Where does the time go?

Since I last blogged the pictures you see have been replaced by green leaves on trees and primroses, iris and peonies. Pictures come in next blog.
We had a few days of summer with day temps in the 90's and nights in the upper 60's which brought everything rushing out. Fruit trees bloomed and daffodils faded quickly. It was very hot working in the garden as there was no shade. Now the weather is back to normal and working is more pleasant. Is is so beautiful that I have to take time each day just to admire. Since my garden has been evolving over the course of 30 years it now tells me what to do- where certain plants live and thrive, some too aggressively, and others beg to be moved to a location more to their liking.
I had great fun last week making mozarella, ricotta with herbs from my garden and pizza using a no knead technique from a new cookbook. the mozarella was fantastic on the pizza. I can't wait for fresh tomato and basil season to make caprese. I also made foccacia with rosemary. If I can't go to Italy I can bring the food to me.

visiting grandchildren

I spent the weekend in Annapolis at my son's house on the occasion of his girls performing in their high school musical performance. Maggie had a solo which is unusual for a freshman and Brianna, who is a senior this year did the sound board. It was an impressive setup with computer generated sound and lights. The cast was huge and it was so impressive to watch and listen to how good they were. It was a rock and roll revival so there were period costumes and dances to go with each song. Maggie sang "Manic Mondays" it was hilarious and she acted every bit of a 30 something.
The weather was glorious in the high 70's so we were able to have a family tennis game. this was a huge thrill for me as it had been 2 years since I had been able to get on a court.
We were also celebrating my birthday so we had festive leg of lamb, roasted veggies, baba ganush and best of all a flour less chocolate cake that Phelps had made for me.

last day

Yesterday Nick took me to the most beautiful beach. There were 4 people there, 2 boogie boarders,1 surfer,one policeman. Nick was bummed that there were other people on his beach. I didn't get any pictures but it was for sure one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. Black sand jungle right down to the shore beautiful rocks. it wasn't good for swimming because of the rocks for me but I was happy walking and getting my feet wet and watching the waves.
My stomach was a bit upset yesterday so we had dinner at a tucked away place serving posole. Basically chicken soup with posole( exploded corn kernels). Just what I needed!
Today we went to the Sunday market and this afternoon going to Lina's to learn to make risotto and mozzarella. I can't wait.
We had a huge fruit salad of papaya and mangoes a few minutes ago. I will miss this life.
The top picture is the view out my room. The bottom Nick's "quiver" of boards. he doesn't surf on weekends because it's too crowded.

cold and cloudy in paradise?

Yesterday everyone was freezing to death,dark clouds covered the whole sky. Nick took me to see his friends Gaby and Andrea's house. You can see their son Max playing with the stones in their courtyard. It was an amazing house but I didn't feel comfortable taking pictures as there are already good ones on their blog. It was so well thought out though they were modest about it. They built the ground level first and lived in it for several years and then added the upper floor which now houses their bedrooms and a lovely living room. Kitchen,guest room and bath and outdoor patio are down.
Nick went to a little fish market in a nearby neighborhood to buy fish. Fresh sole! We had that, potatoes with tomatoes from their garden and fresh papaya and pineapple. Yum!
This morning Nick delivered a golf cart to his renters before we headed out to La Lancha. I had been hearing about this place as it is one of Nick's favorite surf areas. As you can imagine finding a place to surf without too many people is hard.
I had hoped to watch Nick surf but they are so far out I had no idea who was who. It was a beautiful beach so I had a good time.
As you can see from the pictures today is cool, clear and not a cloud. Not great surfing apparently, but better than none at all.

a cloudy day

The pictures are of the palapa that overlooks the town. Everything happens here. There was a power ropes class going on when I arrived to go to yoga and last night had been a big party for the "Gruppo Sayulita". this is a fundraiser and this group supports all the services in town. Nick had done the posters and invites for it but fortunately for me did not feel the need to go.
Today is cloudy and cool, probably 75 so not so bad. The house is quiet,relatively, as Treva and Astrid are in Houston. There are still dogs, cats, roosters and various venders.
After we dropped them at the airport we went to Costco and Walmart. I had never been to a Costco before. It was pretty impressive as we bought food,new insides for Nick's toilet,wine and could have bought seafood.We didn't buy seafood because we were going to the fish market in Sayulita but by the time we got there after siesta time they had only shrimp left. We cooked them and had leftovers. Delicious.
Nick was stressed as today he was welcoming his friend, Gaby's, rental clients as Gaby was teaching Treva's art class. I went to yoga while Nick was greeting them and drove the cart home. then we went to school to see if Gaby needed help. He didn't, everything was under control. He was teaching art to 5th and 6 the grade kids. We all went to lunch afterwards to let them both decompress. Both of them had been very nervous about their new jobs. Really funny to see these accomplished cool guys so stressed but I could totally relate to both- doing something new and unfamiliar is scary and kids know when you are not being true. Gaby probably had the scarier role, and as they are both perfectionists they wanted to do their best - and they did.

