A New Life In Costa Rica

New traditions

The new year brought a new tradition. Well, I guess you could call it a new twist on an old tradition. Since our first Christmas in Costa Rica we've been buying the roadside reindeer. The problem with these guys is they can mold during the rainy season. In our home we found a place where they've stayed dry and mold free for years. Our holiday deer were on display year round. Not anymore!

We began our new tradition, the burning of the deer on New Year's Eve.  OH, what fun it was! I didn't write about it until now as I was waiting to see if, if the basis for the new tradition was upheld.

• 
• 
• 
• 

As we burned the old deer we've enjoyed for several years we also said good-bye to old habits, some we've enjoyed a long, long time and negative thought patterns that no longer served us. The burning of the deer was symbolic, a cleansing.

And so, we began 2012 with a clean slate. The negativity blown out of our lives with the winds that took the ashes of our deer.

I'm happy to say on this last day of the month we've replaced those old habits with ones that are bringing us greater benefits as individuals and as a family.

 

 

 

 

Cal's contribution

My daughter is really getting into Mandala Monday with me. She is pointing them out constantly.  Last week at yoga she noticed our instructor had one on her t-shirt. The other day she spied this necklace in town and wanted to buy it. That is until she found out it's price, over $20.

There are mandalas in the food we eat.

 

And we can create them from things we eat.

 

Mandala Mondays have opened a whole new way to explore the things in our world. I'm excited to see where this study takes us as time goes on. The possibilities are endless.

Next week, the 1Mandala Project.

 

 

 

Weather worn

 The birds are not loving the wind gusts the past couple of days.

 

• 
• 
• 
• 

 

 The winds seem to have battered this poor parakeet. 

We watched a brown jay get slammed into a branch when he came in for a landing just as a wind gust came through the yard.

 

 

 

 

Wishful thinking

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

We drove into the city today to attend The Women's Club of Costa Rica's used book sale at the Pan-American School.  Each of us had things we were hoping to find. Both Bill and Callista had specific author's and titles they were looking for while I wanted a specific exercise DVD.

While we didn't find the items we'd hoped to get we did find others. After looking over my purchases when we got home I realized that my purchases were items I needed more than the one I desired. It's awesome when the Universe works that way.

 In addition to our books we also enjoyed the bake sale. Honestly, can one really enjoy too many cranberry orange scones? And just how many are too many? They were delicious!

Way to go ladies!!!

If what we saw at the start of the sale, around 10am is any indication it was a successful event.

Fascinating Flower

                                                                        Passion flower