It is hard to believe that it is already December 19th. Where has the time gone? Every day is full of activities or full of something! Each day Bob comments about the weather and can't believe it is December. Sunshine makes a big difference in how we feel.
We have been spending a lot of time with friends. We enjoy entertaining and cooking so we have had a few dinner parties. It takes time to plan the menu, make the grocery lists, and find the ingredients. The most challenging part is actually shopping for and finding all of the ingredients. We try and buy as much as possible from the local small tiendas. Our last resort is going to the big supermarket, Mega. Mega is a great store; however, we like to give our business to the smaller business owners. This coming week, we have two more gatherings at our home. We will be hosting two other couples for Christmas dinner. We are looking forward to that event.
Speaking of Christmas. We didn't bring any of our Christmas decorations with us in the move. We really don't have a lot of storage in our new home especially for all of the stuff we had. So this year, we purchased 14 poinsettias and have them around the house. The last several days, we have had them outside. They enjoy getting some sun...who doesn't! The plants look so much better being outside. When they are inside and get limited light and they lose their leaves. We just hope we can keep them looking great until Christmas. Next year we'll have to consider getting some other decorations.
We have been doing some shopping at consignment shops. Consignment shops are very popular here. We purchased two Persian rugs and a painting. The rugs are for our dining room and master bedroom.
About 10 days ago we attended a wine and food festival. We were sipping some wine and this lady comes up to us and says, "I know you". We looked at her and looked at each other and said, "We don't think so". She said, "Yes I do. You are from Minnesota, spent a month in Oaxaca, you love ducks, and you live in San Miguel". We were shocked she knew so much about us. We are not from Minnesota but Michigan. She told us she follows our blog. She isn't listed as a "follower". Perhaps if she is reading this, she will become one. She is from Ireland. Since that evening, we have seen her twice around town. What a small world!
We have been out to our school, Los Ricos de Abajo. We have been buying school supplies, putting together computer desks, and measuring for curtains. Shopping for material was an experience. Thank goodness for our friend, Carolyn. She sews and was a life saver. We purchased the material and all of the miscellaneous stuff (needles, pins, thread, etc.) and delivered them to the school. One of the mothers in the village will be making the curtains. We will begin teaching English the middle of January.
Bob continues to do work for his one and only client which has taken a lot of his time. He needed to work yesterday, so I baked for 6 hours. I made two different types of cookies and five pumpkin rolls. It is definitely different cooking in a new oven and remembering to check measurements. Such as, a recipe calls for 8 oz. of cream cheese. I went to the store and purchased packages of Philadelphia cream cheese. It looked like an 8 oz. package; however, it was only 190 grams...and I needed 225 grams. Good thing I realized this before it was too late. The same thing with a stick of butter. Always room to learn new things. Now who is going to eat all of these sweets? We won't fit into our swim suits when we go to the beach in February.
Today, our local wine store was having a sale on Santa Carolina wine. We were able to purchase Santa Carolina Reserva for less than $5 a bottle. So we had to buy 4 cases. What does one do when you get a 33% discount? Afterwards we went to a restaurant, El Buen Cafe. We have never been there and thought we would try it. The restaurant is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and they are celebrating their 20th anniversary this week. Because we have a VIP Card, we got a 30% discount (this week only). We each had a bowl of soup...Bob had onion soup and Sam had cream of spinach. Our main plate was two slices of pork tenderloin on top of a bed of wild rice and topped with a pineapple-chipotle chutney and a salad. We both had ice tea and dessert (Bob had apple pie and Sam had tres leches). Everything was wonderful and for the low, low price (including a 15% tip) of $170 pesos or less than $13. What a great day!!
Several of our friends who winter here will be arriving in January. So we know we will be busy getting together with them.
Merry Christmas to all of our friends.
