A few things to think about.

It is the last day of the year and what a year it has been for me. Those of you who have followed along know the kind of adventure I have had. The people, who are now friends, that I have met and that are very much a part of my life. The kindness I and my friends and family have been shown. The opportunities I have had to share the talents I have. The chances I have had to become more the person I want to be. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this year. I hope I have given as much as I have received. I don't know what 2017 will bring but I do know I am better prepared for it because of my life in 2016. I thank, with all my heart, those who were part of my life in 2016. And if 2017 sees changes in my life, know that I will carry you in my heart where ever I go or whatever I do. I wish you all health and happiness and, yes, adventure in the year to come. I wish you love and friendship and peace and contentment. They are all so important.

I hope for a year with cookies galore, people to teach, people to learn from, people to love and tons of adventures. But no falls!

My house is quiet.

My kids are all gone. It was such a fun week having them here. I am so glad they were able to all come and enjoyed each other so much. We had more cold and rain than I would have liked but so far I can't control that. The hot, dry season is just slow in starting all over the country. We made do and I had enough blankets to keep everyone warm at night.

We had a variety of busy, noisy gatherings and quiet times and excursions. Let me go over the week.

Last Wednesday Ligia Sanchez came to go over the scarf for Kathy and get the yarn. The other crochet ladies didn't come because they were busy with tamales. Johanna and her daughter came and then the whole family came and had dinner with us. I made spagetti and salad and garlic bread. 

Thursday was Otto and massages for me and Adriana and then in the afternoon Heather and Adriana and I went with Jose to deliver the Christmas goodies to his people.

Friday was just around Orosi and Saturday was Christmas Eve and Ziomara's family. They were concerned about a 10:00pm dinner and decided we would have Jose pick us up at 11:30 and bring us home because they didn't think they could handle being up late into the night. I made wild rice with peas, a bean casserole and shredded chicken so that with corn tortillas Kent would always have something to eat as he doesn't do gluten. All night at Ziomara's they kept saying "why didn't you tell us there would be so much food!" I also brought all the makings for Tom and Jerrys and gave one to each person. The kids got them without alcohol. There was tons of food and as at any Tico event it kept coming in courses. Kent spent pretty much the whole time with most of the kids gathered around him playing games and speaking Spanish. He has been teaching himself for 2 years and is very good with languages but he doesn't have any opportunities to speak so he has been wanting to spend time in Spanish speaking countries so he would learn more by speaking. With a Spanish teacher in house and all the opportunities he had this trip for extended conversations, he loved it.

Sunday was Christmas and I made the ham Heather and Kent brought me. She loves Honey Baked Ham and was looking at bringing one but with shipping and everything to Madison it would have been about $80.00 for the ham. I told her to go to the deli at Hy Vee and talk to them. She did and taste tested all their ham and ended up getting a pineapple ham for $28.00. Still not cheap but it was a delicious ham that I did in the crock pot with more pineapple and cloves. With mashed potatoes and green beans with bacon and cranberry sauce we had a great dinner. She also brought me 2 more packages of bacon and tons and tons of coconut and chocolate chips - all kinds. Two big packages of fancy cupcake holders also. I know there is more I will remember later. We had things for Ziomara and Katherine and Emilio in the suitcases besides all the yarn and fabric and clothes for the garage sale. I had forgotten about all the kitchen towels I had ordered so I have things for gifts.

Monday Adriana had another massage and then I took her over to meet Tia. Tia had not been out much and when I had seen her the girls were either still sleeping or out eating and wandering the town. I didn't make any effort to cook every meal because they love the sodas and Gallo pinto and casados. After chatting with Tia, Adriana was off to meet Emilio. They had quite a time and since it wasn't a great day for sightseeing and touring they ended up at the Star Wars movie. Ligia Sanchez came with the finished scarf and I gave her more yarn for another one and I was working on another hat as I had finished the first one. We managed to do 2 hats and 2 long scarves during this week even though it was also Christmas and a busy week.

Yesterday, their last day here, they met Johanna when they were out eating and she took them to her house for a long chat. In the afternoon, Ligia Sanchez and the other crochet ladies came and Johanna so we had lots of talking and laughing. Johanna brought fruit cake and I had made a run to the bakery so I had lots for coffee. They made a run out for food later but not much was open. They made an fun discovery. There is a tiny little soda -1 table- in the corner of Gerardo's hardware store. I have rarely seen it open. They ate there and it turned out to be wonderful food. They also ran into Gerardo and were able to say goodbye. We haven't seen much of him as he has been so busy covering for employees absent during the holidays.

