Another successful class

The party room was all set up with the tables in a square and 3 people at each table with a kit at each place. I had a seperate food table and I had also brought all the kits for Friday. Emilio called at 1:47 to say he was in Cartago and would be here soon. I knew that meant at least 45 minutes and I would need to start without him. Thank heavens it was the neighborhood ladies and they are used to my sign language. It was 2:15 and no one was here and I kept telling myself this is Costa Rica. Time is different here. A few minutes later people started coming and soon we had a full house. I went from person to person showing them how to do the knots and then I would go back and look and say bien, bien, mal and that one would have to come out. We did a lot of laughing.

I turned the oven on about 2:30 for the artichoke dip which had to cook about 20 minutes. I put it in and when I came back to get it out the oven was not on. I had been so afraid I would run out of propane on Thanksgiving but thank heavens it waited until today. It was warm and starting to brown so I popped it in the microwave for a few minutes to make sure it was hot. I had a bowl of bread slices, a bowl of chips and a bowl of crackers to go with the dip. I had a bowl of pickles and a bowl of papaya and a couple cut up apples. One of the ladies brought a plate of I think fried cheese sticks. It was a feast. I also had lemon bars. They loved the pickles and the dip and everyone wanted the recipes. I love that! I also heard Emilio explaining the recipe for the chickens as he really liked it and made it for his family yesterday. There were a couple pieces of papaya left and that was it.

At the end I asked Emilio to explain I had a favor to ask and explained I needed to have 40 trees made by Friday and would they be willing to come back one afternoon this week and help or take some kits home and bring them back made. First they decided Thursday at 1:00pm and they would bring the snack. Then they decided they would stay until 5:00pm. They got 19 made today and took all the rest with them. Now I only have to finish putting together the bags of decoration for them to attach to the trees. 

I made a crock pot of beans today and they are so good. I sautéed carrots, onions, garlic and cut up bacon left from the chickens and added that to the pot of beans along with thyme. I used up the pitcher of vegetable broth I had made and finished off with chicken broth. Left them to cook all day and just had a dish. 

Tomorrow morning is back to the pools which should help my back and legs. Tonight I need to clean up my kitchen.

The finished products.

Lazy day

I did 3 loads of laundry this morning getting all my towels and rags from Thanksgiving and my massage cleaned and hanging on the line to dry. I took a glass of hydrangea to Tia and Ana was there. She told me she had taken some dessert with her and gave some to her son. He loved the pumpkin log. As he was eating he said Mama no, la Senora si. She is an excellent cook but maybe dessert isn't her thing or it was different from what they usually have. I thought it was cute. This afternoon I took the vases and a hydrangea to the pizza shop. Emilio told me he liked the chickens so much he is going to make one this week the same way. And could he please have some cranberry sauce if I had some left. I will take it over tomorrow. He had never tried it before with chicken and loved it. And, could I please give him the lemon bars recipe and how did I make the cranberry sauce. Usually you use oranges but I couldn't find the picker so I used Limon dulce which is a sweet lemon and is usually just eaten like an orange. I guess it was the right choice. I love it when people like my cooking enough to ask for recipes. I have lemon juice left and zest so I may make another pan of lemon bars for the class on Monday. I have to figure out something for snack. I think I will see if there is a recipe for artichoke dip without the spinach as I have 2 cans of artichokes.

I decided today to book a trip to Oregon in March and Heather is talking about coming back in late March or early April besides being here in January. It was a good day. 

Let's see if I can make it to church and back tomorrow without falling. I learned the other day that one of my biggest cookie fans at the Super is one of the owners. How fun! He also speaks quite a bit of English. I have been so fortunate in finding English speaking people to help me. If I didn't mention it before, Emilio did a great job of translating my grace. As a couple people at the table told me, translating is definitely not easy. Hearing one language and changing it in your head to say the other language. He had studied it in advance to make sure he had it right and I did my best not to change the wording, or at least the meaning.

Emilio's father didn't come to the dinner but we prepared a large plate of food for him. I asked Emilio if he liked it and he said oh yes, but he really loved the lemon bars. 

It was cold today, now and then. I know, how can I complain! I live in Paradise. I actually put a sweater on and I loved it. I guess this was my winter!

I had leftover salad ant green beans and some uncooked potatoes so I decided to make a hamburger pie for dinner. I had a package of spaghetti sauce so I didn't need to go buy anything. It was so good and I have enough for a couple more meals.

Now I just have to figure out where I am going to store all the glasses and tin cups and trays and bowls. The couple cupboards I have are already full. I have my priorities - chocolate and coconut you know!

My presents.

I may get grumpy more often if I get roses. Wonder how often that will work?

See, a sweater!

What a beautiful way to open a business!

As you may remember, today was Opening Day for Gerardo's new hardware store. I walked there for the 9:00am Mass as it is only two blocks away. It was 9:30 when it finally started. The building is enormous with two levels and a ramp to get to the second level for freight or handicapped people. The main area was set up for church with family, friends and all the people from the senior center. The music was great and Father was dancing as he was getting set up. After Mass Father blessed everyone and everything he could including the workers out on the street waiting to get busy. We went on a tour of the entire building and then back down to the church area. But, church was over and now the music was dance music. And lots of people did dance! Lunch was served. It was a fruit drink, chicken fried rice, salad and chips. Ana, Gerardo's sister, did all the cooking starting after my party yesterday. She was preparing for about 200. 

Gerardo brought out a framed picture he had made from his father's 90th birthday party. It is a great picture. Papa was there and spent time dancing. 

