Parati, Brazil 4-13-07

We spent this past weekend in Paraty with 8 other couples.  We walked, shopped, ate and enjoyed Saturday on a boat cruising the ocean and bays near Paraty.  It was wonderful swimming in the ocean, seeing the beautiful coastline and visiting with friends.  Paraty, also spelled Parati, is a lovely colonial town, 125 miles from Rio de Janeiro on Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil's southeastern coast. It lies on the border between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states. It's a favorite with Brazilians and visitors who want to get away from it all in an historic town, laze on one of the many beaches, and indulge in a restful vacation. In the 1700's when the mines of Minas Gerais were pouring out gold, the perfect bay of Paraty was a busy port, the second most important in Brazil during the Ciclo de Ouro, or Golden Century. It was a hard overland trip, though, and when a new road was built to another port in Espiritu Santo state, Paraty was all but forgotten. This stage of oblivion or neglect is what kept so many of the colonial buildings pretty much as they were when the last gold-laden ship sailed for Portugal. Old town, the historic center is a national historic monument. Closed to vehicles, the streets and buildings are preserved.

Nine Happy Faces 4-12-07

I finished all 9 of my snowman pillows and they are so cute!  I wanted you to see them.  I wish I had bought enough ball fringe for all of them but didn't.  9 Happy Faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good-bye Sue & Happy Birthday Priscila!!! 4/4/07

We said good-bye to Sue and celebrated Priscila's 28th birthday.  It was such a treat to sit down at a beautifully decorated table at Wendy's home and have delicious food and conversation.  Just like being in the South.  Wendy is definitely a Southern Girl.  We have all adopted Priscila as our "Brazilian Daughter".  We all love her so much.  Sue has promised to eat American food for us and think of us every time.

Newest Rug completion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This rug took me the longest to complete plus I did 9 pillows.  It is my favorite so far.  It will also be Cheryl Beer's favorite rug as she likes snowmen as much as me.

My Nativity Scenes from Peru

My friend Maria visited Peru recently and brought me an early birthday present.  There are 3 different and distinct Nativity Scenes in Peru:  The Mountains, The Coast and The Jungle.  She brought me one of each.  Look at the pictures.  They are wonderful.  It has made me very happy.

 

House

February/March 2007

I am sorry it has been a while since I've written.  I've never gone two months but it has been a busy two months.  We have said goodbye to friends (Kathy & Todd to Tennessee and Sue & Dallas to Ohio next week) that are moving back to the states and we've been just trying to stay cool.  When we are choosing a restaurant at this time of year we only choose those that are air conditioned especially for lunch in the middle of the day.  Today John and I spent one hour in Blockbuster just to be in the air conditioning.  Last year on April 1 was the beginning of six months of cool weather.  2007 will NOT be the same.  Last night it was 85 in our apartment at 10:30.  It made me very grateful for the air conditioner in our bedroom.  I doubt I would be sleeping were it not there.  It does come with an electricity bill that did not delight us at all.

 

I have finished 3 rugs and 9 pillows.  The owners of the rug store, Claudete & Sylvana, probably think I am obsessed with Christmas since that is mostly what I have done for 2 years.  My next two rugs will not be for Christmas so this should make them happy.  It has been very hot at the rug store so we haven't been as regular as usual.  They do have a ceiling fan but that just moves the hot air around.  We have many new friends at the rug store:  Mieko a native of Japan but is fluent in English, Monica who is from Argentina and Itsy from Spain.  Itsy will be leaving us soon.  It has been a joy to get to know her.  Monica's Mom is visiting from Argentina and Maria's Mom and Mother-In-Law are visiting from Peru.  This has been a lot of fun for us to get to know them too.  Mary's daughter Julie and PRECIOUS granddaughter Stella were also here for a week.  Kyle's daughter, Joey, will be here this week with her boyfriend, JP.  They are off to Salvador.  If you are planning on coming July and August are perfect months. This is when it is cooling down.  It is fun to have visitors. 

 

John and I are adjusting to the news from Meredith and John that we will be Grandparents in October.  It has made me want to visit the MANY baby stores here in Campinas.  This is very dangerous for our checkbook.

I'm also planning an amazing rug for the baby when we find out what it is.  I should have it finishedby the time Baby Basel is here.  My friends all assure me that being a Grandparent is the very BEST.  Pray for Meredith because she has really been sick.  Ben is doing well and is planning a trip to Wichita Falls to see his friends.  We are very proud of him as he was made Manager of the store.  Beach Bums is a really nice store.  I enjoyed looking at all the merchandise.  Mom continues to struggle with her back & shoulder but is really excellent other than that. 

 

I will be in the states for 30 days beginning April 25.  I will be at Mom's for two weeks and then will travel with Mrs. Beasle to see her daughter, Kathy, in Philadelphia.  Kathy is a very good friend from high school.  John will meet me there to celebrate our 30 year wedding anniversary.  We are going to visit New York City, Philadelphia and culminate in DC for Jim and Katherine's daughter's (Amy) wedding on May 19.  We are very excited because we haven't seen their girls in a long time.  This will be a real treat.  John and Meredith are trying to meet us there for a couple days if he can work it out.

 

I've learned many things in two months.  A new stitch in rug making, Jan Rodger's taught me how to make the best apple pie and crust, Robin Durgin taught me the best marinade for chicken & Monica taught us how to make a torte from Argentina (better than quiche) and so easy.  The best contraption I have ever seen was Jan's apple peeler/slicer/corer.  It does it all.  We did 30 apples in 15 minutes.  I will purchase one while in the states.  I've also been going to physical therapy for my foot.  Physical therapy takes on a new meaning with no air conditioning.  I leave that place soaking wet.   The people at physical therapy are so kind.  I wish I could work there.

 

Pierre is planning a trip for 10 couples to a historic little city called Paraty in April.  It is our first adventure and will be fun to share it with others.  Robin & Harry Durgin (with The Navigators) will be moving to Denver in June.  They have been serving in South America for 25 years.  We will miss them so much.  Mary Catherine and her husband Randy will be moving to China in June.  Mary Catherine was one of the first Americans I met here so she is very special to me.  Please pray for these people because any move is hardbut an International move is really hard.