Ok, ok, I can finally talk!

I was sworn to secrecy until they told their friends - no, no baby. I did good not mentioning anything. Heather and Kent love to go to open houses and look at houses but they are the absolute worst at deciding on anything, especially deciding fast. They think for a while and come up with reasons it isn't a good choice. Or, 12 other people make offers and it sells before they decide they might be interested. 

Well, a few weeks ago they headed for an open house. It was cancelled but Heather remembered there was another house in the area that she thought was interesting so they headed there.

They fell in love! They spent a good amount of time and then went back later with their realtor for another 2 hours. And my kids, who take forever to make up their minds, made an offer the next day. They were shocked at themselves. They hadn't been planning on buying a house. There were already a bunch of offers so they knew if they wanted it they had to move fast. One of the things they did that I love and I am convinced made the sellers pick them is they wrote a love letter to the house to include with the offer.

The sellers had been in the house for 28 years and felt about the house and yard the same as Heather expressed in the letter. I have seen pictures and looked at them again and again. I love it too and get a really good feeling about it. There is a wonderful sunroom their current house doesn't have. 4 bedrooms instead of 3, 2 1/2 baths instead of 1 1/2. a  wonderful looking lower level where I am trying to convince Heather I can sleep and she won't be able to hear me snore. The main thing about the house is it is full of light with lots of windows. Their current house tends to be a bit dark although they did just have 4 solar tubes installed. Heather is already thinking about the tons of plants she can have. 

I did have a little scare that they wouldn't be coming here for Christmas but they soon decided they would.

They will be closing soon and have scheduled all the wood floors to be refinished. When that is finished they will start moving in slowly. Kent has a teenage son with lots of friends to help. Lots that is in the basement will now be able to be in the main rooms. Books in Kent's office and china in cupboards. There isn't as much basement storage area in this house but the garage is heated and extra big. 

In January I am flying to Madison to help get the current house ready to sell. We are all so excited.

Heather was starting to make a list of the things she would have to buy to furnish the extra rooms. Extra living area, extra bedroom. The sellers left them a list of what they were leaving and it covered almost everything she needs. It is just all working out perfect. They also want to meet Heather and Kent.

That's my secret. It will be a very busy next few months for all of us.

This basket was also full of grapes and the flowers have continued to open.

I can't believe I did it!

Every travel agent's greatest fear is they will book a client to the right city, wrong state. We all talk about it. Portland Oregon instead of Portland Maine. Well today I managed to quote fares and book Adriana and MYSELF to San Jose California instead of San Jose Costa Rica. Now the website I used only allows you to cancel by phone. They do have a four hour window with no penalty. So I contacted my super duper wonder daughter who has been playing travel agent since she was about 5. She was concerned because she wasn't the person who booked them but I told her I use her address and telephone number so don't say you aren't me. I wasn't sure it was still within the four hours but, yes it was. She was able to cancel everything I booked with no penalty and I was able to start over. You can be sure this time I made sure I had the right San Jose. Yes, Adriana is all booked again. I haven't done mine yet for February coming back from Heather's but there are some $150.00 deals from Chicago via San Salvador. Well I have never been there. I may try it. I can't take Southwest without overnighting in Chicago because they only have morning flights that time of year and I have a long bus ride from Madison to get there. What a day! 

Today reminded me how lucky we were yesterday with the weather. It rained off and on all day. Yesterday it was so hot I wore a skirt instead of pants.

I think I will go back to being retired and baking cookies and let Bursch Travel do my tickets. This is too stressful!   

It is official

I didn't want to say anything until it was all confirmed and locked in. Adriana is definitely coming to spend Christmas with us! Her dates are the same as Heather and Kent to keep the transfer cost down. I had been watching Southwest so she could bring 2 suitcases but their prices just kept climbing. This morning I found some great prices on American and schedules that work with Heather's. They will all stay the last night at an airport hotel that Heather has used several times.

We are going to have so much fun. It will be quite a Christmas. I better get busy painting the other bedroom.

So you can see I am not pretending about my flowers.

I keep trying to brace it up but the stick keeps falling over. I should just tie it. So many blossoms.

Happy Thanksgiving Costa Rica!

I am the queen of Thanksgiving dinners!

This year went much better I think. I didn't prepare near as many foods but what I made was in bigger quantity and had to be prepared and reheated. Part of the reason is I have accumulated more things so I didn't need to borrow. Also, I did use plastic plates and bowls and glasses and cups so everyone didn't have to do tons of dishes. I brought all the serving things and silverware to my house and will do it little by little.

Thursday I did cranberry sauce, pickles and 2 pans of bars. Yesterday I did 2 turkeys, a crockpot of dressing and set up the tables. Colors were a combination of red and orange. Napkins were a really large white with a regular size orange on it with a decorative candy on it. Yesterday I took all the meat off the bones of two turkeys and refrigerated it overnight as well as the dressing.

Today I was up at 5:00am to put the third turkey in the oven. I made another crockpot of dressing and when it was cooked down I was able to add most of the first batch to heat it up. I put the turkey in pans and added a little water and covered them and put them in the oven for the last hour. It was really good and no reheated taste. I made a humongous pot of potatoes for mashed potatoes and made the biggest batch of gravy I have ever made.

I knew I was getting 1 container of ice cream and I didn't know if I was getting tortillas - Ticos really like their tortillas, so I made a quick trip to the store for ice cream and tortillas. Well, I didn't need to worry. With mine there were 5 containers of ice cream and someone did bring tortillas. We started preparing mine but they are still sitting on the counter. So, I have tortillas, a little turkey that didn't fit on the tray, the dressing that didn't fit in the crockpot, gravy and ice cream. I did give Dora one and we used 2 so I am down to 2. 

