They are here!

The flight was about a half hour late but within a half hour of landing we saw them coming with a big luggage cart and Courtney being pushed in a wheelchair. I had my sign all ready and they laughed. It was about 11:00pm by the time we got home and we quickly got them settled. Heather brought me my silverware, some bowls and sheets and towels and beads and chocolate chips and coconut and butter and molasses to make my own brown sugar and knives and utensils. Courtney brought me chocolate chips and baking chocolate. I am in good shape for cookies. Oh, also a big bag of pecans.

This morning Gerardo and Ana and Tia came over to meet the girls. Gerardo put my hammock up and we took a little excursion to the Super Mercado and the pizza shop to meet Emelio and then back for Courtney's massage. Heather and I went to Rabbit's for Fish Casado and Mora drinks. It was all really great. When we came back Heather got in the hammock. After a couple minutes she heard a boom and jumped up. I said that was just fruit falling on the roof. She got back in and a minute later she was on the floor because the attachment to the roof beam had broken. I called Jose to call Gerardo and tell him what had happened. He was here soon and they changed the hook up to the rope going over the beams. They did a good job of trying it out but now I am scared to use it.

Heather's massage started a few minutes later and although her migraine hasn't gone away totally she isn't very sore from the fall.

We went back to the pizza shop to give Emelio his candy corn and decided to have pizza for dinner. While the pizza was cooking we went to Rabbit's to get a Casado with no meat for Courtney. We took it back to the pizza shop and also had garlic bread. It was all great and we had leftovers. 

It is going to be an early evening and tomorrow morning we will take the bus to Paraiso for the feria. Emelio will meet us at the bus. We will see what adventure we can have.

The sign for the airport.

Before the fall.

Class number 5

I spent the morning food shopping and getting ready for snack time during the class. I went three places to get everything I wanted to have on hand for the girls. We have every fruit and vegetable known to man as well as 2 kinds of almond milk, coconut milk, coconut water, aloe and Diet Coke. I decided to make an egg and avocado salad to serve on crackers. I was also serving chips, cinnamon bread with guayaba jelly and cookies. I had orange drink and te Frio. Someone set the party room up for me and I took my things over about 1:30 to get set up. At a little after 2:00 people had arrived but no sign of Emelio. I figured I could manage because Janet was there and she had made one before. I called Emelio and he was on the bus not far away. I had been told 7 but I ended up with 13 including the kids. I loved that there were two teenagers in the class. One of them brought me 4 tangerines as a thank you gift. I started with the beginning basics and Janet was helping and Emelio arrived. Everyone worked really hard and really seemed to enjoy themselves and Emelio is a great addition and enjoys himself so much. This group definitely wants more classes and says they will each bring something for snack.  They want a class on how to make the foods I served today.

Break was at 3:00 pm at my house and then back to work. When we were ready to finish I looked around and they had put the tables and chairs away and swept. You wouldn't know we had been there.

 I had a really good time and now when I go out with my cookie container I will have to have four dozen cookies because there are so many more people I know. I will have to decide what the next class will be.

Emelio and I agreed, and he talked to Janet. We are going to serve pizza and salad at the Christmas party at the senior center on December 11. It will be right before I go to Wisconsin for Christmas. It should be fun. The large pizza is usually cut in 12 pieces but we will cut it in 8. It should take 6 large pizzas for the group.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow! Can you tell I am a bit excited? Jose will pick me up at 5:45pm and we will head for the airport. I have cookies but he loves the Mounds Balls so I need to make some. Heather wants Coconut Oatmeal cookies so I need to make those too. In the morning is my massage and I need to clean so it will be a busy day. Emelio would love to try candy corn because he has been seeing it all over the Internet this time of year. I have asked Heather if there is any possibility she can bring a bag. I am sure if she can she will. The hammock didn't get up today but hopefully tomorrow.

Everyone hard at work.

The finished products.

Ingredients do make a difference

This morning Gerardo and a helper came and took the base for the single bed outside. The base is a white wood frame with a sheet of wood that sits on braces and holds the mattress. It is recessed about 4 inches. I did ask if there was a smaller mattress I could buy but Gerardo said no problem. I wasn't sure what they planned but I figured if they just didn't have the sheet of wood recessed it would work fine. Sure enough, that is what they did. A couple guys brought the base back in and put it together and put the mattress on and we are all set. All I need now are the mattress cover and the blanket Heather has in her suitcase and it will be all ready. I decided that I would only bring top sheets down so I would have more flexibility. 

I moved furniture around on the front porch and opened up a spot for the hammock and they started work on it. I see one hook but I think they ran into a problem with the second hook not being long enough to go thru the wood beams. I am sure it will be finished tomorrow. 

I came across a recipe for Almond Joy Cookies and it seemed to be a big recipe so I made it this afternoon, using what I bought at Auto Mercado yesterday. Regular mantequilla (butter) and boxes of light brown sugar. It is the first batch of cookies that have turned out like they would in the states. It has 5 cups of chocolate chips, 2 cups of coconut and 2 cups of almonds. I didn't have enough almonds so I used some pecans also. They are really good, and there are a lot of them. I have been handing them out to the workers to say thank you. And to the family of course. Tia came to visit and I gave her a little plateful.

I explained to Gerardo that I have 10 ladies coming tomorrow at 2:00 and could I use the party area. I told him it is the ladies from the neighborhood and he seemed very pleased. He said of course and said there would be tables and chairs. 10 is just a little to many to be comfortable at my house when working on projects.

The girls have decided when we go to the Caribbean side next Wednesday and Thursday we will go to Limon and head south. There are three areas, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo that are of interest. How far we go will depend on how they do on the car ride. It is about 3 1/2 to 4 hours to Limon via Turrialba. We will find a place to stay once we decide how far we are going. It is mid week and not the height of the season so we shouldn't have a problem. 

