It is official

Today I picked up the keys to my new house in Orosi. I spent several hours there. Moving the majority of things is set for Monday morning at 10:00am. All the big things.  I don’t have to be out of here until the 15th so I will move in stages and hopefully be able to put one batch away before moving the next batch. The plants will be later and the cats will be last. I will continue to sleep here until the cats move so I don’t have to worry about them getting out when people are moving things in.

We did make a couple changes to the big back room at the new house. It is a partially finished area past the kitchen. Some parts are screened so they will be able to see and smell outside. I had a shelf added in front of that area, had a window screen added and had 2 door screens added. There is a latch at eye level but one needs to be added closer to the floor so they can’t push the door open enough to get out.

Hopefully this and the run of the house will be enough to keep them happy. If not we will create something outside like a screened walkway or enclosure. Roberto is great at helping with this.

Since I will be moving in on Monday the ladies are going to give it a Tica cleaning this weekend. They will probably get quite a laugh when they go in because when I was there today I started moving furniture around to make it feel like mine. I am sure they are going to wonder how I managed. Big cabinets, refrigerators, dressers, tv and stand. No problem!

I can’t wait to start on the gardens. They have done a great job of clearing out the weeds and there seem to be 4 raised beds in the front area. There are a couple piles of brush that still have to be removed. I have noticed there are tons of concrete blocks surrounding the various areas so I have tons of those to plant also. They will be great for succulents and cactus. I have the front area on the right side which is rectangular shape and pretty much wide open. I want to have bougainvillea climbing the walls. Next is the area with lemon and orange trees and several concrete block surrounded beds. On the left side is a pretty open rectangular shaped area the full length of the property. The hydrangeas and poinsettia can go there. I will be busy, busy, busy.

Monday, at 12:30 José will go pick up Emilio and 4 pizzas and soft drinks so everyone has a fun lunch. It would be too difficult to try and cook. He will make an assortment and this will give him a chance to come see the house.

I have been working. To think most of what I have came down in suitcases. Well except the buffet and kitchen cabinet and kitchen counter and shelving units and 10 tubs and 4 chairs and a folding table and a tent and a hammock and hanging chair and and and. Think I am nesting?

The story of Pura Vida

I have posted off and on since June about the blanket we were working on for my friend, Roz, in Hutchinson. Roz and her husband, DuWayne became clients of mine at Bursch Travel in Hutchinson. The first trip I did for them was extra special and they kept coming back. At Christmas they were one of the people who received trays of cookies.

When I left and moved here and returned to Hutch for visits they insisted I stay with them and I have a room that is mine, whenever I come to visit. I have even brought others to stay there. They are very gracious hosts.

Over the years I have brought back items the ladies have made and Roz has bought some from me, for herself or others. When I sent her a picture of a bed cover that I loved, she loved it too. I said I would start working on it and see if my ladies could make it. The complications. They speak Spanish,  me not so much, they are traditionalists and do certain stitches over and over, not so much new ones.  They don’t read patterns. To mention a few. They are used to crocheting with small hooks and thread. This would be yarn and bigger hooks. The 20 squares had to be the same size so everything fit together. The center section had to be 48 inches square. And it needed to be for a king size bed.

Ligia and I started talking and planning in June. I had tons of patterns printed in color so she would have colored pictures to follow. I made a trip to Cartago to get the yarn. It is all Sinfonia. Roz wanted high quality and Sinfonia is one I get here and haven’t found much cheaper online or in the US. High quality cotton. Ligia and I started crocheting sample squares to give the ladies. We needed 20 squares altogether. Ligia is very fast, not so much me. She did 4, I did 1. By early August we were ready to present it to the ladies in Paraiso. The samples had their white border and woven ribbons. Laura, Marta, Adriana and Rosa decided they would participate. Their job would be to crochet 3 squares each. The colors could be used in different orders, but only the colors I supplied. Light aqua blue, dark blue, beige and dark brown, variegated beige and white. There is some cinnamon color but not everyone got that color. I cut pieces of fabric to 12” square and marked an area 9” square. The smaller was for the colored area and the larger was including the white and ribbons. We did end up with a few that are bigger and they will work great for the pillow shams. Jeannette and Zoila in Orosi handled the ribbon weaving.

