Life in Costa Rica: Today's present.

While I was reading this morning I heard someone on my porch and when I looked out I realized it was Marta making a delivery. I had asked her to make one of the painted tin can planters for me to take to Heather and there were 5 of them in 3 sizes. I have put together a thank you gift bag for the next time I see her. One of my tubs is full of things I can give as gifts when I need something. I try to keep both adult and child things on hand. I put together 2 kitchen towels, a cutting board and matching knife and a spatula for her. They are things that Heather comes across at good prices. New, not from the Digs. She is off the Digs right now and is instead hunting white dishes with words or sayings on them. Some for me, some for her.

One of the plants that Jose brought me a while back, that he said gets a beautiful flower, has a flower coming. I am excited to see what it will look like.

The latest macrame hangers

I don't remember how much I told you about Dona Alicia. I first met her at the senior center and Emilio and I went to her house for a cooking lesson for me which turned out to be an eating lesson. She has invited me back but it is difficult unless I have someone to translate. I was malo and said I would go on a Monday a couple weeks ago. It turned out it was the Monday Jose and his crew came and I didn't go. I ran into her in the street and apologized and invited her to my house today at 3:00pm. Seems we are taking turns at being malo because she didn't come. I thought it would be easier with the crochet ladies here because they know her and can help me with talking.

Three of the ladies were here today and I told them I would be going to the hospital Thursday morning so I can see some new ladies. I have a good assortment of hats and afterwards I will go to the yarn shop to get more macrame cord. Ligia Sanchez brought me another large hanger and 3 smaller ones. The large one has room to add 2 of the smaller ones for 3 plants. She also brought a matching hat and purse that only needed lining for the purse. I showed her several patterns that she liked and wants me to print. I translate them to Spanish, especially if they don't have a diagram of the stitches. I showed them the cat hat I made for Courtney and the monkey hat I am making for Lexi. I am also working on a plain hat for the cancer ladies.

The 20th is Jeanette's Birthday and she loved the top she made so I gave it to her for her birthday gift. She was so happy and loves it.

For coffee I had egg salad with avocado on crispy bread and I made an impossible pie with banana flour so it was gluten free. I drizzled it with raspberry sauce and they loved it. I had made a lemon refresco and coffee so we had plenty. They tease me about making them all fat.

Thursday will be Cartago and craft ladies and Saturday will be back to Cartago to see Ziomara at the yarn shop. They have decided to close the shop and I will pick up the items we have there. They started their sale today and they will close the 28th. I am sad to see them close but I can understand. They haven't had any luck selling the business and Ziomara has another full-time job and Johanna has moved and has a very long commute.

Two weeks from tomorrow Kaye and her friend will be here and I have a busy week planned including a trip to Puerto Viejo and Bribri. Gerardo will be taking us to the top of his mountain and Jose will give us a coffee tour. A Féria with the craft and crochet ladies and massages will round out the week. I think it will be a fun time.