It started raining early today and very hard so I will wait to do my shopping tomorrow morning. I want to get lots of fruit and vegetables and make sure the fruit is ripe by Thursday. I did pick two Mandarinas today from the tree by my porch. They are tangerines. The one in the back is mandarin oranges.

I think I will make deviled eggs for the snack tomorrow. I have seen recipes where you add avocado with the egg yolk. That and my cinnamon bread and cookies and maybe chips and beverages. Maybe some fruit. The Te Frio seems to be very popular. I had Pepsi last time and no one took any. 

TWO MORE DAYS! Can you tell I am excited?

The new bed.

Lots of cookies. No more tinfoil rolls for a rack. I brought my super duper one with me the last trip.

What a day I had!

I started the day with laundry - all the bedding so everything would be clean for the girls. I moved to the guest room. The mattress I use for my massage belongs on the single bed and I tried it out. Not good. I tried putting the cushions from the grey couch under the mattress. Still not good. I even tried using the big bedspread under the mattress. Even worse. So, I picked up the phone and called Jose. I asked if tomorrow he could take me to the Mercado to get a hammock and to Price Smart to get a mattress and to Wal Mart, if necessary, to get almond milk. He said we could even go today. He would be here in an hour. Works for me. I just need to change. I did invite upstairs Ana but she decided no.

Off we went, heading for San Jose. Part way there he talked to Gerardo who reminded him the upstairs of the appliance store is where he sells - you got it - mattresses. I said fine, I will get it there and marked it off my list. Our first stop was the biggest hardware store in San Jose. Kinda like Home Depot. They had one, very pricey so we continued on. Jose took me to a small open store and I love my hammock. I also bought two cotton bed coverings. The one I love but once I got the other one home and opened it, I am not so sure. I thought it was just simple fairies but now I think there might be some porn involved. It will be good for a laugh. I also found the neatest dress I hope Courtney will like.

Jose really wanted to take me to Auto Mercado which is a large super market that has all kinds of things the other stores don't have. First I said I wasn't going to buy much so I didn't need a cart. Then Jose got a box for my stuff. Then he moved the box to a cart. I could have spent hours and lots more money than I did. I even have pumpkin and whole berry cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. I got regular and vanilla almond milk, vegetable broth, a little loaf of bread I haven't cut into yet and tons of other things including a liqueur from Africa that he says is wonderful. It goes in my special treat area.

We stopped in Cartago for a late lunch - a wonderful fish Casado and then headed for the appliance store. They were expecting us since Jose had called them and I picked the one I wanted. I also bought a couple pillows as the ones here are terrible. Heather is bringing a memory foam and a down that she will leave here. They said they would deliver the mattress later today or tomorrow. Off we went to head home and unload all my goodies.

Gerardo just delivered the mattress and it is too big for the base. He looked it all over and decided no problem and whatever needs to be done will be done tomorrow. Hopefully the hammock will be hung tomorrow also.

I found out that we are going to have two new apartments here. The one they have been working on and one across the courtyard in the area that had been the exhibit area. That one is under upstairs Ana's apartment. I did ask Gerardo yesterday when he was going to fill the jacuzzi and he climbed in and laid back and pretended he had a drink. It would be great if that really happens.

Jose charged me a really good price for the shopping trip and said we would be seeing a lot of each other over the next while. He will pick me up at 5:45 on Thursday to go get the girls and he is checking on some calm river venture for Sunday, to the Caribbean and back on Wednesday and Thursday and then taking the girls to the airport or a hotel by the airport Friday or Saturday. I am fortunate to have met him and know I can trust and depend on him. I invited his girlfriend to join the dream catcher class on Wednesday if she is available and interested. We talked about his family and he is so proud of his 5 kids. It was great to listen to him talk about them.

All in all a very good day.

It is a double hammock.

Isn't it cute!

The gate is up.

The area for the second new apt.

I bought three raffle tickets outside church and........

There were ladies outside church and if I understood right it was a fund raiser for the kids for church. They were 200 colones each so I bought 3 which is a little over a dollar. She said Father would draw the winner at the end of Mass.

Church was back to normal today so I was able to sit near the front again. There were 3 guys with guitars and a drummer and a lady with a tambourine. Most of the guys were seniors. The music was good.

At the end of Mass I pulled out my tickets and showed them to the girl sitting next to me when Father read the winning number. She shook her head no. I hope the man who won enjoys his prize. I have no idea what it was.

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home and guess what I found! Rice Krispies! Now I can make some regular Rice Krispie bars. Yesterday I made some with coco Krispies and marshmallows and peanut butter and white chocolate. I also bought a box of corn flakes because Emelio tells me there is something with corn flakes and sweetened condensed milk here that is a big hit. Now I have both. I also have 2 cans of coconut milk for Courtney. It will at least work till I get some almond or soy milk. I was concerned about 3 massages and 3 adults needing towels so I bought 4 more. I should be in good shape now with what Heather is bringing. I bought more beans and more rice so I should be set with that. Emelio gave me a lesson on using the rice cooker - I have never used one. He will finish up the lesson when he is here Wednesday. I have onion and garlic for the rice and the beans but I just remember I have to get thyme for the beans. 

I spent part of the afternoon writing out recipes, for me and for Emelio. I found a Breakfast Pizza that looked good and he wanted the mango bread recipe.

I had a tour of the new apartment. The table that Gerardo's brother made is just beautiful. Since I am playing spy for the Canadians who are coming in December for 5 months we had a long chat and then Kaye called me on Face Time. I think John and Debbie will really enjoy Orosi and the people. They are both looking forward to what they can do to help.

Another fun time at the SeniorCenter.

Emelio was here promptly at 9:30am. He took my purple bag and I took my red one and away we went. I had picked lemons from the tree near my porch and I had him check to make sure they were ok to bring. He said yes, as they were soft and turning to orange on the outside. When we arrived Mass was still going on so I went to the back to say hello to Janet. She was home sick so we sat outside and waited for Mass to end. The center seemed really full. We also spent some time looking over the raised beds they have behind the building. Lettuce and radishes and cilantro and a couple other things I am not sure of.

