Another Holiday Wish

Well, Stef got this idea in her head that we should go International this year with Christmas. She took me to  some movie studio here in Costa Rica where we did this video - I really hope you enjoy it. Again - Please have a very Merry Christmas!!


Click here: ? JibJab Christmas 2013 Movie - YouTube


Pete & Stef

Holiday Wishes

Thanksgiving 2013

November 28, 2013

A few years ago, we started a tradition of inviting friends over to celebrate Thanksgiving and to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. As more and more people from the US decide to settle down in Atenas, the guest list gets bigger every year - That is a good thing as both Stef and I love to see people meet others and enjoy their time here. The more the merrier!!

This year, we enjoyed the company of about 80 friends to join us at our humble abode. I really sincerely feel that they had a good time and enjoyed an abundance of fine food that everyone brought to share. These are only a few of the pictures.

Your's truly and the hostess with the most-est

                                                                             

The group is starting to gather - seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Ana Cecilia's "world famous shuttle service" is back in action

Mmmmmmmmmm 

Looking Wonderful

We had so much food that we had to get another table to hold it all.

What a crowd -Think we had some hungry folks here

And then, the dessert table that had plenty to go around

A great couple & good friends from Nashville, who have made Atenas their home

We also had people here from France, Italy and Switzerland - Atenas is becoming very diversified

Hey - can you pass me some more food?

More new-comers to Atenas and enjoying it

Some great friends from Germany

Yep, the ol'e house was pretty well rocking

And, then we have some of the kids!!

I think you can agree that we had a pretty good time,

 and finding great food was absolutely no problem 

Until Next Time

2014 Atenas Chili Cook Off

Don't forget to mark your calendars for February 9, 2014 for the 7th Annual Chili Cook Off - Stef and the crew are already in the planning stages for what I think is going to be the

 biggest and best yet!!

Hoping That You Have a Fun, Fun Halloween!!

This is a little video that I wrote, produced, and directed staring some local and international stars. - Please Enjoy :-)

The Birthday Girl

Friday - August 9, 2013

Ladies & Gentlemen - Another beautiful sunny day in Costa Rica and the celebration of the birth of my lovely wife. Here's to you Sweetheart

With the help of several of our friends, we were able to put together a pretty nice party for her at one of our favorite restaurants - EL GUANACASTE. By the time everyone was seated, we had about 25 good friends who attended and a good time was had by all. Take a look...

As you can easily see, things started out in a nice subdued friendly way typical of people our age :-)

Good friends and neighbors having a nice conversation

Stef walking around and greeting everyone















Then I gave a little dedication to the love I have for my wife, which may have embarrassed her a little bit, but this girl is the love of my life and I couldn't help it.

Now, this is our very dear friend Mercedes whom I consider to be like a daughter to me. She was instrumental in helping put the party together and baked what people often refer to - as the best cake they ever put into their mouth -  Do you see that grin on her face? Kind of looks like she has something on her mind  - Well, guess what? I am a pretty good judge and was completely correct - SHE DID - But first, let me show you the cake she made.

Now, Does that not look delicious?

Well, Mercedes started to get things rock'n a bit, but she started off slow & easy with Stef and our good friend Bek. Are those Tequila shots they are having? Oh Boy

Then Mercedes gets a few of the girls up to the bar for more. Then, there were more girls, and they were obviously having a good time.

As you can see here, the men are having a nice quiet conversation

But, they got going too and... - It was decided to give Stef another 

Happy Birthday Toast 

 Hope you all had a wonderful night - I know that Stef did

This is Dina Duffy with Marco who is the owner of El Guanacaste - He kinda looks worn out and relieved that we are leaving for the night. Now, you can see what he puts up with when Stef has a Birthday :-) 

Thank you Marco and also to all your great staff.

 I guess that you can see that all of us Seniors know how to celebrate a Birthday here in Costa Rica

Until the next one...

