Life doesn't get much better than this.

Most of my thoughts lately have been about the upcoming four events. Inviting new people since some of the ones I invited can't come. There is a fundraiser for the seniors that got scheduled for the 23rd - remember thanksgiving isn't a holiday here. The crochet ladies won't be able to make it and I have 24 for Sunday so I can't include them that day. There will be a lot of craft ladies from Paraiso and Emilio will be here both days. Jose will miss again this year but I will package up lots for him as he will be going to San Jose to get Heather and Kent.

Things are moving a little slow. Nothing was done on my house this week and I don't have an address or bank account yet. I think I read in the paperwork that I have 90 days so I won't panic yet.

My beautiful orchid is in bloom

My ham, my ham, my ham

Under the ham are some of the fabrics I am using for Katherine's baby snuggle sack or nap mat. I will use memory foam in the bottom so it is like a portable bed. 

 

 

Emilio said we needed a good sound system for the parties.

This year's craft  project for the seniors. I have the cinnamon sticks and greenery. Heather will bring the buttons. 

Emilio and I haven't done much for a long time. School and his internship were keeping him so busy. We made up for it on Friday. I left Rio Macho at 9:30 am and it was 3:00 or 4:00 by the time we got back here. I took the bus to Paraiso and then the bus to San Jose, getting off at PriceSmart. He hadn't done that before and realized how easy it is. I have never taken the bus back because I always have too much. I told him I wanted to checkout everything, and we did. The things I found. As the cart kept getting fuller I kept saying to myself - Thanksgiving is only once a year. And now I won't have to buy paper towels or toilet paper for about that long. When we finished and I renewed my membership for another year we stopped for chicken in their food area. It was very good. We packed up the bags I brought with the smaller things and he called Uber. We filled the trunk and half of the back seat and headed home. I asked Emilio to ask the driver if we could make a 5 minute stop at Mayca in Cartago. I promised it would be only 5 minutes and I only needed 1 thing. It is the only place I have found frozen cranberries for my cranberry sauce.We did and it was 5 minutes!

When we got here I opened the gate and he backed to the door and we unloaded everything.  All of that cost 13,000 colones which is about $23.00 -the Uber I mean, not my purchases.  When Emilio got ready to leave he checked with Uber and there was a car in Cachi and they came and got him to go to Paraiso.

So, why life is so good today. I just had bacon - yes, yes, yes, real bacon and fried eggs and toast with guayaba jelly AND coffee with hazelnut flavored coffee creamer! I have Van Camps pork and beans in the cupboard and a spiral cut ham in the refrigerator. Yes Gerry, Spam too! The only sad part is it is not mango season so if you find them, they are expensive. It is citrus season so lots of oranges and mandarinas.

Then, yesterday, after the big day Friday, I headed for Cartago. So did everyone else in this whole area. It took an hour and we weren't even to WalMart. Slow moving and people waiting at every stop. I made it to Ziomara's yarn shop, spent a good amount of time at the market including a fish lunch at my usual place, got a hose at the garden shop as well as some cucumber, carrot and green onion seeds. Then to the old grocery store for lots of things. I could just carry everything - my purse strapped over me, my red bag over my shoulder and a big heavy duty white bag - I love them. Turned out it was the same bus driver that brought me from Rio Macho. I only went to Orosi this time, spent some time at the pizza shop and with Katherine and had Luis bring me home. I could have gone on the bus but it is the climb up the hill carrying all that stuff.

My back has been bothering me a lot and I expected problems from the last few days, but no. Guess I will have to walk more.

I still have to get turkeys but not till Saturday at the earliest. I also haven't found canned pumpkin. I am going to make a trip to WalMart early this week. I still have lots of groceries to get, but most are
perishable so it is too early. I think I have decided on serving food. We will dish up the turkey and ham and have everything set out with ladies serving. My problem is I love family style and hate to give that up. It also means I need an extra table for serving. As everyone is bringing something I will do turkey, ham, dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. Desserts are cherry cheesecake, something pumpkin and something lemon and whatever others bring. I love lemon meringue pie and it should be pumpkin pie but I have never done much with pie crust. We will see. Sangria from Rosita, Hibiscus punch and after dinner drinks. Coffee, bread and desserts will be later.