Blog Feed: Nancy and Chuck - Retirement in Ecuador

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I had a wonderful time this past week visiting family in Columbus, Georgia.Here is the old Memorial stadium where I went to many high school football games. > read more

Lunch at Evelyn's Cafe

Published on 2012-05-09 21:30:00

Dear Family and Friends,Click here please...www.evelynscafe.blogspot.comLove,Nancy & Chuck > read more

Country's Barbecue

Published on 2012-05-08 22:30:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I are now in Columbus, Georgia where I was born and raised. > read more

Packing...Keeping it Compact

Published on 2012-05-05 17:29:00

Dear Family and Friends,First of all, I do not consider myself an expert on how to pack for a trip. Lord knows that I have done it enough times that I should be an expert. > read more

Chordeleg for Jewelry - Paute for Plants

Published on 2012-05-03 16:31:00

Dear Family and Friends,Today Chuck and I took a drive to Chordeleg. > read more

Chuck, The Magnificent

Published on 2012-04-29 13:40:00

Dear Family and Friends,Today, after our Sunday morning Rich and Nancy walk, we returned home to rest. > read more

Horchata in Ecuador

Published on 2012-04-25 14:22:00

Dear Family and Friends,When we lived in the USA I enjoyed going to Fiesta Foods to shop because it was a supermarket that catered to the Hispanic population in our area. > read more

Come with us to the Coopera

Published on 2012-04-21 11:46:00

Dear Family and Friends,We have been home a little over a week now. > read more

Videos of the Semana Santa Procession in Cuenca, Spain

Published on 2012-04-13 20:01:00

Dear Family and Friends,I have downloaded a few videos I took in Cuenca, Spain of a Semana Santa procession. > read more

A Long Day but WE ARE IN ECUADOR!!

Published on 2012-04-13 01:45:00

Dear Family and Friends,Our day started this morning in Madrid, checking our luggage at the airport.After an extremely long day we were met by this smiling face in Guayaquil. > read more

The Royal Palace in Madrid

Published on 2012-04-12 00:14:00

Dear Family and Friends,This morning Chuck and I took the metro to town. > read more

Madrid From the Top of the Tourist Bus

Published on 2012-04-11 02:38:00

Dear Family and Friends,Yesterday, we took the subway into Madrid's tourist area, Plaza del Sol. > read more

European Car Leasing Information

Published on 2012-04-09 15:12:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I returned our Peugeot to the designated Madrid agency this morning. > read more

Easter Sunday in Cuenca, Spain

Published on 2012-04-09 01:26:00

Dear Family and Friends,Yesterday we woke up to the most spectacular day. > read more

Semana Santa Procession...YES!

Published on 2012-04-08 00:30:00

Dear Family and Friends,When Chuck was mapping out this trip to Spain, he purposefully selected this week for us to be in Cuenca. > read more

Semana Santa Procession.......Almost!

Published on 2012-04-06 12:29:00

Dear Family and Friends,Yesterday afternoon Chuck and I made our way to the church where the afternoon procession was to start. > read more

Finally! Pictures of Cuenca, Spain (in the rain)

Published on 2012-04-05 14:13:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I woke up this morning to yet another day of rain. > read more

Don Quixote Wind Mills and a Castle in Spain

Published on 2012-04-04 15:33:00

I know you were hoping to be seeing Cuenca, Spain today. > read more

We are in Cuenca and it is raining.....what's new??

Published on 2012-04-03 11:14:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I arrived in Cuenca, Spain yesterday. > read more

Chocolate Art in Valencia, Spain

Published on 2012-04-02 12:37:00

Dear Family and Friends,While we were in Valencia we ran into a Chocolate Fair. > read more

Scenes of Valencia, Spain

Published on 2012-04-01 13:04:00

Dear Family and Friends,Today was a beautiful day. It was sunny and warm, but not too warm. > read more

Valencia, Spain - A Trip to the Market

Published on 2012-03-31 15:12:00

Dear Family and Friends,We arrived in Valencia, Spain yesterday afternoon around 4:00 pm. > read more

A Bit more Barcelona before we Leave

Published on 2012-03-30 13:35:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I spent today driving to Valencia, Spain. > read more

Down Day Timed Perfectly

Published on 2012-03-29 10:05:00

Dear Family and Friends,On Tuesday I told Chuck that before we leave Barcelona, and continue our journey, I need a down day. > read more

Our Short Term Rental in Barcelona - Passing on a good find.