life in the fast lane

I started a new post because I couldn't upload another picture. I just figured it out.
Monday I went to a piltes class with Treva as she then had to take me for my massage that was my birthday/xmas present. I was nervous about the pilates but I could do most of it. It works almost exclusivly on your core.
Then we went off into the jungle to find the massage house. There are no road signs and all dirt roads but Nick's directions were good. We made one false turn but eventually climbed this steep hill and then a long path till we came to a beautiful house out of wood and thatch looking out over the ocean. It was all open no windows. It was built by Daniel and his wife who gave the massage. The massage room was a separate building with a lovely altar with Kuan Yin. Daniel looked like a nelson countier, bearded grey hair and knows all the plants. He loaned me a book so I could identify some of the plants here.
The massage was lovely, nice energy from Lisa and she used YL oils! It was a great present.
After that Treva had to work on the interior of the spa and then she and Astrid had their nails done-it meant that Treva had to be really careful doing the painting or she would mess up her fancy nails.
Nick and I cooked dinner so we could be at the store by dark for the project mentioned on the last post.
Yesterday I took the golf cart to go to yoga as Treva teaches at the school and Nick was surfing. That was a big adventure for me as I hadn't driven one before. I didn't get lost going to yoga and it's quite easy to drive so that was a relief.
Yoga and pilates are held is this big palapa overlooking the ocean and the town. Incredibly beautiful,hopefully I'll take pictures there tomorrow. the yoga class was lovely nice guy Jim an Anusara teacher but with some Iyengar background. I liked the class immensely. Few people, old yoga mats and a few blankets blocks and straps. It was a treat for me to go to a class. Thanks Michael. Classes are expensive 15$ per class just like home. But to feel the breeze and hear the ocean- wow.
Last night party for Astrid. Gaby, Andrea and son Max who is not quite 2 and just adorable. Great dinner,miso soup,salad of rice noodles cabbage and pineapple and mango, nick made sushi with shrimp. Desert was a fantastic tres leches chocolate cake from the bakery across from the school. I'll post pics.
We're about to leave for the airport.

successful logo night

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Tuesday night it all worked out. Nick was freaked out as he couldn't find the owners of the car where he needed to put the projector but we persuaded him that it would be okay. And it was as we were gone before they came back.You can see the results above.

happenings

We were very busy over the weekend. Saturday we went to Nuevo Vallarta where there was a huge mall with an indoor jungle jim type area. For Astrid's birthday (one of her several parties) she invited 2 younger girls Serena and Tallulah for the day at the mall. No party is complete without Baskins&Robins cones.
Sunday we had a beach party for Astrid with 5 of her friends and their families. We all brought something to eat but we could have bought roasted shrimp,donuts,fresh fruit, instead we had popcorn,tostadas and salsa,quesdillas, fresh strawberries. You can see the great trees to climb in and the waves were good for everyone to boogie board, including Astrid and Treva, I didn't go all the way in the water but will next time.
We came home about 5pm and gathered up paints, computer and projector as Treva is putting a logo on a new day spa. She designed the whole space and will paint the interior designs when she gets back from Texas.
Nick set up the projector, to display the logo on the building, on a conveniently parked car's roof. Treva climbed the ladder and had begun to paint when the lights all went out. The whole town! We waited a bit but no lights so we decided to eat in the restaurant across the street. They had candles and gas burners for a delicious tacos dinner. At home with no electricity just like being in VA.
We found out today the tragedy that 4 young boys coming back from a fiesta in the next town hit the pole putting the town in darkness, As it is a small town everyone knew someone connected with the tragedy. The town had many funerals today. Will they never learn.
We went back tonight to finish the job. I took pictures with Nick's camera so hopefully I can post them. While Treva was painting Nick made friends with people who fish and have a restaurant in La Cruz who want a logo on their truck!
the last picture is Max son of Treva and Nick's friends Gaby and Andrea

visit to school

Today we visited Astrid's school and this heliconia was blooming in the school yard. We saw kittens in Treva's classroom,a soccer game and looked in on Astrid's class. She had brought chocolate cupcakes to celebrate her birthday, Everyone said they were delicious so that's good. I ended up making a 2nd batch at Astrid's request but the 2nd go around was way less stressful.
We met the head of the school and she gave us each a t-shirt from Tommy Bahama. The logo was designed by Astrid and they are donating part of the profits of the Relax line to Astrid's school. So be sure to buy those t-shirts.
Tonight we are going to friends for dinner to celebrate several birthdays. I'm told we are having paella. Yum!
Last night as the clothing exchange got underway I fled and watched a surfing movie with Nick.
Tomorrow we are taking Astrid's friends to Nuevo Vallarta, an amusement park mexico style.

