Well…we are more or less settled in, all laundered, and relaxing. We met our neighbors yesterday…yet another great place in CR. Here’s a photo of pool (it’s alot bigger than in the photo, it runs around the other side of the whirlpool) and the mango tree…I think I’ll have a mango with lunch today:
Pool and Rancho, Potrero
It is quite lovely here, and I am truly enjoying just taking in the scenery. There is a big pasture next door to us, with horses and cows. This morning I noticed a great looking bay foal….I shall try to get close enough to take some pictures while we are here.
Also, as I was preparing breakfast, I looked out the kitchen window. There was a bird having at the banana tree (something I’m going to do soon as I am dying for tamales and the banana leaves are great wrappers)…the bird was jumping up about a foot and a half off the ground, and grabbing a piece of the stalk and then plopping quickly on the ground, making a nice long banana “string”. It’s really fun watching the mating/nesting behaviours of the creatures here.
Another item of interest in the yard is a cashew, or marañón tree. I recognized it as I have been scouring the Costa Rica books we brought with us, in order to identify “stuff”. It is quite a lovely tree, the fruit is beautiful and quite ornamental, and the new leaves emerge in a pretty burnt sienna color….I may have to plant one when I get home.
Beautiful, don’t you think? The cashew “nut” is inside the gray pod on the end…the shell of the cashew is quite noxious per the literature I read, and must be roasted until blackened to remove the shell. The pulp of what looks like the fruit (but really isn’t) is apparently used to make refrescas (beverages)….although I couldn’t find a recipe for any…go figure. When we drove through Nicaragua, there were many street vendors selling cashew nuts….I now wish I’d purchased a bag or two, as I’m sure they are absolutely delicious when freshly roasted. Alas….
~ Blonde Gator
sounds like quite a change from cat herding
Hola!
Anxiously awaiting that perfect photo of a big marlin on the end of your line.
Glad to hear you guys are settling in. I think you’ve found paradise on earth.
Wonderful read — thanks for taking the time to tell the tales.
Lots been happening here but I’ll save that for an email.
Pura vida Mae
I just looooooooooooove mango.
I like to cube them up, toss them in a blender, add some ice and rum (or even vodka in a pinch), and then kick back and fire up a mild stogie.
-Dave
Very nice yard!!! The pool and spa look fantastic.
I know a couple of Weber kettles that would look pretty good on that patio.
-Dave