Hola Amigos!
It's February already, and so far it has been a cool, wet, brisk month! (For Baja, anyhow!) Today it is not going to get up to 70 degrees. Even though the sun is shining, the wind is whipping from the north and we have had our little heating stove going most of the day. I'm waiting for the daily temps to be in the 80's, but I'd be happy with mid 70's if the wind wasn't blowing so hard! I even delayed my walk this morning for about 45 minutes hoping it would warm up a bit... I did bundle up before I left and I was warm by the time I got back, thanks to the exercise.
We are very glad we added this stove to our house plans! We just found out that the window company is coming this afternoon to install our new bedroom windows. We are replacing the old ones because they've always leaked so badly when it rains. Doesn't matter if it's a windy hurricane or just a gentle rain...they leak! So, they picked one of the windier days of the week to do it. When they get here, we're going to close the bedroom door to try and keep the heat in the rest of the house. Our bedroom is on the northeast corner, and that north wind is fierce there today.
We were able to take a fun short trip to Mazatlan on the mainland to celebrate our 52nd wedding anniversary at the end of January. We flew on a small jet from La Paz on a quick one-hour flight. We were invited to stay with friends Doug and Marcy who have a very nice condo there, and they were gracious enough to give us some sight-seeing tours, too. Mazatlan is getting ready for Mardi Gras towards the end of this month, and they have many large statues (Mogotes) built and placed around the city and on the Malecon. Each one represents a different American country. Here's one we saw downtown for Cuba that had a platform where you could pose for pictures, so of course we did.
One of the reasons we went to Mazatlan is because our friend Francisco Zepeda has started a new restaurant there. Those of you who have visited us in the last 12 years or so probably ate at his old restaurant with us here in Los Barriles, El Barrilito. He moved on about 3 years ago, and ended up in Mazatlan. His food was delicious in the new restaurant, as usual, and we will be going back to visit again next year! If any of you are going to Mazatlan, be sure to visit his restaurant Currican on the Marina at the north end of town. You won't be disappointed.
We've had some company, and are expecting more. Karrie and Bruce spent a couple days last week. I worked with Karrie at Vocational Rehabilitation in the 90's. Two of Ben's brothers (John & Greg), one sister-in-law (Cherlene) and one niece will be arriving tomorrow for a few days. Mid-month, our friends the Sackingers will be here for 10 days or so with George's brother. Then, my brother Rich will be here for a couple weeks the first part of March. (He would have been here sooner, but realized his passport was expired when he tried to get tickets! Oops! Don't forget to keep your passport updated if you want to come see us.)
In the meantime, Ben is working very hard organizing our NEXT Fashion Show. Another one, you ask? Yes, we're moving our fall show to the spring for several reasons, and didn't want to wait a year and a half for the next one, because the people we help are very needy in the summer. This show will be March 20. We have all the presenters lined up, the location and have designed the posters and tickets. Ben is anxious to get them printed (in La Paz) and start posting them. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and longer days at that time of year.
The garden is growing pretty well. Some of the corn I planted didn't sprout, but some plants are waist high. I planted some more rows today. I'm hoping that this planting comes up better. The pole beans are doing fantastic. I think every single old seed sprouted, so I've got them strung, and they're growing up the strings. We ate our first cucumber the other day, as they recovered from the bug infestation, thank goodness. Now I've just got to keep up with them! The lettuce and spinach are doing great, as is the cilantro. Yum! The tomato plants are big and healthy looking, and I just saw one little tomato.
I was fortunate to take another water color painting class last week from Herrera Gallega, a famous Mexican water color artist. He is so good, and it is so fun! I'm refreshing my drawing / sketching abilities, and the water color painting is a real adventure! You wouldn't believe what colors we used to make those face tones believable.
It's February already, and so far it has been a cool, wet, brisk month! (For Baja, anyhow!) Today it is not going to get up to 70 degrees. Even though the sun is shining, the wind is whipping from the north and we have had our little heating stove going most of the day. I'm waiting for the daily temps to be in the 80's, but I'd be happy with mid 70's if the wind wasn't blowing so hard! I even delayed my walk this morning for about 45 minutes hoping it would warm up a bit... I did bundle up before I left and I was warm by the time I got back, thanks to the exercise.
 |
| Sunset in Mazatlan |
We are very glad we added this stove to our house plans! We just found out that the window company is coming this afternoon to install our new bedroom windows. We are replacing the old ones because they've always leaked so badly when it rains. Doesn't matter if it's a windy hurricane or just a gentle rain...they leak! So, they picked one of the windier days of the week to do it. When they get here, we're going to close the bedroom door to try and keep the heat in the rest of the house. Our bedroom is on the northeast corner, and that north wind is fierce there today.  |
| No windows right now! Sure is bright! |
One of the reasons we went to Mazatlan is because our friend Francisco Zepeda has started a new restaurant there. Those of you who have visited us in the last 12 years or so probably ate at his old restaurant with us here in Los Barriles, El Barrilito. He moved on about 3 years ago, and ended up in Mazatlan. His food was delicious in the new restaurant, as usual, and we will be going back to visit again next year! If any of you are going to Mazatlan, be sure to visit his restaurant Currican on the Marina at the north end of town. You won't be disappointed.
 |
| Karrie & Bruce |
In the meantime, Ben is working very hard organizing our NEXT Fashion Show. Another one, you ask? Yes, we're moving our fall show to the spring for several reasons, and didn't want to wait a year and a half for the next one, because the people we help are very needy in the summer. This show will be March 20. We have all the presenters lined up, the location and have designed the posters and tickets. Ben is anxious to get them printed (in La Paz) and start posting them. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and longer days at that time of year.
The garden is growing pretty well. Some of the corn I planted didn't sprout, but some plants are waist high. I planted some more rows today. I'm hoping that this planting comes up better. The pole beans are doing fantastic. I think every single old seed sprouted, so I've got them strung, and they're growing up the strings. We ate our first cucumber the other day, as they recovered from the bug infestation, thank goodness. Now I've just got to keep up with them! The lettuce and spinach are doing great, as is the cilantro. Yum! The tomato plants are big and healthy looking, and I just saw one little tomato. 
And I just have to post this final pic... I saw this on the beach the other day on my morning walk. The truck is our old 73 Ford, now owned by our good friend Chuyito (remember...he said it runs like a Cadillac now!) He was out fishing for Grouper. I'm so happy he is using that truck, and enjoying it so much. (Of course, he had the music going while he was fishing...that's why the door is open! 😉)
I have some more pictures in our 2020 February album, but most new ones are in the 2020 January album. Enjoy!
Hasta la proxima vez,
Tus amigos de Baja,
Harriet, Ben, Sam & Zoey
