The Table

When we came to the Casita last year we discovered the wonderful old table base that Sarah had rescued. Problem was, it had no top. The original plan was to have a circular glass top made, which we all kiboshed pretty quickly when we discovered how expensive glass tops can be in Mexico. However, Mike and I are determined people. We would find the glass, somewhere, we were sure of this.

We also knew that we wanted to paint the table black.



We were positively delighted when we got home to Winnipeg and realized that we could buy our round glass at Pier One, for much cheaper than it was is Maz. We rushed right over, bought the darned thing, and then found that it would not fit it into the trunk of the car. It was returned about 15 minutes after we purchased it, and we were back to square one.

Literally, a square. When we arrived back in Maz, we purchased a 48 inch square piece of plywood from Home Depot (where they are starting to recognize us, by the way!). The original plan, devised over a glass of wine at home in Winnipeg, was to leave the wood in a square, and to tile it. The plan has been revised several times (what a surprise!) and we have now decided to have the square cut into a circle, which suits the base much better than the square, and to cover it with oil-cloth, which is sold everywhere in Maz.

Of course, we don't have a saw, and Home Depot only cuts straight lines. So, we posted a message on one of the local forums, and happy days, someone close to us has a jig saw, and was kind enough to lend it to us.


So, we now have a lovely table, and all it cost was the price of ¼ of a can of black paint, $17.00 for the wood, and 3.00 for the covering. The saw was free, although I do think we owe the owner a cervasa or two.



Martha would be proud.

Plants and Prices

Mike and I decided that since everything was starting to look so nice around here it was time to spruce up the terrace with some greenery. There were a few plants here already and we headed out to buy more. We're going to have trouble stopping as they are so incredibly cheap! So far, we've bought 3 large palm trees, and an hibiscus - all for the tune of 220 pesos, which at the current exchange rate is about $18.00.

Renovations

The place has been a bee-hive of activity since we`ve arrived.

Our owners had already been here for a few weeks and have accomplished miracles in the Casa, the `downstairs`house. The painters were hard at it, working from 8:00 am til 5:00 pm, and it is now finished and beautiful. We love the colours and the furniture and accessories they have chosen are perfect for the space.

They have painted the exterior of the casita as well – a beautiful soft green – and Mike and I have just finished painting the railings on the terrace to match the walls. I've attached a before and after of the ledges to show what the the heat,humidity and salt in the air do to paint in Mexico. No wonder painting is an on-going activity.




Mike has just finished painting our bathroom and we'll start on the rest of the interior walls probably in another week. Our colours are very different than those downstairs but everything just seems to flow. Can't wait to get started inside but will also be glad when all is finished and we can sit back and enjoy the results of all the hard labour!





We have established some sort of a routine. We've found that as we're usually up really early in the morning, we might as well start painting and we're usually finished our planned project by noon. It's a little cooler in the early mornings as well! That way if we have any running around to do, we can do it in the heat of the day and take advantage of the Home Depot air conditioning and soft ice cream cones.

We have also learned a few things! Yesterday we went to Home Depot to pick up more paint for the bathroom and took the empty can with us to make sure we came home with the same kind of paint. When we went through the check out, the cashier rang through both cans! Good thing they match the bill to the contents of your cart before you leave, or we would have paid for an empty can! Lots of laughter and apologies and a lesson learned – pay attention at the check outs. Perhaps the ice cream cones we were enjoying were the distraction!

We also came home with a 48 inch square piece of 5/8” plywood, which we will have cut into a circle to use as a table top. This is, of course, after we find someone who owns a saber saw ......

It's not all hard work by the way. This is something that we have chosen to do, and we're having fun with it. This is going to be our home for 6 months and we just feel lucky that we have found an 'owner' who trusts us enough to let us make the place our own for the time that we live here.

Well, while I was working on this Mike has finished the last little bit of painting for the day. I can hear him rummaging in the fridge – think that means it might be time for a break, and a much deserved cervesa.

The Visitor

Yesterday, Mike and I were having lunch on the terrace when we noticed this little guy sitting on one of the power lines. We had been told about the wild parrots in town, didn't know we had parakeets as well! He was quite comfortable up there and stayed for awhile, giving us time to get the camera and takes lots of pictures.

Hope he comes back - or has the sense to go home if he's not really wild!

Now that I've finished whining about the weather on the drive down, we can get into the good stuff.

