Sopa isn't soap and ropa isn't rope but frijoles is beans.

Last Sunday we received a phone call from Bryce. Lisa wanted to know if we'd like to come over for beans. We replied in the affirmative, got directions to their house, and brought salad dressing. It's all they would let us bring. We pulled in their driveway behind a Scion. Out popped a familiar looking girl who then got back in her car and parked on the side where Bryce had told us to park. We quickly called Bryce from the car to confirm we were to park on the right side. He confirmed. I then asked who the other person was. "Juliet," he replied. "She'll be joining us for dinner." I then told Bryce that Juliet was my cousin Laura's college roommate. We had met before many years back. Was a delight to see her again. She was a charming dinner companion.

When Bryce said we were being invited over for beans I thought he was speaking figuratively. He was not. He meant it. It is tradition in their family to have Boston Baked Beans for Sunday dinner. They cook in an earthenware pot for eight hours and were delicious! Sweet without being overpowering, the beans were served with Hebrew National hot dogs. As my friend Dave used to say, "My people know how to make a hot dog." Love me some Hebrew National.

After dinner we sat around chatting and the topic of banana shakes came up. Don't ask me how. It was sort of like SoniCare at Thanksgiving. Lisa explained that banana shakes made with frozen bananas are superior to any other type. She jumped up, started rummaging through her freezer, and came up with four frozen bananas. "I'll show you." And she made banana chocolate shakes. A perfect dessert.

We stayed late talking. Okay, not as late as our last visit with Bryce. We wish it could have been, but little Clara was demanding her own bed. We had a wonderful time and hope to repeat it again soon!