Life in Costa Rica: 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.