CARNIVAL to VALENTINE'S DAY and......

   The big celebration of the year here is CARNIVAL.....

The traditions seem a little strange to me,  but it's huge fun for the Cuencanos....
Carnival lasts for 5 days -- Friday thru Tuesday before Ash Wednesday....there are some parades,  but the big deal is throwing water on each other....and the adults love it as much as the kids....

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We were invited to Deleg on Sunday with our neighbors......Mass at 9 am in the lovely Church .....

with Rogelio  (the Chief) and the family......afterwards we headed to the Mercado for Chanco with all the trimmings.....this is VERY CASUAL dining....you eat with your hands from plates of food put on the table.....oh,   it's sooo good!!!

Then to Quinta Esthelita - the big hacienda - where the girls start cooking a grand meal for everyone who comes.....family and friends....

Those that want to play "Carnival" which means throwing water and getting drenched!!   Lots of laughs and shrieks.....

Since this was SUPER BOWL SUNDAY  we left before the others to be home to watch the Super Bowl with Jean.....most of the family spends the night and the next day or two there.....

  Jean brought over some wonderful Italian food and Greek salad so we had a feast watching the game....

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On Tuesday we were invited next door to Eduardo's for a cook out....

Geovanny did the grilling - a variety of meats,  and there were the traditional Cuencano side dishes;  mote, potatoes, rice and salsa....I took a salad and a bottle of wine....    Good time....

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A friend who doesn't speak English came a couple of weeks ago and asked me to help sell their property --  a "Casa de Campo" near Descanso......I mentioned it to Susana and she wanted to see it....

 The house is high up and has a fabulous view overlooking the valley of Cuenca.....About 1.25 acres with fruit trees,  caretaker house, etc....

 This patio/balcony is so nice for enjoying the view....

 There are two working fireplaces -- one in the main room,  and one in the kitchen.....

They are asking $120,000.00 -- it's a lovely place with tons of potential!!  Room for horses,  a pool,  tennis court, etc....

Anyone interested,  let me know.....

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We had a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner at Terra Luna.....

I had the Terra Luna steak -- delicious steak covered with sea food -- Rick had Chicken Parmesan.....     Very yummy indeed...

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I had a blouse made from material I had purchased ages ago....Susana is also using the same dressmaker,  and she is having a lot of blouses made.....The seamstress is the mother of a little girl that Cristina took art classes with a couple of years ago...

I bought this lace material when I bought the flowered material for the jacket....

So this got me excited to have more things made -- Yolanda and I went to a big fabric store yesterday and came out with these .....

Now we'll get creative....these are mostly for Yolanda,  but the beige leopard print is a jersey I want made into a comfortable blouse that I can wear most anywhere.... Will keep you informed as things progress....

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And now to all you good people out there,  I have a request.....Our brother-in-law,  Steve H. in OKC  is in need of prayers.....he has a cancerous tumor in his back,  is in tremendous pain,  and has started treatments.....

PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM !!!....

The fat green candle is lit for Steve in front of the altar of St. Joseph in the Cathedral in Cuenca.....

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We're off to a HOUSE WARMING party now..... Cori and Norbert's new abode in Cuenca.....will report in full next time....

Meanwhile we are anxiously awaiting the results of the primary voting today in South Carolina.....praying that Trump is elected our next president because we want a country for our grandchildren -- without him the US is lost....

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Weather is fabulous right now.....sleep with the windows open enjoying the lovely mountain air.....

Ahhh,  life in Cuenca is great!!