Published on 2012-03-28 16:23:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck did a fabulous job of shopping for the apartment that we would rent for our week in Barcelona.We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. > read more

Furnished Apartment and Playing like Kids!!

Published on 2012-03-27 13:08:00

Dear Family and Friends,I did not post the pictures of the apartment early this morning as I said I would. > read more

La Pedrera - Barcelona, Spain

Published on 2012-03-26 16:38:00

Dear Family and Friends,We enjoyed the Park Guell so much yesterday that we decided we would look at another very famous building designed by Gaudi.One of the pictures I posted from our tour bus ride.......remember???This building was designed as a large apartment complex and is named "La Pedrera" > read more

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain

Published on 2012-03-26 03:18:00

Dear Family and Friends,Sunday, Chuck and I went to see one of Barcelona's top tourist attractions, Park Guell.First let me give you a little history of Park Guell. > read more

Ahhhh! Barcelona, Spain

Published on 2012-03-24 19:10:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I will be spending the next week in Barcelona. > read more

Let's Here From Chuck

Published on 2012-03-23 14:39:00

Dear Family and Friends,We are now in Barcelona. > read more

Aljaferia Palace - Zaragoza, Spain

Published on 2012-03-22 14:16:00

Dear Family and Friends,Today we went to what looked like a castle. > read more

Driving the Wine Country in Spain

Published on 2012-03-21 14:13:00

Dear Family and Friends,On our way from Burgos to Zaragoza we stayed in Logrono. > read more

A Spanish Flea Market

Published on 2012-03-20 15:56:00

Dear Family and Friends,While in Burgos, Chuck and I ran into a flea market. > read more

Chuck and the Statues in Burgos, Spain

Published on 2012-03-19 13:58:00

Dear Family and Friends,The city of Brugos had many fun statues. > read more

Burgos, Spain - The Cathedral

Published on 2012-03-18 14:02:00

Dear Family and Friends,Just this morning at breakfast I told Chuck that I am about "cathedraled out."We arrived in Burgos yesterday around noon. > read more

Another Driving Day...Gijon to Santiago de Compostela

Published on 2012-03-13 16:24:00

Dear Family and Friends,Today Chuck and I left Gijon by 9:00am. This was good for us because we have really become accustomed to sleeping in on this trip. We like to wake up, have coffee in our room and check our email, etc. It is easy for the time to get away from us.We had to fill up our car today for the second time since we got it. This time I made a picture of the amount we bought and the cost. We bought a total of 43 liters of diesel (which is about 11 gallons) and paid 60 Euros which [..] > read more

A Drive from Bilbao to Gijon, Spain

Published on 2012-03-12 14:15:00

Dear Family and Friends,Today, Chuck an I drove from Bilbao to Gijon. The route was along the coast of Spain. We did the whole trip on the freeway because we got a later start this morning than we intended.We checked out of our hotel in Bilbao this morning and went down to the parking garage to retrieve our car. As we were driving out of the parking garage we heard an awful noise. We could not figure out where the noise was coming from so Chuck pulled into a nearby parking slot to check the t [..] > read more

Sunday in Bilbao, Spain

Published on 2012-03-11 16:59:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I always miss our Sunday walking buddies, Rich and Nancy, when we are away from Cuenca on Sundays. This Sunday was no different. We decided to have our Sunday walk anyway even though we couldn't share it with them.We walked first to the old town of Bilbao. In this part of town the streets are very narrow.This is the cathedral Santiago. The inside of the cathedral is from the15th century. There was a church here before this one that was consecrated in the 12th [..] > read more

Bilbao, Spain - Guggenheim Museum

Published on 2012-03-10 15:22:00

Dear Family and Friends,We drove from Pamplona to Bilbao. It took us a couple of hours on the fast toll road. It was not especially a spectacular drive.....the toll roads are like driving the interstate highways in the U.S. All the small villages are viewed from a distance.I had never heard of Bilbao until now. It is near the Atlantic coast. This is a beautiful city...the architecture is fun and creative. The population is just under 400,000 very similar to Cuenca. And, like Cuenca, the c [..] > read more