I started on the 22nd giving them one gift a day. One day Heather said "do I get a gift today and what about my birthday gift." Her birthday is in November. I took her out on the porch and showed her the bells wind chime and said I bought that for her, if she wants it. She loved it. Christmas Eve I gave them all more gifts and she said "but where is my throw?" I just shrugged my shoulders. I had it packed to take to Ziomara's and have her open when the kids opened their gifts. We weren't there late enough so I brought it back and gave it to her on Christmas Day. She loved it and now we are thinking of one for Adriana. She has a couple things from her mother that I will work into the throw for her and I will have enough cashmere with what I have and what Heather still has. Heather will felt them and then I can bring them down. Adriana will send what she wants me to use to Heather's.

I did get teased a bit. Monday evening it was raining so Heather was saying maybe we could just stay here and have dinner. We had chicken and wild rice and beans and ham. When she got to the ham I made a frowning face and from then on they teased that I had given them as much ham as I was willing to share and I wanted to keep the rest for me. I had also made ham and scrambled eggs for everyone that morning so there wasn't much left. Every time I would say we have ham they would say no, no, no, the rest is for you. I did end up making ham with tortillas and beans for Kent for coffee yesterday.

And that has been our week. Jose picked us up at 7:00pm and we drove them to the hotel by the airport. Adriana's flight was at 7:30 and Heather and Kent's was at 9:00 this morning. Since there wasn't as much luggage I rode along and Jose and I chatted on the way back. He enjoyed them also and joked a lot with them.

It was definitely a week filled with what the season is all about.

I didn't take many pictures. Adriana did. I will include a few.

Kathy's hat set.

The other set we did.

Merry Christmas to all

I know, I have been very bad this week. We have been having a great time and Adriana and Heather and Kent are having such a good time and getting along so well. Christmas last night at Ziomara's  was so great and we went with Jose on Thursday to deliver the 31 containers I prepared. Next year 50. Almost all the baking I did is gone and we just had ham that Heather and Kent brought me. Kent has had so many opportunities to speak Spanish and has really been enjoying that. He is doing really, really well. 

I don't want to think that the week is already coming to an end. I am so glad we were able to do this.

Heather loved her  throw and now we are planning one for Adriana and Heather also loved her bells wind chime. 

Ligia and I have finished the hat and scarf for Kathy and we have both started a second set.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you have enjoyed following my adventure this year. 

My kids are here!

 Jose called me about 6:30pm to let me know he was leaving for the airport because there was an accident and traffic was terrible. I was watching both flights and everything seemed to be on schedule. We texted a few times up until about 9:40 and then nothing so I hoped everything was going good. It can take quite a long time through immigration and customs. I had sent everyone pictures of everybody but Heater and Adriana had not met and Jose had not met Adriana. 

Finally a little after 11:00 I got a call from Jose saying they are just leaving the airport. I'm thinking they must have had trouble, maybe some of the luggage didn't make it and they had to take time to file for lost baggage. Then I heard all this laughing in the background and I asked Jose if they were having a wild time. He said yes and that they were joking. They were by WalMart between Cartago and Paraiso and would see me in 20 minutes. I went around and turned on every light I could find so Adriana could see a little when she got here.

Now the snag. Remember the school that was here early summer? Well, they were coming tomorrow for a Christmas party. 90 kids. I knew there was no way Heather would be able to sleep late and she really needs her sleep, especially after a long travel day. They drove from Madison to Chicago and spent Monday night. Up early for her and over to the airport for their flight down. They and Adriana were in Houston at the same time but in different airports. So, my first thought was to turn to Katherine to see if she had an empty room. She said yes and I went over and got the key so I had an option to offer them. Her hotel isn't far off the Main Street but would still be quieter than 90 kids and loudspeakers and music blaring. Now Adriana is a different story and is having the time of her life. Johanna has been around and took her over to the party room so she could meet everyone and dance with the kids.

We were up late - 4 suitcases is like party time for me. The last mattress topper is now on my guest bed, the yarn is unpacked and Kathy loves the colors I picked for her hat and scarf. It is like pig heaven with all the chocolate chips and coconut and I now have 24 more jars for jelly. I forget what I pack and then get a surprise when I open the suitcases. Tons of fabric and lots of clothes for the garage sale. Lots of toys and American Girl books for Maria Jose. I ordered a panel of owls for Ziomara and it is the cutest thing. I love it.

