Just a typical Monday night around here...

I'm drinking a Corona and reading an interview with Ruth Reichl...(she's my fav.)
Julia is piddling through a Spanish dictionary, and, well...translating...something.

She looks up and said, "Oooh, that was a big bug on the porch! Go see what it was...and tell me if it was a scorpion."

After my search, I had no thrills to report. "Nah. Just one of those big spiders..."
"A tarantula?"
"No, one of those big spiders we used to think were scary until we lived here for more than five minutes and realized they aren't worth our time."

Yep. We live in the jungle.

Light.

We had a mighty fine view from our ferry ride the other evening...

Good to be Back.

Well. It's been a helluva month of travel.

Feels like we've been on the go for quite some time. Aw, who am I kidding...we have been! It's been absolutely amazing. We have seen and done so much.

As we made the trip across the ferry last night, we both remarked on how lovely it felt to be on a familiar path. It's funny how much this tiny little beach town has become like home to us...and we sure are glad to be back!

We're fortunate to spend the next few days house-sitting for our dear friend, Dagmar, who we've known ever since our first trip to Costa Rica last year...

Her home is one of the most glorious spaces...and being here is just plain peaceful.

Before we left Montezuma last December, Dagmar invited us up the hill to her house for lunch...

...which was one of those lovely afternoons full of wisdom and laughter.

Her home is strongly influenced by Moroccan design, and is situated atop a hill...waking up here every morning to the sounds outside has me feeling quite thankful.

We sure are lucky gals...

Making a Wish...

I didn't have a birthday cake. And, I wasn't even sad about it. Especially because my birthday began with this...

Oooooh, gelato. Gimme somma that.

Let's be honest...I tried almost every flavor before deciding on my combination. It's my birthday -- I can do that, right? Hazelnut and chocolate hazelnut was my pick...and what a pick it was!

Clearly, I wasn't the only one who benefitted from this excursion...

...which all began because we had to pick up a rental car. Yes, a rental car! Never knew I could be so excited about the prospect of a car, that we get to drive wherever we want...but when you've been rocking the Costa Rican public bus system in the ways that we have, I was pretty pumped about this whole rental car thing. More on that later...
So we had to go to the next town over to pick up our car (and yes, we rode the public bus to get there...such locals we are.) And the next town over just happens to have some Italians who decided to open a gelato shop. Happy birthday to me!

The enthusiasm captured in the above photographs is almost a little embarrassing...but I've always said that you should enjoy the little things...

On the Road Again...

Yeeee haw! We're off on an adventure. Ohhh, how I love an adventure.

Sweet Julia has planned one heck of a birthday month for me...and it all begins today! In a rental car! I never knew I could be so excited to be in a rental car...guess I've gotten quite good at enjoying the simple life we have here, and so driving our own car already feels like a luxury. (Plus it means we don't have to get on a public bus...amen.)

It's already been a damn fine birthday...waking up to the ocean and our sweet friends here in Montezuma have already showered me with breakfast pancakes!

Looking forward to a fun day of driving with my girl. Loving every minute.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Dad! Hope you've had the best birthday...wish I could be there with you for the requisite german chocolate cake!

For everything you do for me...from teaching me manners, to calling to check on me when it's snowing, to reminding me you'll always love me no matter what...you're the best!

I love you, Dad.

We're Baaaaack...

Howdy. Been too long...way too long, but I'm happy to say we're back in action!

Yes, I realize that it's February. And I'm also aware of the fact that my last post included the phrase "Feliz Navidad”. That said, let’s just look ahead, shall we?

My sabbatical from the blogging world was a lovely one...but I’ll admit, I missed it. Now that I’ve officially submitted my graduate school applications, I figured it’s high time I got back to updating you fine folks on our lives down here in Central America.

After a damn fine Christmas and holiday season...being back is feelin’ mighty fine. I have so much to say and so many photos to post...that I don’t even know where to begin. It’s no surprise that I often find myself in such a conundrum, to anyone who’s heard me ramble on...

I really planned to update this blog over the weekend...but the best laid plans often get thrown out the window (especially when a big ol’ mason jar full of ice water falls on your keyboard...yes, I cussed. Loudly. And then I made myself be thankful that Caroline let me borrow one of her old computers...having a fall back never felt so good.)

So...gimme a sec and let me get some photos uploaded, and then, I’ll have more to say. Comin’ at ya...sure is good to be back.