Cactus Anyone?

Cactus Anyone?

Bird enjoying his home in the cactus.



I liked the color contrast of the wall covering plant and the cactus.

Let It Snow--Somewhere Else

Let It Snow--Somewhere Else

We saw this decoration as we were out walking the dog. I thought it was cute and it echoes my sentiments exactly. To all of you who are living with the snow and cold, you have my sympathy.

A Video For Mama

A Video For Mama

This is a video of our new best friend, Geordie. This video is actually so his mama can see him and know that he is doing fine and enjoying life in general. If you are not interested in seeing a dog do his thing, then come back tomorrow for something more interesting, maybe.

Christmas Eve Boat Parade

Christmas Eve Boat Parade

Every Christmas Eve some of the boats in the marina dress up their boats with lights and head out to put on a show. We have never gone to it before; but seeing as we were out here anyway we decided to head down to the beach to see it.

We went down a little early and let the dog play for awhile. When Roy had been down there in the morning there had been a fellow fooling around with some of the rocks on the beach. I guess he must have had a lot of time on his hands as he built this couch out of the rocks. He certainly did a good job of it anyway!

We didn't have to wait for too long before the boats appeared. The owners had certainly done a good job of the decorating, and the boats looked great. I think there were 12 or 13 boats in the parade, apparently there were a lot more last year; but it was nice anyway. There were some fireworks being set off on the shore and a bonfire or two also. We enjoyed it; although the dog was not impressed with the sounds of the fireworks.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR (FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO NUEVO)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR (FELIZ NAVIDAD y PROSPERO AÑO NUEVO)

Canon de Nacapule

Canon de Nacapule

This morning we went for a walk with the dog and then headed for the beach so we could play ball with him. He had a great time and so did we.
After eating lunch we decided to go to the Nacapule Canyon which is just a couple of miles from San Carlos. We have been meaning to go there since we first came down here; but just never seemed to do it. The road there was better than we expected and we made it almost all the way to the canyon before deciding that it was time to park the car and walk the rest of the way. The dog of course enjoyed all the new smells along the way. The canyon is supposed to be a kind of tropical micro climate and there are several different species of vegetation to be found there. If I understood the signs correctly there were a couple of native tribes living in the area about 3 thousand years ago. There is a stream of fresh water in the canyon and the rock formations of the mountains are also interesting to look at. We enjoyed our afternoon there and I took lots of photos. I can't seem to upload photos to either Slide or Webshots from here, so that will have to wait until the next time we go home. In the meantime here are a few of the pictures.

Housesitting In San Carlos

Housesitting In San Carlos

We headed out to San Carlos on Tuesday to housesit for some friends that have gone back to Canada for the Christmas holiday. On Wednesday we took the one lady to the airport and then we were on our own with our new "beasties". We are enjoying being with animals again and are having fun with them.

Here are some pictures that we have been taking the last few days.

Views from the patio.

Regular oranges and mandarin oranges.

Grapefruit.

Our new kitty.

A poor picture of our new best friend.

Tree Trimming Time Again

Tree Trimming Time Again

Well, it's that time of year again, time to trim the trees. This is across the street from us.

The beginning.

The middle.

The end.