San Fermin Festival - Running of the Bulls

Published on 2012-03-10 02:30:00

Dear Family and Friends,We are in Pamplona, Spain. I had not heard of this city in Spain before we came here, but I had heard and seen on television about the annual running of the bulls through the streets. Pamplona is where this event takes place.The bull runs have been going on in this city since the 1500's or before. It was in 1591 that the town decided to combine the religious festival San Fermin with the running of the bulls. Every year since then on July 7th through the 14th this celebr [..] > read more

French Country Back Roads

Published on 2012-03-08 14:34:00

Dear Family and Friends,First, I have to tell you that I do not have pictures of the candlelight procession. I took a couple of pictures but they were so blurry they were not worthy of being posted.Today we spent the day driving the back roads of southern France. We left Lourdes, France this morning for Pamplona, Spain. Chuck, being his usual self, did not want to drive the four lane roads, but wanted to go back into Spain on the back roads. Since we have a GPS in the car, it was not a difficu [..] > read more

Leased Car - Trip to Lourdes, France

Published on 2012-03-07 11:26:00

Dear Family and Friends,This morning we checked out of our hotel in San Sebastian and took a taxi to the airport. There we met two representatives from the Peugot factory. They brought a brand new car, straight from the factory, that we are leasing for the next 5 weeks.We will turn it in when we leave Madrid to fly back to Ecuador.They went over the entire car with us. Here they are showing the engine. Yep, it's new alright.After we got the car we headed due east toward the Pyrenees mountains [..] > read more

San Sebastian, Spain

Published on 2012-03-06 14:12:00

Dear Family and Friends,I do not feel that this post will do justice to this beautiful city. Mainly, because the weather is brisk and it has been drizzling most of the day. San Sebastian is definitely a city to be enjoyed in much warmer weather.San Sebastian sits on a beautiful Atlantic ocean bay. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities we have visited in Spain. Here is a picture I snatched from the internet to give you a feel of the city..Here is Chuck looking out over the bay.Sin [..] > read more

Train Trip to San Sebastian, Spain

Published on 2012-03-05 14:22:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I spent most of the day traveling by train from Madrid to San Sebastian. For those whose geography of Spain is in the same category as mine, I've made a little map. When we were in Spain last fall, we explored most everything south of Madrid. This trip we are exploring the north of Spain. It took about 5 hours to train from Madrid to San Sebastian. Today's pictures are of the train trip.First, there are views from the train window. It was an overcast and rai [..] > read more

Sunday in Madrid

Published on 2012-03-04 12:56:00

Dear Family and Friends,It is Sunday evening and we have our poor aching feet up. This whole day was devoted to touring the Museo Nacional del Prada. It was well worth a couple of sore feet. We started this morning by checking out a street market just outside our hotel. The vendors were all selling some sort of clothing and by 10am there were tons of shoppers. It only took us a few minutes to realize this is NOT how we wanted to spend the day. We took the subway to the exit nearest the Pra [..] > read more

Madrid ... Safe and Sound

Published on 2012-03-03 13:33:00

Dear Family and Friends,We made it to Madrid safe and sound. We arrived yesterday a little after noon. By the time we walked through the airport to baggage claim (no small feat), got our bags, rode the metro and checked into our hotel it was about 4:00pm.Here is our view from our hotel of the traffic circle below.Not too much action last night...just decompressing from the long flight.This morning, however, after a wonderful nights sleep, we were ready to step out. We went to the Museo Riena [..] > read more

On the Road Again

Published on 2012-02-29 17:54:00

Dear Family and Friends,We leave Cuenca tomorrow morning and we will arrive in Madrid, Spain around noon on Friday.We have the camera charged and the computer ready. Can't wait to post pictures from Spain.Love,Nancy > read more