lovely unknown flowers

These are flowers I saw on my way back from walking Astrid to school. On the way we walk fast but coming back I can take my time. The pink one is a small tree and the yellow I suspect is some kind of accacia. Let me know if you can identify any of these.
Today I will call cupcake adventures!
It seemed such a simple thing; make cupcakes from a mix!
The first adventure was how to light the oven? Was it gas or electric? It appeared to be gas as the top is gas but there were no lighting elements to be found. Belen was here cleaning so I somehow communicated to her my problem. She also didn't know but after looking for matches went out and bought some. There was a little hole in the front of the oven leading me to suspect that was the pilot. After she brought the matches she tried to light it unsuccessfully. In desperation I tried and fortunately we heard the whoosh which meant the stove lit. We didn't blow up the house!
Next problem there was too much batter for the 12 molds so I thought I would just fill them a little fuller. Of course as cakes do they rose over the top making them tricky to get out of the molds.
Next hurdle we bought 2 boxes but I didn't ask Treva before she left how many cupcakes to make. Should I cook the 2nd box or not?
As the cats are allowed on the counters,except when I'm in the kitchen I have to be on guard they won't decide to eat the cakes.
I'm sort of dreading the clothing exchange and may hide out with Nick in Astrid bedroom.Imagine trying to swap clothes with lithe young and I do mean young women. Treva says most are younger than her. At least there is good chili that we made.

Days 2 and 3

These are pictures from my birthday dinner night. We went to the next town, San Pancho, to watch the sunset over the ocean and to have dinner at a wonderful restaurant.
San Pncho is a nicer town than Sayulita but unfortunately the beach has a steep dropoff so it's not great for swimming or surfing.
The picture of Astrid eating her desert, arancia ice cream, made there and served in an orange. Mine was cacao served in a cocao bean and Treva had coconut in a shell. We had wonderful mussels, red snapper, beef strips in a great sauce. The whole experience was a treat.
I have been walking Astrid to school each day which is fun for me. It's a short walk through the river bed which is now dry. I will post some flower pictures from my walk. I wish I had a flower book to identify them as many I don't know.
Nick goes surfing with his buddies and I went to PV with Treva yesterday. She had to buy a present for a baby shower and various things to eat. We went to Walmart, a first for me. I was impressed with all the things they had there.
We made egg salad sndwiches to take to the shower and started on the chili for the clothes swapping party that is happeneing here tonight.
Nick and I walked downtown for dinner. We ate on the street at a great place called Pastor that served roasted pork shaved from a spike that was turned in front of an upright fire box. Served in a soft taco with various toppings.Really good, I'm sure we'll eat there again. Dinner for 2 was 150 pesos. Of course we met many people Nick knew.
Today my job is to make cupcakes for Astrid's school birthday party tomorrow. It is being celebrated early as she and Treva are going on the 11th to Houston for her sister's baby's birth.
The weather is such a treat after all that snow and cold.

life in Sayulita

In Afton today it is snowing yet again!
Here it's about 80 not a cloud in the sky. Nick went surfing at 6am but wasn't happy with his surfing so we went again at 11 to a different place where I could sit in the shade as it was too hot in the sun.
It was a fancy resort but they didn't seem to care that that I was sitting in their chair and not spending any money.
I could never tell which one was Nick and wished I had brought binoculars. He thought he was showing off for me. I watched several people taking surfing lessons and walked a bit on the beach. The water is that glorious blue green and warm. I didn't wear a bathing suit as Nick said it wasn't a good place to swim.

I walked to Astrid's school with Treva and Astrid and found my way back home without getting lost. Treva had to teach all day today so she was beat when she got home as I gather the kids are pretty unruly so she had to discipline in Spanish.
I was pretty beat when I got here but after a really nice dinner that Treva had prepared we went to bed. I managed to sleep until 4 am as that was 6 their time. Tonight we are going to a nice restaurant in the next town to celebrate my birthday and watch the sunset over the water. Should be fun.
I'm glad I brought my noise machine as the roosters crow all night and day. Every so often the dogs or cats fight but I keep my door closed so they don't come in my room.
All in all life is tough in paradise.