Heather is still sleeping, Kent and Adriana have gone off to eat and I guess I best get dressed and clean up my house for company this afternoon. I said I have lots to eat in my house and Adriana said what. I said but I don't want to cook so she laughed and off they went. She brought me 3 cans of baked beans for my bean casserole and today we will unpack everything else she brought. Between her and Heather, Emilio has 4 kinds of Oreos to try. I also have to get busy with crocheting Kathy's hat. Jose said it will be Thursday when we deliver the gift packages.

Thank you to Katherine for taking care of my baby. 

I may have to give Gerardo lots and lots of chocolate to apologize for being rude. Yesterday when I saw him after Johanna told me about the fiesta today I looked at him and said malo, malo, malo. Now one thing I have learned here is everyday people seem to start over so hopefully he isn't too upset with me.

I did add a big batch of coconut macaroons to my baking list and I have a loaf of bread to make the cinnamon roll ups. And, I have 3 more packages of butter so I should be in good shape. The 2 packages of bacon were still frozen and the ham also. I am really blessed.

Kathy's hat and scarf colors.

My guest bedroom.

This will be short

as it is 9:30 and I am just finishing cleaning the powered sugar from everything in my kitchen. Course my evening included a break at the pizza shop. I took them a sample of everything I have made. Emilio got a knife and cut everything in half so his mother could have the other half, then proceeded to eat more than half. Again, the favorite was the peppermint patty. Rosita wanted to know if it is difficult. It is kinda like the Rice Krispie treat commercial where the woman pretends she has been slaving over a hot stove for hours. These are really easy. Emilio liked everything. I told him I only had 45,000 cookies so I could only spare one of each. When I came home I ate my breadsticks and baked the chocolate coconut pinwheels which have taken 3 days to make because you do something then have to chill then do something then have to chill.

I did get everything I have for Heather's apartment hauled upstairs and Ana washed the mattress cover and blanket so tomorrow I will put the bed back together. It has the memory foam mattress topper on it to make it softer for Heather.

Jose stopped to pick up the soccer ball and I opened the door with peppermint patties in one hand and the ball in the other hand. He wanted both. Later on he sent me the picture with the caption the picture says all. Thanks.

Emilio is going to Puerto Viejo next week for a few days as he is on school break. He will be around later in the week to say hello to Heather and Kent and meet Adriana. 

I think tomorrow will be cut out cookies and  cream puffs. I don't know how long they last but I want to try them. I may do another batch of the peppermint patties. A batch only makes 21-22. I also have to make caramel sauce for the thumbprint cookies. I have some with chocolate, some with white chocolate, some with guayaba jelly and some left for caramel. Today I only baked a couple things but I got everything dipped and frosted and almost everything filled.

My friend Kaye and I talked today and we plan to meet in Minneapolis when I go to Heather's in January. Course that is Wisconsin and Minnesota in the middle of winter and it will all depend on the weather. It isn't like Costa Rica winter.

This is Jose. I am using his picture first so I don't put the little boy on Facebook.

It looks like my soccer ball found a good home.

My house smells so good

It is that time and what is Christmas without home baked goods. So far I have made fudge, peppermint patties, spritz, peppermint mocha cookies dipped in white chocolate, peanut butter Nutella swirl cookies, chocolate coconut pinwheel dough is in the refrigerator and thumbprint cookies which will have caramel or guayaba jelly in the center are made. Tomorrow I need to make a batch of caramel as well as sugar cookies, then coconut macaroons, chocolate crinkle, cranberry bars and something with dates. I have cream puffs on my list. We will see. I want to make another batch of peppermint patties and maybe another batch of spritz - Heather requested them. I also want to do cinnamon cream cheese roll ups. I will definitely be securing my name - Orosi Cookie Lady. There are about 80 containers in the packages I bought so I have plenty of containers.

I called Jose today to say I was calling about 2 things. One, I have a soccer ball I am willing to give him. He said you must have read my mind. He went by the field where the kids were playing and they were using a bottle because they didn't have a ball. He will come get it for them. I also wanted a suggestion for someone to take us to Cartago Christmas Eve. We will leave here about 8:00pm. He said no problem he would be happy to do it so we have that covered.