I sat with Dona Alicia and her friend and later moved to sit by Tia. So many people greeted me. People from the senior center and family. I love that I now know and recognize so many and they recognize me. I think Dona Alicia asked me how I did the sweet potatoes but I could be making that up. When Emilio is around on Dec. 4th we will ask her.

I left just after noon and I believe they opened to the public at 1:00pm. I had my massage scheduled for 1:00. I moved it from 10:00am because I wasn't sure how long the event would last.

Otto wasn't able to come yesterday because he was working. I had cooked up some wild rice in vegetable broth and most of it went in the dressing but I kept some out for him and I gave it to him today. I think the massage really helped and I am feeling much better. I have a couple quiet days ahead before the class on Monday, the pools on Tuesday and the class on Friday. Then the next Monday the Canadians get here and 8 days later I fly back to Wisconsin for Christmas. I hope to get some baking done before that. I will also do a bunch at Heather's. English Toffee and Coconut Macaroons and Chocolate covered Coconut Balls for sure.

It was very obvious Gerardo was in charge in his quiet unassuming way. He was aware of everything going on and the employees all had an eye on him. If he looked at someone and made a motion they responded and did whatever he wanted. It was neat to watch. One of his daughters seems to be very involved, like a right hand, and it was her who cut the ribbon to the ramp. Her name is Sylvia and she is very nice.

Another good day in Paradise. Just a short rain late this afternoon.

The front.

Papa likes to dance.

This is almost life size.

Gerardo telling about the ramp.

I am back with a report.

The last couple days were busy with cooking and shopping and decorating napkins and making place cards. Early this morning Gerardo brought me about 10 beautiful hydrangea from the mountain house and Emilio did the arranging.  Numbers keep changing and I ended up with 19 so I kept adding places at the tables. I must be an official Tica now because dinner was late. Once everything was done I went out to greet everyone and once everyone was seated I explained I would like to say grace and Emilio translated for me. It was easier writing and thinking the grace than saying it out loud. I got choked up.

We left and I dished up the soup in the little tin cups. People commented because the tin cups are such a part of Costa Rican history. Emilio and his mother were so much help. After the soup came the salad, then the other dishes then the chicken, which Emilio cooked at the pizza shop. They were stuffed with garlic, lemon and thyme. Bacon was laid over the entire ch Ickes for the first hour and then taken off for the last half hour. I think 4 were just right. QThe hit of the meal was the dressing. Emilio had turned his nose up when I told him what was in it. They loved it. It is not something they are used to having and I made it with chorizo sausage, Minnesota Wild rice and apples besides celery, carrots, onions, bread, chicken broth and seasonings. I did it in the crock pot and it was nice and moist. The other favorite was the sweet potatoes. Here they usually just steam them and the recipe I used was butter in a frypan, sliced sweet potatoes and a topping of sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. I didn't have any mashed potatoes but I was told they were very good with garlic, butter, half and half and Parmesan cheese. I ended up not making gravy but it wasn't missed. The cranberry sauce was a hit also and the pickles.

Dessert was the world's best lemon bars, pumpkin roll and chocolate coconut balls. With dessert I served shots of Amarula which is a South African liqueur.

It was a lovely dinner and when it was over people pitched right in and did clean up and dishes. The only leftovers I have are salad and green beans. I gave anything else away. I did tell them next year it will be potluck.

I did not know when I invited Gerardo and his family that tomorrow is the grand opening of his new enormous hardware store so I really appreciate all the time they gave me today. For most of the people it was their first Thanksgiving celebration. I was happy to be part of it.

Tomorrow I am invited to the opening at 9:00am and my massage is scheduled for 10:00am so I will see if I can change it to 11:00am. It has been a long week and I ache all over and need it.

I usually cooked Thnksgiving dinner because I loved the smells but since I worked the next day I stayed home and ate alone. Except last year when Heather and Kent came. This year was lots more fun than being alone.

I was short tempered Thursday morning because everything wasn't going exactly as I planned. Emilio brought me roses to help me feel better. I got 3 other presents. Two pair of earrings and a blue bowl and plate, the start of my happy dishes, and a kitchen towel. 

Do we have dishes - and chickens!

On the way home from church, where my very favorite group was singing, I decided to pick up a couple things at the other grocery store. You can't walk anyplace in Costa Rica without looking down as everything is uneven with holes. Well you guessed it, I wasn't looking close enough and there was a tiny step and I tripped on it and there wasn't anything to catch on to so I went flat. I am sure the story went all over Orosi of the gringa that fell flat as entering the store. A nice young man came and helped me up and brought me back my umbrella. Besides my pride, the only thing scraped up is my right knee. In the afternoon I spent some time at the Pizzarea. I bought two lottery tickets, with help. I think the drawing was last night although I haven't been contacted that I won. Rosa, Emilio's mother was there and started pulling out dishes for me to look at. We have plates, salad plates, dessert plates, cups and saucers, big bowl to make salad, vases for the hydrangea that Gerardo will bring me from one of the mountain houses, gravy ladles, pans to cook the chickens. I'm excited. It will look so pretty. The man from the meat market was having pizza so Emilio talked with him and ordered the other meat I need. 2 kilos of thin sliced bacon for on top of the chickens and a kilo of ground chorizo for in the dressing. It will be delivered to the pizza shop today.

Today Emilio and I spent the day shopping. I got an apron and decorations for the trees. I think I have enough now for all the kits. We stopped to say hello to Ziomara and then headed for WalMart where we went a little crazy and silly. We had so much fun and bought almost everything that wasn't nailed down. We were both hungry and it turned out it was after 2:00pm. We ended up having lunch there and then went to the meat area where the whole chickens were on sale. It cost $34.00 for the 4 of them. They are good size so I should be in good shape. I found poultry seasoning and ground ginger, Parmesan cheese, and tons of other things. I wanted to get more small spoons but they are either big or so small you just get a drop so we decided people will drink their soup.