In September I took what was done to Roz’s house so she could see it in person. We still had a long way to go. My part of the center was done and Ligia would continue when I returned to Costa Rica. All the squares were done. Now it is all up to Ligia. Finish the center. Sorry it is too big. You have to take out a few rows. Now sew the squares together and to the center. Next is the outside border which will include the pieces of fabric that Johanna embroidered with our names in hearts and the message Chicas Buenas, with much love, Pura Vida and 2019.

By now the blanket is getting very big and heavy and the only place Ligia can spread it out and work on it is her bed. At night she folds it up and shares her bed with the blanket. Delivery was made December 30th and we video called Roz so she could join in on seeing it finished for the first time. It is really quite spectacular. It could never have been done without Ligia. We would go pick up squares and she would compliment the person and after we left she might shake her head and go home and redo some of it. She is very particular which I depended on. She was also very kind and patient when teaching the ladies.

Mine are the only parts where I actually read and followed the pattern. I only crochet with a pattern. these ladies are so much more talented than me at needlework. And they put so much care and love into an item for someone they may never meet.

The blanket went home with Heather and was shipped to Roz last Monday. She received it on Wednesday along with 10 little crocheted angels from Ligia and a pair of slippers, just like mine, from Rosa. They were packaged in a corrugated paper box made and decorated by Rosa’s daughter. Today I received pictures of the blanket on Roz’s bed. I must say, all in all, we did good.

Two things. Roz wanted a name for the blanket instead of calling it the blanket. After coming up with several possibilities I think she decided on Pura Vida, a phrase, greeting, blessing that is used continuously here. The second thing is this blanket helped to save a person’s mental health this year so it is so much more than just a crochet job. She was going thru a terrible time with many close family members dying and suffering from depression. Having all this work to do and being trusted enough to do it helped her tremendously. The year was difficult but would have been so much worse without Pura Vida.

You may be very bored by now. I did this so Roz would have it.

The one that started it all. 6/6/19. Remember this isn’t the one we did. Ours is the last one.

Ready to show the ladies in Paraiso 8/6/19

Profesora Ligia and Laura 8/8/19

Rosa picks hers - mine. 8/8/19

Roz I promise they will fit together. 8/20/19

A trip to Paraiso to pick up more squares. 8/22/19

Needs a little adjusting. No problem. 8/27/19

Roz’s bed. Long way to go 9/21/19

Center is done and so are the squares. Now the sewing together starts 11/11/19

All together, just the borders to go. 12/3/19

Delivery to my house. 12/30/19

The angels 12/30/19

A close up of the border 1/3/2020

Panels with our names and one that says 2019, Chicas Buenas, Pura Vida, con mucho amor. 1/3/2020

Rosa, Marta and Adriana showing off the border. We went to Paraiso 1/3/2020

And now, the finished product on Roz’s bed. 1/17/2020

I am giving up..........

The best road and sidewalk in all of Costa Rica for easy access to services in Orosi. Yup, I am moving again. Come on now, it has been 2 years and 6 months. At my age my moves have to be spaced closer together. And how did this all come about you say!

I was thinking about moving to Cartago, near Ziomara, and we even looked at a couple places when Heather, Kent and I went to visit her last Saturday. They didn’t work out and Heather was very nervous and concerned about the idea of me living there. It is a big busy city and makes her nervous. Then I thought maybe Cervantes and it is definitely a beautiful area but not any less remote than this area. Maybe more so.

When Heather and Kent were out walking in Orosi they came across a possibility and I found one listed that looked lovely. These were for sale and I wasn’t sure I wanted to get involved in purchase. Then Tuesday they were out walking and ran into Ligia. They talked and they told her I was looking and she took them thru the house where her parents had lived. They decided it was perfect for me and since we were heading for Cervantes to visit Jazmin and Rosa and family we arranged to meet Ligia at 10:00am Wednesday for me to see all the house. I had only been there once and only saw a little of the house. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, big kitchen with actual counters and cupboards, tv room, big enclosed back room with another kitchen for parties.  Large patio in front, 2 big green areas, tons and tons of plants and some lemon and orange trees. Half a block from Ligia and her sisters.