Right in the middle of my first batch of spritz I ran out of gas. Over to the Super I went with my tank but they were out too and wouldn't get more until 4:00pm so I did other things all afternoon including making batches of dough and putting it in the refrigerator. The house is also closer to being ready and Adriana's room is all ready. Tomorrow or Sunday I will start taking things upstairs for Heather and Kent. I want to get everything done so Monday and Tuesday I can concentrate on doing the gift packages for Jose's people.

I can't believe we are down to 4 days and they will be here!

I learned the secret and learned something else not so good.

Today I finally made my trip to Cartago. I really feel like a pack mule when I do these trips. I went over in my head several times trying to decide what to bring along to carry things and what route to take and where to get things. I decided on my trusty red bag and three other nylon bags. When I got off the bus I headed for the ribbon store to get black ribbon for Kathy's hat. They were so busy people were lined up to the door so I decided to skip that and try another place later and go to Mayca for all the things I needed. The containers and lids and even the coconut weren't that heavy but the big slabs of chocolate I got for several of my projects were. I was out of white chocolate and I needed dark chocolate for the peppermint patties. I now have lots of chocolate, lots of coconut, oatmeal, containers for everyone and a bag of really good popcorn with half caramel and half butter. I am snacking as I write. On my way back, and heading for the yarn shop I came across a ribbon and yarn shop. I got my black ribbon and yes, I bought some yarn. It is cotton and so soft and beautiful and yes, it is twice the price I pay in the US. And yes, I know I have 100 skeins coming next week. But it was so soft and beautiful! Not far away is a fabric store I hadn't seen before so I have 2 new places to visit. I stopped at Johanna's mother's beauty shop to see if I could get my hair cut and she said yes. I said I was going next door. Johanna has been ill with Dengue Fever so they have another lady working. I didn't know her but she was very nice. I introduced myself and explained who I was and that the hats and scarves were mine and I had hearts and cards to add to the hats. We went through all my items and I added them and using my translate program I explained to her what they said. While I was having my hair cut Ziomara's mother came in and there were cheek kisses all the way around. When I was finished I asked to leave my bags in the yarn shop and went off shopping. I stopped in a shop near the yarn shop and got hair ties, little girl socks and notepads to go with the colored pencils. I still needed to go to the grocery store and get cocoa. They didn't have it at Mayca. Or if they did I didn't find it. Got home, dumped everything and headed to the Hardware store for more paint chips. It was a little difficult because they are in a side area and there weren't any lights on so I couldn't really tell the colors. I need to go back when the light is bright during the day. On to the Chinese Market because the Super doesn't have a lot of things. Got a half a cart load and took it to the cashier and when I handed my Visa he said no they don't take credit cards. I have never heard of such a thing here except in very small shops. Ticos don't carry cash, they live on their debit cards. I guess I have always paid cash but I was low and planned on using the card and getting cash another day. I ended up leaving everything there and went to the ATM and then stopped at the Super and got what I could. I still have a few things to get tomorrow before I do my baking. Now to the secret. Now you know I love it here and love the people so this is not a criticism, just an explanation. If you have been following my adventure you know that from early on I thought there was a secret to the sidewalk that I didn't know. I have been told! It seems that Ticos on the whole tend to only think about themselves, not others. If they see someone they know they stop and talk no matter where they are. If they want to stop and check their phone they do it, even if 20 people are backed up behind them and they are blocking the only route. If they are waiting for the bus and they sit down on the sidewalk and stretch their legs out so they block most of the sidewalk, it is not to be rude, it is just what they want to do so they do it. If they want to walk down the middle of the sidewalk they do just that. So, it makes life much easier for me knowing this. I don't take it personally anymore. And I must admit I am usually the only one trying to go fast. Everyone else is going at a slow pace. So, one thing solved. I only have 4 rows left on Kathy's practice hat. Can't wait to show it to her and tell her it is her hat since she asked for gray and black and it is green and purple. All the linens are done for Heather and Adriana and Jose has agreed to take all of us on the 21 or 22 to visit the coffee pickers and hand out the gifts. This year there will be a gift on top of the container of goodies for at least the kids. Jose said to plan for 20 kids. The adults will just get goodies. Still have to figure out transportation to Ziomara's on the 24th about 8:00pm and then home again the middle of the night. My house is coming along and I have all my recipes out for Christmas baking. The sewing machine is put away and the table decorated for Christmas. Little by little the whole house is looking festive. This time of year the government gives each employee the equivalent of one month's pay so there are lots of people out spending for Christmas. Cartago and Paraiso were very busy and people on the bus have lots of bags. I also am doing all I can to help the economy of Costa Rica.

