So many friends, so many adventures! I'm sorry to hear that writing the blog was a drag for you -- I always really love reading your blogs and marvel at the many things you do!
Photos, Finally! I delayed reading your blog until the photos would upload - what a pain it was over Xmas with no photos on our blogs. Glad your heart health is good now. You had a wonderful trip to the states and, as always, lots of fun at home too. Good on you!
Whirlwind few months with family and friends Jill, really enjoyed the commentary on your trip to NYC. It's a whole different world. I felt like I was on tour with you. You sure got around and fit in a lot.
How nice to reunite with your family.
Your Thanksgiving with friends looked cozy and all the food looked so yummy!
The sea glass backsplash is stunning and I can see all the hard work that you put into it. So beautiful and one of a kind!
Really look forward to each log entry that you send...keep 'em coming!
Wonderful post - so much to be thankful for Hello, dear Jill, your time in the US sounds wonderful! I'd sure like to recreate your itinerary in NYC! Took my French 15-year-old grandniece to the city two summers ago but Covid was still prevalent enough that we took Ubers rather than the subway. It turned out what she most wanted to do was go to the flagship store of Brandy Melville, where there was absolutely no seating at all for hot, tired great-aunties! This year we had two Thanksgivings, back to back. Due to a miscommunication, my son Peter came out with his partner on Thanksgiving Day when actually our final guest was only arriving on Friday. I hastily assembled my brother and his family (they had come over from France and Belgium to visit friends before coming to us), and my sister-in-law and her daughter (up from Florida). So for Thanksgiving we had all the vegan food I had laid in for pre-dinner eating: hummus, baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, falafel, pita...my sister-in-law kindly brought some chili she had in her freezer and made some GF cornbread. We were feeding one gluten-free person, one dairy-free person, and one vegan. The pumpkin pie and mince tarts were already made so we had some desserts, as well as vegan ice-cream. The next day my middle brother Mark arrived from LA and we sat down to a more traditional Thanksgiving feast. Vegan niece Laura even broke her regime to sample pumpkin pie (which she loved). Vegan/paleo/gluten-free pecan bars were a delicious hit as was vegan apple crisp (with a side of crème anglaise for the non-vegans).
I tried learning Haitian Creole on Duolingo but it was a worthless program. Only teaches 725 words and most of the phrases were for use in a restaurant. I could definitely go to Haiti and eat griot, conch, rice, bread, white cake, kremas (with rum or not, or with coconut milk), also tonmtonm and dous makos. Also learned many questions like "does your house have a latrine in the yard?" And statements like "Andre has nine red shoes". We couldn't decide if Andre only had one leg and a fetish for red shoes, or if he had just lost one red shoe. I can let out the horses in Creole. Most frustrating were the errors in the program and the lack of variety - the same sentences over and over and over again, always with the same word left out. Very little practice on "what is your name" "how are you?" and basics. Luckily I was doing it on a friend's family plan because it certainly was not worth spending money on.
Looking to spend an early Christmas with Jessica's family outside of Minneapolis. I've been slowed down by a knee replacement and it is not going to be magically all better when I hit the three month mark just prior to New Year's. I'm looking for some pain-free days for Christmas!
Thanksgivings So glad you were able to get to USA for your first Thanksgiving with your family and that your second with all your friends was such a success. Best wishes for your 8-day trip and for the Xmas holidays. I always enjoy your blogs and pictures so much. Abrazos, Bonnie
Fun! Loved reading all about your latest adventures, especially the dog stories and descriptions of all the food. My two favorite things! Looking forward to seeing photos of your bauble art with the watch parts as my dad was a watchmaker. Your blogs are so descriptive it makes me feel as though I'm right there with you. ❤
On the go! I bet you needed a vacation after this vacation to catch your breath and catch up on sleep! I can't believe all the places you visited. You are an excellent tour guide and so good at coordinating a packed itinerary. Nothing seems to throw you off and you always have a plan B. I would have loved seeing all of these places and meeting so many wonderful people. You are so lucky to experience this fulfilling life!! Thanks so much Jill for documenting all the descriptive details of your adventures...
LOVE IT!!! I love seeing your Turkey Day pics!!! It's just the perfect party for how much you love entertaining, sharing your life and the culmination of all of your travels and experiences and arts and joys and love of people!!!! It makes me so happy!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, what are the pair of legs painted??? on some roof window in the plants pic?
lush land Hi. Ecuador sounds and looks even more beautiful than I remember.
In the next blog would you please say a bit about the political situation. We get scant information here. Happy Thanksgiving. I remember that delicious dinner you dished up years ago. Peace and love, joan
Sra Jill,
Cool to see your place from above! (You probably don't remember me, but we met fall 2006, where I was a voluntario at eco hosteria Al Andaluz.) I still periodically check out your blog posts, so great to see you are doing well and still living the dream in Ecuador.
So cool to see your home from above, Jill! It's also wonderfully inspiring to see your continued materials exploration and your new mural. I recently came across one of my big shell and pebble stashes, much of which was collected on our long walks near Alandaluz. Wonderful memories with you, my dear friend. xoxo
I first came to Ecuador in the late 1980's to teach English in Quito. I fell in love with this country, the natural beauty, the warmth and generosity of the people. I went on to work in international education on nearly every continent, but Ecuador kept calling me back. This Chicago girl has a "latina soul"! I've now been back in Ecuador, living here as a permanent resident since 2006. I have done all different kinds of work, from private teaching to teacher training to working with American volunteers as a driver/interpreter to filling in as a substitute hotel manager. I like to keep my sched... full info
Debbie Chapman
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So many friends, so many adventures!
I'm sorry to hear that writing the blog was a drag for you -- I always really love reading your blogs and marvel at the many things you do!