We checked out and then had to figure out how to carry everything. We stuffed the red bag full and the brown bag I had and were down to the bags of chickens. I grabbed the brown bag and one bag of chickens and he took the red bag and a bag of chickens. It is quite a walk to the bus stop and it had been raining. We decided to take a taxi to the bus stop in Cartago so we could get on the bus at the beginning. We were concerned it would be full because of the rain if we caught it later on. We were right. The bus was jam packed with people standing in the aisles. At least it wasn't raining when we arrived in Orosi. He took the chickens to the pizza shop and helped me carry everything here.

Tomorrow I will shop here in Orosi and pick up everything else I need. Then the real cooking starts. I want to get everything I can done tomorrow and Wednesday. 

I have written a grace that I will say and he will translate into Spanish. It is Thank you God for the people around these tables who have given so much help and kindness to me. Thank you for the food we have to share. Thank you for the blessings you have given all of us. Amen. I am keeping it short so the food doesn't get cold.

The feria was so much fun!

Thank heaven for Emilio! Keep in mind I was buying ingredients for a meal for 16. No cans, no frozen, all fresh. This is new to me with new recipes and new ingredients. Besides my red bag I had a nylon bag but what I really needed was a cart with wheels. Do you know what 8 sweet potatoes and 3 bags of carrots and 4 bags of green beans and a loaf of bread and 3 bunches of thyme and a bunch of chives and a bag of palmito and 3 rolls of ribbon and a coconut ball and two filled pastries and 2 packages of bells and 2 Christmas stockings weighs? Well, again, thank heaven for Emilio! He ended up carrying his bag and the red bag and I carried the nylon bag. Oh, and 3 bags of spinach.

The fruit I need I should be able to get here in town. Papaya, lots of lemons, Mandarinas and apples. Monday it will be another trip to Cartago. I have to get 3 chickens, ground sausage and bacon. I haven't seen any bacon since I got here. We are going to cook the chickens in the oven at the pizza shop. Mine is too small and it will leave mine free for other things or keeping things warm. I figure I will spend most of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning cooking and setting up the tables. I want to get some flowers. They had beautiful ones at the feria but I was afraid they wouldn't last.

Back to the feria. It was much larger then I expected and there was prepared food and meat as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. Everything looked so good and we had several samples. It was like sample day at the grocery store. I will definitely be going back.

I added two stockings to my assortment. I think I am going to use them to put my Christmas gifts in instead of wrapping paper.

I finished up packaging the tree branches together and tonight I will work on doing more bags of decorations. The item I am having trouble finding more of are stars for the tops of the trees. I may have to use sparkly flowers when I run out.

My two new stockings.

I was saying hurry up, these are heavy.

The radishes were really big.

One of the mysteries I haven't figured out is the green onions. It is only the green part, no white onion part. And the celery is not crispy. It is limp. I will cook the palmito in salt water and use it in the salad with the Mandarinas and red onion. 

This is cajeta that Emilio made yesterday. It is sweetened condensed milk, powdered milk and a little butter. A very good sweet treat. You cut thin slices. They were also selling it at the feria and we got samples.

It was a very rainy day but I got lots done and had two visits.

Tia hasn't been out and about much this week but she was today. First we met at the mandarina tree for a little talk. I went away with one in my hand. Then she was out later and I motioned her over to see my stockings. Ana came also and I had to explain the mess in my living room and show them all the decorations for the trees. Later Tia came by herself with an avocado in her hand. This time it was for a long talk with her doing all the talking. I love her.

I spent most of the day working on the trees. I had bought a ball of goldish yellow string and I did one tree to figure out exactly how much I needed for each tree. These trees are smaller then the one I 

made for Gerardo's father. It takes 3 yards so I got busy and cut up the entire ball. I ended up with 40 for the senior center and 5 for the neighborhood group that I supplemented with 5 gold and green that I had bought.

I put together the kits for the neighborhood ladies which include the branches, string and a bag of assorted decorations and some thin string to tie some of them on the branches. We will also have silicone glue to attach some of the things. The neighborhood ladies will be making their trees so I am done and ready for that class.

Now the 40 for the senior center. We are making the trees for this group because we are concerned it would take them too long to make the trees and decorate them. I have about 15 bags of decorations done and about the same number of tree branches tied together. I am hoping the neighborhood ladies will agree to help me make the trees. I am going to run out of a few of the decorations so I will need to pick up some additional things tomorrow in Paraiso or Monday in Cartago.

Tomorrow I will finally make it to the feria in Paraiso to see what I can pick up for Thanksgiving. I plan to get the 9:15am bus. Hopefully the rain will hold off until I get back. It will be my first time checking out Paraiso.

The kits for the neighborhood ladies.

Cooking mode

I have started! Yesterday I made 4 loaves of fruit bread. 2 have raisins and mango and chopped pecans. 2 have all that and papaya. I also want to make some cinnamon bread and I have a recipe for cranberry almond cake that sounds good. I think I will make it in a loaf pan. I also made a double batch of Mounds Balls so I have enough for the dinner and to give away between now and then. I did just that today at the Super. I also finished cutting up all of the branches so I have 50 of each length. The only thing not cut up are the dowels and Emilio has said he will do that. He has also said he will help put up my metal hook strips. What a friend! Next will be to make trees and put together bags of decorations.