I know you can not wait to hear about my week.

The ipad is still out of commission but Emilio says he has a spare cord that he will bring to the pizza shop tomorrow so I may not be out of commission as long as I thought. I have noticed that with my ipad turned off my iphone doesn't ring when I get a call on Messenger. Sorry if I have missed your calls. Before long it should be all back to normal. Let's see, I had a massage on Thursday morning and then when I was planning to bake cupcakes Gerardo came and invited me to go with them for coffee at the bed and breakfast. I had time to make one batch and change clothes and grab the container of cookies. It was a full car - and I think a new one. Gerardo, Tia, Ana, Flors, Me and in the far back sitting sideways was Dora and Martha and her son. We all had things to eat and Ana showed me Empanadas. Plans were to go out and pick oranges and lemons after coffee. Unfortunately it started raining hard and that part didnt happen. Some cousins, 7 people, from 3 generations met us there. I sat and crocheted most of the time. When the yarn gets here Ligia will come get some and make the scarf for Kathy and I will make the hat. I gave Ligia the pattern on Thursday so she could be familiar with it and I am practicing with the last of the yarn so I know what I am doing and can whip along once the yarn gets here. On the 21st the ladies are coming to get yarn and I am going to give them each some as their Christmas gift to use as they want. I got home and made more cupcakes before the crew got here to decorate for the senior's party on Friday. I had cut several kinds of greenery and brought the candles and pointsettias and Christmas balls to let them use as long as I got them back. Cupcakes are cooling to be frosted and they came to get me to do the centerpieces. I did one and picked a couple women to do the other tables. I told them it was OK if they were all different. I think they enjoyed being able to do it. I went out and picked sweet lemons, oranges, mandarinas, cas and guayaba to use on the tables. I also brought a jar of jelly for each table. I know it meant only one person got the jelly but I just didnt have 50 jars. Cupcakes are frosted and I am off to bed because they want me to open the doors at 8:00am. And it was an all day party! And they ate all day! And they danced all day! They started with exercise and prayed and spent the rest of the day having a good time. I spent part of the time there with them and part of it on the porch working on the throw. It was a big hit when I took it to the party with me and sat and worked on it. It is finished and was a good learing experience for the next one. Knowing my daughter, she will love the quirks. There will be more of them! There were a couple mishaps at the party. One lady fell while dancing and I was told later she fractured her shoulder. One of the men fell as he was leaving but I dont think he was hurt. They had lovely gifts for everyone. A basket of all kinds of snack goodies and another container with an apple, pear and grapes. I handed out all the fruit on the tables and the jelly. All the rest of the decorations came back to my house. As far as what they had to eat, I know there were crackers and dip and tamales and chicken and french fries and the cupcakes and I dont know what else but there was lots. Most of the reason I didn't stay there the entire time is I have problems with the loud music bothering my ears. Jose called to ask if I would participate again this year with Christmas gifts for his poor people. I told him I would be happy to do 30 goodie containers. I have also sent him a message asking if we can wait until the afternoon of the 21st so Adriana and Heather can come along. I havent heard back yet. Early next week I will go to Cartago to get the containers. I may have to take all the little things off my Judi tree to decorate the containers. I have been getting projects done. The throw is done, I have lots of Christmas gifts, the navy curtain for my storage area is made, the wall in the second bedroom is painted a lovely mint green. Then I discovered I needed to paint over the multi paned window frame as it is the same blue they used in the bathroom and all over the kitchen. I will finish that tomorrow. I am in the process of making a dresser scarf for my bedroom to match the new color's and to sew straps on one of Heather's great finds. It was too long so that gave me fabric for the straps. I think next week will be lots of baking. We are going to Ziomara's for Christmas Eve, which is the big Christmas celebration here. We will arrive about 9:00pm and have dinner about 10:00pm and prayers at midnight. Gifts for kids. I am bringing sweets and Tom and Jerrys. We will do taxi both ways. It will be so much fun, my first Christmas in Costa Rica. There will be about 23 of us. Douglas and Ziomara and their 4 kids, her parents, her sister and her brother and his wife and I think 3 sons. I am not sure who else. Maybe Douglas's family. There is probably a way to get at my pictures but I am on the laptop and don't know what it is so no pictures.