We went inside as they were passing out fruit and I noticed it was watermelon and papaya and pineapple and apple. Emelio asked for me about the strawberries. Apparently there weren't any so the shop sent two flats of eggs instead. There was lots of fruit so they have some left for next week. Lunch would be a bean soup with a hard boiled egg, salad and rice. We had a glass of the lemon drink and it was wonderful. I don't know if it was my lemons or not but it was great.

When it came time for us to start I told Emelio I was going to start with something that might embarrass him a little. I greeted everyone - Buenas Dias seniors, senoras and senoritas. Today I brought a good looking man to help me. I looked at him to translate it and all the ladies laughed and said there were lots of senoritas. Again, half of the group went outside and the others got started working. I wandered around helping a couple tables and Emelio sat at one table helping some ladies who were having lots of trouble. 

Everyone seemed to have a really good time and created some interesting dream catchers. I had enough of the bamboo ones that I made for everyone.

One of the ladies, Dona Alicia, has invited us to her home when my girls are here for a cooking lesson. We have a choice of Costa Rican pancakes, tortillas or empanadas. She used to be a cook but has torn tendons in one of her shoulders so she had to stop.

We decided to have lunch at a restaurant and went to the one across from the gas station that I had been told was very good. It was just a short walk away and the food was wonderful. For 2500 colones I had chicken, beans, chayote and salad. Emelio had the same thing plus rice and his was a pork chop. Lots of food and very good.

It was almost 3:00 by the time I got home. I can now concentrate on getting ready for the girls. My next event is the class on Wednesday at 2:00pm. I want to make a trip to the Mercado in Cartago for a hammock and pick up some soy or almond milk for Courtney and a few other things.

One of the workers at the Center makes items from bamboo and she gave me the picture frame. There is so much work and detail in it. She studied for a year to learn to make things. Bamboo is very difficult to work with.

This is the lady who did the picture frame.

What does it cost for fruit for 50 people for morning break?

When Janet was here on Monday she mentioned to Emelio that they didn't have any fruit for this Friday for the seniors. I decided I would help. I had Gerardo call her today and arrange for us to meet. She suggested 1:00pm at the Super. I got there a little early and discovered they had one pineapple and 6 watermelon and that was pretty much it. It all comes tomorrow. I suggested we go to one of the other fruit stores and we headed to the one I go to after church. They had a much bigger assortment and since the strawberries wouldn't come in until later, they agreed to deliver everything tomorrow at 8:00am. We got 10 apples, 4 papaya, 4 pineapple and 2 watermelon and however much strawberries she ordered. It all came to 20,000 colones. I will need to find out where they usually get their supplies and who pays for them.

On the way back to the Super to pick up a few things I went by Katherine's to tell her about the class on Wednesday. I have 7 neighbors coming and Katherine, if she can arrange it.

I was playing spy in the new apt. Isn't this just the most beautiful ceiling!

Sometimes things just work out.

I was concerned because I needed 10 more bamboo frames before Friday morning and I also needed thread for the webs and some ribbon which meant a trip to Cartago. I couldn't be in Cartago and be here making frames and I could see how busy Gerardo is and I knew I couldn't cut the bamboo myself. It is along the river bank and I could just see myself falling down the bank and into the river. I do tend to be a little clumsy. 

I left about 9:45am hoping to only go one place and get back by noon. I headed for the craft place Emelio told me about that is on the other side of the block from the yarn shop. I have been there several times. I usually buy the thread there and maybe some button beads but not much else. Well, today it was a different story. It is a small store and everything is behind the counters or hanging from racks over the counters. It isn't like you can easily look at things. Most people go in knowing what they want. Not so much me. And, it is very busy with people 2 to 3 deep in front of the counter.

I went to the end where I know the threads I use are hanging. A very nice man finally asked if he could help me and we got started. I had brought some samples with me and if I could reach it I would pull the ribbon or thread down so he knew I wanted it. He didn't have any problem understanding diez but I must say veinte wrong because he called one of the girls over and between talking and sign language we got it worked out. Then we moved to another area of the counter where there were the neatest ribbons and while he was measuring them out I noticed some bamboo rings in the counter. I asked for them and he brought me a bunch of wooden rings and I bought a bunch so I didn't need to bother Gerardo. After putting the poor man through all of that I didn't have the heart to start on the button beads so I quit there. I have enough beads to make it through Friday and next Wednesday and Heather is bringing me everything I bought when I was back there. I headed back to the bus stop and went past a lovely bakery. I had to stop and check things out. I got a couple treats and something to drink. I have discovered their version of jelly roll is much dryer than mine. 

On the bus and the first person I saw was Otto. We chatted a minute and I confirmed both my girls want massages on Friday, the day after they arrive. As soon as I got back I went looking for Gerardo to let him know he didn't need to cut bamboo. I haven't seen him but I gave the message to Ana. I spent the rest of the day sorting and organizing.

Tomorrow I will make some treats and head out for a little so no one thinks the cookie lady is ignoring them. I also want to let Katherine know about next Wednesday and the neighbors coming in case she can come.

I would like to say this is everything I bought but these are just the special ribbons. I love them. They are either flowers or butterflies or both.

I did my hardest to get him to smile but he wouldn't until I put the iPad away and put my sunglasses back on.

It was another wonderful day in Costa Rica.

