I GUESS THATS WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES....

Even in paradise the blues can get you. Maybe it is the Holidays. Or lack thereof here. I do miss Los Angeles this time of year, not the shopping frenzy, but the chilly nights, downtown lights and cheesy Christmas parties. So I sit, in our little apartment and think too many thoughts while Harper sleeps and Nick is away coaching baseball. Are we doing the right thing? Is Harper getting what she needs here? Am I? And then I think, I would almost certainly have these same thoughts in any city in any apartment and under the same sky. So I try to remember to take in the surrounding beauty. The abundance of stars. The overflowing sunsets. And even the dusty dirt roads. Hoping that all of this will shape not only Harper but me as well. I have found great solace in new friends and, as I tend to do wherever I go, in a local Cafe. Apparently my upbringing has stayed with me. I take comfort in the smell, the sounds of coffee being ground. But mostly in people that come and go. Coffee shop people are familiar to me. Especially now, in a time where I rarely go out to bars or out past 7 pm for that matter, it is my social outlet. The outcome of my many mornings sipping local grown coffee and chatting with new found friends and hearing multiple languages, is helping to organize a Farmers Market. It is very strange to me that there isn't one already. But I am thrilled to be part of the process. Hopefully it will enable me to feel more connected with a community I will call home for the year to come, and more importantly help me to learn spanish!

COMIDA

Maybe it is just me, but I am always curious about food in other countries. Especially when people live there.Vacation eating is one thing, but day to day is a whole other story. Cooking most of our meals to save money has forced us to be creative . It also makes us realize how easy it is to eat light! Of course the heat and humidity help with not wanting anything too heavy. We have gone out for a few dinners, but tend to eat in most nights. We have had some amazing Italian food due to a big Italian population. Its quite a treat.

Nick has become the MASTER of making ceviche. It is really quite impressive and so delicious.

I finally figured out the way to make plantains!! SO good with quinoa and grilled chicken.

One of our few dinners out. AMAZING food at a local Italian place. Homemade ravioli, and fresh caught fish with puree of carrot and leek. Side of steamed veggies. Not too shabby. Brought out by the chef with a smile and a handshake.

There is nothing better than a cold Jugo de Natural...Sandia, Melon or fresa? We will take one of each.

Fresh farm produce from some local farmers. Thanks to our friend Carolina!!!

Tacos, Tacos and more Tacos. Lucky for me, It is one of my favorite foods to make and to eat.

Pipa Fria is THE drink. Good for hydrating, Hangovers or with a shot of rum! Who needs water?

Fresh fruit on banana bread with a side of cinammon cream at Nogis . Great breakfast.

A typical Costa Rican "sub" sandwich. Not quite as good as "Langers" in LA, but it is a close second.

THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS US

We have been SO fortunate to have had the chance to stay in an amazing guest house at Villa Dona Ines, thanks to the ever so generous Jean Marc and Rhonda. It helped ease our way into our new life here.

The streets of Tamarindo are colorful and funky. Graffiti and murals add character to a simple concrete wall. I love it.

You never know what you find on the beach. Someone forgot a pineapple ...or maybe it fell overboard. It looked quite content. I let it be.

JUST US GIRLS

The only real downfall of living here in Tamarindo is that the majority of Nicks work is in San Jose or Nicaragua. So, Harper and I have weeks where it is just the two of us. We miss having him around!! I am so grateful for the amazing daycare center that enables me to have a little relief a couple hours a day,but I have began to embrace the special moments she and I share. Cuddling and napping in the afternoon on a rainy day, walking on the beach at sunset and dancing around the living room to our favorite songs. I know how fast these moments will turn into memories. I cherish them all.

HOLMES HAPPY HOUR

Its HOT here. And I mean eyeballs sweating must get into the water now kind of HOT. So to bring some relief to the end of each sweltering day we have started venturing out at dusk...stroller, baby carrier and baby in tow. Walking down the dusty dirt road and onto the main street, we walk down a funny little alley that drops us onto the beach . A restaurant with a fab happy hour for momma and poppa and a playground for Miss Harper. And we sit.( while we still can, as she is not walking yet) Sipping our michaladas( beer and lime juice over ice) and watching the high tide roll in and out over the wide beach. A mix of locals and tourists join us. Lots of kids scampering around. And for a moment it all seems as simple as we hoped it would be. Trying to live in the moment.

Harper Grace Is ONE!!!! How did that happen??

Well, "they" sure are right. It FLIES by!!! This whole"kid"thing. I woke up on July 6th and had a ONE year old. Wasn't it just last week that I HAD her?? Wow.
What a year it has been. Getting to know this sweet little girl of ours. She is pretty amazing. We were thrilled to be celebrating in Costa Rica. I was a little sad that all of YOU couldn't be here with us. especially the grandparents that she misses and loves!!! But we still managed to have a very special weekend.

On friday July 6th we woke to a very smiley birthday girl( i think she knew it was her day) and brought her into bed with us so we could marvel at her JUST as we did a year ago when she was born. We tried to recap it all for her , but she was much more interested in the presents wrapped in tissue paper from Grandma Dana. After a good wrestling match with those gifts, we scooped her up and went to daycare. Later that day we brought cupcakes in for the whole class, and yes, I MADE THEM!! Yep. I am turning into quite the domesticated momma. Sprinkles and all. It was a big hit with everyone BUT the birthday girl, who cried on cue . And proceeded to smear frosting all over momma.A perfect first party to kick off the birthday weekend.

 Every girl needs at least two birthday parties. I may regret these words later, but I like to celebrate the whole month!! Harper may not feel the same, seeing as though she cried at BOTH parties. Oh well.
The second soiree was in the small and funky park . I made some bright colored flowers and hung the Harper pendant banner that all her aunties made for her. We had a sweet and  simple pink cake with glitter frosting .  My vision of Harper diving in with glee to her first birthday cake was not so. As soon as the singing started she was in tears, and I am talking screaming with terror tears. I can only hope I have not traumatized her for life with my singing around the house, I can't be that bad....can I? But she did manage to calm down long enough to help make a wish and stick her fingers in the frosting. She found serenity in a swing and seemed to enjoy the rest of the day. Looking ever so sweet in her birthday dress and signature flower in her hair.

Momma and Harper Grace for the big ONE!!

Pretty in pink

"happy Birthday" is not her favorite song.

 Birthday girl butt.

When in doubt.....SWING!!!

JUlY! OH MY!!

"I don't want to pose"!!!!
poor kid.

Thank you to Auntie Meredith for the cute 4th of July dress!

Patriotic kabobs 

I can not believe a month has passed!! We have settled into quite a good routine here in our new home. July snuck up on us. And with it came our first holiday here, 4th of July! I did not expect to do much, being in Costa Rica for USA birthday. But we happen to make some fabulous friends who own a BBQ joint. And they offered to have a good old fashioned american style poolside BBQ! I even offered to make potato salad, which is odd, because I have never made it, go figure that the first time is in Costa Rica.. It turned out great! (  salad and the party) Brian and Stephanie, our gracious hosts, did it up! Delicious food, great people and their daughter , Mckenzie, is Harpers new buddy! They are only 6weeks apart. It was nice to be sipping on Flor de cana rum while watching my sweet girl splash in the pool with Nick. Tamarindo is feeling more and more like home.