Rainy Morning

Rainy Morning

I went shopping yesterday while Roy was having his football Sunday. Headed to the El Vigia mall where I wanted to look for a floor dust mop at the Ley grocery store. While wandering around I came across a young lady handing out samples of a new pizza. It is one of the type that is prepared and you take home and cook. Up north there are tons of these types of convenience foods; but here there are very few. I think we eat better, as in healthier and less additives, here because of this lack; but sometimes it would be nice to be able to have some of these things on hand for a lazy day. It tasted not bad, for a convenience food, so I bought one, thinking that it would be nice to have for lunch when I got home.
When I finished my shopping and returned home, I cooked the pizza and we ate it. I had forgotten how nice and creamy mozzarella cheese is when melted. The cheese was so yummy and the rest of the pizza was OK, not great; but after all it is a convenience food and you don't actually expect much from it or I don't.
Later on in the evening we were both getting the munchies and didn't know what to eat. We hummed and hawed and thought about it until Roy suggested that we go for a torta. We decided that we should walk over to the torta place that we had gone to the other day. It was chilly out, so Roy had to go hunting in the closet to find his denim jacket with the sheepskin lining. I had a sweatshirt on already so just wore my fleece jacket. We would have been wearing short sleeves at this temperature a few years ago. We have really become wimps, weather wise.
The lady at the torta place had been so nice the other day and had cooked for us when she wasn't even open so we felt we should go back when she was actually open.
We arrived and she was open for business this time with a flashing light over the window. She just grinned at us when we arrived and told us to come in and sit down. Roy thought the torta especial looked interesting so I asked her what it had in it. Ham, pork, 2 cheeses and all the fixings we were told, so he ordered that, while I stuck to the ham and cheese. The tortas arrived piled high and were of course served with all the extra fixings that are usual here. We both managed to finish them; but were stuffed. I think that we have a new favorite place and it is close also, so nice for the late evening munchies. The bill for the 2 tortas came to 43 pesos, about $4.30, makes you wonder why you ever bother to cook at home.
I woke up last night around 1 AM to hear it pouring rain, strange weather for here. It just rained hard here a week or so ago and normally, according to the weather archives anyway, there is no precipitation here in December at all. Well, it was still raining this morning; but quit before noon and the sun has come out now. It is muddy though and people are having trouble getting up the street with their vehicles.
It was a dreary looking morning and also chilly at only about 16 C./61 F.. Brrrr.....

Here is a video of the rain this morning.

New TV

New TV

This morning we decided to go and look at Soriana to see what they had for tv sets. We found a 21" flat screen that we thought we would buy; but first we had to head to the bank for some cash.

We caught the bus from Soriana and headed to the bank. Roy decided that he would go and check out the sets at Ley while I went to the bank, I said that I would meet him at the corner and we would head back to Soriana. I waited for him for a bit and then noticed that he was waving at me from across the street. When I joined him, he said that he wanted me to come and look at some of the sets in Ley. We went over and took a look and found one that was a 29" flat screen and was on sale for 2,152 pesos, about $215.20. We decided that if we were going to buy it we should get one of their point cards first, so off we went to the customer service desk. I filled in their form and was presented with the card.

Off we went to find a sales person and confirmed with her that the sign was indeed the correct price and then asked if they had someone who could deliver it. She took us over to one lady who in turn radioed another fellow. When it was all settled it turned out that if we went out into the parking lot to another store, (that they have just lately set up), and bought the TV in that store, they would deliver it. The clerk went over there with us and discussed it with the 3 clerks there. They did not have the same set there of course, so we were back to square one. We then decided that maybe one of the taxis would be big enough to get it in their cab, so we walked over and discussed it with the taxi drivers. One fellow told us that one of the cabbies had a station wagon and it would be no problem. He told us to go and buy the TV and they would get ahold of the fellow with the station wagon and he would be there when we got back. Back into the store we went. The only set they had was the floor model, so they got it packed up and into the box, then they ran around looking for the batteries for the remote control. No hay, couldn't find any. Then they found the whole package with the book, remote control, batteries, etc. and so into the box that went. A fellow lifted the box onto a cart and off we went to the till.

Once at the till with the tv all boxed up the clerk punched in the numbers and up popped a price that wasn't even close to the sale price. We told her that the price was incorrect and Roy went and got the sign with the sale price on it. That sent 2 of the clerks into their books looking for the UPC code, one of the ladies was agreeing with us that the sale sign and the tv were the same. After searching their books they got on the phone and called another lady. She must have been the supervisor as after all was explained to her, she seemed to do an override on the till and we were able to pay for the tv finally, at the sale price.

This whole procedure must have taken at least an hour; but everyone was pleasant and we were all smiles at the end of the endless transaction. We thanked them all for their time and trouble and we were on our way out of the store.

We arrived at the taxi stand to see no sign of the station wagon taxi. No problem, we were told, we'll just tie it into the trunk. OK, lift it into the trunk and tie it in. I didn't like the look of how the latch on the trunk lid was going to hit the side of the tv box. One of the taxistas just grinned, ran over to where their chairs were, grabbed a loose seat off of one of them and put it under the latch so that if the trunk lid bounced it would hit the seat instead of the tv.