I was up early organizing my dream catcher things and about 8:45 I opened the gate and got a chair and sat waiting. They arrived about 9:15 and it turned out their friend, Johana was driving. That was a good thing because it meant we could drive all the way. We wouldn't have to walk the last part of the way. We headed to the river where we went with Senor Juan and then went thru Paloma and started climbing. The road was terrible and then it got really, really bad. We stopped so Emelio could open the gate and drove very close to the house. It is a beautiful spot with wonderful views and so quiet. As soon as we got there we had a snack of yogurt that you drink, the mango raisin bread and Mounds Balls, bananas and 3 kinds of jam. Guayaba and mora (blackberry) and the 3 fruit marmalade. They loved the bread and the marmalade and asked for recipes. I had already given them the recipe for the Mounds Balls. I don't think they had ever had the marmalade before and loved the tartness with the sweetness and wondered how I got the jelly part to be a honey consistency. 

After snack was finished and put away we started on the dream catchers. Emelio translated everything and they all caught on very fast. Emelio thought it was going to be really hard and was amazed how easy it was. He came across some wire and had made his frame. He kept his very simple and loved the way it turned out. His mother does a lot of crafting and so does Johana so they didn't have any problems except Johana was using one of my big rings and she had to splice the thread and when she was almost done it separated so she had to start over. She was making it for her granddaughter. 

Now it was time to eat again. We had a chicken stir fry dish, rice, salad and fried plantains and fresh lemonade. It was all great. We also had a really good green vegetable which I can't remember the name. It was boiled and I think sometimes they cut the end off and stuff it with meat and rice. They were fresh picked when they got there.

We cleaned up and packed everything away and all of a sudden I was told to get my stuff and hurry and I was taken out to the car. Emelio's mother could hear the rain coming and it poured. We took off and now the really, really bad road was full of water. Johana did a great job of getting us safely back.

Now I will need to have Gerardo cut more bamboo and I will need to make a trip to Cartago for thread and ribbons so I have plenty for Friday. Emelio will be a great help because he knows how to make them.

I am experimenting with a cookie treat. It is supposed to be Rice Krispies, marshmallows, peanut butter and melted white chocolate. I have not been able to fine anything but coco Krispies and the marshmallows are pastel colored. Could be interesting.

I will be back to give you a report on Friday.

We also had some cookies Emelio's mother made.

Emelio's mother - now that I think about it, her name is Rosa, Johana and Emelio.

The view down to Paloma.

The view in the other direction.

Rosa's dream catcher.

Emelio's dream catcher.

Lunch. If you know the name of the vegetable, let me know.

It was quite an afternoon

People were coming at 2:00pm. I didn't know how many so I spent the morning getting ready which included a trip to the Super Mercado for beverages, and some ingredients for the guacamole. I decided to serve chips and guacamole, Mango Raisin Bread with the guayaba jelly and Fruit Marmalade, papaya and Mounds Balls. I had 4 beverages. Hazelnut coffee, Pepsi, flavored iced tea and Orange punch. The most popular was the iced tea. 7 people came and we worked for an hour. They made some really neat dream catchers.

We took a break a little after 3:00 and Gerardo and Ana and Tia joined us. My living room was full. I have entertained! About 3:45 Emelio showed up. He had missed his English lesson and couldn't make it any earlier because there had been an accident between a bus and a car and then his bus broke down so he had to walk part of the way. He fit right in and chatted with everyone. He is looking forward to Friday and is interested in helping more often. One of the ladies invited us to her home in Paloma. She used to be a cook and said she would make us something wonderful. 

After snack they went back to finish their dream catchers and each took some of the guayaba Ana had picked for them. Emelio and I sat and talked until he had to go to the pizza shop. I have cleaned up but I will have to organize my dream catcher things to take with me tomorrow to the mountain for the lesson there.

One of the ladies, Janet, has a daughter who lives across the street. When she went out and showed off her dream catcher, all the neighbors asked if I would teach them how to make them. I have a class scheduled next Wednesday at 2:00pm. I was also asked today if I would be willing to help with English classes and I said yes. It turns out Emelio is interested in helping also. His English is very good and he loves practicing English. He said the nicest thing today. He said that he gets energy from me and it makes him want to help more and share more. It felt good.

Apparently we have to walk the last ten minutes tomorrow. I just hope my legs don't give me too much trouble climbing the mountain.

The blooms. It must really like that pot.

The guayaba Ana picked.

Next the ribbons and the feathers. It was supposed to be 5 beads per person but this group was special.

This lady is the one who invited us to her home. She is very artistic and came up with some interesting creations. The finished products were really neat. I can't wait for Heather to bring my beads as what I have are getting pretty picked over.

We moved inside for snack.

I am going to the mountains.

Here is my Sunday evening report. It has been a full, busy day. I made 4 dream catcher frames before heading to church. Upstairs Ana stopped in to thank me for the plate of goodies and to say it was her dinner and breakfast. She said she had already eaten half of the mug of guayaba jelly.

It was about 9:45 when I arrived and church was empty. People were heading to the building just past the museum. Apparently that is the new church and it is being finished little by little as they collect the funds. They do not receive any outside funding. Anyway, today seemed to be an even bigger deal than last Sunday with tons and tons of people and teenage girls in long white dresses. The place was really decorated with tons of flowers and not near enough seats. You got it, I didn't stay. I went back over to the empty church and spent an hour having a talk with God. I love it when he talks back. 

On the way home I stopped in a fruit store and got a papaya, a mango and 3 mamones. I had not tried them yet so when I got home I asked Gerardo how you eat them. He showed me and I decided to try with lunch.

Soon as I got home I got my crock pot meal going, made some lunch and put my raisins in rum to soak and made 6 more frames. I decided to do mango in the bread instead of papaya. I haven't tried it but I gave a slice to Gerardo and he says it is really good. He was around a lot today because there was a party this afternoon. This must be a big time for first communion because this is the third party in a row. I will serve the bread tomorrow to whoever comes for the follow up lesson.