My cord is broken

So until Heather comes with a new one I won't be using my iPad. No books to read. No checking Facebook unless I sit at my laptop. I may actually get more done. I have translate and a camera on my phone. I have just gotten so used to the bigger screen of the iPad. It is less than 2 weeks. I can do this!

Yesterday was crochet ladies. Since we are down to no yarn, they will wait until the 21st at 2:00pm to come back. They will meet Heather and Adriana and I will have Christmas baking and lots and lots of yarn. They did bring some really cute things they had finished. Poor Ligia Sanchez had a big bandage on her arm. It was an accident with tamales. It is the season here for tamales. 

Janet talked about coming at 6:00pm on Thursday to decorate for the Christmas party on Friday. She mentioned she wants to use the same type of center pieces as I had for Thanksgiving with the greenery. My bush by my porch will be bare. Depending on what else she is planning to use, I may offer all my bright balls that I haven't used yet. As long as I get them back. People are used to taking the decorations. 

This morning Katherine and the girls will be here and this afternoon I have errands to run as well as a run to Paraiso for butter. I won't be going tomorrow to the craft ladies as I will be making cupcakes for the Christmas party. I do have cookies for the girls as yesterday I made chocolate, coconut, pecan cookies for our coffee. I will probably make pancakes as I haven't done that for a while.

We have been having lots of rain and cloudy skies but this morning the sun is shining so it is beautiful out. I may have to consider some laundry since it will dry.

That's about it. I may not be back for a while. I will have lots to catch up on next time.

Two  headbands and a scarf and 4 hats.

I can't believe it has been a week

Since my big dinner. It has been a quieter week but I have lots of projects. Tuesday the crochet ladies and our student were here. I had tortillas and turkey and dressing and a new batch of cranberry sauce as part of coffee. I have used up the turkey but still have some of the other things left.

We have almost no yarn left. I was making an off white hat with a colored area for the scarf. Every time I tried to crochet in the colored area, someone else needed the yarn to finish a project so I would take it out. I switched to the sewing machine instead of crochet because there just wasn't much left till Heather comes on the 20th with a new supply. I have enough to fill up her new house with all the yarn I have ordered lately. With the Black Friday and CyberMonday specials I got some very good deals. I will bring a load back with me in February also. 

On Thursday Janet let me know there is a 65 year old woman here in Orosi who has lost her hair and needs a couple hats. I went back to finishing my off white one and ended up making the whole thing one color. That does not mean it is plain. I used a spray of Ligia Sanchez's flowers and I love it.

I have started a second one that will be an assortment of colors and flowers and will have a wide brim. The ladies will be coming this Tuesday to bring what they have made. If they want I will have them stop in on the 21st. Ligia will come to get the yarn for Kathy's hat and scarf.

Thursday evening was the craft ladies Christmas party and I agreed to bring dessert. I decided on Better Than Sex Cake because I thought they would get a kick out of the name. It starts with a devil's food cake. Usually from a mix but mine was from scratch. I made a salted caramel sauce that you mix with sweetened condensed milk and pour over the cake after you poke holes in it. Then toffee bits. Last you add whipped cream. They liked the name and the taste. The party was lots of fun with a gift exchange. I put an assortment of things in a lovely stocking with one of my big bows on it. My gift was from Anita and it was a glass 8x8 casserole dish with a cover. I have been looking for one so it was perfect.

Tomorrow I am going to Ziomara's and I made chocolate cupcakes with a spoon of the caramel sauce on top instead of frosting. I have all her stuff to take to her and maybe we will have time for a sewing lesson. She took one of my sewing machines home with her on Thanksgiving so I wouldn't have to bring it on the bus. Several members of the family including young Douglas want to learn how to sew.

Monday I will go pick up some paint, Tuesday the crochet ladies, Wednesday Katherine and the girls, Thursday morning Otto, Thursday afternoon craft ladies and somewhere along the way I have to make 55 cupcakes for Friday for the Seniors Christmas party. This year it is going to be in the party room here at LaQuinta which will make it easy for me. A busy week! There is also talk of a shopping trip to San Jose.

And, before I know it Heather and Kent and Adriana will be here. With yarn and chocolate chips and ham. Somehow we are hoping to celebrate with both Ziomara's family and Gerardo's. 

This started with grapes and flowers.. The flowers continued to open and were beautiful all week. I added the sunflowers from what Emilio used on Saturday.

Tia came to visit and brought me Mandarinas. She chats and chats and I smile or frown and shake my head. I do understand a few words now.

I wore my new scarf to the craft ladies party.