But it is all new to them and it happened so quick they didn’t know what they were going to charge. Heather and Kent were flying home yesterday so we agreed to meet at 3:00pm today and Kent would be on a call to translate so there were no misunderstandings.

I stayed for coffee and they made sure I knew they are very happy to have me in the house and now as part of their family. They are very concerned I am happy and comfortable. I feel the same way towards them. The only one who knows me very well is Ligia.

Well, I have a house! I will pay rent here for the first two weeks of February and slowly move during that time. They have lots of work to do, removing things and cleaning out the yard so I won’t be starting to move in until February. My rent is up the end of January but when I gave my notice today I said I would pay until the middle of February so that I am giving a 30 day notice. I don’t know that it is required here but I want to be fair.

So, in the next month lots of plants will get moved. Lots will stay too. José will help when he is available and Ligia and the family will help. Every move I have more stuff and this time I have some big furniture.

It is all quite exciting! The party will be Sunday, March 9!

The green area on the right side

The green area on the left. Below the back fence is a creek.

The front.

Living/dining

One of the bathrooms

The TV room but I told them I didn’t want the tv.

A beautiful kitchen 

A real closet.

I have a story to tell.

And it is a story I am very proud to be part of. It began in June of this year. Roz, my friend in Hutchinson, and I were exchanging pictures of blankets with the idea I would see if my ladies could make it. The ladies here are very talented but they are also very traditional. And there is the language problem. I speak so little of their language that I would not be able to teach or explain and although I could  possibly come up with some patterns in Spanish it wouldn’t help. The explanations and stitches were different than what they were used to. So why should that stop me!

I saw a blanket I loved and showed it to Roz and she loved it too. The colors gave us an idea to follow so I talked to Ligia and she agreed and was willing. I started having the patterns printed in color so even though they couldn’t read them, they would have the colored pictures to look at and follow. Ligia and I started. She is so much better than me and so much faster. I need a pattern to follow and although I started many, the stitching got too complicated and I would try another one. With rows of hidden stitches I figured how would they ever follow and duplicate just by looking at the pictures or a sample.

The beginning of August Ligia and I went to Paraiso to show the ladies the squares and see who wanted to participate. Ligia turned into la profesora. Laura, Rosa, Marta, Adriana, Johanna Jeannette, Zoila, Ligia and I ended up participating. Johanna did the embroidery. Jeannette and Zoila did some of the white edging on the squares and ribbon weaving.  Around each square is woven navy or brown ribbon. Now keep in mind we have 9 people crocheting and we expect it to all fit together. Everyone crochets different. Ligia was throughout the entire project my quality control. If it didn’t seem quite right she would take stitches or rows out and redo them.

Once we had all the squares done I started the middle. I was concerned because of the pattern it would be hard to figure out so I did it until it turned into a square. Then Ligia took over. It had to end up 48 inches square. For the 12 inch squares I had supplied pieces of heavy fabric marked to where the color square would end and the size including the white border. With the big center square we just measured.  Then the smaller squares had to be crocheted together and attached to the center square. Next came the outside border which includes panels with our names in hearts and a greeting to Roz and the year.

Today I received the finished blanket from Ligia and it is spectacular. Very large  since Roz has a king size bed. I was teased a lot and called Chica Mala because when I would give pieces - like the center piece to Ligia I had not tucked in all my ends from the color changes. Well I  want you to know the finished product is as perfect on the back as it is on the front.  We also have several extra squares to make into pillow shams but that will be later. The blanket will go back with Heather on the 9th. to be mailed to Roz.

Today when Ligia came we called Roz so she could see it at the same time I did. I think she was thrilled. Heather will bring gifts from Roz for the ladies and next week we will deliver them and show off the Pura Vida blanket.

This is the one that started it all.

