Party time!

It was a hectic day of preparation for the "BIG PARTY"! 

There were flowers to be purchased and artfully arranged.

There were terraces to be "broomed" free of fallen bouganvillea blossoms,

only to be replaced minutes later by windfalls.

There were Moroccan candle covers to be placed on the stairs

and lit just before the guests arrived.

Magical images were cast along the stair wall from these carved metal shapes.

Miguel, the cook, arrived at 4pm with his assistant to prepare hors d'oeuvres.

Before the party started at 7pm, they created a total of 480 finger foods

including a cascade of shrimp attached to a pineapple.

At 6pm the pastor taco crew arrived to set up their taco stall on the terrace.

With a flick of his wrist, he added a small piece of pineapple to each taco!

Ninety guests started arriving at 7pm and soon filled the terraces.

Fortunately no one fell into the pool although several were discouraged from jumping in!

Christmas and Boxing Day

It feels like a whirlwind of activity since my last post but really it's only two days. Christmas dinner was   a delicious combination of flavours concocted by four of us. On Christmas eve I created a cranberry dish, cooking up craisins and orange juice. Then, after finding a can of cranberry sauce at a small deli, Rich decided to add kumquats and grand marnier to the canned contents for a second variety. Harvey made a yam casserole with pecans and maple syrup. Rich made cheese sauce for the cauliflower, adding some of his homemade mustard. The mashed potatoes were creamy. JAP made the stuffing with secret ingredients and I crammed it into the turkey cavities. The oven cooperated, on its own terms, finally reaching the desired temperature. Harvey carved, JAP made the gravy, John & Doug set the table and we finally sat down to share our meal at 8:45pm!!

Taking a break from turkey, we went to Hot Frida's last night for dinner. On several screens they show clips from old movies and campy little videos, some quite raunchy, all funny. Our waiter treated us all to slices of a decadent chocolate torte baked by a young woman who is just setting up a bakery here. It was a successful promotion for her.

During the two hours that we were in Hot Frida's, a dog lay sleeping at the feet of the fellow who was controlling the video content for the screens. We learned later that she was a three month old Great Dane!!! Hard to imagine was size she'll be in another year!

This morning five of us went for a long walk uphill and downhill, along the river and over to Gringo Gulch, along the malecon with a rest stop at Page in the Sun for coffee and freshly baked, hot muffins.
After a hike back uphill to the Quinta, the pedometer read 6.75km. The others were just getting out of bed at 10:30am!!

He said "YES"

He said "YES"!

Our friends got engaged at the Quinta on Christmas Day!

Apple Chunk cookies

Yesterday was a new first...baking cookies with a Mexican at my feet! A delicious aroma filled the Quinta as Apple Chunk cookies were baked in one dozen batches in the little toaster oven. I didn't want to risk the gas oven which has been known to escalate in temperature erratically. The entire time, Beto was at my feet, working on a lower cupboard door. He smiled appreciatively as the first batch came out of the oven so I gave him the opportunity to test the first sample. Sitting on the floor, he gave me a "thumbs up" gesture!

Cafe des Artistes

This morning I discovered Calle Hidalgo, a street that I have driven along many times 

without paying much attention to the local attractions. 

Because it is a one-way traffic street, I had missed the facade 

of Cafe des Artistes, hidden behind trees.

It is a glorious celebration of Mexican art!

Mosaic revisited

The mosaic wall around the Elementary School changes every time I walk past.

Today I noticed a small tile with a dedication to MOE, a canine friend.

I couldn't resist adding my image to this mosaic

with the thought that we are each a unique mosaic,

a collection of experiences

coloured with time.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Yesterday we drove to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, about a 40 minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta. Friends had told us that there was a large Sunday market there to explore. They were right! The market stalls stretched all the way around the harbour, exhibiting jewelry, clothing, pottery, soaps, leather.... most of the items were handmade and unique.

These dolls were created by women prison inmates.

Beaded bracelets and anklets mounted on strips of leather.

Beaded ankle-toe decorations.

Hand painted cherubs and mermaids.

Crocheted and woven bags held together with pull tabs from beer/pop cans.

At one end of the stalls was an amazing array of food vendors selling Mexican, Italian, French and German cuisine. So tempting!! ... cakes, quiches, pizza, breads, empenadas, sausages!! At the other end we found the organic produce, flower, honey and fresh fish vendors. 

Outside Eve's Brickhouse, the owner did a steady business selling margaritas in large styrofoam cups and bottles of beer wrapped in woven wicker holders....all before noon! Background music was supplied by a three piece band performing songs from the '60s-'70s. Locals fished from the end of the piers while pelicans waited and watched, hoping to steal a meal.