Well, we are still are in high spirits from a good Thanksgiving holiday and long weekend, and an eventful November at Finca Rio Perla. And we are very upbeat heading into December.
Our major project for November has been finishing the new horse stable (for 16 horses) and associated infrastructure (storage areas, horse washing areas, riding arena, improved pasture, and new fencing for the horses around the new equestrian complex). And, despite many challenges along the way ... we are moved the horses into their new stalls. Hooray!!! Jose and Roger did a great job with the carpentry work. And, as usual, Efrain managed the process and was assisted by Miguel and Esteban.
Vivian and Sandra have continued with their work in the vegetable gardens, and the plant nurseries (for vegetables and trees) and making cheeses from goat and cow milk, and other delicious foods. And as always, keeping all the hospitality areas in order and ready for receiving visitors and guests.
We had some nice visitors and guests the past few weeks. In particular it was nice to host a small group of university students from the USA who are studying in Costa Rica, and also a family that has bought some land in a neighboring village. Despite the rains everyone had positive experiences. As we begin December we are getting more and more inquiries from potential visitors and guests ... and new reservations.
Now we are focusing on planting more fruit trees and maintenance of all the recently planted fruit trees (and coffee and cacao trees) and forestry trees. As we have been learning, tree maintenance is key to tree health and growth. So, it is not just a matter of how many trees we plant, but how well we maintain them after planting.
We also are busy with trail maintenance and the "finish" for the equestrian complex. All a labor of love.
We also are looking forward to a "productive" December with the goats, since 4 goats are very pregnant and expecting birthings in December. Three cheers for our macho rams Max and Tevya (they are such cool dudes). Also, some cows are pregnant and we are expecting some new births in December.
Thus, we are looking forward to December, to celebrate our blessings from 2011 and to move on to the new year 2012.
Pura Vida. Dr. Paulo
Our major project for November has been finishing the new horse stable (for 16 horses) and associated infrastructure (storage areas, horse washing areas, riding arena, improved pasture, and new fencing for the horses around the new equestrian complex). And, despite many challenges along the way ... we are moved the horses into their new stalls. Hooray!!! Jose and Roger did a great job with the carpentry work. And, as usual, Efrain managed the process and was assisted by Miguel and Esteban.
Vivian and Sandra have continued with their work in the vegetable gardens, and the plant nurseries (for vegetables and trees) and making cheeses from goat and cow milk, and other delicious foods. And as always, keeping all the hospitality areas in order and ready for receiving visitors and guests.
We had some nice visitors and guests the past few weeks. In particular it was nice to host a small group of university students from the USA who are studying in Costa Rica, and also a family that has bought some land in a neighboring village. Despite the rains everyone had positive experiences. As we begin December we are getting more and more inquiries from potential visitors and guests ... and new reservations.
Now we are focusing on planting more fruit trees and maintenance of all the recently planted fruit trees (and coffee and cacao trees) and forestry trees. As we have been learning, tree maintenance is key to tree health and growth. So, it is not just a matter of how many trees we plant, but how well we maintain them after planting.
We also are busy with trail maintenance and the "finish" for the equestrian complex. All a labor of love.
We also are looking forward to a "productive" December with the goats, since 4 goats are very pregnant and expecting birthings in December. Three cheers for our macho rams Max and Tevya (they are such cool dudes). Also, some cows are pregnant and we are expecting some new births in December.
Thus, we are looking forward to December, to celebrate our blessings from 2011 and to move on to the new year 2012.
Pura Vida. Dr. Paulo