Emilio came mid morning and put together the center pieces. They were made up from my garden and planters and also included flowers, candles, red and green apples, tangerines and sweet peppers. 

And the food! I love potluck and we had quite an assortment. The only rice was in the dressing and arroz con leche for dessert. There were salads. Iliana had the best dressing. Various types of salads, beans, picadillos which are mixtures of tiny chopped up vegetables or potatoes, chips and dips, two cakes, my bars, a basket that was part flowers and part grapes, papaya lemonade, sangria, fruit bread, Bailey's and a mashed potato dish. It was so fun to go around and have each person offer me what they brought. I filled up a plate but I only managed to eat and drink a little. Several of the things I make I have to explain what it is for, like cranberry sauce and gravy. The people who were there last year helped to explain things like dressing. 

I brought the third turkey out whole and placed it at Gerardo's place and said it was for him. He said no, no, no but had lots of fun having his picture taken with it. Marta couldn't get over it was 9 kilo. 2.2 pounds per kilo and I had 3. Remember for most of them it was the first time for turkey. At the end I carved the turkey - ok so I chopped it up and even used my hands to get all the meat off. Then I told people - well Emilio did - that they could have the fruits and vegetables and jars of guayaba jelly I had brought out and turkey. They were all talking about tortillas with turkey later. That is why the only thing left was gravy. And even some of that went. When I was finishing Gerardo and Tia were there. I gave her chips and grapes and Gerardo used a spoon to taste the gravy. I explained what it is used on - yes I did it- and he got a container to take some. I had given him a turkey leg as his to go portion.

I also got some gifts from the craft ladies. A beautiful bracelet and a quilted Christmas potholder. 

Even with everything to do, I think we were closer to schedule this year. I knew I had to be in case people were bringing hot food. I should have started the potatoes earlier. I forget how long it takes for such a large pot.

Once everyone was seated I had them hold hands and I read the blessing in Spanish. I think I did ok. I said next year there would be no iPad. I ended with thanking God for Gerardo and my new stove and the big oven. Everyone laughed at that. I still have to figure out how many were actually there. Otto and Jose and his family weren't there. I think Aura and I miscommunicated and 2 of the craft ladies didn't get invited. Gerardo invited someone, Michael invited someone, Dora brought her family and there was an extra lady with the sewing ladies. We still all managed to fit. 

This is a far cry from Thanksgiving by myself in Hutchinson because I worked the next day. I love it.

At the end the crochet ladies visited with Ziomara and I brought out their latest things to show her. She has invited us to join her for Christmas on the 24th. I will have to see when Gerardo's family celebrates.

I am glad it is over. I am tired. I had a wonderful time and love doing it and sharing something new with these wonderful people who are such an important part of my life.

Mejores Amigas and Ziomara.

Gerardo, Ana Rosa, Dora and her family, Tia. This side is Marta, Flors and Olga.

Aura, Vera and Iliana.

Iliana, Maria Jose, Douglas, Natalie, Janet. This side is Flory, Ana D. 

Natalie, Janet, Efegenia, Ligia, Paty, Arabella, Jimenez. This side Ziomara.

Johana, Mauriceo, Thomas. This side is Ligia, Michael, Katherine, Ziomara, Rosita

I have to write a note

I may have mentioned a while ago about talking with Gerardo about a bigger stove. I showed him that some of my pans didn't fit. I asked him how much it would cost me to trade my little stove for a bigger one. Nothing happened so I was all prepared to use my little oven for the Turkish even though the pan would be out to the door.

I was separating eggs and the oven was preheated when Gerardo greeted me from outside. I wiped my hands and he and one of the guys from the store were carrying a new stove. I said para me and he said yes, for the day of thanks. Now this stove is brand new with 6 burners and a big, big oven. Still only one rack, but even a broiler and a glass cover that stands up or lays on the burners. 

I turned the little stove off and took the temperature gauge out of the oven and they installed the new one. Everything is automatic. No lighter anymore. And even a light in the oven.

They left my little one because it was hot and I needed to clean. Just to make sure I said on Monday only 1 and I pointed to each stove. Gerardo let me know the new one would be staying. They got a big kick out of how excited I was.

Gerardo unhooking my old stove.

The new one being put together.

Is this gorgeous or what!

Till Monday

Here goes again

Yesterday I wrote all about my adventure to Cartago and I got called away and didn't save it and lost it so now I start over. Let's see if I can remember everything. Then I have to go get the rest of the ingredients, make pickles and cook the wild rice (I have it soaking). I already browned the chorizo and it is in the refrigerator. I plan to stuff the turkeys so I will have enough dressing along with the crockpot full. One of the things I am getting today is several loaves of French bread so I can cut it up and let it dry. They have one with seasoning on top. I used that last year and it worked good.

Back to yesterday. I planned on getting the 8:45am bus to Cartago because I wanted to be back in plenty of time for the crochet ladies. And, bad weather is predicted for Wednesday - Thursday because of Huricane Otto. I went to the bus stop and started talking with one of the men from the senior center. The one who wasn't my best student with dream catchers. As we are standing there a car pulls up on the side street and he starts talking to the driver and gets in the back seat. The driver asks if I am going to Paraiso or Cartago and I say yes, Cartago, and he says 500 colones. The bus is 470 colones but no stops would be much faster so I get in the back. There is also a student on the other side. There is a young girl in the front seat. Our only stop was to drop her off at school. The same school where Johanna cooks. Away we go. Now Jose drives slow and the bus goes slow. Not us! Hang on baby we are flying wherever we can. It was quite a trip but we got to Cartago fast. I would do it again and I love it was helping someone a little. 1500 colones for 3 people is only about $3.00 but it was $3.00 he wouldn't have had. 