Spain on a Budget - Thrift Store Shopping

Published on 2012-02-23 13:40:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I arrived back home in Cuenca last night. We are so glad to be back home so we can enjoy our friends and sleep in our own bed........ for one week. Yep, that's right...in one week we leave for a six week trip to Spain.Here is an idea I had. I want to travel to Spain with just one medium size suitcase. I also want to be able to shop for "stuff" while there. I need to be able to dispose of clothes along the way so I can buy "stuff" to bring home. Can't affor [..] > read more

Busy week in Richland, WA - USA

Published on 2012-02-16 11:31:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I have had a very busy week in Richland. We had a lot of "to do's" which we got accomplished I am happy to report. We also shared time with family and friends. The picture is of Heidi and Cannon, our grandchildren that live in Richland. My grandma name is "Mimi." How wonderful it is to be with them. They are growing up so fast and are two terrific kids.Right now Chuck and I are headed back to Seattle. Chuck's sister Audrey is flying up from California to [..] > read more

Mary of SOZ has left Cuenca and so have We!

Published on 2012-02-09 10:22:00

Dear Family and Friends,On Saturday, February 2, we took Mary to the airport in Cuenca and said goodbye.We really enjoyed having her visit and look forward to when both Mary and Steve come to Ecuador.Mary left on Saturday about mid day and bright and early Monday morning, Chuck and I were flying to Guayaquil for our trip to the U.S. Although we were headed to Washington state, Chuck found a great promotional fare on Copa to Chicago. We have been traveling Monday - Wednesday getting ourselves [..] > read more

Sharing Cuenca with Mary

Published on 2012-01-29 14:59:00

Dear Family and Friends,Mary had a great time meeting bloggers from the SOZ blogroll and blog readers at the California Kitchen this past Friday. Here are a few pictures: We have had a lot of fun showing Mary Cuenca.The double deck bus tour was a must do. Here is Mary interacting with the floating man. And another street entertainer. And of course, a horse picture in Parque Calderon is a must. Mary with Cuenca behind her. We took this from Turi.Last night we went to the Secret Garden f [..] > read more

Beautiful Days in Cuenca

Published on 2012-01-24 15:03:00

Dear Family and Friends,We are enjoying showing Mary around Cuenca. Today we were able to share our short term rental condo with her. We bought a painting when we were in Loja weekend before last and had it framed. Today we went over for the hanging.Here is Chuck, Karen, and Mary on the terrace. Couldn't ask for a prettier day.Randy came over and hung the picture. Take a look!We took Mary to see Mall del Rio. Randy told us about a new vendor in the food court. California Burrito. We gave [..] > read more

Wonderful Coast Trip

Published on 2012-01-23 14:40:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck, Mary and I are now in Cuenca. We had a wonderful time on the coast because of some terrific people. We spent Friday in Salinas and enjoyed the beach there. Mary went to D'Hugo's for the lobster, but unfortunate for her, the lobster was out of season. She settled for langostino in garlic sauce instead. It looked delicious. I don't think she was too disappointed.On Saturday we checked out of our hotel and headed up the beach to Montanita. We met Leigh and Todd [..] > read more

She's Here!!!

Published on 2012-01-20 07:55:00

Dear Family and Friends,Mary arrived yesterday right on schedule. She was happy to be in Ecuador!!We are now in Salinas enjoying the beach.Steve, this picture is for you! Love, Nancy and Chuck > read more

Weekend in Loja

Published on 2012-01-16 19:42:00

Dear Family and Friends,We have just returned from a fun trip to Loja with Rich and Nancy and Howard and Barbara. Chuck and I were going to go to Loja last week, but when we learned that these guys were going over the weekend we changed our plans so we could all go together.We drove down on Friday. We spent Saturday together in Loja and on Sunday our friends went to Vilcabamba while Chuck and I headed to Zamora.Here are some pictures of Loja we took on Saturday.Nancy looking at ceramics at the [..] > read more

Guess Who's Coming to Ecuador???