On the road, finally. Over a very big tope, I am sitting in the back seat watching; although what good that would have done I don't know. I guess I would have been the first one to see it fall and smash. The driver saw me watching and said, "todos bien", all is good, and it was. We arrived home with it in one piece.

Ciro came and helped Roy get it upstairs and helped unpack it. We got it set up and running and he returned downstairs.

A few minutes later when I read my emails I had one that I had to go and talk to Ciro about. We were chatting and Ciro told young Alan to take me into the bedroom and show me something. Alan took me by the hand and into the bedroom we went. He pointed and when I looked, there was the exact same tv sitting on their stand. Too funny. I came out of the bedroom laughing and when Ciro and Irene saw me they started laughing also. Strange coincidence.

Buying a larger item here might be a more time consuming operation than up north; but it is filled with smiles and helpful people or that has been our experience so far. Never go looking for a big item here if you are rushed for time, as you will only be letting yourself in for frustration, take your time, be pleasant and enjoy the differences and it will usually turn out fine for everyone.

Just Looking

Just Looking

When we came to Mexico in October of 2005 one of the things we brought with us was a small TV set. When I say small, I mean small, I am talking about a 14" screen here. It has served us well; but the last while has been showing its age, which is considerable. Some days it is so blurry that you cannot make out the images well at all and forget about reading any of the writing on the screen. Then again on other days it is just fine, making you wonder what you were complaining about the day before. I am not a big TV watcher, clocking in maybe an hour or two a day at most. There is one show that I watch almost everyday, when we remember to switch the channel to it and then I watch bits and pieces of another couple. It is turned on almost all day though, usually tuned to CNN, Roy watches more of it than I do, so he is a little more concerned. My suggestion that we just wait until it died and then not bother replacing it was met with a LOOK, until I couldn't restrain myself and started laughing.

Today we decided that maybe we should think about getting a new set, so we headed up town to see what was being offered.

Electronics, such as TVs, computers, printers, cameras, etc. are definately not cheaper in Mexico, in fact I would say that they are quite a bit more expensive than north of the border. We are not interested in a top of the line, fancy gadget model, so are not really concerned about all the new technologies that are out there. We were just looking for a regular TV with a bit bigger screen than we have.

We wandered around downtown and about the best price that we found for a 20-21" screen, regular TV was 1599 pesos, about $159.99. Good enough for what we need.

Enough window shopping, on to the fun part of the outing, going to sit on a park bench in the plaza. Gee, aren't we exciting people. First window shopping and then hanging out on a park bench!

When we arrived at the plaza, we noticed some booths set up by some artisans from Oaxaca. Now this was interesting. We wandered along, looking at/admiring all the various articles for sale. Finished with our tour of the booths we retired to a bench and did some people watching. After enjoying this for awhile we wandered over to the bay to see what is happening with the part they are filling in. We were surprised to see that they had filled in another area, that we had thought they were done with. For some reason they have the area around the Plaza del Pescador cordoned off also. The work continues on the grounds of the Plaza de los Tres Presidentes also, so much of the area is a mess.

Last year I laughed at the look on the face of the burro in the Nativity scene that was set up in the Plaza de los Tres Presidentes. We noticed that it is set up across the road from the plaza this year, so I will have to return to take another picture of the burro and his friends.

We then headed home to relax after our taxing shopping afternoon.

Jamaica Gone Wild

Jamaica Gone Wild

No, not the country Jamaica; but my Jamaica plants, perhaps this is not the correct spelling for this plant, I am not sure. I had started some seeds from these plants and some of them just managed to reseed themselves into other plant pots on the patio. They grow very well and have taken over some of the other pots, where they were not wanted really; but I just didn't bother pulling them out. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you will see some of the rather insignificant blooms, white and the pretty red pods that form after the flower is finished. I think that these are what the juice is made from; but I could be wrong.

The Desert Rose plant is blooming nicely right now, this is one of my favorite plants.

I went to the tianguis yesterday and then later Roy and I took a walk around the block and ended up at our local mini market. It is always fun going there, it is a mini language lesson most times. He always tells me if I am pronouncing something well or if I am putting the emphasis on the wrong syllable, good deal. He also is always interested in learning the english words for some things. He has taught himself english from watching TV and can speak very well.
It is very foggy here this morning and chilly, it is only 18 C. right now at 10 AM. I have my sweatshirt, sweatpants and wooly slippers on.
Today is the day that I go to the orphanage for english class, so that should be interesting.

