
Directions:
For the tortilla strips:  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Slice the tortillas into thin strips. Place them on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, then sprinkle the chili powder on top. Bake for about 5 to 8 minutes, until brown and crisp. Remove from oven and set aside. Turn off the oven. 
For the soup:
Meanwhile, prepare the soup by heating the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño, zucchini, corn, crushed red pepper, and cumin and sauté for an additional 5 minutes.
Add the water, broth base, tomatoes, and black beans. Stir well and cover. Simmer over medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
Ladle about 1 cup of soup into soup bowls, and garnish with a few tortilla strips, 1 tablespoon of plant-based cheese, and 1 tablespoon green onions. Serve immediately.
Thanks everyone for all your lovely comments!
I will be responding to all of them by tomorrow!
I promise! xoxoxo
~~~~

Friday, March 03, 2017

Feline Friday! March 3, 2017

 
Catalina Cat
Zihuatanejo Mexico 
November 2016
~~~~~

Tuesday, November 01, 2016

Crocodiles, Turtles and Iguanas ...oh my! November 1, 2016

 
Just another day in paradise....
 
 
 
We always can spot lots of sandpipers..... 
 

 
But one has to walk down Playa la Ropa a bit
to spot the crocodiles, turtles and iguanas...

 
There were oodles of turtles swimming amongst
the five or so crocodiles....evidently turtles are not
on the crocs menu...?

 
At the same place we spotted about 7 iguanas
sunbathing on the hotel's roof....

 
and the resident parrot was enjoying the beach... 

 
 
 
Everyday I draw with watercolor pencils ...
amusing myself and relaxing while under the palapa!

 
 


 
On our way to dinner downtown I spotted this kitty...

 
Note the comment on the bottom of the menu...
"Gourmet food in white plastic chairs"

 
We might be sitting in white plastic chairs,
but the food is very tasty and they serve
some of the best Margueritas ever!
 

 
Another night....another sunset!

 
And this morning?
Tah dah! Our hotel's pool!
Have a great day!
Besos y embrasos a todos!

Friday, October 28, 2016

Ole! Esta Feline Friday! October 28, 2016

 
After a day of frustrating delays
due to Aero Mexico Airlines...
( not mention the two other flights
that Aero Mexico fouled up four days earlier
to further disrupt our vacation plans ) 
we are finally in Zihuatanejo at our
favorite home away from home....
Hotel Catalina on the Playa de Ropa!
 
 
 
Leaving downtown Mexico City at 6am
for a quick ride to the airport...
unlike the ride into the city at 6pm the prior day...
Aero Mexico managed to delay two planes long
enough for us to miss our plane to Zihuatanaejo.
The boarding agents refused to let us on the plane
even though we could see by the information
board that it was still boarding other passengers.
(I think they had given our seats away.)
They sent us away with tickets for the next day
and vouchers for a downtown hotel that took
an hour to reach by taxi as it was horrendous traffic.
Aero Mexico refused to put us up in any
of the closely located hotels saying they did not use them.
But in talking to other people also inconvenienced 
Aero Mexico only sends people to the close by
hotels if they are flying first class.
WARNING: do not fly Aero Mexico ever...we won't.       

 
View of the beach as we begin to land!

 
The stairs ( over 100) leading to the beach...

 
Catalina's lobby- the best ! 

 
Sunset over Banderas Bay from our dining room table

 
One of the two resident cats...she knows I'm a sucker!
She got a few bites of my dinner... 

 
Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde...

 
Our complimentary breakfasts always begin
with fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice,
coffee and bread...thank goodness we are here! 
 
~~~~~~~~~~
 

Monday, November 17, 2014

It's Awww Monday November 17, 2014



On our last day at the Catalina 
in Zihuatanejo we were joined 
for breakfast by the three resident cats....



Later on while having a snack before 
leaving for the airport one of the sisters
came by for a personal visit. 
Usually the other two don't let her get close
to us....but they weren't there.


So she got oodles of skritches
and she was quite happy.
Til we got up to go.....



Here she is as we said goodbye...
I really wanted to tuck her under my arm 
and bring her home with us....but 
you know who ( Lucy ) would have been furious.
Her little face was so sad....made me sad too.
I hate goodbyes....
~~~~~~


Friday, February 15, 2013

Feline Friday 2-15-2013


Lola ....
Every year towards the end of October we spend a week
or two in Zihuatanejo Mexico. We've been doing this
for years and for the last 5 years or so we've always
stayed at the Hotel Catalina right on Playa la Ropa-
one of the nicest beaches in Mexico.
 Lola is one of the three resident cats and is the friendliest.
~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Burnt Food Dude for this meme!
http://burntfooddude.us/

Friday, November 20, 2009

Vacation in Zihuatanejo Wrapup.....

It's been a few days since we got back home
and we've just now sort of settled down
to our old routines ....here are some goodby photos
of our time in Zihuatanejo....The mile long stretch of beach....dotted with restaurants
and mostly small hotels
Goodby to Illario as he checks on the hatching turtles..
they'll be released into the ocean as we are flying home..

One last drawing made for friends....

My last Jamon y Oaxacan Queso Omelet with Potato Patties

Saying goodbye to dear friends.......
we'll see them next year in Zihuatanejo-if not before!

Saying goodby to the infinity pool that we used after
hours of being in the ocean...

and look! We don't appear to be much worse for
all the cervesas and frioles consumed in the past 2 weeks!
Just a few hours after this photo we were on our
way home....had a great time- we'll be back!

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Our Full Day Downtown and on the Beach!

Another day-another kitty....
this one is one of 3 resident cats at
the Catalina Resort on Playa la Ropa
in Zihuatanejo....
These cats are quite discerning in their
food preferences-disdaining bread and butter
for part of your Chicken Enchilada...
and NO we did NOT feed them!
View from the Catalinas open air restaurant

Flower Shop near the market

Pelican on the water off of
Playa la Ropa

Russell wanted this photo taken
showing the Holland America cruise ship,
his beer and magazine....
he's relaxing!
We went down town first thing Wednesday morning
did our banking, lime and tequila shopping
and souvenir shopping...
(had to find a butter dish....hah! success!)
Then had a hard day on the beach
holding down the two lounge chairs and
sipping a few Coronas....this is the life!