Now about the mountain. I took the chocolates to Emelio and his mother was there also and we talked about their dream catcher lesson. Tuesday morning they will pick me up at 9:00am and we are going to their place in the mountains above Orosi. I know Emelio loves the place from the way he talks about it. Apparently you can go by car most of the way and then it is a 10 minute walk.  Doesn't give me a lot of time to make goodies with the people coming tomorrow but I will figure something out.

That's it, that was my day. Dinner was good with a little sour cream on the potatoes and a little guayaba jelly on the chicken. I had cookies from Emelio for dessert while I listened to the great music from the party.

At the end of the party there were two teenage girls sitting by the glider. I was on the porch, right nearby. One of the girls was just sobbing and the other one was consoling her. I watched a little while and then I came inside and got my chocolate container from the freezer. I went over and sat next to them and said "would you like some chocolate. It makes everything better." They laughed and each took one and thanked me in English. They didn't seem to be quite so sad after that.

These are the mamones.

What you eat is the white part.

I had trouble with the outside of the pit sticking to the fruit. The fruit is good and sweet but the skin of the pit is a pain.

I was also delivered a mandarin orange from the yard. It was very good.

Upstairs Ana arrived today.

I helped Gerardo cut more bamboo - well, I took it from him and piled it and then carried the clippers back while he carried all the bamboo to my house. I got 10 frames made today and will get the rest made tomorrow. Gerardo and Tia came over a couple minutes before 2:00pm to invite me to coffee at 3:00 at Tia's house with Jose and upstairs Ana, to seperate her from Gerardo's sister, Ana. I knew if Jose was going to be there I better get busy and make the Mounds Balls. I put together a plate for upstairs Ana of Papaya Bread and 2 containers of jelly - the guayaba and the 3 fruit marmalade. I also did a plate for coffee with some of everything I had - chocolate chip cookies, Papaya Bread, coconut macaroons and the Mounds Balls. It was a big hit and I left the leftovers with Tia. She showed me she was going to get big and fat. 

After I made the frames I decided to get a pizza and talk to Emelio about Monday. His English lesson is until 3:00pm and I told him he could come with or without his teacher. He also wants to get together to make the chocolate covered bananas. I have all the ingredients except bananas and he has those. He suggested one day I bring all my dream catcher things and we will go to their family place in the mountains overlooking Orosi. His mother and aunt will come too and we can have lunch and I can give them a dream catcher lesson. I had a container of the Mounds Balls ready to take to him and I forgot it so I will run it over tomorrow.

It must be a church holiday this weekend because the cannon has been going off. I expect it will happen again tomorrow. Did I mention that Heather has received my bilingual missalette and will bring it with her. I also ordered 10 wrap bracelets to give as gifts for Christmas to the ladies who have been great to me. Those came today and she will unpack them and find a spot in the suitcase.

This afternoon there were several men working in the courtyard so I went to Gerardo with my translate program and explained I wanted to move the frame for the single bed to my bedroom for the girls and while there were several people here could they do it. He said yes and he and his brother - I am sure I have this one wrong but his name sounded like Oshkosh - came over and I am now set. Heather and Courtney will sleep in my room since it is bigger and I will sleep in the other bedroom. Courtney has said she will be bringing earplugs for both of them because the wall definitely isn't thick enough to stop noise and with the dog and fruit falling on the roof and me, they definitely need them. Oh, and the cats running on the roof.

There was activity in the party room tonight so there must be an event tomorrow. I will be busy making frames and another batch of Papaya Raisin bread for the Monday gathering and I plan to put the chicken, green beans and potatoes in the crock pot. That will all happen after church. Busy day.

It has been a good day - scary but good

 Ziomara called me at 7:30 this morning to tell me she had a leak in her roof from the heavy rain yesterday and she had to find someone to fix it and she would call me later to let me know if she could still come. She called about 9:10 to say she was on her way and would be here in about 40 minutes. It would be cutting it close but we would make it. The lady in charge brought one of the staff to bring me over and I explained about Ziomara so he waited with me. The young lady, Maria, also came and waited with me.  Ziomara arrived and I gave her a bag of Papaya Raisin bread and we loaded everything into her car and headed for the Senior Center. Mass wasn't quite over so she had some time to speak with the lady in charge. Also I had put everything I could think of in my translate program so we went over that so she would be a little familiar with the details for the class. 

After Mass and after snack and after a session on breathing we set up and started explaining everything with me saying it in English and her in Spanish. Part of the group stayed inside to work with us and part went outside to dance and exercise. We could watch them thru the windows. I wanted to dance too. Some of the people caught on right away and others not so much. Some I started the web several times. I showed everyone the same stitch and they all turned out different. I was amazed at some of the designs. Some turned theirs sideways so they looked like a fish. One lady even used one bead as the eye. I loved how they wove big feathers in the web. I think they enjoyed it as much as I did and were showing off their dream catchers to each other. Some of the group are coming to mi casa on Monday at 2:00 for some extra help. It is an excuse for me to make some goodies. We had lunch at the center and said our goodbyes. I got home about 1:00 and Otto came at 2:00 for my massage. He agreed to massages for Heather and Courtney when they come.

Gerardo has agreed to cut me more bamboo tomorrow so I will be ready for Monday and Friday.

A very heavy downpour started just before my massage but it is stopped for now. I was going to take Otto into the back yard for oranges but he said next time, it is too wet. He did climb the tree at the end of my porch and got a couple guayaba. I would think the season will be over soon.

I had a great time and really enjoyed the time at the senior center. I had brought 3 of my dream catchers with me and one of the men asked if he could have one of them so I gave it to him. I am looking forward to the next one with Emelio.

The lady standing really caught on. The lady on the left I see at church every week.  The one peaking around the lady standing is Ziomara. The other lady had a lot of trouble.

A fish one.

He was not one of the top students. I told him he would have to stay after class. Thank heavens he didn't understand me.

I loved how they used the feathers.

