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.