Un Dia Bella

It's been a beautiful day today in Puerto Vallarta. Sunny and warm with a light breeze off the ocean... although the clouds are starting to roll in this evening as they have each night we've been here.

I mentioned we stopped at the grocery store on our way to the condo from the airport. We tried to purchase enough staples to get us through the week, planning that we might head into town for dinner one night. Well we both enjoy eating here at the condo so much - and Karri's cooking is so delicious - that we decided to skip eating out and instead enjoy all of our meals from the spectacular patio here at the condo. Plus we needed a few other grocery items (more tequila and limes, oranges for fresh-squeezed juice, tomatoes, onions, peppers and cilantro for salsa and avocados for guacamole, plus shrimp for our extra dinner), so we decided to head into town this morning for some more shopping.

It's about a 7 mile trip each way. We planned to take the bus, but when it didn't arrive after about 10 minutes, decided to take a taxi - which was fortunate. We had planned to go to a grocery store we are familiar with that is near a tortilla factory and a fish stand. Last time we were there, the store had very few items for sale and we were worried that it may have since closed. We asked the taxi driver, who confirmed its demise, and who was happy to provide us a recommendation on a new place to shop.

He dropped us in a small, neighborhood market, clearly frequented more by locals than tourists - which we were pleased to see. Karri is fluent in Spanish and I know enough to get by (from our time living in Venezuela). We certainly don't look the part, but we like to blend in as much as possible and avoid touristy spots. The locals are usually very welcoming - especially when you address them in their native tongue, instead of assuming they speak English (which most of them do anyway).

The taxi driver seemed excited to tell us about this place and to recommend specific shops for our purchases. He dropped us right in front of a large produce stand that was brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables. I could have taken lots of pictures, but didn't want to make a scene (see tourist comments above), so I snapped a couple quick shots with my phone.

Fresh fruit and vegetables

Spices and seasonings

It was a small place, but fun to walk around and admire all it had to offer. We found all the fresh produce we needed and checked out (about $7), then headed across the street to the tortilla factory.

Karri and I love fresh, Mexican tortillas. They are part of almost every meal we prepare when we are here. Buying them from the factory usually means you get tortillas within seconds of them rolling off the conveyor belt of the oven they use to make them - which was the case today. We bought a kilo (for about $1.50), still warm, and immediately opened them up to enjoy a couple. I know it's just corn meal and water, but boy are they good.

We walked through an archway into another open-air market to find the fish stand that the taxi driver had recommended, where we bought half a kilo of large, fresh shrimp for about $4.

Last stop was the liquor store where we bought a bottle of their 'top shelf' tequila blanca for 99 pesos (about $9.50). I'm sure we could have spent more on a better bottle at an upscale liquor store. We'll know shortly (it's happy hour!) whether this was a good choice.

We hopped in a cab and hustled back to the condo... doing some math along the way. For less than $25, we'll enjoy margaritas, fresh salsa & guacamole,  shrimp tacos, and fresh strawberries for dessert, not to mention delicious fresh-squeezed orange juice for breakfast. Plus leftovers for lunch and tomorrow's happy hour!

The rest of the day involved relaxing at the beach, reading by the pool, napping on the hammock (for me), an afternoon walk (for Karri)... and a little bit of work for each of us. Not a bad way to spend a day.

My 'home office' at the condo... where I work... and where I wrote this post!

Wow... one of my longer posts ever. The sun is getting ready to set and I've got a job to do at the bar. More tomorrow.

Oh... yes... we're having a wonderful time!

Hola from PV

Karri and I arrived safe-and-sound in Puerto Vallarta yesterday. Our flight was smooth. The Immigration line at the PV airport was the longest we've ever seen, but fortunately, it moved quickly and we were through in a little over half an hour.

We caught a taxi to the grocery store, loaded up on staples for the week, then caught another taxi to the condo. Easy. It was overcast when we arrived, but so nice to be in shorts, t-shirts and sandals. Happy hour on the patio followed by a delicious dinner with chicken tacos, homemade salsa (mmm.) and fresh bean salad Karri mixed up with chopped vegetables. We were both exhausted and were in bed before 10 (8pm Seattle time).

We woke today to sunshine and quickly took advantage, sitting poolside, reading our books. But the clouds rolled in again and we eventually moved inside, enjoying the afternoon reading on the hammocks and relaxing. Very much needed (and enjoyed!) by both of us.

View from the master bedroom

Father and son courageously fishing on the rocks in front of our condo.

While in the kitchen squeezing limes for our happy hour margaritas, I happened to look up and see see a whale breaching about 100yds from shore - directly in front of the condo. It was amazing! We quickly grabbed cameras and ran to the patio. He breached one more time (neither of us caught it on camera) and then surfaced several times as he worked his way down the coast. Not a bad source of happy hour entertainment.

Happy hour!

Steak tacos on the menu tonight. We both love fresh Mexican food!

Awesome

I hope I'm doing this when I'm 90...

"Surf is picking up, Peg. I think I'll grab my board and try to catch a few waves."

That's my parents at Ft. Myers Beach in Florida. They just wrapped up a 2-week visit with my brother Jim ('The Sage') and sister-in-law Barb.

Don't they look great?!

To be fair, Dad doesn't turn 90 for 2 months. Mom has already achieved that milestone though. 

And they've been married for 63 years!

Spring-like Friday

It was a beautiful day here Friday in Seattle. Clear skies and warmer temperatures. Definitely felt like a Spring day.

The Olympic Mountains were spectacular early in the day. The morning- and early-afternoon sun on the eastern-facing slopes is breathtaking on a clear day this time of year. Of course, I didn't get a photo so you have to take my word for it!