I have been reminded

That I am falling down on the job here. Let's see, what has happened since Friday and the prayer service. Well, Sunday morning the church was jammed packed with folding chairs set up all over. The front half was kids in white shirts or white dresses. I am guessing first communion. There have also been a couple parties here with religious symbols on the tables and a little boy in white shirt and black pants so it seems to be a really big deal. I have to admit I left church early because it was so crowded. I need to find out the times of the other masses. This being the children's mass, if there is anything to do with the kids it happens at this mass. The party here that afternoon was the biggest one I have seen so far. There must have been at least 100 people with a clown and music and everything. I even had my first tamale, traditional Costa Rican style. 

Monday was quiet - no more batches of jelly - and Tuesday I headed for Cartago to replenish my thread supply for the dream catchers. I stopped into the yarn shop to give Ziomara a map for tomorrow, got my hair cut - I look like a girl now, went to the fabric store and got more fabric like my kitchen curtains. I made a stop at El Rey and the store next door and I will probably never have to buy another jelly jar. My red bag was plump full. In fact I even had to take my purse out. Then I had lunch at the Cartago Grill. Really good. Had a papaya naturale drink and a barbecued chicken breast plate. It was more like teriyaki than barbecue but had potatoes and salad and rice. That was the only disappointment. I thought the menu said frijoles and I like them much better than rice.

On the way home, when we stopped in Paraiso, Emelio got on and we sat and chatted all the way here. Saturday was the graduation party for his sister so the pizza shop was closed. She has been taking classes for a bilingual secretarial course.

Wednesday I spent most of the day in the kitchen. I mad a batch of chocolate chip cookies. It has been a while since I have gone around with my cookie container. I made pasta for lunch and made 2 loaves of Papaya Raisin Bread. I wanted to have something on hand for people tomorrow morning. The recipe called for the raisins to be soaked in dark rum. So, I entered into my translate program I need a small bottle of dark rum, packed up my cookies and headed for the Super Mercado. I picked up more raisins and headed for the liquor counter. I pulled out the iPad and showed him. He pulled out 3 different bottles and I said it was for gallettas and not drinking so we went with the least expensive. It turned out really good. I do like papaya! 

Today was supposed to be my massage but Otto just stopped in and we postponed until 2:00pm tomorrow. That will be great after the class in the morning and lunch with Ziomara. I will spend today getting all my supplies ready.

Tomorrow I am expecting 2 from the Senion Center and Ziomara at 9:00am for a little training before we go to the senior center for the class. I am looking forward to it and I think it will be fun. Then I will have to get busy making the frames for the second class. Emelio will be the translator for that one and we are going to do a little training before that. His English teacher wants to meet me so one of these Monday's, after his class, they will come over for a visit and snack. His mother also wants him to bring me to their house and I will show her how to make the dream catchers.

We have been having beautiful mornings and rain in the afternoons and night. My soccer field is soggy. Construction is continuing on the new apartment and Ana is scheduled to come tomorrow to live in the upstairs apt.

There is a humming bird that keeps coming to the edge of the porch to check out the fuchsia. I wish it would stay long enough for a picture. I have three more flowers ready to open on my Christmas cactus. I have planted most of my new flowers

Tia came over late yesterday for a long talk - she talked and I listened. She is so sweet.

I will report on the class and I should have pictures. I think I will take a walk to Gerardo's appliance store and purchase either a toaster or toaster oven so I am all set for Heather. It is the least I can do since she is bringing 2 50 pound suitcases with her and only a carry on for her things. She and Courtney will arrive on the same flight on the 29th. Two weeks!

By the way, my thumb is coming along. I am very careful because it is so easy to hit it on things.

Ana just delivered 2 tomatoes and said no chemicals. I had taken a plate of the bread to them for morning coffee.

That is everything I can think to tell you. If something else comes to me, I will add it tomorrow.

My weird cactus is in bloom.

I love this moss rose. It is double rather than single flowers.

It has been a year!

At 2:11 this afternoon I found out that the prayer service for Gerardo's mother was at 3:00pm today. But, let me back up. I started the day with finishing my 3 Fruit Marmalade and then saw Gerardo out picking Guayaba and decided I should make another batch to fill my new containers. Besides, Gerardo brought me a brand new blender so no more borrowing. I was dressed for work. I was part way through with one pot on the stove and preparing the second pot when he came over to tell me about the prayer service. I had 45 minutes to clean up my mess or have ten million ants,  finish the step I was on, turn everything off, get changed and walk over to Dora's house. I smelled like fruit and guayaba from one end to the other but there wasn't time for a shower. They would just have to think it was a new perfume. Now, the brain is spinning. What can I bring. I decided it would have to be one of my new plants. Dora loves flowers. I also had remembered this is the one year anniversary of her death and is a bigger affair. And it was.

They prayed and there was a musician. He has a great voice. I recognized the rosary and the act of contrition and several litanies. Then we took a break for refreshments and back to praying and singing. At the end of about 2 hours we ate again. Refreshments and shebert and potato chips and salad and chicken rice. There must have been 100 people this time, some inside and some outside. The picture had been moved to a long courtyard type area between the kitchen and the bedrooms. There were benches from here and the picture was at one end with red and white draping around it. There were lots of beautiful cut flowers and my flower plant was put right up there with them.

When it was over, Tia would not let me walk home alone so I waited with her for our ride. One of Gerardo's nieces was translating for us and Tia told her she was going to find me a boyfriend. I said that was fine but he would have to move in with me because I didn't want to move.

I got home a little after 6:00pm and went right to work finishing the jelly. One pot is done and in jars and the other pot is cooling.

It has been a good day. What a nice family. There are 10 and so far I remember Gerardo, Ana, Dora, Marta, Flor and Lydia. Now I just need to learn the names of the 4 brothers. 

The good, the bad, and will it ever stop bleeding?

