My mother always said, “If you are going to do something, do it up right.”
More than anything else, those of us who write and publish dread the discovery of mistakes, errors, blunders, mishaps, gaffes. My typos and omitted words make me cringe but small issues have been blamed on print gremlins for centuries.
I knew I was blissfully living on borrowed time. In these first two months at the Guadalajara Reporter while I’d had some near misses and a few minor slips it wasn’t serious until last week’s article about Hacienda del Lago Boutique Hotel and Restaurant.
It was omissions—yes, two-- that did me in. First I left out a word in the website address? While that doesn’t sound too bad the website I listed directed the interested and curious to an entirely different type of business. The correct address is: www.HaciendaDelLagoAjijic.com.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, I left a full course out of the weekly luncheon special. The correct information is in the weekly ad. Middle-of-the-day diners savor three courses: appetizer, main course and dessert, plus a glass of wine for 250 pesos.
By the way, you may remember that last week I wrote glowingly about every facet of the restaurant’s operation … except the desserts. Three days after the paper hit the street, the guy in charge, Tony Bishop, pulled them from the menu. Then, for Mother’s Day weekend he came up with a humdinger of a special dessert. Imagine a fresh organic edible rose filled with berry coulis, and served with chocolate mousse and almond cream. Talk about a beautiful and sexy dessert.
If you’ve not yet sampled edible flowers, you’re really missing out. Violets, gardenias, orange blossoms, carnations, pansies, and jasmine are delicate and delicious and beautiful in salads or desserts. As for roses, they taste exactly like they smell. The highlight of my first trip to Oaxaca was sampling rose petal ice cream made by Mario Cruz García, the fifth generation of his family at Nieves Oaxaqueñas Chaguita in the Mercado Benito Juarez.
Eating rose petals reminded me of “Like Water for Chocolate,” the book by Laura Esquivel which was beautifully captured in the movie of the same name. This is the story of sweet Tita, the third sister assigned the role of caring forever for her tyrannical mother. When Pedro is refused her hand, he marries her sister so he can remain close to Tita.
Having taken over the duties of the hacienda’s kitchen, the foods Tita create are her sole enjoyment and outlet. Those enjoying her cuisine barely notice that her emotions are conveyed in every bite until she prepares rose petal sauce filled with her passion for her sister’s groom. The wedding guests, young and old are filled with her smoldering desire and the following scene with couples fleeing the reception tables for sheltered corners about the ranch is memorable.
Fearful that his diners might experience a similar reaction to his rose-berry-chocolate mousse-almond cream dessert nearly caused Bishop to scrap his Mother’s Day plans.
Minister Counsellor at LCS
Albert Deschamps, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Canada in Mexico, will present the details of a new Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) visa program and answer other visa questions in a special 1:30 p.m. meeting in the Lake Chapala Society Sala.
During a presentation entitled, “The Canadian Mexico Visa Office at a Glance,” Deschamps will unveil a new program for non-Canadians revealed this week by the CIC Minister Chris Alexander.
Deschamps says: “The minister of CIC announced a new program called CAN+ that facilitates and expedites the visa process for foreign applicants who have previously traveled to the United States or Canada.”
In August 2012, Deschamps was appointed Minister-Counsellor responsible for Immigration operations at the Canadian Embassy in Mexico. Over 100,000 Canadian visas are processed every year for Mexicans looking to visit, study or work in Canada.
Before his posting in Mexico, he occupied the position of director general at CIC responsible for the delivery of its programs and services in the province of Quebec.
Deschamps holds a Bachelor of Management Sciences degree from the University of Ottawa and has served in the Federal Public Service in various departments over the past 22 years.
Good ol' days at Lake Chapala
An old photograph (right) of Puerto Vallarta? Manzanillo? Mazatlan, perhaps? No, this is the Lake Chapala shoreline circa 1940, a time when locals and daytrippers had no qualms about plunging into the lake’s crystal clear waters.
History Club
The next meeting of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) History Club will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 on the LCS grounds.
The LCS History Club presents programs on American and world history. This month’s program will include a depiction of the 1945 nuclear bombings of Japanese cities.
Just Desserts
The members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 7 are sponsoring what may be the sweetest event of the year. Those who buy an 80-peso ticket for Tuesday, May 20 event will be entitled to all they can eat from a selection of desserts prepared by the Auxiliary ladies. The evening begins with cocktails at 5 p.m. and the unveiling of the dessert bar at 6 p.m.
The group’s best cooks are planning to whip up a variety of cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, and other goodies including apple caramel cake, lemon bars, and macaroons.