I did get out for a walk with Jack in the afternoon. Karri got home from work early and seized the opportunity to enjoy the nice weather. I still had a bunch of work to do, so stayed home to try to get it done. She took Victoria and a friend and Jack over to Lincoln Park and got in a great walk/run while the kids played. She came home and insisted I get out... which I did. I took Jack for a brisk walk through the park around 5:30pm. Glad I did...

Logs on the beach... Olympics in the distance

Bare tree just before sunset

It was warm enough to be in shorts and a t-shirt. Definitely got me thinking about Spring - and next week...

Karri's had a tough stretch the last several weeks. Work has been crazier than usual and she's been battling a bad cold & sinus infection. About 2 weeks ago, she decided she needed to take matters into her own hands. Long story short... she and I fly to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico a week from today. We'll stay at her parents' condo on the beach, near Mismaloya. My nephew Tim and his wife Eang will stay with the kids on Saturday night. Karri's mom has generously agreed to come up on Sunday and stay with the kids until we return the following Thursday. We are so fortunate to have wonderful, generous family!

Needless to say, we can't wait!

Learner's Permit

Watch out Washingtonians!

I'm sure every parent experiences a similar mix of trepidation, nostalgia, and gratification when their oldest child starts to drive. I felt all that and more (like, 'old'!) today when I took Thomas to the DMV to get his learner's permit.

I vividly remember my first experience driving with my dad in the family Oldsmobile (Eastover Rd. to Richmond to Thornbury to Parkview to Mayview to Wilshire... and home again; not realizing that I needed to break to make that right turn onto Thornbury - whoops).  Hard to believe that was 33 years ago and now I get to experience it from the other seat with my own son.

Truth be told, Thomas has been behind the wheel with me in the passenger seat a couple times already. Our annual camping trip on the Washington coast provided a couple (safe) driving opportunities last June. And he's driven at Karri's parents ranch a couple times too (both cars and tractors!).

Like most teens, he's been looking forward to this for a long time. It's going to be a long 12 months before he gets the real thing though!

Congrats, T!

Happy 15th Birthday, Thomas!

It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since Thomas was born. A foretelling quality, he was born late - nearly a week!

Thomas is blessed with an adventurous spirit. He's always wanted to try/do everything (except chores, getting out of bed, and eating vegetables). He's a great big-brother. He has many, wonderful friends. He's kind-hearted and compassionate. He's intelligent and funny.

He's provided us with 15 years of adventure. We are very proud of the young man he's becoming and all he has accomplished.

Happy birthday, Thomas. We love you very much!

Weekend Miscellany

A random, but fun end to the weekend...

Matthew went to a dance on Saturday night. Thomas had his buddy Axa spend the night, as his parents were out of town for the weekend. Karri wasn't feeling well, so was in bed early (Victoria too) while I waited up for Matthew to get home.

I ended up watching 'Almost Famous' - a Cameron Crowe movie about a 15-year old rock critic in the 1970's. It's loosely based on Crowe's own childhood - he wrote for Rolling Stone magazine when he was a teenager, covering the Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Neil Young and others. The movie had some odd parts but, overall, I really liked it.

We had a mostly lazy Sunday morning. Karri decided to go to the local urgent care center to get the seemingly inevitable sinus infection diagnosis and a prescription for antibiotics. We're hopeful that will get her healthy soon. I took Jack for a walk/run, then came home and made pancakes for the kids.

For some reason, I got the crazy idea that I was going to make chicken and sausage gumbo to have for dinner during the Super Bowl. I'm not a cook. I've never made gumbo before. In fact, the only soup/stew I think I've ever made has been out of a can. It just sounded really good, I thought the kids might like it, and I was hoping to give Karri a break and keep her out of the kitchen for the day. Our Cook's Illustrated cookbook had a recipe that sounded delicious and not too tough. So once I cleaned up after breakfast, I headed to the store with my shopping list.

Matthew was itching to get outfitted for lacrosse so, while I shopped, Karri took him to Sports Authority to buy some  equipment. A friend has loaned us some equipment that their son has outgrown, but we still needed a few other items. Fortunately, they were able to find everything (we think) he needs. Matthew is very excited!

All geared up and ready to go

I came home and got to work in the kitchen. It was a little stressful at times but overall a fun experience. I had definitely never browned flour in the oven before and was pleased that I did it without starting a fire (seriously)!

I served it up during the 2nd half of the Super Bowl. Everyone said they liked it... but they could have just been trying to not hurt my feelings. I have to say though that it was pretty tasty.

Chicken and sausage gumbo

A fun cap to the weekend.

Basketball... done.

Matthew's basketball season came to an abrupt end today with a 2-point loss to St. Joe's in the first round of the playoffs. We were up most of the game, but St. Joe's made just enough plays down the stretch to pull ahead and then keep us from scoring in the final seconds.  We definitely had our chances... just couldn't convert.

On defense. Get those hands up!

Rebounding after a free throw.

It's been a great season and the boys all had fun. They also improved immensely as the season progressed.

Trivia note for Browns fans... One of the St. Joe's players is the son of Eric Metcalf - former Browns running back and kick/punt returner (and grandson of Terry who also played in the NFL). Eric was electrifying to watch. He once returned 2 punts for touchdowns in a game against the hated Steelers in '93.

So now school basketball is done for all 3 kids, but there's no rest for the weary in our house.  Next week we start up a whole new round of activities... Victoria starts CYO volleyball. Matthew is playing volleyball too, and has also decided he'd like to try lacrosse. Thomas' AAU basketball team, the West Seattle Pride, starts training this week. Karri and I keep telling ourselves there will soon be a day when we miss having all these activities... but a couple weeks off sure would be nice.