I have been trying out my recipes. The lemonade was terrible, but he has told me his mother makes a wonderful drink that is papaya and lemons so I am trying that next. I tried the sweet potatoes last night. It is good but the purple skinned sweet potatoes here aren't as flavorful as the orange. I will see what I can get. I am also concerned about getting a squash like butternut so I have switched to carrot soup with curry and coconut milk. That way Otto will be able to eat it. I figure he will have the salad, the green beans and I will pull out some potato before I add the milk and butter and cheese. That should work.

Saturday morning I will leave here at 9:00am for the feria in Paraiso and then Monday it is back to Cartago. I have been buying what I can locally.

I saw Tia today for the first time since Sunday. She was so cute. We were by the mandarina tree and Ana was using the picker and would hand the fruit to Tia and Tia would hand it to me and grin. I let Ana know there will be 16 for Thanksgiving and she asked if red tablecloths would be OK. That works fine with my color scheme and the ribbon I bought to decorate the table. 

We have been getting very heavy rains and some areas along the Pacific coast are flooding from heavy rains. They desperately need the rain but it doesn't do much good when it comes so hard and fast and just runs off.

The only Christmas decorations I brought with me are stockings so I put them up today. I want to make myself a bigger version of the tree also. Maybe I will find a spot to tuck some decorations in my suitcase on my way back down from Heather's. I don't know where I will put stuff from 6 more suitcases. Heather and Kent and I will each bring 2.

On my door facing out.

More invitations.

After a really good morning at the pools and a great lunch at the soda by the gas station we headed back to town in the rain. We stopped outside Janet's house and Emilio called her and she invited us in. She was busy making tamales, which she does to make extra money. During December there will be such a demand for them that she will be making them 3 times a week. She showed us the pot of banana leaves cooking. I assume it is to soften them or saturate them really well. There was a large crate that I thought was cooked meat, used to stuff the tamales. I asked about it and it turned out it was shredded blankets that gets used for the manger scene. They both got a big laugh when I told them I thought it was for in the tamales. Emilio explained about my Thanksgiving and invited her. She said yes right away and said it would be her first one. She offered to help with the cooking but I said no, Emilio and I would do the cooking. We also asked her to talk to Dona Rosa and invite her as I haven't run into her yet.

I found out the parade on Sunday was a celebration for the school. The senior center is having a bingo event on Dec. 5 at 6:00pm. The tickets were 1000 colones which is about $2.00 so I bought one. I am not sure I am going because it will be after dark.

I made a trip to the Super to pick up much needed items and I will do some baking tomorrow morning. I will see how far my rum goes for the bread and I have to make some cookies.

I put together my shopping list for the dinner so I am pretty organized. I want to read over all the recipes and make sure I didn't forget anything and I am comfortable with the recipes. I am hoping I can find a platter in my color scheme for the chicken and a gravy ladle. I didn't find either yesterday.

I met two gringa ladies at the pool today. I have been invited to visit them and play cards. I will have to wait until Thanksgiving and the classes are over.

My goodness, it is 10:30pm. Time for bed. Sunrise is at 5:45am. Good night!

What a day in Cartago!

As I was waiting for the bus Katherine and Lexi came over and she let me know they would not be able to make the Thanksgiving dinner as they always go to a friend of her husband. I decided I would invite Janet from the senior center. I left on the bus at 9:45am and called Emilio when I got there to see if he was already there or coming. He was coming so I said I would head for El Rey. I had to of course stop at ABC Bazaar and bought some shiny, sparkley decorations for the trees. I headed for El Rey and talked to one of my students from the English lesson. I picked up more containers of silicone glue for the classes and headed for the tin cups. I got 6 more of the little ones and 4 of the biggest ones. Back to get a cart and see what I could get for some additional silverware. That's where I was when Emilio called looking for me. He came and we headed back to the dishes. I now have 2 glass bowls, one very large mug for my coffee each day ( I only have one cup with lots of milk and some sugar but it is a doozey.), 6 small tin mugs, 4 larger tin mugs, silverware and silicone glue. Oh yes I forgot, 18 glasses. I can't carry it! Emilio is so great! We head down the street to the other store but there is nothing I desperately need today. Off to the yarn shop to see if we can leave the big bag there while we do the rest of our shopping. Ziomara is there. I haven't seen her in ages. I invite her to the Thanksgiving dinner and show her the tin cups which set the color scheme. She says they play a very big part in Costa Rican history. Men would use them for their coffee on the job or in the fields and kids were given coffee with lots of milk in them at a very young age. I loved that I had decided to use them. She has to see what she can do to get off work to come.

Off we go without the big bag and the next stop is for Emilio. He is a large man for Costa Rica but there is a shop right near the yarn shop where he has good luck finding shirts. Found a couple today too.

We hit several craft and frabic shops I had not been to before. Ziomara has suggested we go to Mayca and oh my goodness. I got a big bag of frozen cranberries that we are going to split, butter, artichoke hearts, sea salt and saw all kinds of things for a future visit. It is a restaurant supply place so they have big packaging. I tried to explain to Emilio that now I need to find packages of chopped, cooked, frozen spinach. His logic tells him that I could just chop and cook and freeze the spinach myself. I really can't argue with that.

We were both hungry so we went to the little soda across the street. I was surprised, it was young women running it and doing the cooking. Usually it is older women. He said if we asked them it would probably turn out their mothers used to run it and taught them. We had beef in a sauce, great beans and coleslaw type salad and fruit drinks. His was pineapple and rice and mine was mixed fruit. It was very very good.

More shopping and then back to the yarn shop to get the big bag. Heading to the bus I saw the seasonal store where I thought I got the pom poms. Sure enough I found them in two sizes. They work great on the trees and I took all the packages. I asked if they had anymore. I was told if I come back on Friday they would have more. I may not make it Friday but at the latest Monday when we start buying the food for Thanksgiving. I may finally make the feria in Paraiso to see about squash. I have mango and papaya for the bread if I ever stay home long enough to bake. I have enough rum left for a batch or two. Not for me, for the raisins.