I headed for the store I go to near the market but didn't find much. Then the bakery where I found lots for coffee later today. Then the yarn shop to give Johana the tags for the hats and scarves but she wasn't working so I decided I would see what I could do to find Mayca.

Mayca is a restaurant supply place so bigger packaging and they have things I haven't found other places. I have been wanting to go back for ages but I couldn't figure out where it is. I know Emilio and I walked there but that doesn't mean anything.  I asked him Monday evening to give me directions. He is one of the Ticos who give great directions. He sent them to me but here is my problem. Go east 300 meters and go north 40 meters. I don't know where east and north are and I don't know what meters are. I barely know where I am. I enlarged the map so I could see the landmarks. I figured out if I took the street alongside the ruins, Avenue 2, up to the library and turned left on Calle 8, I should come to it in 1 1/2 blocks. Don't I sound like a local! Sure enough I was walking along the side and just had to go around the corner to the entrance.

Grabbed a cart and the first thing I found were the frozen cranberries. Did I tell you we are starting dinner with Sangria? Well I got a bag of frozen strawberries and one of frozen blueberries to put in the Sangria. I will also thinly slice Limon Dulce and add that. I did find big bags of coconut but no chocolate chips or peanut butter. I got a third turkey pan and LOTS of other things. I have my red bag and two other nylon bags and they are all full. Everything fits yes, but now I have to try and carry it back to the bus stop. I would say 6-8 blocks. I really felt like a pack mule. Part way I stopped at a bakery for coffee and a little snack and then made it the rest of the way. The buses are all different here and you never know which one you will have. I hate this one because the last step is a really big one and then the standing area on top is really little because the engine or console or whatever it is takes up all the room. Even the driver has to climb over it to get out. I managed to get the front seats so I could just put everything there. Getting off is just as tricky but I managed to juggle everything and not fall.

There are two different places I get off in Orosi. One is near the pizza shop and the other is almost to the Swiss Shop. I got off at the Swiss Shop one because the Super was open and I could walk thru and not have to go around the block. Everything got put away and I had time to rest before crochet time. Gerardo stopped by but he didn't know what turkey is so I took him over to the small apartment refrigerator to show him. I also put the berries in the freezer there. By Saturday I will probably have all the refrigerators full. When I mentioned to him about Sangria and Bailey's he mentioned champagne. I don't know if that means he is bringing it to the dinner or what. This could be quite a day! We won't care about food.

All of the good tables I used last year have been brought to the party room as well as a long table. The ones that are usually there are in pretty bad shape and really need to have their tops replaced. We may not need to use them. Gerardo has talked about replacing the tops but hasn't gotten around to it.

When I was waiting for the crochet ladies, our first student arrived. Her name is Lydia so now we have two Ligias (the g is pronounced like an h) and a Lidia. Ana also said she has someone who wants to learn how to crochet and make hats but we have to figure out how to do this because we only want 1 student at a time. Now I say we but I am not involved in the teaching. LIgia Sanchez is the main teacher. She is so talented. She made a scarf that is for me from some of the California yarn and has expanded to necklaces where she did macrame for the strings.  When she gave me the scarf she said it was made with much love. She can crochet very fast and is prepared to make Kathy's hat and scarf in the week Heather is here so she can take them back with her. 

I cannot imagine any other retirement where I could be having so much fun and so many adventures and yet having so many people who care for me and keep an eye on me. I am truly blessed.

The necklace, my scarf and The other Ligia's scarf and hat.

Ligia and Janet with their scarves. JAnet is now making a hat to match.

I love all these things Ligia Sanchez is making with scraps.

I did it, I made it, and I lived to tell about it.

The time has come and I figured I can do this! After all I moved to a foreign country, not knowing one person and not speaking the language. Now I have 40 - yup 40 - at my Thanksgiving dinner and I am saying the grace in Spanish myself. I can do this. After all I have been in the travel business most of my life. I didn't bring any cookies. I will have to depend on Pura Vida and my smile.

So, no Jose, no Emilio, no Ziomara, just me. 

Orosi to Paraiso is easy. I have done that many times. I walked across the park to the bus station for San Jose and there was a bus just ready to leave so I had no wait. I spent the time practicing the blessing in Spanish and the nice young man sitting next to me helped me when I asked how to pronounce a word or two.

So off we go to San Jose. I was all prepared to take the bus to the end of the line and take a taxi back to PriceSmart but right after we went by the store the bus stopped to let some other people off so I got off too. I have gotten very much like a local. I asked 3 people along the way if I was headed in the right area for Pricesmart. Then, when I got there I even asked the attendant in the parking ramp where the door was. All together it was a few block walk. I was the only person walking. Not many people come here without a car.

I went to the membership desk,  got that taken care of, and off I went shopping. I have been around the store twice, besides going up and down with a clerk helping me try to find coconut and cranberries. No luck on those two but do I have TURKEY! Three of them. I will end up having all of the refrigerators in La Quinta full of turkey. If I have to, I will cook two of them early and cut them up and then cook one on Saturday and bring it out whole. And I got Baileys for after dinner, and some really neat Christmas decorations, and fun Christmas suckers for in the stockings, and walnuts, and pecans, and chocolate chips, and better plates and large napkins, and chai mix, and more. I didn't get anything I could get in Orosi or Cartago 

The security guard went over my receipt and discovered I had been charged twice for the big package of decorations and sent me to the membership desk for a refund. I am now in their eating area having Chicken Bake and of course a Berry Sundae before I figure out my transportation back to Orosi. It is my intention to use Uber. It will be the first time and I will see how it works.

