MEET THE GRANDMAS

An elderly woman and a young girl hugging and smiling at a restaurant.

MARIA EUGENIA CERVANTES CAMPOS

Maria Eugenia Cervantes Campos (aka Abuela) was born in Mexico City D.F. She is the second oldest of 14 children. She worked for 32 years as a technical fashion designer in clothing factories of Mexico City where she created designs for companies like Nike, Reebok, and American Eagle. She had two children - my Dad (Pony) and Tia Marianna. When she retired, she moved to Playa del Carmen, where she dedicates her time to teaching Tai Chi, dancing with her folklore dance troupe, and cooking.

Illustration of a woman with a Sugar Skull face paint, surrounded by pink flowers and green leaves.

click the ICON for some of abuela’s recipes

An elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing sunglasses, a red shirt, and red earrings, sitting on a wicker chair outdoors near water with plants in the background.

KATY ROBERSON

Katy Roberson (aka Mimi) was born, raised and still lives in Coronado in San Diego, California. She spent her career as a leader in education, working as a teacher, administrator, and school board member, specializing in special education and early childhood development. In retirement, she created the non-profit “Let’s Dance Kids,” a dance program offering opportunities in dance education to kids who couldn’t otherwise afford it. She has three children - Brian (my Dad), Aunt Amy, and Aunt Kelly, and 7 grandchildren. These days, she spends her time with family and traveling the world with Moo Moo.

Illustration of a dog with long ears surrounded by pink flowers and green leaves.

MARIANNE PUTNEY

Marianne Putney (aka MooMoo) was raised in Pittsburgh but subsequently lived in Providence, RI, Boston, MA, Poughkeepsie, NY, Fairfax and Reston, VA and currently in Stratford, CT.  She was twice an exchange student to the Netherlands and Italy. She graduated from Syracuse University and had a varied career as a research analyst, teacher aide, administrative assistant, and arts administrator. She has one daughter and two granddaughters.She has spent summers in Ocean City, NJ since 1945 and has traveled widely both in the US and abroad.

An elderly woman with short gray hair and sunglasses, smiling, seated on a wicker chair outdoors near a body of water, wearing a purple top and a long gold necklace.

click the ICON for some of MIMI’S recipes

A tattoo-style illustration of a red heart with two purple flowers and green leaves, one flower on top of the heart and one flower below.

ADRIANE REAMA LYON

Adriane Lyon (aka Grandma) met the love of her life (my “Pop Pop”) on her 15th birthday. She married him at 20 and had 4 daughters (one of whom is my mother). Her career was teaching English first in high school and then at UConn. Later, she became the head of a small campus of UConn, which she ran for 18 years. Now, retired, she has 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, and she lives in a Victorian cottage on a river in a small town in CT, and she spends summers on a lake in Maine in a camp she built with Pop Pop. She and Pop Pop enjoy entertaining, so her recipes are mostly the hors d’oeuvres they serve at parties.

A woman wearing large sunglasses, a pearl necklace, and a black Columbia jacket, sitting indoors near a sunny window.

click the ICON for some of Moo Moo’S recipes

Stack of four closed books with floral decoration around them.

click the ICON for some of GRANDMA’S recipes

A smiling older woman with gray hair and glasses outdoors, in front of green trees and foliage.

BONNIE ROBERSON

Bonnie Roberson (aka Grandma Bonnie) was born and raised in Santa Ana, CA, and has lived in San Diego since attending college. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree and later earned a master’s degree in special education. She had a 34-year career as a specialist in special education working for the San Diego Unified School District, retiring in 2013. In 1988, she married my Grandpa Craig, and she has 5 kids and 10 grandkids! She spends most of her time these days going out to lunch with friends, shopping with her sister (also a retired teacher), spending time with the younger grandkids, reorganizing her home, reading, and relaxing. Grandma Bonnie is the baker among the grandmas, and even though it’s not dessert, her Betty Crocker Lasagna is a must-try and a huge hit in our house.

A tattoo-style illustration of an electric iron, surrounded by flowers and leaves.

click the ICON for some of Grandma Bonnie’s recipes

“SAVVY”

Resident photographer and taste-tester…my little sister Savvy is a dedicated partner. She loves Roblox, capybaras, and chicken nuggets. She has personally tested every dish I make. She is a picky eater, so she likes some of my dishes, but others not so much. Wherever you see Savvy’s icon, it means she approved the dish, and it is likely to appeal to the pickiest of eaters!

Close-up of a smiling young girl with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a pink shirt, outdoors with trees in the background.

YOU SHOULD ALSO MEET SAVANNAH

Illustration of a beaver with a brown fur coat, surrounded by blue flowers and green leaves.

click the ICON for SAVVY APPROVED recipes

Pony with Savannah and Scarlet in a swimming pool, all smiling and embracing each other.

and we can’t forget pony dad

“PONY”

Mauricio Leal Cervantes (aka Pony Dad) is a tattoo artist at The Honorable Society Tattoo Shop in West Hollywood, CA. He specializes in old school and traditional tattoo art. His original designs are featured throughout this site. He’s a good eater too and many of Abuela’s dishes are his favorites!