Nopales

Nopales are a vegetable from the stems of the prickly pear cactus.

They have a slightly tart or sorrel-like taste and are unique because you may also taste hints of green beans, asparagus or even green pepper.

They need to be cooked before eating, and if cooked correctly, they remain a little chrunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Nopales are usually sold with the spines removed.

The nopal paddle is then cut into strips or cubes and sold in small bags.

Nopales have a sap so I boil them for a few minutes and then drain and rinse them really well, to get rid of any slime.

Then I put them in a pan with a little fresh water, chopped onion and minced garlic.

I bring this mixture to a boil and then simmer it for a few minutes before draining off any remaining liquid.

This delicious, citrus flavoured mixture can be added to tomato or tomatillo salsas, scrambled eggs, soups, tacos and salads.

A Fun Day at the Beach

Yesterday, the pelicans were having a feeding frenzy for hours.

Which meant there were lots of fish out there.

So it didn't take Cory long to grab his rod.

He was catching a fish every couple of minutes.

And even snagged a pelican at one point.

It was the kind of day that fly fishermen only dream about.

Cory practices catch and release so the fish weren't on his line for long.

But that didn't stop him from having fun.

He was like a kid in a candy store and fished for hours.
While the kids raced the beach.

And rode their boards through the surf.

It's not hard to amuse kids of any age, when they're down here.

No one ever wants the days to end.

Cory and Jen Enjoy a Spectacular Sunset

Sunday was a great day for the kids' arrival in Guayabitos.

They had a good flight down and we were out of the airport and on our way to Casa Que Sera by 3:45 our time.

We arrived home about 4:45 and Cass and Cole immediately got into their swimsuits and headed for the beach.

It was still hot and sunny and their wasn't a cloud in the sky.

The kids got to swim and ride the boogie boards, for a couple of hours, before the sun disappeared behind the hills.

Cory and Jen were treated to a magnificent sunset on their first night here.
Soon it was time for a pool swim.

And then it was time for dinner and drinks.

It was a hamburger for Cass, ham and pineapple pizza for Cole and tortilla soup with all the trimmings for the adults.

I think Cory and Jen are now hooked. They loved the soup. I may have to make it for them another time before they leave.

Orange Trumpet Vine

Most of the Bougainvillea around town, are beginning to fade.

But the Orange Trumpet Vine is just starting to bloom.

It is also called a Flame Vine.

This plant has vined its way up a pole and into a large pink bougainvilla.

It is a fast growing and can densely cover a tree or trellis.

The vine is a remarkable sight when it bursts into full bloom with a profusion of brilliant orange tubular flowers.

There are hundreds and hundreds of blooms on this plant.

The vine is climbing up three telephone poles on our street, by means of thread-like tendrils.

Today is a gorgeous clear day and these flowers are at their best.

The blue sky makes a beautiful backdrop for the vine's dramatic orange colour.

Mexican Breakfasts

If you have never tried a Mexican breakfast, you should.

The huevos (eggs) are lovely and fresh and are sold by the kilo in a plastic bag.

The bacon and ham are much more flavourful than at home.

And the bacon is lean and doesn't shrink when fried.

The tortillas are served hot off the grill.

Several different salsas, of varying degrees of spiciness, accompany each meal.

A Mexican omelet stuffed with cheese and salsa is always good.

This meal of eggs, grilled fish and chilaquiles (crisp tortilla chips smothered in a red sauce) is topped with a dollop of thick cream and crumbled cheese which tastes almost like Feta.

Or how about eggs scrambled with spicy chorizo, tomatoes, peppers and cheese?

Every small, family-run Mexican restaurant prepares its breakfasts different than its neighbour.

They definitely aren't your typical Smitty's, Dennys or IHOP breakfasts.

And the dishes and cutlery don't match, the napkins are skimpy, the table cloth is plastic, and the coffee is often instant Nescafe.

But the breakfasts are tasty and the price is right!

For about $3.00, you get a full breakfast with pan or tortillas and a very large glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

You can't beat it!

Hola, Gina, Peter, Benny and McKay - and Deron, Shari and Gabrielle - and also Maggie Muffin and her amiga.

We hope you all have a good flight down.

You'll soon be sitting in one of our little restaurants enjoying a delicious Mexican breakfast.

Moths

We get really large moths down here.

Last night we noticed this guy on the wall of our courtyard.

The pen that Bruce is holding is 6 inches long.

When I was taking his picture, the moth got disturbed and flew to the brick ceiling.

You can get an idea of just how big he is by size of Bruce's finger and the pen.

Bruce also held up a pair of glasses which are 5 1/2 inches wide.

This moth is about the same size as a small bat.

Clear Skies and a Full Moon

I think our weather is finally back to the way it should be.

After a month or so of cooler than normal temperatures, it’s nice to feel some heat again.

Tuesday evening we enjoyed a spectacular sunset.

And then, before we knew it, the moon was coming up.

It was finally warm enough to sit outside under a starry sky again.

The moon was high and shone on the waves as they broke against shore.

We sat for ages, mesmerized by the bioluminescence being produced in the ocean.

When the waves crested, the colour of the water was a brilliant electric blue.

Much like the colour of these rings.

It was like there were millions of bright blue shimmering opals out there.

Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction within an organism.

We don’t see this phenomenon very often, but it’s amazing when it does occur.

Timing is everything.

On Tuesday night, the full moon and other elements were just right to produce a magnificent, incandescent show.

Today is Tianguis Day in La Penita

This blog is for Cory, Jen, Cass and Cole, my kids and grandchildren, who will be arriving on Sunday. Only 3 more sleeps now.

It is also for Deron and Shari, friends of Cory and Jen's, who are getting married on the beach in front of Casa Que Sera on February 5th.

And it's for Gabrielle, Deron's daughter.

And for all the guests who will be arriving over the next week or so for the wedding.

I'm sure everyone is anxious to get here.

I know the kids will be stomping at the bit to get to the tianguis again.

It is always one of the highlights of their trip and a great place to spend the money they've been saving all year.

The tianguis is set up in the square and down several side streets in La Penita.

Every year it gets bigger and bigger and attracts tourists from miles away.

I usually head for the tianguis about 7:15 in the morning to avoid the crowds.

January and February are the busiest months of the year for the vendors.

If I don't get there early, it's a zoo!

This is the guy with the soccer balls and jerseys.

These ladies are selling all sorts of hand painted things.

Lots of colourful hand made baskets and placemats with rugs in the background.

Here is my buddy, Arnie, giving a sales pitch.

And these are Hector's cases of jewelry. He lives in P.V., but comes here to the tianguis every week.

There are hundreds of beautiful wraps in any colour and pattern you want.

This is Dr. J.'s amiga who sells delicious peanut brittle. What I wouldn't do for a piece of peanut brittle right about now.

The churro man has been around forever. He just keeps on frying his donut-like goodies. As soon as they come out of the hot oil, they will be dipped in sugar and cinnamon.

More Oaxaca rugs for sale.

And more silver for sale.

So much to choose from.

Hand woven baskets and flowers made from corn husks.

More beautiful Oaxaca rugs.

Here are a couple of little cuties. They are one of the vendor's children who got dragged out of bed before dawn.

For everyone who will be arriving soon, the vendors tell me that they will be waiting for you next Thursday.

So get your pesos ready.