• 02Sep

  Now we’re cooking

  maz house 5 Comments

  

  When I move into a new home I always feel a sense of urgency to transform the space into one that reflects our taste and is more efficient for us to use.  I don’t know why the urgent feeling is there – because really it is almost always better to live in a space for a while to see what you really need.  In the past we’ve wasted money and time doing things too quickly.

  I am proud of us, though, with regard to our kitchen.  We both like to cook – and I am now doing a lot of baking – and of course it’s where people gather so we wanted it to be functional and attractive.

  We recently decided that our small stainless steel work table wasn’t enough of an island for us.  We needed more storage and more work surface.  We contacted Geoff at Victoria Furniture and together we designed the island at the top of this post.  It’s made of cedar, and the finish and design is the same as the  kitchen cabinets we had made when we first moved in.

  
  

  There are four sets of doors with full extension pull out shelves inside.  The island is on wheels, which I love since it gives more flexibility when setting up a buffet.  The top is black granite  – different than the mottled black and brown granite on the rest of the counters.  I like it that way.

  I can’t tell you how happy I am with out kitchen now.  The look is uncluttered.  The layout is efficient, and I like that I can put away a lot of things that will deteriorate in Mazatlán’s humidity.

  Geoff Simons and his partner Juan Carlos Valdez of Victoria Furniture have made me one happy lady.  Maybe I had better go bake something… what do you think?

  

  Tags: food, our house

• 01Sep

  The download

  family, observations 16 Comments

  As I visited family in the US, I frequently noticed how foreign things felt.

  People are too freaking polite! Good grief, people!  Quit waving each other access to the intersection and just GO!  I didn’t even rent a car this trip so I barely drove at all – but I still found myself flabbergasted at how SLOW people drive – and how SLOW they turn (ever hear of hand over hand?) and how LONG they stop at a stop sign.  Especially if there is a car ANYWHERE within view.  Sheesh!

  Everyone is solo! Most cars are occupied by one person.  Certainly most motorcycles.  And NEVER. EVER. do you see two MEN on a motorcycle.  And nothing fun like people on bicycles or motorcycles carrying surfboards or extension ladders.  And NO MOTOS of course with the little juice stand or coco stand or hotdog stand on the front buzzing along at 15 mph.

  What gas company clutter! For a country that likes things neat and tidy, there are too many gas stations, all different colors and layouts and prices.  What a mess!  And yes, please, I would like them to pump it for me, and I am happy to give them a 10 peso tip!

  Unload my own cart?  What a pain! I love coming out of the grocery store and being greeted by a guy who says a pleasant hello and helps me unload my groceries and returns my cart.  He even helps me (Viene, Viene) with a whistle and a wave get out of my parking space without incident.  And yes, I don’t mind giving him a little tip!

  Wow, lots of fancy cars but also lots of dirty ones! Here in Mazatlán you have to try hard to have a dirty car.  Our block has Cuautémoc taking care of us but it is easy to get a car wash for 30 pesos while you run an errand.  No time for that?  Pull up to a stoplight and get your window washed.  I say No Thanks to waiting in line for hours on Saturday at the old automated car wash.

  Friendly greetings everywhere?  Or nowhere? Mazatlán has a population of about 400,000 but it mostly feels like a small town.  People smile a lot.  Say hello a lot.  Are friendly in general.  I did have some friendly stranger interactions while I was NOB but mostly people pass on by without looking at you or greeting you.  One day the grandkids, my daughter-in-law and I sat on a curb outside of the mall waiting for my son to pick us up.  People passing behind us on the sidewalk ignored us totally.  That would never happen in Mazatlán, and it felt very weird.

  There’s lots of fancy stuff! And yes, I like some of it.  But some of it just seemed strange, and all of it – too expensive.  I think I am just totally not in the zone of six dollar coffee and six roma tomatoes for $2.99.  It was a pleasure to go shopping yesterday and buy my normal stuff and be happy.  (Of course I did bring back from the US three fancy dark chocolate bars!)

  Lots of rules, and lots of people obeying them! Bikes this lane!  Use these bags to pick up after your dog and put it here!  No dogs here.  No parking there.  No entrance. You know what I mean.  We probably have as many rules here in Mazatlán but the signs are missing or the lane marker is worn or whatever!  NOB everyone is wearing a helmet, and biking or skating in the lane provided and obeying the rules and making sure everyone else obeys the rules, too.  I think I am becoming a bit of an anarchist in my old age – I really don’t want to be told what to do as long as I don’t hurt anyone else!

  Where’s the friendly banter? Here and there I felt a flicker of happiness as someone made a friendly comment while waiting in line or something, but often I felt like I was Customer #507 instead of Smiling Gray Haired Lady in a Mexican Blouse.  At least there’s no more “Paper or Plastic” questions as you are expected to bring your own bags most everywhere.

  What about a relaxing meal? My family laughed at my surprise during one meal in a restaurant where the waiter interrupted our animated conversation twice for no reason and then brought the check before we had half finished!

  I’m not a total grump, though! I ate blueberries and garden burgers galore.  I wore pants! (You would understand this if you had spent a summer in Mazatlán’s heat) I went to Target and stocked up on things that are elusive in México – iron on patches, tylenol PM, quiche pans and a pizza peel. I had wonderful time with my family and have my fingers and toes crossed for them to all come for a visit here very soon!

  
  

  

  Tags: Expat in Mexico, visiting family in the US

• 31Aug

  It’s great to be home again

  family 1 Comment

  We spent a week in Oaxaca – came home for a few days – and then I headed to the US for my usual late summer visit with family.

  I had a great time, of course.  I spent the first five days in Bellingham.  The kids are growing fast – Erica starts high school this year, which is amazing to all of us.  How can it be?  Before we know it she’ll be talking about college and a career!  She had several full days of tryouts and made one of the high school volleyball teams. (Yay!)  It was fun being part of all that drama… we got them set up with Skype on their netbook computer that has a webcam so I hope to be able to hear (and see) more of the drama when we video talk.
  

  Owen loves baseball, and in addition to all the spring and summer baseball available to him – including baseball camps – he is participating in Fall baseball, too.

  We had so much fun walking the dog, shopping for school clothes, eating out, riding around Lake Whatcom in their boat, and walking along the Bellingham waterfront.  The weather was perfect until the last day where it got cold and windy and rained a little.

  When it was time to leave they drove me to Seattle where we all went to my sister’s office for a tour and a minute together before she and I headed to her house in  Tacoma.  Her daughters were both home from college – I missed them both last summer.  My sister had invited a bunch of family to dinner the following night so we made a plan for the morning.

  In the morning we walked down the hill to neighborhood blackberry patch and picked enough to make a pie.  Then off to the store (including Trader Joe’s) for dinner fixings and home to get started.  We made a fabulous meal and had a blast reconnecting with family – and it was wonderful to see our Aunt looking so well.  She’s 89, I think!

  Saturday my sister had a hair appointment so I got squeezed in, too.  First time I’ve had my hair cut professionally in years!  Then lunch at the Harmon and a walk through the public art at the downtown waterfront.  Lots of talking and walking and playing with cats and looking at the new garden… a perfect visit.

  They got up early and took me to the airport  – and here I am, back home in Mazatlán.

  
  

  

  Tags: visiting family in the US

« Previous Entries