That's about the last place you would look for a Cuban family. I can understand why they do a good business. It's entirely different, not something you would cook at home and even the best beef get's tiresome after a while.

Bacchus, thank you for the enlightenment, that took some time and thought. if I understand correctly then the transmission of noise should be at a grade 6 level, across the board, rather than to include something for everyone. (?) -for me offering more is a kinder expression of thought and intent, intended rather as consideration for others than to dictate 'what should be' which removes the receiver of their involvement.. which I deem as rude. Readers can always refer back to it when the first layers have been adsorbed. Correspondingly, I self deprecate by alluding to others eyes glazing over, as self directed humour, since many have commented on the effect privately as they printed the post and refer to it later. yet with parallel relevance to the (misnomer authentic) 'best expression of Torii', then the side bar murmured suggestion should be, by example, referenced to Mikawa's fine composition, that the bamboo spout is too pointed and the pathway is missing stones and it is too square. And leave it at that. No explanation. Which, for me is simply being rude. whereas, the (my) actual reflection would be that culturally, the spout is cut too pointed signifying a spear, rather than a bamboo aquaduct provided for fresh water coming from the 8 mountains. The cut angle of the spout is what indicates the difference between western thought and eastern thought -which is the practical use of a specific shape. The sharper angle may be more aesthetic for the spouting water, however, this lack of understanding the spear with its cultural baggage is the difference between a good garden and 'How beautiful, I've seen nothing like it in Japan'. This is also reflected in the composition in that the stone pathway signifies that it is only to be seen, not used, and that in a subtle way the stones are arranged backwards. -- or 2 to 3 stones are missing in the photographs. And that in the layout the direction 'appears' unuseable, both for candle and water, as well as for the users comfort. (Inshuldigungen Mikawa, dass ich Ihren Garten so benutze, Ich hoffe das Sie gut verstehen dass ich garnichts negativ meine.... als Gaertner zu Gaertner meine ich Dieses nur als Hilfe fuer dass gesammpte besserung, mange tak -- p.s. do you prefer Danish or German?) This would (in simple terms) reflect to /Henriks composition, wherein the basin should be moved outwards into the ocean (and note the excellently selected 4 piled stones in Mikawa's ocean are waves), that shadow depth should created to the right, a branch used for the aquaduct, rustic lantern to the fence side, proper heights observed to the candle stone relative to the basin with the water stone shorter ---and 3 stones imbedded into the pavers to indicate the active use, of and how to use, the basin --and if moved to the inside of the 'fence', then it would dictate what type of garden would need to be there instead of the landscape garden he desires, not to mention that the reading/meaning changes drastically. whereas normally to intrigue and appeal to all knowledge levels i would explain the 8 mountain (mandala) template which is the equivalent of the Christian 4 rivers quadrants. (which would assist Christian, Inkognito and a few others) And in this way, leave the decisions to the gardeners, so that they get something from it now, and something from it later, and again, later,.. if, if they so choose. -and suggest that the lantern, basin and spout be constructed in rustic fashion of a hollowed short log, charred for water retention, a boulder constructed lantern perhaps with combined wood, and a hollowed and charred branch for the spout as juxtaposition of the shin vs so, rather than having the composition vanish comparitive to the strength of the brick pattern by only employing gyo. Once again, allowing people to use what they wish, rather than dictating what should be, nor insulting good people by writing to a grade 6 level of comprehension. and /Henrik or others can ask for explanations from there, if i have time, which normally I do not. Better use of time and focus to write once than to write 7 times. I will reflect more on your recommendations bacchus, and thank you once again for them. --and ponder reading as well, since I rarely use a word that is not useful in a sentence. Words having no meaning, are edited out. If a garden were expressed in words (ie: to a blind person), what words would you use? meaningful ones rich with nuance to verbally see with? or perhaps we take our visual ability too much for granted, such that the verbal tapestry of communication has become a lost art? and should I only respond to one grade of reader? or contribute something so that I may enjoy this exchange as well, by suggesting a conversation at my preferred topic depth. It is not just, 'all about you'. It is about me as well. And at what depth of conversation? - so that I might enjoy my invested writing time and learn something more by participating (which your response has kindly provided) edzard Inkognito.. tis truth,.. I chuckled, and am still.. good advertisement concept for Advil... a missed calling?

My mother would buy the square Tea Cake from Amy's Bakery in Montebello, CA since I can remember. They still sell them. You can see the image of it on their website. Take the 60 fwy, exit Wilcox or Garfield Ave. Go south to Beverly Blvd. and Amy's Bakery is on the NW corner of Wilcox & Beverly. Make sure to grab a number as soon as you enter. Once when I worked in Lancaster, CA a rep came in and dropped off a pink box of little pink & yellow tea cakes in our lounge. I knew exactly what they were but no one else did but the box did not have a bakery name on it. They went for the other box of pastries and needless to say by the time the day was over I had eaten the entire box! (good for me) :) Last time I bought a tea cake from Amy's (in the 80's) I ate the whole cake before we got it home. (with my bare hands) No, I don't do that kind of stuff! It surprised me too! Yes, these cakes are that good. The cake from Amy's Bakery is like a 9x9 and has the light brown colored glaze/frosting on it. In my opinion, it's the best.

Back in the 90s I purchased a townhome, and at the time I was looking for a home that would allow me to create that "French Look" I took a pretty contemporary townhome with good bones, that was in such bad shape I was able to write my name in the grease on the walls in the kitchen. I purchased a few items to give it that Fremch look. The plaster fireplace surround amazingly came from Home Depot as a special order from the department that sells ceiling medallions. I don't think I paid more than $300 for the piece. I paid $100 for a huge verdigris chandelier and painted it to match the finish on my mirror. It was a comfortable space for a few years. Now I couldn't imagine living in such a formal space.