It was raining hard most of the way home but not bad in Orosi. We stopped at a bakery and picked up some fresh rolls and came here to make coffee. I split the rolls and toasted them and had butter, peanut butter and guayaba jelly. I offered my meatloaf and explained I eat it cold because I don't like the taste of reheated hamburger. He decided to try it and loved it. We also had yogurt.

It was a good, fun day and tomorrow it is back to the pools. I am even getting a little color but I am being very careful.

My mug and the glasses.

The tin cups and the ribbon I will use to decorate on top of the tablecloth. 

What a way to celebrate being 90!

Another funeral at Mass today and the church was packed. Coming home there was a parade, Orosi style. I wasn't in time for pictures of the band but I did get a neat one. I don't know what the event was, but it was interesting.

Back at La Quinta activity had started. I found out it was only going to be family so about 90 people, not 600. Gerardo came and got me and I got the tree I had made for Papa and headed to the party room. It was decorated and everyone was in jeans and shirts and cowboy hats. There were snacks and beverages on the tables. Each person was given a shot glass size glass of I think eggnog for the toast. Lunch was served, which Ana had made. It was rice and chips and a pasta salad and a beef mixture. It was all very good. 

There seemed to be a break in activities after lunch so I headed back to my porch to continue cutting up branches. Marta brought me a plate of breads and sweets and I was also offered coffee. Later there would be cake and ice cream.

The activities moved outside and the volume of music and people was turned up. One of the things I love is they have so much fun with very little alcohol. I know there was a bottle being passed around for little shots but no kegs or cases. The activities were simple. Karaoke and dancing and conga line and jump rope, musical chairs - or that is what it sounded like. Tons of laughing, a piñata with everyone being given a bag for goodies. The music was great - a combination of Spanish and English. 

There was a small group of four interested in the soccer field. They headed for my porch and flower area and I convinced them to use the opening halfway down the field instead. They came and went several times and I thanked them. They gave me a thumbs up so I got my cookie container and gave out my last chocolates as a thank you. Gerardo came along so he got the last one.

About 6:00pm the party started breaking up and by 7:00pm everyone was gone and everything was quiet and back to normal in La Quinta.

I finished the 8" and the 12" branches and now I need to gather more branches. I am about half done with 9"10"11" so I don't have that many left. Then I will need to start putting together the trees for the senior center. 

Monday morning Emilio and I are going to Cartago to start picking up things I need for Thanksgiving and then lunch at his house with his mother. I still have to figure out a way to track down Dona Rosa.

Happy Birthday to my daughter, Heather. I hope she spends a great day in Madison celebrating with Kent.

The parade.

Papa and his tree.

Papa dancing with the ladies.

Piñata time. There was a sno cone stand with big blocks of ice to shave and different pop for flavoring.

The piñata was a guitar.

Gerardo doing the limbo. They had it pretty low at that point and raised it up for him.

The head table were brothers or sisters or in laws of Papa. Tia is in the black.

My first tree is done.

I redid the tree I plan to give Gerardo's father tomorrow at the party for his 90th birthday. Gerardo told me there will be 600. Maybe I just misunderstood. That is quite a party! 

I got up early and did laundry and then spent most of the day cutting up branches for the trees for the classes. I have limited the neighborhood ladies to 10 trees and I need 40 for the senior center. I have all the dowels marked for cutting but I will need a saw for them. I cut all the 3"4"5"6"7" and most of the 12". I have part of the others done. Sone of the branches are getting too big for my clippers so I will need a saw for them also. I think I will have to gather more branches before I can finish. There won't be a bare branch in all of La Quinta. Emilio says he will come tomorrow morning and help before going to work. He is such a kind person. We are going to Cartago on Monday to start picking up things for Thanksgiving and we are supposed to go to the pools on Tuesday but I have to check what time I have a cooking lesson with Marta. Something about coconut and caramel and very good. Can't wait! Marta and Dora confirmed today they will be coming to Thanksgiving dinner and Gerardo says he will definitely bring Tia. I offered to just bring her a plate of food if she didn't want to come with so many people but he said no, he will bring her. I will probably see Dona Rosa at church tomorrow but without help I can't invite her. I told Gerardo it would probably be more than 12 and he said, no problem - 20? I said no there wouldn't be that many but at this point I am at 14 plus 2 kids. I am getting close. 

I have all my recipes written out in case the wifi is down. It went down yesterday afternoon and didn't come back up until after 9:00 this morning.

Now, here is my math problem for all of you. Gerardo gave me 34 dowels that are 20 inches long. Each tree will have 10 pieces that are 3"4"5"6"7"8"9"10"11"12".  How do I cut them so I have the least waste and the most number of trees? Just so you know, my super duper son in law is a wiz and has given me the answer. And, he did it in less than 10 minutes. I didn't even try and figure it out myself. It made my brain hurt.

My first tree.

The dowels.

The pile is almost gone and cut up into different lengths. I put each length in a seperate garbage bag.

My cooking lesson

Involved more eating than cooking. Dona Alicia was making tortillas with shredded cheese when we got there. After making a few more she took us to the table and said she also had a surprise for us. We each had a tortilla and coffee and she brought us each a plate of what was similar to a cabbage roll but it had been dipped in egg and fried. There was rice and beef  and maybe some chopped vegetable inside. She spent time telling Emilio stories of her past. I couldn't help myself. I invited her to Thanksgiving dinner. From there we headed towards home and called Janet from the street. It turned out she was at her daughter's so we met her and went up the street to her home. I showed her the tree out of branches I had with me and the container of decorations. She liked the idea and we agreed I would have a class for the neighborhood ladies here in La Quinta at 2:00pm on November 30 and at the senior center at 10:00am on December 4th. I will need to make 50 of the trees as I have limited the neighborhood ladies to 10 trees. I welcomed the kids but they will have to just help the mothers with their trees. 