I have found lots of people in Pricesmart that speak English so it has been great. The young lady who processed my membership says I can add Rosita at anytime so we can plan to come together another time.

So far I have not had any luck getting on Pricesmart's wifi so hopefully Uber will work on my phone. I would hate to have to push this full shopping cart to Orosi.

Uber didn't work. Could be my set up in my phone. It showed they would be there in 3-7 minutes. It kept changing but that went on for almost an hour. The security people finally took pity on me and took me back upstairs to have the desk call a regular taxi. I knew it would be more expensive but I just wanted to get home. He came in just a few minutes and was great about loading all my stuff including 3 heavy turkeys. He had a bit of a heavy foot and traffic wasn't bad so we made it here quickly. Again, he unloaded everything. The price wasn't as bad as I had been expecting. 20,000 colones so less than $40.00. I wish I could say the same for the Pricesmart bill.

Once I got everything into the house and the turkeys in the various refrigerators I headed out again. First to the hardware store for staples for my staple gun. Then to the appliance store to see if Gerardo was there so I could tell him about the turkeys. Then the fruit store which also has meat. I have the sausage and apples and onions for the stuffing. I will take a package of the wild rice out of the freezer and cook it the middle of the week. Baking will be Thursday and turkey cooking Friday along with setting up the tables. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be for gathering all the rest of the ingredients and supplies.

Except for the fact I have no idea what food is coming, which makes it interesting, I am pretty calm. I have done big dinners a few times so it doesn't scare me and I will have enough covered that no one will leave hungry. Or sober maybe. I will put the Sangria with fruit for a sip before dinner and Bailey's for after dinner. If anyone needs it I have Patron also. I think Rosita is bringing Papaya Lemonade. I have some very little jars of guayaba jelly and I think I am going to add them to the centerpiece. I will get apples and oranges closer to the day for the centerpiece.

I just went to put the sausage away and realized it wasn't here. I walked back to the shop and the girl greeted me and when I said mi chorizo she laughed and motioned to the man and got my bag out of the cooler. He apologized and I bought cucumbers for refrigerator pickles, cilantro for guacamole tomorrow, carrots and celery. The list of what I have to get is getting shorter. I do need to find the place in Cartago where I got frozen cranberries last year so I can make fresh cranberry sauce. I was with Emilio and have no idea where it is. I can live without pumpkin but not without cranberries for the turkey. 

I have been told the weather is going to be terrible Wednesday but that may be the day I have to hit Cartago. Say a little prayer for light rain. Cold is fine. After all, I am from Minnesota. It isn't that kind of cold.

My Christmas decorating is coming along. I have lights up in two windows and stockings up inside and out. The Judi tree is done and the table with pointsettias is looking good. I must remember to water them. I will hang the new ornaments from the ceiling and the big ones on the front porch. I do still have bows to put up. I am hoping it is contagious and Gerardo decorates around La Quinta.

That's it for my day. A good adventure with kind treatment from many people.

My new ornaments.

For some reason I have 1/2 of one string that blinks. I will have to have Gerardo check them.

Life just keeps getting better

It's Sunday already

And I must have done something since Thursday when I last wrote. See, that's why I write this or I would just forget everything I do. 

First off your prayers worked and the health scare turned out to be nothing. Thank you very much. Now please tell God thank you so he doesn't think we are ungrateful.

I started putting up my decorations. Tons of houses here are fully decorated. I decorate mainly with Christmas stockings and then I use them to give gifts instead of wrapping the gifts. I have my Judi tree finished and I did a small table with Christmas fabric and pointsettias. I do have 3 sets of lights to use and my branch tree from last year and a few other things. And lots of bows. It will look festive.

The lady from Denver is still here. I haven't seen much of her. She doesn't seem to be gone to the pools all day. It has been raining a lot and isn't real hot. This morning it is actually cool. A good day for my big cotton sweater.

All the strips are cut for the binding on the cashmere throw. Heather wanted me to use all the ribbing from the sweaters so I did. I'm not quite sure there is enough so I added pieces of sweaters that have a ribbed design. 

Yesterday I made a pan of the Chocolate Coconut bars as part of my gift to JImenez, Johanna's daughter, for her Quinceanera. It was really quite an event to celebrate her 15th birthday. A coming of age celebration. Ana told me that they would pick me up at 4:00pm because the evening began with Mass at the church in Rio Macho. I got all dressed up in a top and long skirt but no spike heals for me. It was low heeled sandals. I packed up my gift which was a box with a big decorative bow, two plates of bars, the recipe, a nylon backpack type bag from Bursch Travel and 10,000 colones. I also added my crochet because I figured I could get some done while I watched the activities. It isn't like I can sit and chat. I opened the door in the gate and waited in a covered area till I heard a horn right outside. It was Marta and her husband and son and a young girl. 

RIo Macho is an area - maybe a little town- just next to Orosi and the river. A small country church. It is where the ICE plant is and we go by that to get to Gerardo's bed and breakfast. One of his brothers lives there also.

Anyway, nice little church and the same priest as here in Orosi. From there it was only a short drive to the party place which was in a secure, gated area. It is a lovely facility. Kind of a ranchero with partial walls and lots of open area. White tile floor and the tablecloths were white as were the chairs. The waitstaff were dressed very nice and seemed very professional. I think the food was all catered, except for the cupcakes. I think Johanna did those. She works in a primary school, in the kitchen, and is very interested in cooking and baking. Her lesson with me was for cupcakes.  