Ligia coming to deliver the finished blanket.

The name panels. Three of these and one that says Chicas Buenas, Pura Vida, a heart with 2019 in it and con mucho amor (with much love)

 The outside border

 

The back is as good as the front.

I can’t do it justice as my bed is a double and the blanket is a king.

Besides finishing the blanket, and the holidays Ligia  found time, or made time, to make these for Roz.

It has been a difficult year for Ligia with four members of her immediate family dying. She credits this project with helping her tremendously. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all who read this.

It has been a busy few weeks getting ready for the Holidays and for Heather and Kent who arrive on January 1st. I had started baking and putting things in the freezer and refrigerator. Spritz cookies, cocoa Krispie bars, Mounds bars, Fudge with raisins and almonds, Snickerdoodle cookies, Chocolate Crinkle cookies, marshmallows dipped in caramel and Krispies, Corn Flake Wreaths, white and milk chocolate dipped pretzels, Chocolate Chip sticks (like biscotti) and my failure Cranberry white chocolate cookies. Because of the altitude things bake up different here. Most of the recipes are adjusted for high altitude but that one wasn’t. They turned out flat and fell apart after a day. A shame. They tasted good. Everything else turned out good.

My intention was to bake to give out goodies at the pizza shop Christmas Eve and then to my neighbors Christmas Day. I have done the pizza shop before and it was lots of fun. People were very surprised and it added to the happiness of the evening. Then an added event turned up. A local group planned to bring gifts to 4 low income families last Sunday. They posted on Wednesday or Thursday that they only had enough for 2 families. I offered to help and I am sure others did too and they reached their goal. 21 people altogether in the families. José picked me and what I had to give up on Saturday so we could deliver everything to the home of the man in charge. He was then combining and packaging and dividing everything evenly among the families.

Tuesday evening José picked me up again and took me and all my goodies to the pizza shop. I was set up at a table in front. Close enough to Emilio for him to translate for me if necessary but they were quite busy. Mainly with take out. I would ask how many people and would give them one or two containers of assorted treats. Ligia came and spent most of the evening with me and that worked great. She knew lots of the people and would explain who I was and about what our Chicas Buenas group does. And what good things I make. It was a fun time. Her son came and got us and brought me home. She also told me she is on the last few rows of the blanket and she will bring it to me on Monday. She told Emilio a story that he translated to me. The blanket is so big and heavy that she has to lay it out on her bed to work on it. Then when she wants to go to bed she has to fold it up and share her bed with it. Remember it is for a king size bed. It is like when I made a quilt for my friend Judi. Their bed was a California king and she wanted it to hang down the sides so she only needed a dust ruffle. It was enormous and so heavy and there weren’t many places big enough to lay it out and work on it. Thank heavens I had the conference center at The Grotto. Heather will take the blanket back with her and mail it to Roz. I can’t wait to see it. We will also make pillow covers to match but that will be later.

Yesterday afternoon I packed up a big bag of plastic containers and headed out for a walk. There were some neighbors outside and I was able to give them treats and wish them Feliz Navidad. The people across the road who have given me rides to Orosi. The basket weaver where I have bought several baskets. A couple driving by stopped and asked me for directions. ME! In Spanish! A little spanish and sign language is great. I gave them cookies too and wished them Feliz Navidad. Hopefully they found Orosi.

Today I went out again to my next door neighbor as they weren’t home yesterday. He was working on a car and he showed me his absolutely black hands and then showed me a safe spot to put the containers.

I have almost no goodies left, which is good because I like them. I will have to do some baking to get ready for Heather. She called me when I was at the pizza shop because she was making another batch of toffee. I told her I couldn’t stay on the phone the whole time so this time she did it alone. Turned out perfect.

I bought this at the market Tuesday evening. 1500 colones. Maybe 2.75. Such a deal.

They are working on the second house but it isn’t ready yet. Heather and Kent will stay in the house in Orosi they stayed in last time.

Pretzels

The items for the needy families 

Spritz

Party two done!