Don't panic! Every cook knows that now and then they will have an accident. I decided on another batch of 3 fruit marmalade. This recipe calls for cutting the fruit in half, juicing it, then thinly slicing the fruit. I decided to try out my handy dandy new mandoline. It of course has no protectors or tool to help slide things. Also, fruit that has been juiced is a little wobbly. You get the picture. And, for some reason the thumb or fingers seem to bleed and bleed. Having been in food service where the job must go on I put ointment and bandage and thicker wrap and cut a plastic bag and taped that over the whole mess. The fruit job is done and I think the bleeding has slowed down so I don't think I am down a quart yet. I will let the fruit soak until tomorrow so by then I should be just fine. And if you happen to get some of this marmalade, I promise you, I was out of the kitchen before the first drop fell. And I am not missing any parts of my thumb.

So let me back up. I haven't told you about my excursion to Pequeno Mundo. I took the bus to Cartago and followed Emelio's directions to the church. A lovely church I had not been to before. They were preparing for a funeral. The flowers were absolutely beautiful. It is operated by Franciscan monks. Ziomara picked me up in front and it wasn't a very long ride to Pequeno Mundo.  They have an assortment of everything. Food, furniture, clothes, linens, kitchen things, luggage. I think the shelves go up to the ceiling. I found a black plastic shelving unit for the kitchen, containers for jelly - that's why I had to make more - a muffin tin and cake pan and another metal spatula and wooden spoon. I also got garbage bags and napkins in larger packaging than I have been finding. The place is not known for it's high quality but it will do just fine.

I treated for lunch. She picked a spot right nearby and we both had fish. It was very good, done with garlic. She told me she has been working as a consultant for the Volvo company in the same area and they will know next week if they have gotten a big project. If they do, she will be hired fulltime. She would only be at the yarn shop on Saturday. I may have to change the day I go to Cartago.

She took me to the nursery in Paraiso and yes, I did it again. I had them call my same taxi driver - who doesn't even need directions now and is so great at helping me bring everything inside the gate. 

Tomorrow I will have to see if Gerardo has time to cut more bamboo. Hopefully by then I will have the plastic bag and the big padding off. I'm afraid if they see it they will be carting me to the doctor.

Tia has been so funny. She has talked to me a couple times today and I know she is complimenting me but I have no idea what she is saying. She always smiles and gives me a kiss on the cheek and pats my shoulder. 

I asked Gerardo today and the lady who is moving upstairs, Ana, will arrive on the 16th. As far as I know she is planning on staying fulltime.

It has been a lovely day. I hope to get my new flowers planted tomorrow besides finishing the marmalade. I may also need to do one more batch of guayaba jelly before the season is over. There is fruit dropping all over. A bunch of different people have come and gotten fruit. I am glad it gets used. The mandarin oranges and my Limon tree aren't ripe yet.

The monster that got me, and no, that isn't anything but fruit.

Aren't these cute little jars for jelly?

My new additions. I found the most unusual moss rose - they are a double flower and just neat.

I now have no room in my refrigerator

Today it was a big batch - 10 cups of sugar - of grapefruit, lemon,orange marmalade. I still have lots of grapefruit and lemons but that will have to wait until Friday when I have more containers. Both Ana and Gerardo tried to explain to me about using the jelly - or using the guayaba to make a candy like treat. I'll see if Martha comes back to help me with that. 

Ziomara called me today to say she has to work on Friday and could I go with her on Thursday to Pequeno Mundo. I said yes so I am to meet her in front of the church by the bus stop in Cartago. I went to Emelio because he gives the best directions and draws the best maps.  I have directions to the Capuchin Church so hopefully that is the right one. If I don't see her at 10:00am, at least I have her number. Emelio wanted the recipe for the no bake cookies with peanut butter so I came home and wrote it out and will take it over tomorrow evening. Now that I am going on Thursday I will be able to go to the senior center on Friday. It all works out great.

Yesterday the cover of my new pot slipped off the stove and shattered. Ana saw the pile when she came over and picked up the knob. Today she brought me a metal lid that fits perfectly. I asked Gerardo if I owed someone money for it and he said no, he has lots, do I need more. I said just the one. At least I can't break this one.

Do you think I have my work cut out for me?

This was delivered this morning, plus I have the big bag of guayaba from yesterday. 

This is grapefruit and limons and a banana related product that gets served fried. I don't think he called it plantains but not sure what it is. I decided to work on the fruit for a three fruit marmalade that may have 4 or 5 fruits in it. I cooked an orange and lemon mixture and let it set overnight. I am going to try using that for the water part and let the peelings and other fruit sit in it overnight. Tomorrow I will cook it for a couple hours and add the sugar and finish it.  I did cut up and cook the guayaba. I usually have 7 cups of pulp and sugar. This time I had 12. I ended up using 2 pans - after it boiled over. What a mess to clean up with cold water. Thank heavens I was in the kitchen when it happened and I could turn it off right away. I am a little concerned that it will thicken all the way. I hope so since it was such a big batch. If it doesn't it will be guayaba syrup.

You wouldn't think a guayaba falling from the tree onto the roof could make so much noise! If Heather thinks my snoring is loud, wait till she hears this!

I ran into Emelio in the Super last night and told him about needing a translator for the second class and he said yes. We will get together before the 23rd for a lesson so it is easier for him at the class. Then it will be the 29th and Heather and Courtney will be here.

It's 4:00pm and so far no rain today. It has been lovely. Lots of drilling and pounding going on as they work on the new apartment across the courtyard. Just a little over 2 months and John and Debbie will be here too. Maybe, I'm not getting excited yet or anything, my friend Kaye and maybe her daughter, Beth, will be here Dec 7-13. That would be so neat. We would all have so much fun. Then the next thing you know it will be Dec. 15 and I will be heading for Heather's. My how time flies when you are retired!

Harvest at La Quinta.