There was China and glassware and silverware for everything. No paper plates or plastic. The food came in courses throughout the entire evening. There was also different entertainment throughout the evening. A DJ started out. I was sitting right next to his speakers and as soon as the music started I moved to the next table, by Ana, to be a little farther away. There is some instrument, I think a horn, that was very grating to me. It could just have been that the sound system wasn't the greatest. Being a little farther away helped. 

It started with a lovely waltz with Jimenez and her father. Then they picked up the beat.

The music was not what I have been hearing at other events, but very lively. Lots more young people there. As soon as it started, lots of people got up to dance. Now let's talk about the dancing, but first about the people. Ticos and Ticas tend to be full bodied people. They work very hard but I have never seen or heard of any of them exercising. But when they get on the dance floor they are like trained athletes. They never stop. Now I like to dance but I am used to 3 minute dances. These went on forever. My hips got sore just watching. And you would have thought they would be worn out after one but nooooooooo they went back again and again. I told Johanna she was like the energizer bunny. She never stopped. It was fun to watch and wonder how they could possibly keep it up. I'm feeling old.

After the DJ played for a while I heard drums and in came a group of drummers and dancers. Young men and women in orange and gold outfits. Again, the energy and the stamina. They must have danced for an hour to fast, loud drums. 

Next was back to the DJ but now he came out to sing so it was live entertainment. He entertained during dinner then went back to being a DJ for the rest of the evening.

Let's see how much of the food and drink I can remember.

We started with a pink drink to toast the young girl. The longer it sat the thicker it got. Kinda foamy. I am sure someone will tell me what it is. Then plates of dip and crackers and pitchers of tea. Flower pots with big styrofoam balls for flowers with treats stuck on the balls. Very cute. Then dinner, then dishes of nuts, then cupcakes, then cake or flan I am not sure I didn't have any, then candy, then wine. 

At the table next to me was Dora and there was a man sitting next to her. Now I know Marta has a husband and that Flor's husband has died and that Ana has a husband but all this time I didn't think Dora had one. At one point, when they were out dancing, I asked Ana who the man was with Dora. Yes I did it in Spanish! Anyway she said it is her husband. I couldn't believe it. I don't know where he has been hiding all this time. They all had a good laugh when I told Dora.

Late in the party the music changed to English songs I knew. I could at least bounce along in my chair. But, even these were all run together so the dance would have been 10-15 minutes long.

Johanna came over and took me over to meet her parents before we left. It was almost 10:00pm when I got home. I was still with Marta and her husband but their son went with someone else. We had the young girl and her mother.  When Dora and Johanna's and this lady's kids started school the mothers met and have been good friends ever since. Since coffee is at Dora's house, they know all of her extended family. Un bien fiesta!

Tomorrow is Pricesmart and Tuesday Katherine and the girls are coming in the morning and crochet ladies in the afternoon. The rest of the week will be devoted to the Thanksgiving dinner. I am now up to 40 if everyone comes that I have invited. My life is so full.

This is very long but I had so much to share. I hope you enjoyed it.

Today it is raining again and cool enough for a sweater. My laundry has been on the line since Friday because we are getting so much rain. Some areas on both coasts have been experiencing flooding. I won't complain. The dry season will be here soon enough and I will have to water my flowers. Speaking of flowers, the hollyhock and sunflowers are still beautiful and now I have hydrangea.

Ok, I'm done. Happy Sunday

I had trouble including some of the pictures and most of the time the lights were off so pictures and crocheting were difficult. You may just have to imagine the entertainment.

We had guests.

I came across a recipe for a Vanilla Magic Custard Cake and it sounded good and was quite simple so I made it for craft ladies. I don't have any round or small square cake pans so I used a pie plate. It bakes for an hour on a low temperature and creates layers. It is supposed to cool for 3 hours and it wasn't quite that long but it was set and could be handled. The baby sat next to me at coffee and I tried feeding her some but no way. A minute later I saw she had her hand full and was eating it all up. Then she would grin at me. We became great friends.  The cake was a great hit with everyone.

On my way to craft ladies I stopped at the farm store. They only had two butter so I bought them both and a chunk of cheese and some bread I will try tomorrow morning.

At craft ladies the first person I saw was Sonia from the hospital and then Josehnina and her mother who was carrying a one year old. I learned that Josephina, the girl we have been helping, is 17 and the baby is her daughter, Sophia. They came to say thank you and pick up the dress and headpiece for her event on Sunday.

I also gave Anita the hat I made and showed them the card and scarves the ladies here made. In posting pictures of everything on Facebook, my friend, Kathy, wanted to know if she could get any in the US. We will be taking care of getting her a set to keep her warm in North Dakota.

My first stop in Orosi was the pharmacy to pick up insulin. There were several other customers so I waited a bit because I had only 2 pieces of cake left and didn't want to give it to them in front of a bunch of other people. I will have to make another one. I haven't tasted it.

From there I stopped to eat. The place in front of where Rabbit's had been has been closed and is reopened. New menu, maybe new owners. I was disappointed with what I got. Fajitas de pollo with papa's. The fries were soft, not cooked enough - I think they were frozen. Definitely not from scratch. The chicken was breaded and a bit tough. The mora natural was very good. I think I will wait a while before I try again.

Katherine just let me know the tags are ready and I can get them tomorrow. She has a hole punch I can borrow to finish the cards. 

I stopped at the Swiss Shop and explained about crochet  lessons and that it would be 2000 colones per 3 hour session. I also showed her the crochet ladies things. What she sells is what she makes and the prices are half what Ziomara plans to charge. We may need to find another spot.

I still have lots of dishes to do or I will have bugs so Good Night.

Can you believe that when I came back in October the tub was pretty much full.