The rain hasn’t been quite as bad but I did suggest to everyone they not wear fancy shoes just in case. I had Jose and Victor come and move the stepping stones to create a path down the hill to the front door. Adrian brought me 12 extra chairs and I spent the week cooking and cleaning. I did a bit of decorating in the house and the deck was all ready from when I thought the seniors were coming.

On Sunday Jeannette let me know the seniors were having a big party at La Quinta Gerardo on Friday and she might have too much to do to get ready on Thursday and might not be able to come. Turned out she and Zoila who also works at the senior center didn’t make it.

On Wednesday Jose called to say Ligia’s brother in law had just died. Poor Ligia. That is the 4th family member since April. I wasn’t sure she would make it either. She did come, early, and was a great help. She seems to understand the best what I am trying to say and she takes over in Spanish. She also led a prayer before we got settled into eating and drinking.

The group ended up being Johanna, her mother Laura, Patricia and a friend, Rosa, her two daughters, her son (Jazmin’s husband), Jazmin, their son, Ligia, Otto, Dayana, Cledy, Adriana
One problem. The music man didn’t come. I don’t know why. Mine was a short, small deal so maybe something bigger came along. I used the iPad which at least gave some background music.
Otto was here and he was great about stepping in and telling historical stories that he has memorized. He is one of the few people in the country that does this type of presentation.

Once everyone was settled we started the little game I had planned. Each woman got a number. When I called a number they got to come up and put their arm in a big garbage bag with tons of items. No looking. Then the second time they came up they got to pick between the bag and a jar of jelly. I gave away 6 jars. The third time we put everything on the table and they could pick an item. It turned out to be lots of fun.

I also handed the ladies who worked on the blanket a bag with their payment. There are still little gifts coming from Roz that Heather will bring. We also video called Roz and she was able to speak to the ladies. With me as the translator!

We had Sangria and then coffee and several kinds of cold drinks. Rosa, whose birthday we were celebrating, brought chips and a tuna carrot dip so we started with that. I made mini cream  puffs and filled them with chicken salad and egg salad. I also stuffed French bread with a spinach artichoke cheese mixture and baked it. We served the cream puffs and the stuffed bread and mini cinnamon rolls for coffee. Then the desserts. A plain pound cake, an eggnog pound cake, frosted chocolate peppermint cupcakes or cake slices and chocolate vanilla ice cream. I also put out containers for people to take home the things they couldn’t eat.

Last but not least the piñata. They had brought so much candy that each person got a bag full besides what the were able to grab when the piñata was broken. There was quite a scramble.

It turned out Jazmin brought me tons of hats. One a day she said. Cledy brought several and Rosa’s daughter brought 3 as a donation. It was her own yarn, not mine. I explained to Otto about doing prayer shawls with yarn that is being donated to us and he was able to explain it to the ladies for me. We will give them to the hospital for everyone to use while having chemo. Everyone agreed.

It turned out to be a very busy week. I had to go to the clinic to order meds, go back the next day and pick them up. Wednesday morning I had to take the 6:30am bus to Paraiso to get lab work done. I did
 have a strange thing happen that morning. After the clinic I stopped in the grocery store. I picked up a couple things and saw a bottle of non alcoholic Sangria. I thought it might be good to have it on hand. When I went to pay for it the clerk did his best to explain he couldn’t sell it until 8:00am. It was about 7:30. I never heard of such a thing especially since it was basically fruit juice.

The next couple weeks will be crocheting and Christmas cookie baking and before you know it  Heather and Kent will be here. We have been invited to Jazmin’s house in Cervantes and Ziomara is making Casado.  Hopefully by then the rain will be less. And hopefully the raccoon will be gone!

Start with dessert, right?

I told Johanna I rarely take a good picture but I like this one.

 

See all the hats!

Jazmin has done children’s hats. We always attach a heart so she crocheted hearts to add to their hats.

 

Patricia, Laura and Johanna

Rosa taking a turn at the bag. 

Rosa being sung to and blowing out her candle.

Some of the things from the bag ...and jelly

Rosa trying the piñata.

Her grandson trying too.