Published on 2012-01-06 20:35:00

Dear Family and Friends,We have been sitting on the most wonderful news for weeks. There is a very special person coming to Ecuador about mid January. If you read Ecuador blogs you already know her. Mary Beckman of South of Zero is coming to Ecuador.Chuck and I are very excited and want to get the word out.We are driving to Guayaquil to meet her at the airport on January 19th. From there we will go to Salinas and hope to visit with Nancy and Joe Levin and after a day or two we will drive up [..] > read more

Gearing Up for New Year's Eve

Published on 2011-12-31 13:17:00

Dear Family and Friends,We have had a wonderful 2011 and are now getting ready to send it on it's way! Our whole holiday season has been so much fun. Christmas day Chuck and I had friends over for a brunch that lasted the whole day.Just a few days ago, Myrna and David (who are renting our condo this week) invited Chuck, Bruce, Charlie and I over to the condo for her delicious home made pizza.She made some great drinks and here we are enjoying the terrace and the sunset. Her pizza was ter [..] > read more

Reflections

Published on 2011-12-28 13:16:00

I was going to do a post about looking back at this past year. But in looking back at this past year I found myself looking back at our entire married life. Chuck and I have led a charmed life. Well, charmed for us, others might find it too unpredictable.Since we first knew each other, until even now, we do about half our adventures on impulse. One of us says “wouldn’t it be fun to…..” the other of us says “why not?,” and our course is set.We have traveled the world many times. Pr [..] > read more

CELEBRATE!!

Published on 2011-07-03 22:19:00

> read more

Parrots in Cuenca

Published on 2011-06-29 14:18:00

Dear Family and Friends,My friend, Nancy, told me about feral parrots living in Cuenca. There are about 30 -40 of them. Sometimes you can see them flying near the Tomebomba river. They are native to the coast of Ecuador.Yesterday I got a > read more

Sugar Time!!

Published on 2011-06-24 15:47:00

Dear Family and Friends,It is that time of year again. Corpus Christi....somehow tied into the celebration of the solstice. This time, every year, tons of candy is made in small kitchens all around Cuenca. For one week these goodies > read more

We have decided to rent our new condo

Published on 2011-06-19 16:36:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I have decided to rent our new condo. We can't live in two places at once. For now, we will continue to live where we always have. One day we will move to the new condo, but for now we will rent it. > read more

Old Tradition being Documented on Film

Published on 2011-06-15 08:37:00

Dear Family and Friends,We had Karen, Randy and Fernando over for hamburgers last night. I think I poisoned everyone. I was up all night with a sick stomach. The leftovers we put away last night are going into the garbage this morni > read more

Holy Cow! Prime Rib found at Supermaxi!

Published on 2011-06-13 10:24:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I delivered all the kids back to their respective homes in the U.S. We had a great time with them but all good things must come to an end.We arrived back in Cuenca last Wednesday afternoon. Happy to be ho > read more

Family Time at the Beach

Published on 2011-05-29 12:27:00

Dear Family and Friends,We decided to take Matt and our grand daughters to Salinas. Salinas is a popular beach destination in Ecuador.We have been having a great time.Matt has been enjoying having his nieces to entertain. I have nick name > read more

Another Fun Day with the Kids

Published on 2011-05-22 21:27:00

Dear Family and Friends,What a joy it was for us to be back in Cuenca today. We were able to have our Sunday morning walk with Rich and Nancy to the Kook for breakfast. We revised our normal walk plans and all met at San Sebastian park.&n > read more

Home in Cuenca .... soooo nice!

Published on 2011-05-20 22:16:00

Dear Family and Friends,We arrived in Cuenca late Wednesday afternoon sleep deprived and completely exhausted. Chuck and Matt helped us get unloaded and then went to our other apartment (now known as the boys cabin). The girls and I are s > read more

Happy Birthday Dad!

Published on 2011-05-17 08:57:00

Lyle WatsonWe love you!! > read more

Train Ride with Granddaughters

Published on 2011-05-16 12:47:00

Dear Family and Friends,Last Tuesday, hours after the closing of the house, Chuck and I boarded the train. We went to Minnesota to get Petra and Paige, our granddaughters. They are spending the next couple of weeks at "Camp Mimi and Poppi > read more

Transfer of Ownership...Time to Hit the Tracks!!