From there we went to Friends of Orosi for a cold drink and talked with Katherine. I invited her to the dinner also. I forgot, I invited Otto when he was here this morning for my massage. and I spoke with Jose this afternoon and invited him and Gloriana. Yup, you guessed it. I probably won't stop at 12.  I still have Dona Rosa to invite and I want to ask Dora and Marta, Gerardo's sisters. 

My little tin cups will make good soup servers and Emilio is lending me plates and glasses and a coffee maker and a pitcher for the limeade or lemonade I will make. I ran across an interesting recipe where you wash the fruit and cut it in 4 and put it and water and sugar in the blender. You strain it and serve it. I can't wait to try it.

I believe Monday Emilio and I are going on an excursion and then back to his family home for lunch and a cooking lesson. I said I want to learn the pancakes with corn. 

It started raining really hard while we were at friends of Orosi. I had my hat and Emilio took my umbrella as he is taller and we cuddled under the umbrella to cross the street. It was raining really hard and we got a little wet. I went into the Super Mercado and he headed for the pizza shop just down the street.

I don't want to get all excited but I may finally be improving. I didn't hurt anyplace after my massage. I sure hope that is the case. 

My little tin cups. They hold about 3/4 of a cup. Behind them is the coconut Heather bought and Gerardo cut for her. I removed all the coconut and the shell is drying. I will take it to her in December.

I have my menu!

I put together my menu for Thanksgiving today and here is what I came up with.

Squash (usually butternut but I will see what I can get) Soup with Curry Condiments.

Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken.

Sausage, Rice, Apple Stuffing.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes.

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds.

Spinach salad with Mandarinas and Red Onion

Refrigerator pickles 

Cranberry Sauce

Mango and Raisin Bread - with Guayaba Jelly of course.

Pumpkin Roll

Lemon Bars.

Assorted beverages.

I figure it will be 2 days of cooking. I did get an offer of help today and I accepted. He also offered me plates from the pizza shop so I don't need to buy more until I find just what I like.

So far I have invited Emilio, his mother and Grandmother, Jose, Gerardo, Tia, and Ana. Tomorrow hopefully I will be able to invite Dona Rosa and Katherine's family. I am planning for about 12. 

Tomorrow is a busy day with my massage in the morning and cooking lesson in the afternoon. It rained a lot today so I spent the day making my first tree and cutting the ribbons and cording. 

I graduated and got my certificate

Emilio and I arrived at the pools at the same time. It was quite busy already at 10:00am. I saw a couple familiar faces from the first time. We started in the hot pool and then Emilio headed for the cold pool and I headed for the lukewarm one. I spent most of my time there. Then when he was going back to the hot pool for the third time I went also. I was talked into going to the cold pool afterwards by a couple people so I gave it a try. I decided that after a half hour it doesn't feel that cold. I'm joking. It wasn't that bad. We took time to eat our snacks and put clothes on and were sitting outside waiting for the bus when a lady offered us a ride. We stopped at the soda by the gas station and all had lunch together. Then she brought us to La Quinta so I could run in and get bags of cookies for both of them. Emilio decided we need to go each week so we agreed Tuesday morning is a good time. I might be a little pink but no serious burn like last time. I really do enjoy the pools.

It started raining while we were having lunch and has been raining off and on for most of the afternoon. I really have to get busy working on my tree.

We have a new class topic.

I had such a good time today. I left on the bus at 9:45am for Cartago. It was full and I started out standing up. The very first stop the lady in the first row got off and I was able to sit there the rest of the trip. My main goal was things for the tree project. I started at ABC Bazaar and came out with a big bag of goodies. Next was a small seasonal shop and more goodies. El Rey and more goodies. Also some fun. I asked one of the guys for plates, then I tried dishes. He took me to plastic bowls and then got a girl who spoke more English. She took me to the plates and I look back and there are 3 guys there who speak varying amounts of English so we do an English Spanish lesson. I didn't find anything I wanted so I decided to head upstairs. I have not checked it out before today. The first thing I see when I get to the top of the stairs is hot pink panties. The upstairs is all clothes and shoes and accessories. Nothing I couldn't live without. Next I head for the big store down the street. This is where the embarrassment starts. I get a cart and go to a section of Christmas decorations. I see a long plastic sheet with little envelope type slots with little tag like cards and I figure they would be great on the trees. There are a bunch of them and the price seems reasonable so I take one and head around the store. One of the employees heads to me and between Spanish, English and sign language I figure out the tags are sold individually. I laugh and give it back to her. They are really nice there and the girl that checked me out talked about a sister in California. I did get more tags, in packages where I knew it was the whole package.

I went to the yarn shop but Ziomara wasn't coming in until 3:00pm so I left and stopped to have a cold drink and an empanada. When I went to leave my big red bag hit the glass and knocked it over and broke it. I set everything down and picked up all the big pieces. I called the waitress over and she swept up the tiny pieces. I said I was sorry and headed out. They called me back and I figured they were going to charge me for the glass. No, they just wanted me to pay for what I ate. I don't know where my brain was.