I love the billboards, especially the ones for the Flying J Ranch, which apparently sells everything anyone could ever possibly need. I had meant to count them this trip, but was engrossed in a crossword puzzle and missed the first 20 or so. Then I lost count when I attempted to get a few pictures. Trust me, there have to be at least 100, and they are on both sides of the highway. The Flying J by the way is not much larger than your average truck stop, but really does sell everything! There really is no need to buy anything in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas or Mexico - just stop at the Flying J! Of course, it's all pretty tacky!



We also love the windmill farms – they are everywhere and the windmills just seem so elegant when viewed from the distance. We passed several trucks transporting the "arms" and they are huge. The arms, not the trucks! I understand that there are people who do not care for the windmills but I can't understand why – I find them soothing.



After driving for days under grey skies, the sun finally started to shine. We still had clouds, and some were spectacular. This was definitely a favourite. We were not too far from Rosswell, and just couldn't help but wonder what exactly made that big hole in the centre? Could it be aliens? Should we have donned our tin foil hats, or was it already too late?


Okay, it was a long drive. We were getting bored.

Abi, on the other hand, seemed to quite enjoy the 6 days spent getting to Maz. She sat in front with us for the first part of the morning, then was moved to the back seat, where she promptly fell asleep. She was so good we spoiled her a bit – she particularly enjoyed the hotel in Albequerque.



We met with 3 other carloads in Nogales, just before we crossed the border, as we had made arrangements with Billie, JoAnne and Renata to convoy down together, and Abi met Buster, the Great Dane, Maris the Whippet, and the Billie's two Chichauhaus. No barks – we were shocked. Mind you, I think Abi thought Buster was a horse!

On The Road Again

We are really glad that we are staying here in Maz until the middle of April, as we have both had just about enough of the car for awhile!

The drive went smoothly, no problems at all, it was just a long, long trip. We took the same route as last year, and even stayed at some of the same hotels, so the navigating part was easy. It just seemed to take forever to get here (maybe because we were so looking forward to arriving!)

We managed to leave Winnipeg before it snowed, and skirted around the big storm that was working its way across the Dakotas and Kansas, keeping an eye on some really nasty cloud formations.




























We ran out of luck in Albequergue of all places!

We had driven for 3 days, straight south, and were greeted in New Mexico by a mini-blizzard, not something we had expected!! Most of the snow had melted by early evening, but it was darned cold when we got up the next morning, and there was evidence of the storm all along the highway.


































Mexico was looking better and better all the time!

mexico at last - again!

Not that we're counting, but we have 15 more sleeps until we leave Winnipeg and 20 until we are home again in Mazatlan.

We`ve had a great summer catching up with friends and family and I would love to say that we are sorry to leave our summer home in Winnipeg, but to be honest, it's snowing today (already) and we can't wait to get back to Mexico, and Mazatlan.

We have friends who will be there for 4 months with us, others who are planning week long visits, and of course, the most important one of all, our son Jeff will come for a week, probably in February. We can`t wait to see the friends we left behind in May, we have so much catching up to do!

It's Thanksgiving weekend, we've cooked the bird, ate probably way too much, and now have the soup pot simmering for the leftovers. I've been in cooking mode the last few weeks, now that weather has turned to fall, and have been working my way through all the favourites that we won't be eating while we're away for the winter. Today, after getting the soup started, I made Banana Bread ... with chocolate chips .. apparently Banana Bread always has chips ... says Mike. I would love to say that I made it just for him, but I`ll know I`ll indulge as well. Dinner tonight is leftover turkey, with all the veggies, and gravy and stuffing ... yummm ... think I`ll need a few long walks on the hills of Mazatlan to wear all this off.

By the way, the punctuation might be a bit off here, we`re warming up the lap top again and all my question marks are coming out `É` Just so you know! The `!``seem to be fine.

To get in the mood I`m listening to Nelle Furtado`s new CD, in Spanish. In that she`s Canadian-Portugese, and Spanish is not her first language, she`s doing quite well. Not that I would know - Spanish lessons, here we come!!

We`ve started to pack, not as much last year, but the piles do seem to be growing. We really don`t need to bring a lot of `housekeeping`things as the Casita has everything we could possibly need so poor Mike thought that the car would be semi-empty. However, it seems I can always find something else to tuck in. We`ve started the `can`t get in Mexico`grocery shopping (remember the lemon juiceÉ) and have also picked up some car parts for friends who live in Maz full time. The car parts don`t take up a lot of space. Good thing, because the shoe pile seems to be growing!

Even though we had a cool, damp summer, the patio seemed to thrive. Just thought we`d share it.

Canèt wait to start on the deck at the Casita!