Published on 2011-05-10 10:20:00

Dear Family and Friends,Yesterday we gave Marcia the keys to the house. Chuck did a walk through with her and explained the irrigation system and other things. We both have good vibes about Marcia and know that this house has been sold to > read more

Returning from Portland, OR - Waterfalls and Cherry Blossoms

Published on 2011-05-02 20:21:00

Dear Family and Friends,Although it was raining when we first arrived, we had a terrific time in Portland. Saturday the weather was much better with the sun peeking out and on Sunday it was a beautiful sunny day.Chuck and I love this city. > read more

LIQUID SUNSHINE

Published on 2011-04-28 21:47:00

Dear Family and Friends,We have arrived! It's raining so we must be in Portland.Love,Nancy > read more

NOW WHAT??

Published on 2011-04-25 16:52:00

Dear Family and Friends,Now that we have sold our house we are blessed with time on our hands. We still have about two weeks before we go to Minnesota. Here is what we have been up to lately.GrandchildrenHeidi, Bryce and Cannon. Hei > read more

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

Published on 2011-04-22 10:22:00

Dear Family and Friends,We came back to the U.S. two weeks ago to put our house on the market. We were prepared to do a lot of work to the house and leave it in the hands of a Realtor. This would mean, of course, getting a lawn service company > read more

Everything In It's Time

Published on 2011-04-05 08:48:00

Dear Family and Friends,As you are reading this post, Chuck and I are en route to the USA. When we first moved to Ecuador we just couldn't come to grips with selling our home. Chuck had loved and cared for our yard in Richland, WA the same > read more

Take Your Kid to Work Day????

Published on 2011-03-30 15:58:00

Dear Family and Friends,Quite often I see things in Cuenca that touch my heart and make me smile. It is quite normal here to see mamas tending their small children while selling fruits and vegetables at the market. But, today I saw a daddy > read more

Mini Celebration in Cuenca

Published on 2011-03-28 21:24:00

Dear Family and Friends,Tonight Chuck and I had a mini celebration of sorts. We went to Taco Pronto for a bite to eat. As usual, I was snapping pictures; when the owner saw me, she came over and asked if we would like our picture taken. W > read more

Cuenca Weather Information

Published on 2011-03-26 13:41:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck found this very neat URL that has historical weather data for Cuenca.Here is the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/longterm/historical/data/cuenca_ecuador.htmGood information to have if you are moving or > read more

Extremely Long Stem Red Roses

Published on 2011-03-25 10:21:00

Dear Family and Friends,The other day Chuck went to buy some flowers. He came home all excited because he found some extremely long stem roses.This is the first time we have encountered them from a vendor. They are grown here for export t > read more

Full Moon Egg Balancing

Published on 2011-03-19 22:18:00

Dear Family and Friends,On Friday night, my friend, Denver Greer wrote on Facebook: "Make your plans for going out tomorrow night (Sat) and take a gander at the "Super Moon." The Moon will be at it's closest to the Earth, and the Sun and Moon wi > read more

Seahorse Sunset

Published on 2011-03-17 19:06:00

Dear Family and Friends,Thank you for all the well wishes. You must be very magical because I am feeling much better today.We had a very nice visit with our friends, Nancy and Joe Levin this morning. We had lunch at D'Hugos in CevicheLand > read more

How do you feel Nancy?

Published on 2011-03-16 19:09:00

Dear Family and Friends,I have been fighting a sinus infection for a couple of days.Today we drove all day to the coast....and this is how I felt. Kick in medicine!!Love,Nancy > read more

Inside the Old Provincial Court of Justice Building

Published on 2011-03-15 19:47:00

Dear Family and Friends,Yesterday, my Spanish teacher, Fernando took me on a field trip to el centro (downtown). We sat in Parque Calderon and he told me about the buildings that surround the square.One particular building I would like to share > read more

Horses on Parade

Published on 2011-03-14 19:57:00

Dear Family and Friends,A while back, during one of our Sunday walks, we saw some new horses in Parque Calderon.Sorry about the size of this video. I will try and do better next time.Have a great day.Love,Nancy > read more

Yes, We Went to Loja - But, No, No Dishes!!

