Thanksgiving Gringo Style

When we first moved here Thanksgiving was a big deal, but as time wore on, the Gringos who were doing it got tired. So last year, after a couple without, some expats did a smoked turkey at the El Norte watering hole Meiers, $5 a plate, and well it was a success...

110 people RSVP'd to the Second annual Meiers Thanksgiving for the Gringos. Happy Hour on Saturdays is two for one mixed drinks, so he honored that til it was time to eat. A couple people brought sides, three bean salad, cranberry, another gringa brought shrimp cream cheese dip and crackers on all the tables.

Dinner was served around 4, and was well recieved, turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy and steamed carrots, plus the sides I mentioned. Next year I think others said they would be willing to bring more sides, but it was plenty.

One of the resident bakers brought a mixed platter of different dessert breads, and the pumpkin was just the right end to the meal. A nice buzz, a full belly and some time of thanks with new friends and neighbors.

So, as November comes to a close, and cold weather and busy holiday season descends North america, all I can say...Better you than me! I am perfectly happy with my palm trees and 80 degrees. Stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Dog Days

One of the jobs I am able to accept being single, is House and pet sitting. One of my haircut clients recently asked me to house and dog sit for two weeks, so here I am. But, my story starts before I started...Perry and I walked down the beach to San Jacinto, half way to the Boca last Saturday to have Perry and I meet Dottie, Jerri's dog. Perry and I then went to Mike's new house, and we had lunch. Well, when Mike was walking previous to our lunch date, he had a female follow him home...who then, after lunch, yep you guessed it...followed ME HOME! Meet Marla...

A very sweet girl, rather persistant...she turned out to be house trained, and upon inspection, has had her nails clipped. I took her to the local El Norte bar Meiers, but could not pawn her off on anyone. So, I put a harness on her and was talking her to SJ with me, to give her back to Mike when I went to house sit...but she disappeared, and was MIA when my ride was due. So, Marla (who may be pregnant) is someone else's problem...

Perry was a good sport, but very jealous...and then what do I do? After having a house guest for two nights, uproot him and take him into another dogs house. What a trooper!

This is Dottie, She is a rescue as well, similar in age to Perry, and also very sweet. Loves to cuddle and is good on walks. No early morning feeding schedules, and a breeze to care for. She is on a walking schedule, which I have actually really enjoyed, getting to see the nearby neighborhoods, I have never explored before. This house is owned by my friend Cynthia with the hotel property in the jungle, so I have been here several times, and know some neighbors. San Jacinto, after all is not that big...

Dottie has allowed Perry to sleep with us the past couple nights, and they romp and play in the courtyard during the day. I have been painting a mural on the garage, and will show you when its finished...so, stay tuned, the adventure continues!

This week's paid work

On Sunday I went and cut three young boys hair, while there, the mother asked if I would be up for a painting challange. I said sure, and she emailed me the project. The funny thing was just that morning I had searched and saved a very similar idea, and so was very eager to play. Her wish, was for me to replicate the paint treatment after she had the board routered.

What her routered board looked like when I got it on Wednesday afternoon.

Work in progress...

Finished project was very well recieved, and will be the focus in an office being filmed by House Hunters International this week. When she brought me this fish, she also brought me two others and asked if I could work some magic (again, in like 24hrs) I said sure, because it is always nice to be working on something else while you are waiting for paint to dry. We agreed on $100, and I set to work.

Their business logo...

And during...

And added a little black to the trees and gave the water more depth on the other, Lynn and I were very happy with the results.

Wow! That was kind of a rush, but I made it in good time, she picked them up at 3:30 on Thursday, before the 5pm deadline. The other project I started and finished this week, was a house sign commissioned by some new comers. They named their house Casa Moringa, after the miracle plant Moringa, they gave me artistic license, and after thinking about it decided to look up what the leaf looked like.

Ok, I can work with that! I put little moringa leaves all over the weathered chunk of wood, in all colors and then painted the name over the top. Coat of varnish, and a hanger and it is ready for pick up. Welcome to the neighborhood friends!

Well, as if that wasnt enough! I got the logo painted on the wall in the salon. Seeing it in pictures, I see some tweaking is needed, but I am pleased! Gosh, what to do next week? So...stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Me and Mr. P

Facebook reminded me this morning that it was on this day a year ago, Mike and I tried to bring Perry home into our family. He was hesitant and didnt want to come inside the patio at first, and certainly wasnt comfortable in the house...but he did eventually join the family and what a year he has had!

He got taken in the car, got fixed and set up on parasite treatments, and soon he was gaining weight.

Got his first toy...

And moved to another town! Where he has many new things to bark at, new neighbors and even his own room when he wants!

What a goof ball, and a blessing! After the year I have had, not sure who rescued who! He is the best dog I have ever had, and so...stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Stairs, Salon and Showroom

After finishing the furniture project, I decided I needed to concentrate on finishing somethings around the house, first was getting my salon prettied up. I realized the back courtyard area was a perfect space, bright light and not too breezy.

I also found a "logo" that I will paint on the wall, and use as my business flyer on Facebook

Since I no longer have my salon in the furniture showroom, it has turned into a cute little place too. Had a new client this morning from Crucita, and she really ooohed and awwwed.

And in other news, found on Facebook, kids doing art projects around Manabi sprucing up their neighborhoods. Love these stairs!

Well, break time is over, should get busy. Overcast today, so I could go paint that logo, but I also have a new bench to paint...hmmm what to do? So, stay tuned, the adventure continues!