Christmas in Costa Rica

Gingerbread houses in the freezer....




Whipping cream is in a box sold on the shelf, not in the fridge, with 35% butterfat and it keeps for 4 months!




Our tree in Mary-Carmen and Grandma's villa...yes, to the left is MC's bed, to the right is the front door...yes the room is that small!!!


Well, it's over...christmas. The gingerbread soaked up the humidity as did the sugar cookies. We learned that there IS a reason why baby Jesus isn't in the manager until AFTER the 24th. We learned that some people just like to have things done a certain way and just don't care to change. We learned that just because we like frog eyed salad, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, not everyone else does. We learned that turkeys in Costa Rica are available for around $45 and I didn't look to see how much it weighed, I wasn't going to pay that much to have it end up as soup!! We learned that whipping cream comes in a box that can sit on the shelf, unrefrigerated for at least 4 months and turns very quickly into butter if not watched very carefully while mixing. (Sweet butter anyone?? I have plenty. But it does taste good on rolls!) We learned that you can open presents in 90 degree weather and still have fun! We learned that you don't need a lot of presents to make Christmas, you need lots of love from family....that makes all the difference.

I missed being with lots of family. I missed the hussle of fixing the meals that everyone enjoys. I missed the "Grandma, can I sit by you?" I missed having lots of dishes to do after eating, but laying around complaining how full you are then asking when the pies will be ready!

I appreciate my family here trying so hard to make it a special day anyway. I appreciate ALL my family...near and far.

If I ever get unable to unwrap my gifts and look like I don't even care (as my mother-in-law is now) I hope that somewhere inside I still get a thrill from the lights and the love of Christmas and family.