ANIMALES OF THE DAY: Jesus Christ Lizard on our MBR balcony

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!
When we woke up and opened up the curtains to enjoy our beach view from our Master's bedroom, we had an additional delightful view of a Jesus Christ Lizard on our balcony! Well, JC Lizards (who got their name because they walk on water) are actually quite scary looking...if they were enlarged they could have easily passed for the critters in Jurassic Park. But this one was quite cute as he was staring up at the living room balcony above, and wondering if life WAS greener "on the other balcony" ;-)

Since we have been living in CR for over a year now, while these "ANIMALES OF THE DAY" postings used to focus on new animals/birds/bugs/critters we saw for the first time in our lives, you'll start reading about repeat appearances but with delightfully new experiences.

Back to the JCL...he showed up in the MBR balcony for the time. His past appearances were on the other Balcony outside G's office closer to his tree. Once, Mr. G was on the phone having a very serious and important conversation talking about big finances, and Senor JCL shows up outside so it took an extra effort for Mr. G not to react...ahhh, doing business in CR.

So, good for Senor JCL...he's trying out a new Balcony, and climbing up new walls on this first fine sunny breezy day of the year. 2012 has already had a STRONG start for GandL and their Animales. We are VERY EXCITED about what 2012 promises to bring in our work and fun.

For 2012, we wish you all an abundance of WEALTH (in all its forms, including MONEY), JOY, HEALTH in a TRANQUILO way. May we all LAUGH and LOVE a lot more than we ever have.


Peach and light,
GandL

Movies in the jungle costa rica / Cinema in the Jungle

I had to go through many pages to find this link...so here it is.

For movie schedules and other information about CINEMA ESCALERAS, click: www.moviesinthejungle.com


ENJOY~

Morning Yoga: SpreadWings Vulture pose

Look in the distance at the picture and you'll see what inspired this pose.
<PICTURE>

Plumeria

Our neighbor has a plumeria that she needs to move since it's not doing too well where it currently is, so we will find a new home for it on our property.
I love plumerias because they remind me of Hawaii, and they have a nice scent, plus we can make leis with it. I can also wear the flower on my hair.

I googled "how tall does a plumeria tree grow" and got this:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/plumeria/msg1117005711144.html
Pretty big! Ive seen some that are about 30 to 40 feet tall in Hawaii and Im sure that the older ones are even bigger than that. If they are pruned they will stay smaller but bloom less. 
The average plumeria in the tropics grows between 12"-24" a year.


http://www.alohatropicals.com/Plumeria.html
Plumerias (Frangipani) also known as the Lei flower, can grow to be large shrubs or even small trees in mild areas of the U.S. In tropical regions, Plumeria may reach a height of 30' to 40' and half as wide.
The real payoff comes during the early summer through the early fall months, when very fragrant clusters of showy, waxy flowers provide the makings for your own Hawaiian Lei. There is absolutely nothing like the sweet fragrance of Plumeria in flower, with fragrances of jasmine, citrus, spices, gardenia, and other indescribable scents. 
Water Plumerias deeply, but infrequently, let soil dry out somewhat before watering again. "Plumerias do not like we feet". Begin to reduce the frequency of watering in mid-October, as the cool season approaches. Stop watering after all the leaves have fallen and has gone dormant. Resume watering in the spring as new growth begins.

I googled "plumeria in costa rica" and got this:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/981789/#b

I googled "plumeria" and got this:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumeria
Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night. They are native to Central America. Plumeria is related to the Oleander. Plumeria species may be easily propagated from cuttings of leafless stem tips in spring. Cuttings are allowed to dry at the base before planting in well-drained soil. Cuttings are particularly susceptible to rot in moist soil. Plumeria is known in Tagalog as calachuchi.




I wonder which flower ours will be?

This is the TIME OF YEAR when...

January

• Amazing vibrant sunsets, because it's not overcast.

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

• Marlin Mania
• More birds singing
• Vegetables are more expensive and not as good: Tomato, lettuce
• It rains less, but it does still rain occasionally
• 12/18 & 12/19: Sloth spotted from stairs window, on Guranamo across street, 2 days now

When in Costa Rica, do as the Ticos do

When we first arrived in this country, I was very excited to try all the new types of food here. However, I soon got bored because there really aren't as much choices of foods as I was used to in the States. And soon, I also got home-sick without some foods I enjoyed, like the variety of ethnic food that San Francisco enjoys, or foods like real ice cream, delicate pastries, and exquisitely prepared ready-food (e.g store-bought and ready to serve).

But now, I'm back to the attitude of "When in Costa Rica, do as the Ticos do". So, I continue to look for yummy foods in the stores that are hard to find in the US, that I can enjoy. I'm really liking:
- Platano or Yucca chips
- Aqua Pipa - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_water

Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts (fruits of the coconut palm). As the fruit matures, the coconut water is gradually replaced by the coconut meat and air. A very young coconut has very little meat; the meat that it has is very tender, almost a gel. Coconut water has long been a popular drink in the tropics, especially in Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, Africa, and the Caribbean, where it is available fresh, canned, or bottled.


COOL MUSIC OF AQUA PIPA: http://www.4shared.com/audio/R1sbqjnp/Aqua_-_Pipa__Electro_House_Rem.html

FRUTAS: Coco Loco week, Pipa Fria young coconut juice

Yesterday, we found a great source for Pipa Fria. There is a coconut tree in our community. We had to find a big stick to hit the young coconut, and catch it quickly when it hit the ground so it wouldn't roll down the hill, and also so that we could it upright and not lose very much juice from the crack resulting from the impact of falling.

So, it was a bit of work but worth it! We declare this Coco Loco week because there's more on the tree for picking another way.