Sonia and Josephina.

Flory's creation from fabric pieces I brought from California.

Josephina and her mother and baby, Sophia. This is the dress and headpiece the group bought her. The event is Sunday.

A good day

Today was crochet ladies. We went with Wednesday this week instead of Tuesday. I couldn't believe the assortment the ladies brought to give me.

They are so talented. Ligia Sanchez made flowers and leaves and butterflies for us to add to our hats. I asked her to now teach us how to make them. During coffee we talked about if they were interested in having a student who wants to learn crochet. Only one at a time and we would charge 2000 colones per session of 3 hours. They will keep the money and they will do the teaching. They said yes so I will talk with Francesca at the Swiss Shop and see if her friend is interested. I will also show her what I have to sell.

Speaking of things to sell, Katherine designed a tag for me to put with everything the crochet ladies sell. I love it.

We started with black and white and ended with this. Mejores Amigas (best friends) is the name of our group.

Katherine has a side business besides the hotel called I love Pura Vida. She designed the logo and I have ordered several tee shirts.

They have them in white, black and orange or special order in other colors. All sizes.

Janet's latest hat. These ladies love to learn new things. She still needed to do the edge and my latest hat was sitting on the table. I had done a rolled brim and she wanted to do the same thing. I was explaining to Ligia that the first row you do one stitch in 8 stitches then you do 2 stitches then back to 1 stitch in 8 stitches. This way you increase and make it a little bigger. Janet wasn't doing that, just doing 1 stitch all the way around. She did a few rows and tried it on and it was so tight it puckered up her face. We were all laughing. She took the rows out and tried again with the increases and it fit much better. For coffee I made strawberry white chocolate muffins and had cheese bread spread with sour cream and a guacamole mixture. On some of them I also had a layer of salsa. They were very popular. They keep telling me how much they like my coffee. I wish I could remember what I bought so I can buy it again.

I asked Janet if she would like me to make muffins for the Christmas party for the seniors and she said definitely. I asked if they should all be the same and she said it didn't matter. Whatever I want. I will need about 55  for December 9th.

I am asking you to please say a prayer for a special person who is facing a health scare. She will have more testing tomorrow.

That's it from Orosi. Good night.

Life out loud

I have mentioned that Ticos live life out loud. Well let me tell you that is especially the case when Costa Rica is playing soccer against the US and they win 4-0.

A good Sunday.

I packed up everything I wanted to take to Ziomara's and headed out about 10:00am. My roller bag with my purse and red bag in it, 3 jars of guayaba jelly, 2 bags of hats and scarves, a little dish of fudge, something to eat on the bus and my water bottle. I also had a big white plastic bag of bows. All I needed was a chicken.. 

Before I left I took the container of fudge to Tia and explained it was for the fiesta. I discovered the lady from Denver had come in during the night and is here for a week or so. She loves to go spend her days at the pools under the hot water spigot. I greeted her and said I would be back. I hoped to get back about 4:00.

Ziomara and Maria Jose picked me up as soon as I got in front of the church and she said we were going  to Masxmenos. I have heard about it but had not been there yet. Lovely shopping center and the super market is very large and nice. It is another member of the WalMart family. We checked out the whole mall and in one of the stores I bought little wooden Christmas decorations for my Judi tree. We did ask about turkeys but not until next week. 

For lunch she made spinach soup, salad, rice, beans and beef steak. It was all great. Douglas went to the store and bought a cake and candles. Tomorrow is Douglas jr's 14th birthday. 

Ziomara and I sat down to go over what I brought and she decided she wanted to keep all the hats and scarves for the yarn shop. She also said she is looking for a new location where they could expand. They are looking at moving in January and she has a couple possibilities already. They really need parking and that is a major problem in central Cartago. 

She also decided she liked all the bows I brought. When she comes for thanksgiving she will get a few more and the sewing machine. Then I will go to her house for a sewing lesson.

It was closer to 5:00 when I got back to La Quinta. I came back just as loaded as when I went. I brought the big and little plates, silverware, napkins and garbage bags I had bought and left at Ziomara's house. I also brought about 40 wicker plate holders to put under the plastic plates. I dropped everything off at home, put on my red bandana, and went to say hello at Papa's party. Right after I got there the mariachi band arrived. The music was loud and good and papa did a lot of dancing with all the ladies. Pretty much everyone was in dark pants, white shirt and a red or blue kerchief around their necks. Myself included. Once they passed out noise makers and the whistles started blowing I headed home.

Not that much later there was a knock on the door and it was Flors with a plate of tamales and cayetta. The cayetta is a very sugary candy. I have made it once before with Gerardo's sisters teaching me. I have tried several times but I just don't care for tamales. I eat the meat and vegetables in them but not the doughy part. And, for those concerned with my blood sugar, I don't care for the cayetta either. Now the bread with the cream filling that I bought at the bakery yesterday was really great! Tonight was the first time I had seen Flors in quite a while so I was able to invite her to Thanksgiving.

The thing I like about the parties is by 8:00 they are pretty much over. I could hear clean up going on and by 8:30 everything was dark and quiet.

My delivery.

Looking Costa Rican.

But there were no empanadas at the feria!

I know, I haven't written since Tuesday and you probably think I have been laying around on my front porch, in my tropical paradise, doing nothing. Well, I have done some of that but it has been a busy week. 

Did I tell you I had a big bag of guayaba pulp in the freezer? Well I ended up with 20 cups, divided between 2 pans and 18 cups of sugar. I was concerned there would be problems since it had been frozen but that was not the case. Turned out really good. I did add the juice of 1/2 a sweet lemon to each pan and I like the taste. I am not good at having everything turn out the same every time because I change things a bit every time. 