That settled I headed for the fabric shop where I picked up some ribbon and cording. I got home and texted Emilio to see if he wanted to have coffee and see all the goodies I bought as he will be helping with the class. He didn't have an English class today so he came over. He suggested I get liquid silicone glue to glue everything on the sticks so we went looking. The Super only had little bottles so we went to the department store across the street. I got one big bottle and 4 little ones. I am thinking of doing a class 11/30 for the neighbors and 12/4 at the senior center. Then we went to Friends of Orosi for a cold drink. I am not sure what I had but it was tall and cold and creamy and very good.

While we were sitting at the cafe I got an idea and asked if his family would like to join me for Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. I am not sure it will be turkey as although they are available here, they are very expensive. I may just go with a couple whole chicken.

Dona Rosa, one of the ladies from the senior center and church walked by and I waved and she came and talked with us. I want to invite her for thanksgiving also. And Gerardo and Tia and Katherine and her family from the hotel. I don't think 2 chickens are going to do it. I will have to have it in one of the other areas as I don't have enough room in my house. I told Emilio that grandmama can come too but not all the cousins. 

Tomorrow is a work on the tree day as I need it done this Sunday. I am invited to Emilio's house on Wednesday for lunch and my massage Thursday morning and Dona Alicia's at 2:00pm for our cooking lesson. A busy week!

All my goodies. I need to cut down more branches.

There are 17 sticks but ours will be more like 11 to make them a little smaller.

I just got a call from Emilio and I am invited to the pools outside town tomorrow morning. I will have to be very careful not to get sunburned.

It was a quiet Sunday

Mass was a little different today. It was also a funeral. Six people carried the casket into the church. When it was over, 4 large men lifted it to their shoulders. Each 2 locked arms and carried it out. Janet from the senior center and the neighborhood class greeted me as well as her daughter who was at the neighborhood class. It is neat to start recognizing people. I have come up with a new class for the neighborhood group and the senior center. I just have to learn how to do it. Emelio will help. I am making one for Gerardo's fathers' 90th birthday party here at La Quinta on the 15th. I think they are so neat. I am going into Cartago tomorrow to get the supplies I don't have. I will include a photo below. I have all kinds of branches and I bought cording to tie them together. I need to get some Christmas decorations.

After Mass I stopped in the grocery store and got a mat for the shower, a small braided rug for outside the shower and some racks of hooks for 3 of the rooms. They are necessary because all the plastic adhesive hooks I put up have fallen down.  Now I will have to borrow Gerardo's drill. That should be interesting.

I took a break from cooking while the girls were here. Courtney is vegan and does little gluten and Heather loves Casados. The most I did was cut up fruit and make toast. Today was different. I made meatloaf and baked potatoes and green beans with onions with a little vinegar. It was really good.  Now I have meat for sandwiches for several days and potatoes to fry with scrambled eggs.

Emelio is going to call Dona Alicia about our cooking lesson as there wasn't an opportunity while the girls were here.

Both girls got home, pretty much on schedule.

There was a lot of rain today. Making up for so little last week I guess.

I spent a little time in the hammock today but when there was a jerk from the rope I bailed. I just don't trust the rope. I am going to rectify that when I am at Heather's in December. I am afraid this rope is going to fray.

We have a new resident in the new apt. For the next 4 weeks. A friend of Ana's. I haven't met her yet. She got in very late last night. She will be taking Spanish while she is here.

That's about it. I hope everyone who reads this has a great week.

They are gone!

Yesterday was a busy day with some interesting surprises. The girls were tired from the trip back from the Caribbean and slept in. Once they were up and about Gerardo brought one of his daughters, Sylvia, to meet them. When Tia and Ana and Gerardo were in the courtyard I took the coconut Heather had bought and showed him we wanted two bowls from the shell. He asked if I wanted the juice and sent me in for a container. I brought out a little plastic dish and he sent me back for a bigger one. He got his electric drill and drilled a hole in one of the eyes. I was surprised at how much liquid there was. Then came the power saw to cut the shell. Tia said something about coco and Heather thought she said loco and there was a lot of laughing. Now my job is to get all the coconut away from the shells and bring them to Heather in December. 

Gerardo talked about casa and 3:00pm and cafe and I asked where and he said aqui. We thought he meant we were invited to coffee at Tia's at 3:00pm. I figured I better make some Mounds Balls quick. The girls did their last minute running and saying good byes. At 3:00 Gerardo was here and I had my plate of goodies and instead of heading to Tia's we head out the gate and get in the car. We have no idea where we are going but we are ready with cookies.

The first stop is his mountain home with wonderful views. No cookies needed here. It really is a lovely spot and comes fully furnished for around $400,000. He would take his bird and his dog and himself out and the rest would stay.

Off we go and the next stop is one of his other houses. It is in the hills but has no long distance views. There are lots of stairs all over the house so it appealed less to the girls. It has lots of bedrooms and lots of beds so it can hold a large group.  There is a beautiful garden area with tons of enormous hydrangea. Next to the garden are 4 lots for sale. Most of the area is parkland that will never be developed. There is also a beautiful River area with large rocks and flowing water where people can swim. Heather fell in love. She thought it felt much more solid and secure and although it is outside of town, it isn't far. On the way back we stopped for a minute to talk with one of his brothers and his wife and we finally got to give out some cookies.

Off we go and we think we are headed back so the girls can finish packing. NO! Gerardo says something about a hammock and we end up at the walking bridge. We hadn't walked there so I was happy they got to see it. Then, on to Dora's house for coffee and bread. We got back with 45 minutes to finish everything before Jose got there. We did it, and we were ready. We asked to stop at the pizza shop for a quick goodby to Emelio who hadn't been around earlier. Most of the way to San Jose Heather and Jose and Gerardo on the phone discussed the lots and building houses on the lots.