Propane

Propane

Yesterday I mixed up the dough for cinnamon buns and had them all ready to bake. I lit the oven to pre-heat it and when I checked it, it had gone out. We had been expecting our gas tank to run out as the last tank (30 Kg.) we had gotten was in February; but we had also been away for 2 mths. on the Baja. I went down and asked Ciro if he could call the company and ask them to deliver a new tank. For some reason they told him it could not be delivered until today. Not sure why as they usually have delivery trucks everyday.

Now what? The buns were ready to bake and no gas. Ciro then told me that he had a tank that we could borrow. Roy carried it up and got it hooked up and I baked the buns. They turned out well, despite the time delay.

Today, Ciro again called the company and shortly after the truck showed up and got us all hooked up again.

The tank we got in February cost us $291.95 pesos (about $29.20) and this tank cost us $288.50 pesos (about $28.85), so for some reason it has gone down in price just a little.

Speaking of costs of things, we got our electricity bill the other day. We are billed every 2 months here for our electricity. Our bill was $564.14 pesos (about $56.41) for the last 2 month period.

The Bouganvillea plant that I repotted in different soil seems to be doing very well now. Hopefully it continues.

Baking Buns

Baking Buns

As I mentioned before, we had rain most of the day Thursday and Friday. Late Friday night it began to pour, and as usual when it rains heavy here, it began to run down the street, making a stream bed. As Roy lay sleeping, I watched the rain pour down and listened to the water gushing down the street beside our place. After a while I crawled under the covers into the nice warm cocoon and attempted to sleep as well. Dozed off for a couple of hours and was awakened by spinning tires right beside our bedroom window. Some poor young fellow coming home late had gotten too far over to the side of the street and his back tire had drifted into the stream bed formed by the running rain water. He sat and spun and spun and spun to no avail. I guess he finally decided that he wasn't going to get out by himself, so he got out of his truck, got out his cell phone and proceeded to talk to someone as he started walking. Not a nice night to have to walk home.

The next morning, he and some friends/relatives returned with a pick and filled in behind his tire until he was able to back up and get out.

I had thrown some stuff into the crock pot for beef stew for lunch yesterday and as it was bubbling and sending out its aroma, I said to Roy that some nice fresh homemade buns would taste good with it. He, of course, seconded this motion.

A month or so ago Nancy, the landlords daughter in law had come up and asked for my bun recipe so I had translated it and given it to her. She tried to make them one day and then brought one up to show me. It was small and rock hard. Roy took one look at it and laughed along with her and we decided that it would be a good missile, (to throw at Roy). I went down with her and we went through the process and couldn't figure out what had gone wrong. I thought perhaps her yeast had not been good, so gave her a package of mine to try. A few days later, she again called me downstairs to see the latest results. Same thing, rock hard lumps. She was a very good sport about the failure and we laughed about them, and she suggested that they be given to Roy, as he had laughed so hard over the previous ones. We again went through the recipe and couldn't figure out what the problem was. Unless her water had been too hot and killed the yeast. I told her that the next time I made them I would call her and she could come and watch.

When I decided to make them yesterday I went down to see if she wanted to watch. She did. She came up and watched the whole process and noted that she had dumped all the flour in at once which might have been the problem. By this time Irene, the landlords wife, had joined us and when I turned the dough out of the bowl to begin kneading it, they looked at each other and noted that when Nancy had gotten to this point the dough had been very duro, tough. She decided that she will try again and just add the flour a bit at a time. We will see what will happen the next time. Nancy is a very good cook and this must be frustrating for her; but she has taken it well, lots of jokes and laughter about what her resulting "rocks" are good for, again Roy comes to mind.

Today, it is still cool, so I may make cinnamon buns. Like I need the extra calories; but it is winter and you always bulk up in the wintertime. The newspaper is telling people to take precautions for the cold when going out, as the forecast is for extremes between 16C./70F and 25C/77F. Funny to us; although I am chilly also; but "extremes", that is going a bit far I think.