I ran into Johanna in the Super when I went to get sugar and I understood she was calling me that evening. Instead she was at the door and called to have me open it. She and her daughter. She was not at last year's dinner so she wanted to know more and about what to bring. She decided on salad and also made sure I knew about her daughter's party on the 19th. It is celebrating her 15th so it is a big deal. Mass at 4:00pm and then the party for 90. Speaking of parties, Papa's 91st birthday party is tomorrow. I made a pan of fudge and will try and cut it into 100 pieces so everyone can get a little piece. I leave here at 10:15 in the morning to go to Ziomara's but I plan to be back before the party is over. It is a cowboy theme and Ana let me know my white shirt and bandana and jeans will work just fine. No cowboy hat though unless I use Gerardo's Mexican sombrero hanging on my living room wall.

I made lots of bows for Ziomara to decorate her house for Christmas and I only have the binding left on the cashmere throw for Heather. Thursday afternoon was the craft ladies and I found out about their Christmas party at Iliana's farm on December 1. They tried to give me directions but gave up since I don't know where anything is so they will pick me up at the craft ladies place and take me. Anita had another lady, the wife of the security guard at the bank, who needs a hat. When I got home I took 2 to Emilio's father at the pizza shop to take to Rosita to give to Anita. Our pony express. Now we only have the ones I want to try and sell so I really need to get back to crocheting hats. I will sell my crochet ladies work but I will only do the cancer ladies hats. I am also going to work on the card to put with the hats we sell. The craft ladies decided we would speak only Spanish to help me but I said how can I teach you English if I only speak Spanish. We haven't solved that problem yet. They did ask me about the election and that is all I will say.

I headed for the feria at 9:45am without  having breakfast because I was so looking forward to an empanada fix. It has been a long time. I walked the whole feria twice thinking I had just missed them because they had moved. They had always been right around the corner to the right, next to the stand where you can buy a coconut to drink out of. Neither place was there. There were eggs on the corner. Now, that doesn't mean I didn't find bread, a beautiful plant, then a bakery where I had something and coffee, then a street vendor with strawberries, and another street vendor trying to sell me an orchid because he saw my plant sticking out of my red bag. I decided to walk around and checked out several stores but didn't find anything I couldn't live without. Back at LaQuinta several family members are here decorating for tomorrow's party.

It doesn't seem to be mango season so I have to switch to papaya or something else. I have been having bananas from the tree by my house and yogurt. I can't say I enjoy the green plantains most of the ways they are served but the bananas here in La Quinta are very good.

Next week I will be going turkey hunting - maybe literally. I figure once I get them I will put them in the refrigerator in one of the other apartments and have a talk with Gerardo about how and where I will cook them. I have a really great recipe for doing turkey breast in aluminum foil and lemons and herbs that I can use if I don't get whole turkeys. I might be over 35 people so a 5 pound turkey isn't going to do it.

That brings you up to date with everything I remember. I am still helping Katherine with her tour packages and tomorrow Ziomara and I are making plans for a garage sale of all the clothes I have brought. I can't believe it is only 2 weeks till my dinner. And you absolutely wouldn't believe the hollyhock and sunflowers. We had to brace the hollyhock up but the sunflowers are standing tall.

The hollyhock.

I have a cucumber!

My latest purchase.

Just needs edging.

The 3 big ones are for Ziomara, Douglas and her father. They are big fans.

Mañana is jalea!

I got up, took a shower, did 4 loads of laundry and finally sat and had my coffee and the last of the Spam in scrambled eggs with chopped onions. It was so good. Next was baking for the crochet ladies. I decided to make Papaya Pecan muffins and a second batch of Chocolate/White chocolate with yogurt. I finished just as they were getting here so my house was quite warm. 

This morning I was telling Gerardo I liked the light that is coming on in the evening on the building near me. It will be great when I am coming home after dark. It comes on at dark so must be on a timer. He did show me where the switch is. We were discussing the email I got from Angela about staying here and I went to get my iPad and he said español, español. I guess he thinks it is time  or he realizes I know quite a few words. I did manage and he is getting really good at understanding me between my words and sign language.

The crochet ladies came with an assortment of really cute hats and scarves and I have recorded who made what. This weekend I will show them to Ziomara and let her pick what she wants for her shop and then take some to the Swiss shop. I had brought some really lovely cotton yarn from California that Ligia did into a long scarf. We did talk about the fact that it took $14.00 worth of yarn to make that scarf so maybe the next one should be 2 scarves so the price isn't so high. Most of the cotton yarn I bring is much more reasonable but this is really high quality. I told them about the card Emilio is designing that will say Mejores Amigas (our group name) and made in Costa Rica by Ticas. They loved the idea.

This morning I took the bag of guayaba pulp out of the freezer. I will let it thaw and get sugar tomorrow and make the jelly. I think I have enough jars. I know it will be a big batch. I am also going to soak black beans tonight and add them to the beef and broth mixture I took out of the freezer today. I will put it in the crock pot and see what happens.

The ladies got a big laugh out of the bottles of sangria for our pijama party. We haven't set a date yet.

I keep running across surprises from the girls. Today I went to use my printer to print out patterns for Ligia. The paper wouldn't feed so I thought it was jammed. I took the paper out and found a plastic bag from one of the little beanie bag animaIs. I don't know if they we're hiding it or what. There is no question I don't have a child proof house.

