Merry Christmas!

Christmas time at Jennifer's! We all had a wonderful time talking and baking and cooking and just hanging out together. Even Matt got into the act, when he baked cookies for a friend get-together.




Of course, then we had to clean up! Jen runs a tight ship ~ even the cats were fair game!!!!



But all that baking and cleaning was exhausting. Everyone napped!



And it's a good thing too, because cooking Christmas dinner is dangerous work ~ as Christina found out while cracking the hazelnuts for the carrots!!!!



But her sacrifice was worth it: the prime rib turned out great!




And so we enjoyed a scrumptious, cozy dinner together amidst Christmas music and laughter.



Merry Christmas to all ~ May all your wishes come true <3

Happy Thanksgiving!

I spent all of last year here in Colombia, and enjoyed traveling and seeing the sights. But this year, I am going home for the holidays!

First, I played tag at the airport with Debbie's family. They were so excited to be with mom and on an adventure!



I am always amazed at the beauty of the Northwest. Being out of the country, as wonderful as that is, makes you appreciate what you have back home.




Once home, the girls and I couldn't wait to get started on our Thanksgiving dishes. We had a whole list of things to make for our get together with Matt's family, including muffins, cookies, and pumpkin cheesecake! But as we started working, I noticed something.....


Huh. Seems there is a generation gap, even in the kitchen. Notice that both girls are using their laptops rather than cookbooks?


Eventually, I just took to watching!


I mean, I did help just a bit ~


All in all, the three of us whipped up some yummy treats.


And it wasn't just the company of my girls I enjoyed; I loved being with Jen's kittens too.

Max spent a lot of time on the prowl (behind a sliding glass door...) for squirrels:


Not to be out done, Luna was on the alert as well:


Most of their time, though, was spent on Naptime!!!



I sure love those two silly cats, but as much as they tolerate me (Luna more than Max), they love their mommy best!

Happy Birthday, Tim!

Tim and Diane, from Camas, are here in Bogota and enjoying life! Diane threw a lovely birthday party for Tim where we all danced to our hearts content, ate hearty Colombian fair, and enjoyed a yummy cake!!



Here are Debbie, Tim, and Jill:



And Debbie, Tim, and me:

Diana Doolittle

What a surprise when Diana showed me the baby hummingbird she found ~

Happy Halloween from CNG

Happy Halloween from CNG! The whole school takes the day off; everyone comes in costume and the school is decorated for the enjoyment of all.




I came as a ghostly peacock ~ the super long eyelashes are my favorite!!


Here is Debbie with some of her kiddos ~



Debbie and me; enjoying a fun day at school ~

~ Visit to the Finca

This weekend some of us on the primary staff were invited to the finca of our principal's good friend. Loosely translated, a finca is a farm; however to call this estate a 'farm' is a gross understatement!!

First we drove for about an hour and just when we thought we had gone too far.....



.... we drove through the gates of Garza Blanca and were welcomed into the gorgeous hacienda.



The property has been in the family for over a hundred years.

The gardens were beautiful


And we enjoyed our picnic in the sun



Vanessa and I soaked up the sunshine!


The hacienda is still furnished with gorgeous items brought from France:




After lunch, we took a tour of the estate, which now houses both a dairy farm and 'beef' operation.

This is a modern milking station ~ complete with reading material for the cows!!



The countryside was so beautiful on this sunny afternoon, and the cows grazing made quite the picturesque scene:





Being out on a farm brought back memories for Debbie!!



As we came around to the part of the estate where the beef operation was housed, we found that the owner does not only appreciate cows, but modern art as well:



Here is the corral where the 'beef' cattle are weighed.


And how do these Angus gain weight (and develop a tasty flavor?)
Well, they eat cake!!



Sweet!!!




As we drove up the mountains, we caught a glimpse not only of the hacienda,


but of Bogota as well:


This is the rock garden at the back of the house, created by blasting the mountain away from the house!