They may all look the same, but not quite. The one at the top of the bowl is Limon Dulce and the rest are oranges - naranja. The bag full if guayaba and the long, funny looking thing is guaba. The white fuzzy things are what you eat once you get rid of the big seed inside. It is sweet and quite good. Gerardo told me this morning that he has grapefruit at one of his houses. He is going to bring me some and I will see what kind of jelly I can make from that. I have enough oranges for another batch and enough guayaba for at least one batch. I better get more sugar and find some containers!

Music this morning was 3 women and a man and it was definitely clapping music! The lady sitting with me was at the senior center and I got two kisses on the check - one at the beginning and one at the sign of peace.

I recognized enough words during the homily to get the gist. It was about what makes up a family. When the kissey noises started I guessed that was the talk about premarital sex. I will leave it all at that.

Since the party room is all decorated I assume there is something going on this afternoon or tonight. It is all done in white so I am assuming wedding reception or anniversary.

I wanted to show you my pretty flower on my cactus. Must mean it is doing OK.

2 animals and 27 dream catchers later

This morning, after I finished laundry, Gerardo called for me to come out. There, in a big catch and release wire trap was a zorro - and a half eaten avocado. They look like a rodent but really big. They are nocturnal and have been raiding the avocado trees and then running across the roofs which really bothers Tia. After taking a couple pictures I asked what happens to it now. He said it was a very bad animal and motioned slitting its throat. No more zorro.

This afternoon Gerardo called me again and this time it was an ardilla - squirrel. The underneath is red. I motioned slitting it's throat but he said no, it would be released someplace else.  When he came back he showed me the empty cage. I am surprised with all the trees that a squirrel doesn't belong.

Gerardo brought me a bunch of bamboo and I got started. It was flexible enough that I didn't need to soak it in water. I got 27 put together and now I need 23 more and I will be all ready for the 2 classes. I do want to go to Cartago early next week to get more string for the webs as it is taking up pretty much all of what I have. I have been able to find some waxed thread which works best because it sticks to itself.

Tia came to visit again and I sent her home with 3 slices of the Nutella Banana bread. She was grinning from ear to ear. 

I have seen hummingbirds at a distance but today it came up to the fuchsia hanging on the porch. I have also seen more butterflies lately. Maybe my flowers are doing their job.

No clocks to turn back here. Less than a month now till Heather and Courtney get here. I think I will let them write the blog while they are here. You will get a different slant!

What a day and it is only 11:00am.

I got started early and made 2 loaves of Banana Nutella bread. It really is very good. Just ask Gerardo. He was just here so I could ask him for bamboo - this afternoon he says. Earlier this morning I went out with my orange marmalade. I don't think they had ever had it. First I gave him a little of the jelled part. He loved it and then called Ana to try some. I then gave them pieces of the peel and made a sour face but they said no, no, no. Fantastico! I gave them the container and went to do some research on how I can do it better next time. I read a bunch from English marmalade makers and the step my recipe didn't have was cooking just the orange and lemon in water for a couple hours before adding he sugar. This is supposed to soften the peel so I will try that next time. If nothing else it will be a good glaze for meat and chicken.

I was expecting to have the senior ladies here at 10:00 this morning so I opened the front door and waited. Instead a lady came from across the street and said I should come with her. I came back in and closed up and grabbed my purse and away we went. We headed down the street towards the bridge with the turnstill and past the little store and the house I had rented to start with. We continued down the street to the end and a very nice senior center. Father was just finishing Mass and there were people all over. After Mass they were served fruit and I spoke with a couple staff members who speak some English. Janet told them all about me and what I make and showed them a picture from my iPad. She explained that one half of the room would be on the 16th and the other half on the 23rd. I have an hour. If necessary they can finish the decorating with the feathers and the ribbons later. 

We got the details all worked out. On October 16 a couple of the staff will come here at 9:00am so I can explain how to make the dream catcher and they will help during the class. Ziomara will be here also for the first class so that will really help.

I was invited to stay and mingle and participate in the rest of the activities. Exercise! I said I would come back another Friday before the 16th. They only meet on Friday. I am going to see if Emelio might be available on the 23rd to be my helper. I think he would really enjoy it.

I guess Gerardo is getting comfortable with me. This morning when I gave him the bread he went over to my dish rack and pulled out one of my bowls. You may remember I have had a terrible time finding bowls. So, whenever I see something that might work I buy it. I have 2 small and 2 bigger ones that look like they fit on an old fashioned potty chair. The handle is very handy to hold on to. This morning he reconfirmed that is what they are and offered to cut off the handle. I said I know and said no. He said I shouldn't take food anyplace in them. It was quite funny.

Now I will just wait for my bamboo delivery and see if I can get a big container to put water in for soaking it.

Another jelly day

Otto came this morning for my massage and left with guayaba jelly and an avocado and a couple guayaba. I started the orange marmalade yesterday and the second step was today. It needed to cook on low for two hours and then on medium for a half hour or to 220 degrees. Since I don't have my thermometer here, I decided to use the step Martha showed me for the guayaba jelly - when it sticks to a metal spoon it is ready. It called for putting it in hot glass jars and since I was short on those I used one and let it cool some and put it in my plastic containers. I would like to say it is perfect but I will say it thickened like it should. Next time I need to cut the peel smaller and try to get it even thinner - using the mandoline. The peel is bitter. I'm not sure if it is the lemon or orange or both. I will also do more research and see what I can find. I'm sure there is a solution. At least I have plenty of fruit to try again.

Tomorrow morning I am meeting with the ladies from the senior craft group. I hope to have the banana bread made for the meeting.

Did I tell you I found a Spanish/English missallette? There is a company, Oregon Catholic Press, who used to meet at the Conference Center at the Grotto when I worked there. I decided to contact them and they are setting up a subscription for about $14.00 a year. They send one 3 times a year and they will send it to Heather. She should have one to bring with her in October and again the end of January. The next one won't be until May so we have plenty of time to figure that out.

A good week continues.