Life in Costa Rica: Just in case

you are concerned that I am being lazy and doing nothing in my little corner of paradise, here is my latest project.

It got started because Ziomara sent me a picture saying “I want to learn how to make one.” The one happened to be a mandala, crocheted. It was in a hoop, kinda like a dream catcher. The hoops are usually hula hoops so pretty good size. The picture she sent me didn’t have a pattern with it so I went hunting. Here is the one we both liked, but we will be doing it in different colors and I am thinking of putting mine on the back of the couch rather than in a hoop. I am halfway on mine and so far only 1 difficult row.

My other project is a stand - a frame for a stand for the feria. Last Saturday I went to the feria in Tejar, to check it out and Natalie and Rebecca joined me there. It is a nice feria but outside so each stand needs a cover against rain and sun. I have a bunch of pieces of colored nylon fabric and I think if I make 2 layers it would work and be bright colored. Jose was here yesterday so we could talk about the frame. He has a friend and is going to get me an estimate. It has to be easy to transport and not expensive or we will be holding umbrellas over our heads. I think we will have a good assortment. Ziomara is making candles, I have jelly, we have crocheted and macrame items. I could even do cookies. We might be a big hit!

I have little things coming up wherever we planted but it is too early to tell what is vegetables and what is weeds. I do also have some wonderful flowers. Can’t wait for the fruit to start again for more jelly. I brought 20 more jars back with me in May.

Cat report. I changed the new cat’s name. I really like Domingo and even though it means Sunday, that is his name. He and Dally are getting along very well. They wrestle and he squeals and she stops. They cuddle and sleep together and don’t bite me. She is so much better since he came. They go outside during the day but they stay close and keep an eye on where I am. They are usually pretty close. In July they will both be fixed. No kittens here!

Last Friday me and my suitcase, in a taxi, took the sewing machine and a starter kit including fabric to the senior center. They were very pleased and I said I would give them more fabric when they are ready and need it. It is a Singer Basic and works good. Heather’s $5.00 deal from the Digs. Hopefully they will get some good use out of it. Several of the women said they know how to sew with a machine and they had a woman there to help them. I have another one at Heather’s but we still need to get a pedal.

Jeanette gave me a beautiful table runner she made. The stitching here is wonderful. I still haven’t finished my Christmas chicken scratch hanging.

Gerardo’s sisters, Dora and Marta and Ana Rosa and Ana’s daughter in law and granddaughter came to visit. It was so fun to have them here. They brought me some plants for my gardens and I gave them jelly. Remember Marta was my teacher when I first started making it.