Pic-of-the-Week for April 25, 2017

Hola Amigos,

I'm sitting here at my new sewing table in my bedroom working on my lap top because Dalia is cleaning house for me, and since the floors in here are done, she's working out in our family room/kitchen.  (I'm trying my hardest to stay out of her way!)  It's not too bad.... the door is wide open, nice breezes blowing in, birds singing, and look at this view!

Yes, I got started late today.  Ben came home from his quick trip to Oregon to buy another new toy.... a 1956 Jeep.  I guess I told you about it in the last POTW, but he brought home a cold with him, and generously gave it to me.  I was coughing and nose dripping by Saturday, so got to the doctor on Monday and have antibiotics and cough medicine and fever reducer.  I am feeling better, but not up to par quite yet.  Unfortunately, while we were sick we had company!  Ben's brother Greg and his wife Cherlenne and daughter Georgina were here, (flew in on the same flight as Ben) and we didn't get the chance to take them anywhere or do anything special, other than eat out a lot!  (We're really good at that!)

Georgina is almost 3; her birthday is this Friday.  She's a real sweety, but unfortunately, she caught a cough and cold, too.  Greg and Cherlenne were impressed that the doctor visit and medications all totaled only $300 pesos (less than $15US), since children visits at the clinic are free.  

Next time, we'll owe them some more fun!





















My quilt is coming along nicely.  I'm making  25 blocks  and I only have 5 more to go.  Just haven't felt much like sewing these last few days.  It looks like it's going to be another colorful quilt!  I do love bright colors!  

I've been trying to get some green beans to grow for when daughter Rebecca and her children are here at the end of May.  Something has been very hard on them, biting or knocking of the leaves.  I've got some growing, so I hope they continue and will produce something.  

Bad news for burros in the neighborhood.  The black mama and her yearling were hit by a semi-truck on Hwy 1 about a week ago and killed.  Her baby survived, and has been taken to a vet somewhere.  

That's it for this week.  I do have an April 2017 album if you want to look at a few more pics.  

Hasta la proxima vez,
Harriet, Ben, Sam & Zoey

Pic-of-the-Week for April 11, 2017

Hola Amigos,

Another two weeks have gone by lickety-split!  We have been keeping very busy; Ben always has multiple projects going on, usually helping someone get something done, which is always an adventure here in Mexico.  Tomorrow, he's off to do something for himself!  He's flying up to Oregon to purchase an old Jeep, which he hopes to bring down here in May (another quick trip up and back).  Once the deed is done, we'll have stories to tell, I'm sure, but I can tell you this much so far...  The Jeep is located in St. Helens, Oregon, which is northwest of Portland.  The owner is located in upper New York State.  The buyer (Ben) is in Mexico.  We sent friends from Portland to check it out for us, and we are to trying to figure out all the logistics!  Phew.  He'll be glad to get back dealing with contractors and driveways and house-cleaning and repairing issues!  Oh yes, Greg:  He's flying back to Baja on the same flight as you and your family!  

In the mean time, my dogs and I will be walking the beach and checking for fun things to pick up.  (I found a $50 peso bill in the sand yesterday!)  

My latest project is another quilt top.  I hope to get it done in a couple weeks to give to my friend June, who delayed their trip back to Oregon by a month.  We'll see how ambitious I am (Hope to get to it today!) and how many squares I can complete.  I did this one without a pattern, so had to do a bit of trial and error first, but it's turning out pretty nice, I think.  Finished block size is 10".  I want to use the black polka-dot for flashing (strips between the blocks) with colorful squares of fabric at each intersection.  Should be fun!  

   Our daughter and her family got to take a spring break trip to Jordan last week, and they took the kids to places Ben and I got to go in 2009 (before any of the kids were born).  Petra, Jerash (ancient Roman city); they saw some amazing things.  Made me wish I was with them!   This is the Treasury Building at Petra.

David (the 7 year old) was excited to be able to read "Philadelphia" on some mosaic tiles they saw.  Of course, it was written in Greek!  

And a minor Mexican miracle this week... Chuyito, who is repairing our boat, found some used 15.5" tires that fit the '73 pickup!  Wow!   Here's a guy from a local tire shop getting ready to jack up the truck.    You can see Ben's and Chuyito's shadows to the left as they watch (it was a HOT day!)  The boat is close to done.  It needs a part Greg is bringing down, and we're getting the name re-done on the sides, and putting it on the back as well (as Mexican law requires), and Chuyito will be polishing it and doing bottom paint.  Soon!!!  (Mexican time!)  

We're eating meals on the veranda more often as the weather warms up, and the other day I spotted a male and female Phyrroloxia.  They look like Cardinals, and I guess are part of the same family of birds.  I really like their long tails and sharp top knots!  And they do love the sunflower seeds we put out!  

Easter Sunday is coming up, and this year is the first time since we've been here that it won't be a sunrise service on the beach.  As we all age, it's with a sigh of relief that we don't have to be up before the roosters to set up sound equipment on the beach.  And that's a good thing too, since Ben decided to be gone this Sunday.  Yikes!  (He runs the sound equipment at church, but we've got excellent help!)  Regardless, we wish you a joyous celebration of the resurrection!  He is risen!  (Here's an Easter morning shot from several years ago).

Hasta la proxima vez,
Tus amigos de Mexico,
Harriet, Ben, Sam & Zoey