Today was Tia's birthday party.

When I went to Tia's house this morning to tell Rosa or Gerardo that Heather - or Heidi and Kent had left and wouldn't be coming back, he invited me to coffee at 3:00 for Tia's birthday. I decided to make her gift so I made a placemat and a microwave bowl pot holder. I have fabric and batting and cotton thread. I also made a gift bag from fabric to put them in. 

It turned out it was being held in the living area of the little apt and when I went over Rosa was busy making tortillas. I went home and got the plate of cookies I had forgotten. There was also sweet bread. Cheese and sour cream. Coffee with French vanilla creamer and sugar. Dora and Marta and Flors and Gerardo and a friend of the family, Johana. Either they had told Tia it was tomorrow to surprise her or tomorrow is her actual birthday. I am not sure which.

When Tia opened her gift, I explained to everyone, with a demonstration, what the potholder was for.

I also used my translate program to let Gerardo know I now have 2 sewing machines and lots of fabric and I would be happy to show someone how to sew. Johana was very interested. I brought the fabric and batting over and showed it to her and she picked out a bright fabric with silly birds or chickens for hers. I will make it tomorrow.

I would like to teach a few women how to use the machines and they can come here and sew. If necessary I will bring more batting from my trip to Oregon. I can't just buy it here because it has to be all cotton for the pot holders. I will also need to get more cotton thread as I only brought a little of mine. I can get the rest when I go to Heather's in June.

It was a beautiful day in Orosi today. Very quiet in La Quinta. Tomorrow I will make another batch of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies as they are very popular and easy to freeze.

I have been invited to a craft ladies gathering on Thursday at 2:30 in Paraiso. Emilio's mother, Rosita, invited me. I will bring a crochet hook and some yarn and work on a hat. Each person brings something for coffee and whatever project they are working on. Should be fun.

I learned today that the lady from Denver took a big stock of garlic back with her but it was taken away so if you come to Costa Rica, don't try and load up on garlic to take home.

We don't have much fruit on the trees here in La Quinta right now but after coffee Tia brought me 4. I am not sure if they are limon dulce or plain limon or what. I will find out when I cut into them. She kept mentioning Gerardo so they may be from his mountain home. Did I tell you he is turning the one with many bedrooms into a bed and breakfast?