We got them to their hotel and waited to make sure they were all checked in. By now Courtney should be boarding her flight. Heather's isn't until this afternoon so she was going to sleep in. It will be very late by the time she gets to Milwaukee and then they have a 11/2 hour drive to Madison.

They both definitely want to come back and love Orosi best of all the places we went. I did good in choosing a spot.

My Costa Rican coffee makers.

We are back in Orosi.

Courtney and I got up early and headed for the beach. It was very hot and she choose the sun and I choose the shade. Heather didn't come along because she was concerned she would get a migraine from the heat and then have the long trip to Orosi.

We found that many people speak English in Puerto Viejo and have much more of a Jamaican look to them. We did not find them to be as friendly as here. As far as food, we found much more seafood and they make rice and beans with coconut milk.

We went back to the hotel, got packed up and checked out, had something to eat, did a little shopping and headed out.

We arrived at the Sloth Sanctuary at noon and I got my first discount for living in Costa Rica. It was $20.00 each for Jose and me and $30.00 each for the girls.

It is a 2 part tour. First you go in a boat for an hour thru the lagoon of the sanctuary. We saw a little crocodile, birds, lizards, monkeys and a couple sloths sleeping way up in the trees.

The second part is inside with a guide and it is up close. First with adults including Millie who has been there 15 years and then on to the nursery. It was very informative. When they can, the animals are released into the sanctuary. Babies who are brought in and are less than a year old have not been taught what they need to survive from their mothers so they can never be released into the sanctuary. They will stay in their enclosure the rest of their lives. The reason they move so slow is to conserve energy since they only eat leaves. There are two finger and three finger sloths. Their long hair is to help keep them warm, even in the tropical heat.

It rained and was foggy most of the way home. Thank heavens Jose is an extremely careful driver and knows the roads very well. We were all comfortable with his driving and it was curvy windy mountain roads. And after dark. And raining and foggy. Had I been driving we would have been going ten miles an hour, if that fast.

Tomorrow we take the girls to San Jose to spend the night by the airport for their flights on Saturday. I can't believe the time is gone already. I hope they have enjoyed being here as much as I have enjoyed having them. I do know they like Orosi best.

This morning on the beach.

Millie

One of the babies.

The first animal we saw on the boat ride.

We made it to the beach.

Jose was right on time and away we went. Heather got the front seat and Courtney and I got comfortable in the back. We headed to the bridge and across the river to where Senor Juan had taken Adriana and I. The girls could see how far we walked that day. We stopped at an artist's shop in Cachi. He carves statues and faces from coffee plant roots. They are really neat and the girls each got one with an owl. We took a gravel road to a beautiful spot overlooking the lake. About 1:00pm we stopped for lunch at an interesting place built up on stilts because when the river overflows the lower area is flooded. On to Limon and we headed south. We stopped for pictures at the Sloth Sanctuary but it closed at 2:00pm and it was now 3:00pm. Jose suggested we stay at Coco Loco. They had very little still available but we were able to get a bungalow for Jose and two rooms in a house on the property for $135.00 for all three. Most of the rooms are in bungalows spread around the property and the landscaping is beautiful. We are a couple blocks from the beach.

After we checked in the girls headed out to check out the shops and I parked myself in the hammock. Jose came and got me and we headed to the beach for the sunset and dinner. We ate at a lovely place close to the beach. He had a whole fish and I had a sautéed seafood and vegetable entree with rice. I had a watermelon drink and everything was great. We all did a little shopping. Mine was Costa Rican coffee makers and both girls bought a few things.

Tomorrow will be the beach and maybe a little more shopping. It is much warmer here than in Orosi. I  couldn't stand it all the time. I like the Orosi weather much better. We plan to head back about 2:00pm tomorrow.

Heather helping the carver..

Heather and the new friend she made at lunch.

Jose at lunch.

It's my turn again.

We all got up early so we could make the 9:45am bus to Cartago. We were able to get Heather in a front seat and Courtney and I sat together a few rows back. I sent a message to Emelio that we were on the bus but we didn't see him in Paraiso. We called him when we arrived at the ruins and he was five minutes away. When he arrived we walked to the yarn shop and then walked to the mercado. It is so different from what we are used to and we found lots of goodies. For some reason there weren't any fruit and vegetable vendors outside but there was plenty to choose from inside. Heather bought some decorated tin cups and a coffee mug. We left the market and walked to Lola's for lunch. Heather and Emelio had coffee con leche and she said it was the best cup of coffee she had ever had. Three of us had beef casados and the only problem was the beef. It was quite tough. Everything else including the mora drink was great. 

From Lola's we walked to cafe del flor, not to eat but to see what they had. The girls bought some munchies and I encountered bakers heaven. I got melting chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate and slivered almonds. I am very happy with my purchase.

The girls were doing well so we continued on to the Basilica so they could look around and try the waters. From there we headed to the bus stop a few blocks away. Heather was having trouble with a migraine and didn't do well on the trip home on the bus. She was pretty miserable by the time we got here and laid down for a while. She recovered and I just picked her up a Casado from Rabbit's. She does love her Casado. The first couple times we got take out she sent us home with a lovely Christmas plate covered with aluminum foil. Now we just take our own plate and she fills it. The other night they took 3 plates. That way we don't have to return it.

Tomorrow morning we head for the Caribbean and an area of Costa Rica I have not seen. We think we will be heading for Puerto Viejo. We will see! We will be going via Turrialba. They have expanded the no go zone by 5 kilometers and the park is closed because of the eruptions. It has been erupting every hour so we should be able to see some activity. It takes about an hour to get there and about 5 hours to Puerto Viejo.

Emelio, Heather and Courtney.

Our lunch

In front of the Basilica.