Something else I was thinking of posting about the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in the US is about the different customs each of the houses have. (this spans across all the Carmels in the US - 1990 & 1991's)
Though each house is very unique in its customs and the community in general, I noticed two general categories of customs - one, the hispanic customs from Mexico (from Spain), and the other, more plain customs (which generally come from foundations from France - as one OCD told me - or other European countries).
I have never read any article or book on the history of the OCDs nuns in America. All I know, is from visiting some of the Carmels and talking with the nuns (and the beautiful little history booklet at Buffalo Carmel - if you call there, I'm sure they'd sent you one).
The hispanic customs are generally - more decorative chapels with colorful statues, (but not too excessive of course), hmmm ... , well I know in Buffalo they have specific Latin phrases you must greet the Mother Superior and Novice Mistress with ... and particular times to kneel down and kiss the floor - though these customs may not be specific to the hispanic traditions - I'm not sure, they wear the long veil over the veil which is under the scapular when visiting guests in the parlor and at other times, (the plain customs Carmels do not) besides in the choir or other solemn times, in Buffalo they have the dramatic Spanish crucifixes - very large ones, and some smaller (they also make these)
(that's about all I can think of now - if brendan comes on this thread, he may be able to think of some more things)
From my limited knowledge, the first foundation from Mexico was the Grand Rapids Carmel of OL of Guadalupe (now Ada Parnell, MI). From there came many Carmels - Buffalo is one of them that has kept all the customs.
The Carmels with the more plain customs generally have simpler chapels and not as many particular customs. But they in no way are less orthodox. The Carmel near me, Des Plaines, is one of these. So is Lake Elmo, MN. I spoke with the Mother there on this, when I was discerning the Buffalo Carmel. She asked if I liked the particular monastic feel of Buffalo, and I did, because the Lake Elmo Carmel is very plain - and doesn't have any feel of an old monastery (wood chapel - old stone building). Their chapel is very simple with cement walls. Their Carmel is, Carmel of Our Lady of Divine Providence. Actually, this is something particularly great about the Lake Elmo Carmel - their spirit of poverty and simplicity. St. Teresa did say, this life is nothing but a night in a bad inn. But the Lake Elmo Mother said when you're called to Carmel, it's often to a specific house. And this house, to many, could become rather depressing with the cement walls. And of course the other Carmels, (without doubt - the 1990's), have unswerving fidelity to the vow of poverty - definitely so in Buffalo.
Here's a site I found while searching for any information online about the Lake Elmo Carmel -
of historical importance On the daughter Carmels link, you'll find the Mother foundress of Lake Elmo. They say that each Carmel has a unique spirit according to the spirit of the Mother foundress.
You'll see a good example in these pictures of the way these Carmels wear the veil - slightly out and under the scapulars. The hispanic Carmels have the veil under the scapulars, but more often also wear the long veil over this one (that falls on the back - like you'd see in pictures of Poor Clares) - not a great difference - just something I'm noting here. :j
I like both traditions really. The hispanic tradition is very beautiful and inspiring to me. But so is the starkness of the French/Euro - US Carmels.
) but I have very little information about Carmalite orders in the US. If anone knows some, I would very much like to know so I can check them out 
. Mostly, I would like very traditional orders, with the grill and full habit,and if at all possible, a website or e-mail adress I could work with. Thanks very much
. I think either my connection was bad (I was using a cell hpone), or the sister was a little hard of hearing (prolly the first 
we really need a little nun smilie, we have one of a priest, and a married women, so it shouldn't be too hard for someone talented (not me:P:) to change it to a nuns veil, PLEASE?!?!?!?!?!?
. And a slightly more selfish motive is that they said they would call me when everything was back to normal 
Mother Miram called my house 
, so my dad took a message (when I heard he picked up the phone the first thing I said was 'you didn't say anything, did you?' he has a habit of saying VERY embarrasing things 
( I think they know have all their sytems working 
) she was VERY nice, she asked about my family 
and stuff, and she said she'd send me a booklet on the monestary 
, and that I could visit and stay in the guesthouse anytime I could 
. And she said again I was welcome to come and visit, and suggested I also visit other Carmels nearer to me until I got the chance to see them. Just thought I should update 
. (oh, and they have 14 sisters, with 2 more filling out papers 
) and then we talked a bit more about the weather 
and I had to go, please pray for me and everyone out there please! 
Even if you're not called there, you've been given the great grace of speaking to the prioress and knowing more about a house of saints- no understatement. As of this evening, the majority of the Buffalo area still has power and we're doing ok. Thanks for the prayers everybody. Talk to you later.