Stef's Art Ability - Progressing

As many of you know, that Stef got into painting with water colors a couple of years ago. During this year, she started into painting with oil, and her work is getting rather impressive. This is her first completed piece of work:

I am impressed - she has a new instructor who she thinks the world of. His name is Larry Felder who is another Expat who moved to Atenas with his wife Linda about a year ago. Stef really enjoys doing this, and I am not about to stand in her way because I see a real talent here. - You Go Girl!!!

A Great Pair of Girls

May 31, 2013
Today marks the time when two of our renters headed back to their homes in the US. These are a couple of great ladies who stayed at Casita de Bell for a couple of months and then moved over to our place at Casita Mango, where they stayed for the entire month of May.

Martha & Marcelly

They were born in El Salvador and now reside in the Carolina's where they are in the Electrical Contracting business, and I have been told that they excel in what they do.

These girls were an absolute pleasure to have stay with us, and did a lot to help us out wherever they could. I wanted to let you know about them through this post because they left a very strong and lasting impression with Stef and me about how great people can be.

You girls are welcome back any time.

FIRE - This is Not an April Fool's Joke

April 1, 2013

We have had one heck of a Dry "Dry Season" as it has not rained in at least 3-4 months. Every year, I understand more and more why the people like the "Rainy Season" much better. During the rainy season, things are green. During the dry season, things are brown, and that spells danger in some cases. This danger came true in Hacienda Atenas yesterday.

During the past 10 days, our fire department has been extremely busy fighting brush fires. Lately, it seems like that anytime day or night you drive by there the truck in gone. In addition, they had a tragedy last week and lost one the firefighters - You can get the details on that from a post I put up a couple of days ago. Stef found out the other day that the Costa Rica Fire Department has 400 paid firefighters throughout the country and 1,400 volunteers. In Atenas, there is one paid person and everyone else are volunteers. Well, it seemed that April 1st was no joke for them either....

It started around mid morning while I was in a meeting on the terraza with a couple of marketing people. Our gardener Noel came around the corner saying "Fuego, Fuego" and pointing to the hill above our house. Sure as we were standing there, something was burning and it wasn't anything small either. I called Ana Cecilia to call the fire department, but she found out the Atenas Fire Department was fighting 3 other fires in the Atenas Area. - After about 45 Minutes, a fire truck pulled in from the Alajuela department. Alajuela is a very large town about 10 miles east of Atenas. Here are a few pictures of what they had to put up with

I guess you can say it got pretty close to our property. In fact, we did lose some Green Bamboo trees up along the road, but my friend Vincent says they will grow back. The firemen got just about everything watered out, but there were some concerns about two very large trees up on the lot above us. The fire got to both of them and they started burning on the inside of the trunks. Things were pretty well over with around 3:30 PM. And, would you believe it? It started raining like crazy for the first time in over 4 months!!!! This helped to extinguish much more of the potential dangers. - Kind of think that someone was looking down on us.

Now, these fires can really throw a scare into some people, and Stef is one of them. She did not care for those two trees smoldering inside. She ended up keeping an eye on them for a few hours from a lounger by the pool and then slept on the chair in the living room the rest of the night.

Gerald, who also watches over our house at night was keeping a keen eye on making sure we were safe. Just as a precaution, about 9:00 PM I called him and asked him to keep a special eye on those trees. He called me back about 15 minutes later and said in Spanish "Bombaro's are on the way" - to me, that meant there was a problem. I met him back at the top of the hill overlooking my house. Here, we had two very large trees. Both burning pretty good. One that could easily fall down onto my house and the other, which could take out the electrical and telephone wires when it went down. The firemen got there and slowed down the fires, but said that both tree's must be cut down for safety reasons. Here they are the next morning just before they started to cut them down. You can tell the size by comparing them to the truck in the picture.

Never a dull day in Costa Rica - At least we are all safe, thanks to our friends, the firemen and the rain.

Our Humble Abode is On The Market

Well, we went and did it. Yours Truly got a bug to build another house so we put our house on the market to get the cash to do this.

One thing that I really enjoy doing is to work on the design and over-see the construction of a new home built in Costa Rica. By being involved  in several of these projects since moving here I have learned alot about how they are built. And, it is nothing like someone coming from the US would imagine. 