Published on 2011-03-13 19:33:00

Dear Family and Friends,Once again we made a trek to Loja to buy dishes. Once again we turned lemons into lemonade.We picked up Howard and Barbara around 7:30am. We decided to have breakfast in La Paz. They have a restaurant there t > read more

Art Auction - Goodbye Larry and Liza

Published on 2011-03-12 18:01:00

Dear Family and Friends,Friday night was a bitter sweet moment for us. Our friends Larry and Liza are moving to Spain and we will miss them. They are selling all her mosaic art before heading off to their new life. An art auction wa > read more

Loja Adventure

Published on 2011-03-10 18:01:00

Dear Family and Friends,We are leaving for Loja in the morning with our friends, Barbara and Howard. The main purpose of this trip is to visit the university where the ceramics and pottery are made.We want to have another look at the dinnerware > read more

Cuenca Sunset

Published on 2011-03-09 18:00:00

Dear Family and Friends,We are amazed by the beautiful sunset pictures that Box n' Rox post on their blog. They live on the coast and I know first hand how awesome it is to see the sun set into the Pacific Ocean.Chuck and I were at our new cond > read more

Carnaval, Scrambled Dogs and Friends

Published on 2011-03-08 19:08:00

Dear Family and Friends,Today was Carnaval (Fat Tuesday). Last week Chuck and I decided to invite a few friends over and do the "scrambled dog" thing again. We've served scrambled dogs in the past. Our friends either love us or they > read more

There's Something about Cuenca that Brings People Back

Published on 2011-03-07 18:03:00

Dear Family and Friends,We have been spending time this past week with some old friends. When we first tried out Cuenca, three years ago, we rented an apartment for seven months. During that time we met many people. Some of those peo > read more

This Week's Flowers

Published on 2011-03-06 19:09:00

Dear Family and Friends,Every Wednesday morning, about 8:30 or 9:00am, Chuck walks to the Feria Libre market to get fresh cut flowers to put throughout our condo. This past Wednesday he didn't go for some reason. The flowers we had displa > read more

Strange but Predictable

Published on 2011-03-05 11:51:00

Dear Family and Friends,I never get tired of the sights we see when walking to town. This is in a residential neighborhood. Have a great day.Hugs,Nancy > read more

Saraguro Adventure - Part V

Published on 2011-03-04 16:00:00

Dear Family and Friends,On our tour of Saraguro, we were standing across the street from the church when the service ended. I took the following pictures. Such beautiful people. After the church was empty, we went to see the inside. > read more

Saraguro Adventure - Part IV

Published on 2011-03-03 11:27:00

Dear Family and Friends,After visiting the pottery factory, we rode into the town of Saraguro. First we walked through the market. Sunday is the biggest market day....so we were there on the perfect day. Chuck had read this and th > read more

Saraguro Adventure - Part III

Published on 2011-03-02 15:26:00

Dear Family and Friends,Our next stop on our Saraguro tour was the pottery factory. Once again, you would never find it without a guide, it is located inside an adobe building adjacent to an adobe house out a country dirt road. I doubt we > read more

Saraguro Adventure - Part II

Published on 2011-03-01 12:05:00

Dear Family and Friends,The next stop on our Saraguro tour was the textile mill. We were really amazed when we drove out into the countryside to an adobe building. It was the mill. Since it was Sunday, the mill was not operating, but the owner > read more

Saraguro Adventure - Part I

Published on 2011-02-28 12:03:00

Dear Family and Friends,We found a brochure for a one-day tour of Saraguro at the restaurant, California Kitchen. Although we have been to Saraguro before, there were things listed on the tour that spiked our interest. Saraguro is located about an > read more

Ecuador Peanut Butter Taste Test

Published on 2011-02-26 10:33:00

Dear Family and Friends,Yesterday Chuck and I were shopping at Super Maxi (our local supermarket). When we started to buy peanut butter we noticed there were several Ecuadorian brands that we had never tried. On the spur of the moment we decided to > read more

Chuck's Garden

Published on 2011-02-24 08:54:00

Dear Family and Friends,We were sitting on the patio this morning and the beauty of the flowers made my heart swell so much that I went and grabbed the camera.Here, my friends, is Chuck's garden.The closer we get to finishing the furnishing of our ne > read more

Bright Enough?