Memorial Day/Remembrance Day
American Legion Post 7 will host a 1:30 p.m. ceremony on Monday, May 26 to honor the dead of all wars, according to Commander Tim Stern of American Legion Post 7 in Chapala.
Later members and their guests will enjoy a Memorial Day-Remembrance Day afternoon of good friends and good food highlighted by a special American Legion Pig Roast. Tickets at 150 pesos are available at the Post or can be purchased at the door for the lunch.
Open Circle
Karen Blue will present “Life Reimagined and Retirement Reinvented” at Open Circle on Sunday, May18. Her program focuses on new methodology described in the book, “Life Reimagined: Discovering Your New Life Possibilities” by Richard J. Leider and Alan M. Webber.
The book and the on-line exercises are powered and co-hosted AARP, and Life Reimagined Institute (LRI) which is comprised of the world’s leading experts in personal development, aging, transitions, and reimagining life. The programs encourage living with choice, curiosity, and courage. Developed primarily for the aging baby boomers who may be looking at three decades of retirement, these insights and lessons can be applied at any age.
Blue will highlight some of the local residents featured in her most recent book, “Baby Boomers: Reinvent Your Retirement in Mexico” during the talk.
Blue retired at age 52 from an 80-hour per week career in marketing consulting and moved to Ajijic 18 years ago in find balance in her life. At lakeside she has collected stories, interviewed hundreds of expats, and published countless articles and two books about moving to, living in and reinventing lives in Mexico.
Open Circle participants gather at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings to socialize over coffee, tea and sandwich bites. The presentation begins at 10:30 a.m.
Center for Spiritual Living
Attendees at the 5 p.m. Friday, May 23 meeting of the Center of Spiritual Living will consider “Chants of the World.” As they explore chants expressing the depth, beauty and harmony of different spiritual traditions they will also consider if the world’s people are more alike than different.
The couples’ course, “Build Healthy Relationships” continues on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Thursday discussion group is sharing the book, “A Thousand Names for Joy” by Byron Katie. The program begins with an optional meditation from 10 to 10:20 a.m. followed by group discussion from 10:30 to noon.
The Spanish Language Group will continue studying “The Five Gifts” on Thursdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 16 de Septiember 30. All other activities are at Nicolas Bravo 17. For information email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (376) 766-0920 or check the website at www.cslchapala.com.
Unitarian Universalist
Teresa Sandee will present a program entitled, “Autonomy in Life and Death” during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 18 meeting of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. There will be a coffee hour following the service.
The group meets every Sunday at Plaza de la Ribera (formerly Sol y Luna), Rio Bravo 10A. For further information please call (376) 766-0673 or (376) 766-7231 or visit www.uuflc.org.
Little Chapel by the Lake
The worship service of The Little Chapel by the Lake begins at 11:15 a.m. on Sundays following the 10:45 refreshment period this interdenominational congregation shares with Christ Church Lakeside. Rev. Gene Raymer will deliver a message on blasphemy. Following the service, members of the congregation enjoy a fellowship meal at a local restaurant.
The series of inspirational movies continues on Wednesday with the showing of “Ultimate Life.” The start time has changed to 6 p.m. to avoid gathering during the mid-day heat. As usual, free refreshments are served.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is located on the mountain side of the Carretera in Chula Vista just east of the golf course.
Christ Church
Fr. Danny Borkowski’s message, “Greater Works,” will be during Christ Church Lakeside’s 9:30 a.m. service on the fifth Sunday of Easter, which is also known as the “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” Sunday.
Between the services of Christ Church and The Little Chapel by the Lake, the two congregations share a 10:35-11:15 a.m. coffee fellowship.
Deacon Rob Wells of Christ Church is leading a one-hour Bible study on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of The Little Chapel by the Lake based on the Gospel of Mark. Rob uses the Jerusalem Bible for his main source.
The Board of Elders of the Little Chapel by the Lake will meet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. On Tuesday, May 27, there will be a joint meeting of the Little Chapel Elders and the members of the Christ Church Vestry.
Those wishing to participate in the Ladies’ Spay Day on May 22 should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional details.
The congregation of Christ Church meets in The Little Chapel by the Lake at Carretera 10 near the entrance of upper Chula Vista.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Fr. Michael Shirmacher, the visiting supply priest at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, will address the congregation with a sermon titled, “How Can We Know the Way?” The congregation is searching the origins of the church and considering the stoning of Stephen, the church’s first deacon, Peter, who refers to Jesus as the cornerstone, and the statement from Jesus saying that all come to God through him.
The children’s Sunday school program begins at 9:45 a.m.
The worship service begins every Sunday during this slow season at 10 a.m. followed by a time of welcome, refreshments, and fellowship in the garden. St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, just a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.