Family Update: Time (Just one thing I love about Costa Rica)

Notice all the recycled materials used for planting. 

"Biggie" massacred my beautiful plants. We bought him this platypus to chew on but apparently the homemade germination station was just too much for this three month old.

I have had so much time to think and do things that I've always wanted to do but just didn't seem to have the time to do. I still work Monday to Friday but somehow life has slowed down to the Tico pace. I have always wanted to start an herb garden so I can cook with fresh herbs. I am using old bottles and recycled fruit and veggie containers as my pots. I don't know why I never thought of it before. Oh yea, I had too many other things on my mind. Anyway, just a week later, I already have basil and some other random things growing. The reason I have no idea is because my beautiful baby German Shepherd, Biggie, attacked the baby seedlings. After the massacre and recovery, we have random sprouts in each of the pots and I have no idea what is growing. Oh well. 

The other thing I have wanted to do for years was to make pickles. My  grandma always made her own pickles and eating them at her house was always one of my favorite memories. Plus, I love me some pickles! I used a sun pickle recipe from my sister-in-law (thank you Gina!) and it only took a week. Yea, another success in DIY. I am remembering so many forgotten things on how to save money and how to use what you already have. The other day while I was getting ready for school, I had a silver necklace that I wanted to wear and it was tarnished. I remembered in the back of my mind that toothpaste would take care of the problem. Now normally, I would run out to the store for silver cleaner, but I decided to try it and it freakin' worked. (A discussion for another day is "What the heck is in toothpaste that takes off tarnish?? Note to self...need to Google) Now I don't throw out anything. I even keep the little mesh bags from the garlic bulbs. Don't ask me what I intend to do with them but I have learned that with a little creativity everything can be used again for something else.

Troy and Biggie having a moment at our rental.

Troy is also doing a bunch of projects while he waits for the yurt to arrive. Not only is he focused on our land and getting everything approved, he is also working on building things for my classroom. He made me two sets of shelves because there was only one in the in the classroom. He also hung small pieces of cork all over the place so we can hang student work. The walls are made of cinder block and we were having such a hard time hanging paper on them. I am super happy that he is so industrious and capable. Today is mothers day in Costa Rica and he made me an easel for the classroom. It is beautiful!! Check it out.