Part way through the afternoon I was listening and heard them say something about cooking and remembered I was supposed to be doing a cooking lesson. I got the recipe, realized I needed more eggs. I ran, well walked, to the Super and got them and showed the ladies how to make Grandma's Coconut Chews with chocolate topping. They wrote down everything I did and I was able to give them each a bar before they left. I also told them I only had two left so they had to share. It was the candy corn cookies. They want that to be the next cooking lesson. I don't have anymore candy corn but I thought I could try a little marshmallow. Or nothing would work too. They are a good little cookie.

With all the muffins and coconut bars I will have plenty for craft ladies on Thursday.

Next week the crochet ladies is moved to Wednesday as my turkey hunt is on Tuesday.

One of Janet's creations.

Janet's other creation.

Ligia's.

Janet and Ligia Sanchez with the long scarf.

Ligia and Paty with a hat and scarf. I think they are sisters and live across the street from me - or in front of me as they would say here.

I am playing Grandma

Today is Katherine's birthday. I sent her a birthday greeting this morning and said that for her birthday gift I would keep her kids overnight and feed them breakfast before I brought them home. I said we could work out a date. She messaged back and said could we do it today. She has tickets to the Metallica concert in San Jose. I said when would you want to leave and she said noon. It was now 11:00am. I asked if anyone else could take them until 5:00 as I had lots to do to get my house ready. She said that would work so just before 5:00 I headed to their house. It turned out the girls were at the house next to the hotel. The lady brought them out in the stroller. It was raining and Lexi held the umbrella and I put the hood of my raincoat up. We headed down the middle of the road in a big double stroller. We went to the pizza shop where Emilio had a pizza ready for us, half cheese and half pepperoni, cut in small squares to make it easier for little hands.

The stroller really handles quite well and I made it over all the bumps and steps right to my front door. I had gone shopping before I went to get them and had every snack I could find in case things didn't go well. We had a good time and it only got tricky at bedtime. Courtney wouldn't stay in bed and Lexi clung to me. She would fall asleep on me but wake up when I laid her down. Finally I laid down with her in my arms and it only took a few minutes for her to be sound asleep and I could get up. Then I went to the other bed and laid down next to Courtney with my arm on her. Another few minutes and she was sound asleep. It has been over 2 hours and they are still sound asleep. I planned to put Lexi on the inside of my bed, up against the back of the couch. Courtney ended up there. The other set up was the couch, then the single bed. Since Lexi ended up there I also lined some chairs with their backs toward the bed on the other side. It didn't take long for Lexi to slide onto the couch. I have moved her back to the bed. I will stay in the living room so I can hear them.

Jose and Gerardo brought a man, Ron, who had been staying at Katherine's hotel and was looking for a long term place. I told him all about La Quinta and from what Jose told me later he is now staying at one of Gerardo's houses until things are less busy here. He really liked the upstairs apt but Gerardo has promised it to Heather over the holidays. There is also Angela who asked for it for December and January. Things seem to be picking up as there hasn't been anyone here for quite a while. 

I started this on Saturday and it is now Monday. Lexi got up about 4:30 and came to me with her arms out. She went back to sleep for about an hour laying on my stomach. Courtney woke up and we all settled in my big bed with a bowl of Froot Loops. Do you know what happens when you jump on the bed with a bowl of Froot Loops in your hand? Yup, you can guess. When we finally got up I made them ham and scrambled eggs and peanut butter toast. We headed to their house about 9:00am. Lexi with my soccer ball and Courtney  with the white dog. I told Katherine when they lost interest in them she could bring them back. I came home and took a nap and had a pretty lazy day.  I did go over to the pizza shop and had the best corn I have had since I got here. Emilio said it was grown here in Orosi and he cooked it with a little milk and sugar in the water. It still wasn't as tender as Minnesota corn, but very good. Mine is pretty much dried up but the sunflowers are beautiful and the hollyhock is just wild.

Today I decided I must get back to my projects and finish them one by one so I started with the book I was reading and finished it. I do have my priorities. I can't start another one until I have more projects done. I also started planting and I was almost out of dirt when Jose called to say he is outside with dirt for me. He brought 3 bags so I am in good shape. I added flowers to most of my planters and added several things to the concrete planters. I need to figure out pots for the pointsettia. The flame flowers are for the Thanksgiving table and will have burlap covering the pots, tied with the ribbon I bought to use.

I forgot to mention yesterday was a 7 year old's birthday party here and when I got back from eating corn Dora brought me a plate of food. This coming Sunday is Papa's birthday fiesta but I am also invited to Ziomara's so we can work out details for the garage sale of all the clothes I have brought and to give her the bows I will make this week. And pick up the things I left at her house from Pequeno Mundo.

So, I finished my book and planted most of the flowers, had another Spam sandwich - yup, I opened it and most of it is gone. Tonight I will make bows and tomorrow morning I must bake things for my crochet ladies. I also have to do laundry very soon. I also finished this so I am making some progress.

Tomorrow is THE DAY in the US. At least all the political advertising will be done. 

I had bought a bunch of little Christmas decorations to put on my Judi  tree. One of the things is little gift wrapped packages. Well, a 2 and 4 year old know there should be things inside pretty packages so they tore them open. They found just a styrofoam cube but no problem, you can have fun crumbling that up. My living room was quite a sight! 

My hydrangeas have several buds started so I may be able to add some of my own to the Thanksgiving decorations. Last year I had tons of Gerardo's. I am hoping there are still some sunflowers too.

Nov. 15 is slated for my trip to Price Mart. Emilio says they even have bacon. When I was in WalMart I saw chocolate chips. They were over $6.00 a bag. Heather is bringing me bags at $1.50 a bag. We will see what Price Mart has. 

Well all the animals need to eat too.

I kept hearing yummy, yummy, yummy.

She has quite an imagination and all the animals are always talking to each other.