Published on 2011-02-23 13:01:00

Dear Family and Friends,Hugo is painting our new apartment. He painted some sample colors on the wall so we could decide which color would look best. The second picture is the color we chose.It is starting to come together.Life is good!Nancy > read more

Jason's & Donna's Country Home

Published on 2011-02-17 15:26:00

Dear Family and Friends,We had lunch today with Jason and Donna at the Good Affinity restaurant. After lunch they took us to see the progress on the home they are building just outside of Cuenca.We had not seen them in several weeks so it was really > read more

Meet Bob and Bea

Published on 2011-02-17 00:30:00

Dear Family and Friends,Our neighbors, Bob and Bea, moved to Ecuador over three months ago. They invited us for dinner on Sunday and it was fantastic.Bea had printed a menu. She said this way we could pace ourselves so we would be sure to save room > read more

Another Milestone

Published on 2011-02-15 13:37:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck reminded me last week that we have passed another milestone in our Cuenca experience. We have now had our Ecuadorian residency for two years. During the first two years of residency we were only able to be out of Ecuad > read more

Take a Deep Breath!

Published on 2011-02-11 10:47:00

Dear Family and Friends,It has been a long time since I last post on our blog. Quite a bit has been going on the past couple of weeks.My brother, Norman, is continuing to heal and is doing very well. He and Nan, his wife, are planning a cruise at t > read more

Dallas Report

Published on 2011-01-22 17:47:00

Dear Family and Friends,I arrived in Dallas on Wednesday about 20 minutes ahead of schedule. My sister-in-law, Nancy, met me in baggage claim. I was so glad to see her as I did not have a cell phone that would work in the U.S. When we arrived home > read more

Our Visitors

Published on 2011-01-18 08:43:00

Dear Family and Friends,Just a quick post to share a picture of our visitors. Chuck's sister, Carol is wearing the visor. Her husband Frank, has on the red jacket. Connie and Jim are their friends from Washington state.They are headed out with Chu > read more

Off to Dallas and Company is Coming

Published on 2011-01-17 12:02:00

Dear Family and Friends,My brother, Norman, is doing great. I am leaving tomorrow to spend a week with him and my mother. I will share more about his health after I arrive in Dallas.This evening, Chuck's sister, Carol and her husband, Frank, are ar > read more

Thank You God for Sparing my Brother

Published on 2011-01-11 10:37:00

(Norman, Nan and Mom when they were visiting us here in Cuenca)Dear Family and Friends,The last few days have been very tense for us. I was planning a trip this week to visit my Mom who lives in Dallas, TX with my brother. I received an email from > read more

We Bought a New Condo

Published on 2011-01-10 10:00:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck has been after me to share this on our blog. About three months ago we bought a new condo. Why??? Well, all I can say is that I had an itch for a penthouse apartment. Chuck saw it as a good investment and indulged me > read more

Happy New Year!!

Published on 2011-01-02 20:57:00

Dear Family and Friends,For all my Georgia family and friends who may think that because we live in Ecuador that we have to do without....take a look at this.This is what we ate on New Years day.It is a tradition, especially in the southern states in > read more

Parade of the Children

Published on 2010-12-25 07:17:00

Dear Family and Friends,Yesterday Chuck and I made our annual Christmas Eve trek to see the children of Cuenca parading through the city. Our friend, Lourdes, posted a very good blog explaining the origins of this parade. I am thankful for her post > read more

More Beach Pictures

Published on 2010-12-19 18:52:00

Dear Family and Friends,Sometimes I end up not putting pictures on this blog because I have so many to share. Today I am adding more pictures I took while we were at the beach in Salinas, Ecuador.Sailboats we could see from our condo.I'm not sure wh > read more

More Salinas Ecuador Pictures

Published on 2010-12-15 13:50:00

Dear Family and Friends,Sorry for the delay in posting more about our trip to Salinas. We returned to Cuenca on Sunday and it was my intention post first thing on Monday morning. When we got home late Sunday afternoon, we discovered that we had no > read more

Change of Pace in Salinas

Published on 2010-12-09 05:15:00

Dear Family and Friends,Chuck and I are still in Salinas, Ecuador at the beach and I am still having trouble with my computer and the internet. I am running my little computer on battery power and have to hurry before the power runs out. I forgot > read more

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