We had some visitors this Sunday- a troop of 18 howler monkeys- one juvenile and one baby on momma's back. Our trees are beginning to flower- hopefully we'll be seeing much more of our howler friends soon. Who knows...maybe I'll even get catch a shot of them in the right light....Enjoy!
This blog is dedicated to all of the Kemper-lovers out there (you know who you are, and we love you for it)! As promised, I bring you a story about 'the Destroyer's' 1st birthday party (hosted on Dec 23rd at the beach-one week early to celebrate with Gramma Kelly and Grandpa Bob) as well as photos from her birthday on the 29th. Between her parties, Christmas and New Year's, the poor child doesn't know what to expect when she wakes up anymore!
In keeping with our recent neighborhood tradition of hosting bi-monthly beach bbq's at sunset, we decided to through a cake and a treasure hunt in the mix and call it a birthday party! It just so happened that a little girl named Katie (one of Kemper's best friends) was turning 5 years old on the 23rd- the day we were planning the party- so her mom and I collaborated and hosted a big shindig. I think the kids had fun...
The Birthday Girls
Kemper joining in the treasure hunt...
Digging for treasure (oh so gracefully, in tiara and all!)
I found it! (sticks, shells, rocks, and hermit crabs are all treasures to Kemper)
Proud Papa and GmK
Kemper's Friends, Kai and Romeo, with their moms Laura and Jennifer
The adults enjoyed the sunset and the mountains of fresh tuna that Erik, Grandpa Bob, and Andrew caught the day prior.
Thanks again to Andrew, Matt and Joellen for running the grills! Thank you to Erik and Bob for burying the treasures, and to GmK for being my right hand woman. And thank you to everyone else who helped make this day special for both girls.
As for Kemper's true birthday, the 29th....let me just say, it was as much a celebration for Erik and I as it was for her. We survived our first year together! I spent the day trying not to remember how much pain I was in a year ago to the day (how wonderfully time blurs our memories of these hardships!!), and instead reminisced about how far we have come in so little time.
Kemper and I love to visit our neighbor's horses, and for the first time, Kemper held out her hand to feed her favorite horses on her birthday.
Kemper and Neibla (who is pregnant and LOVES the extra treats we bring)
Kemper and Santana (who performed beautifully in this year's fiestas)
My family will understand this photo....I had to improvise- in place of a rosary I used a cross pendant- and in place of a shot glass a decorative wine glass....but it is clear as to what she has chosen!!
Oh My.....
For Me?!
Happy Birthday Baby!!
Stay tuned for more news on Nosara in the near future. Ciao!
Happy New Year everyone! Sarah here- I'll be bringing you many new posts from here on out (part of my new year's resolution...). I hope that the holidays found you all happy and healthy...
In the jungle, the holidays seem to bypass us. But for what it lacks in brisk air (snow) and holiday glee (lights, decorations, holiday music) we make up for in our traditions.
This year we started the season off right with 'Andrew's smoked chicken' for Thanksgiving.
In mid-December we got into the spirit at the Esperanza fiestas. Fortunately (in my opinion) we didn't witness any gorings this year....but we did see a new addition to the show- a juggling circus performer....
Soon thereafter, we erected our brand-new Christmas tree (with lights!)- or tee as Kemper called for it every morning when she awoke. Thanks Grandmas!
On the Friday before Christmas, GmK and I spent an entire morning elbows-deep in tamale making. Tamales are a mainstay for Christmas in Costa Rica. Entire families (of 9, 10, often more) will get together and pitch in to create hundreds of the little tasty packets. The process was incredibly interesting and labor intensive. First, you collect palm fronds from banana trees- making sure not to allow the fronds to bend, tear, or touch your clothing - like coconut- it stains.
The fronds must then be prepared in one of two manners. They may be sanitized over an open flame and then torn or cut into sheets (my favorite), or cut into sheets and then boiled and wiped clean.
It takes a special touch (and years of practice) to properly tear the sheets. The fronds are segmented and want to rip when handled without the proper finesse.
Then the (mountains) of innards must be diced, chopped, smashed, ground, sauteed, and sampled for perfection. The base of the tamale is a corn-meal dough, that traditionally is ground by hand after the corn kernels have been twice boiled over an open flame.
The kernels are ground together with fresh garlic cloves, onions, and sweet pepper.
The dough is spiced (with juices from the cooked pork, salsa Lisano, etc.) and manipulated to the correct consistency for patty making. The patty is placed on the center of the prepared banana leaf sheet, then topped with pieces of: par-cooked rice, cooked pork, peas, garbanzo beans, potatoes, carrots, onions, and hot peppers.
The packet is delicately (yet firmly) folded around the ingredients, and then wrapped in an outer sheet to seal out any water when boiled. Two packets are then placed seam-side in and tightly bond in preparation for their long boiling water bath.
After hours of boiling together, the packages are then removed from the water and left to cool (making room for another round to boil). At this point, everyone in the house is drooling at the mouth from the delicious wafting aromas.
Finally, the moment we have all been waiting for....Unwrap, and enjoy!
Thank you, Mirian, for including us in your family tradition. We love experiencing the tastes, textures, and colors of Costa Rica. Que rico!
Well folks, that's all for now. Be sure to stay tuned for reports on Erik's deep sea fishing adventures (TUNA!!), Kemper's 1st Birthday, and much, much more....