I guess that I am starting to get a little bored and want to work on a major project before I get too old to do it. What we have now is great, a wonderful home in a nice gated community, a very attractive large lot that has won awards for it's landscaping, and a guest house that has given us some additional income when our friends aren't visiting. But, I gotta do what my mind tells me to do - KEEP BUSY.

We have it listed through 3 selected Realtor's that we trust and respect. Yep, that can be done here in Costa Rica.  If you know of someone who may be looking - the contact information for them and the listing link is (in alphabetical order with ladies first):

Go Dutch Realty - Isabelle Jones
http://www.american-european.net/costa-rica-real-estate/Residential-home/for-Sale/Atenas-and-Alajuela-areas/Atenas/Spoil-Yourself-Luxury-and-Captivating-Beauty-Atenas

Pure Life Development - Dennis Easters

http://atenasrealestate.cr/index.php/prices-500k-750k/item/136-custom-built-family-compound-in-atenas-costa-rica

We will see what happens - wish us luck

A Tragic Loss

Thursday - March 28, 2013

There are two organizations that Stef and I really care for. One is the local Red Cross who we have seen does an outstanding job when needed. And, then there is the Atenas Fire Department - With the exception of the chief, we understand that these people are all volunteers - They don't go out to a fire because of money - they do it because they care, and that is so very important. When called to Hacienda Atenas to put out a fire, they have always responded. We have done some small things to help them out and are also friends with several of them. 

Late yesterday afternoon we were informed that one of them had been killed while fighting a fire. Andres was only 31 years old. He was a music teacher who leaves a wife and two small children. His funeral will be held today at 3:00 PM - May He Rest in Peace.

One thing that really hit me hard is that when I was in town the other day, the fire department had been called out to a fire. While I was walking down the street and the fire truck past me with it's lights and sirens going - I looked up and saw Andres in the back seat ready for action. I really don't think that I will ever forget that. 

Finally Had One in Our Yard

We have lived here for over 4 years and never saw a Toucan in the yard. Finally, one afternoon Stef calls me to come out with the camera. Well, here it finally is in all of it's beautiful splendor.

Now, all I have to do next is to get one of the 6 monkeys people tell me are in the neighborhood. - Some day....

Friends, Friends, and More Friends Here

February 2013

This is the time when our great friends find their way out of the US and down to our little piece of paradise south, south of the boarder. It started out with Bob & Carol several years ago and then Charlie - Soon the word got out and more came this year. Stef and I loved every minute of it and were happy to see some people we haven't seen in years. At one point, we had a BBQ for about 20 of our friends and it was great.

Just Hang'n Out and Relaxing

Bob & Carol from last year's Boat Trip celebrating Bob's Birthday

Charlie & Victoria with a beautiful Costa Rica night time background

Ed & Johanna getting ready to party 

New This Year - Our great friends from Nashville, Billy & Vanesa

More New Visitors from Nashville - (clockwise)
Myles Sloan, his wife Leslie Sloan
Kevin Pugh, Carol (you know her already), and then Kevin's wife Annie Pugh

Camera shy - was our good friend from Boston - Kathleen Reardon who brought a couple of her friends 

I can tell you right now - that this is one hell of a party crew!!!

You owe it to yourself to read on to the next couple of postings

(I set them at an earlier date to keep them in order)

ATENAS CHILI COOK-OFF 2013

February 10, 2013 - The Day!!

WOW!!!!

That is all any one can say about this year's event. It was unbelievable!!! 

When Stef and I moved here, we attended the 2008 Chili Cook-Off - there were about 30 of us in attendance, 5 chili teams and they made $300 - Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that and everyone had a great time. I just want to use that as a comparison as to how things can grow in a short period of time. 

Last year, at the 2012 event, there were over 1,000 attendees and they were able to raise $5000 to give to the Hogar de Vida.

This year - Check it out

1,700+ ATTENDEES

$20,000 RAISED FOR THE KIDS!!!!

Absolutely Unbelievable...

The CCO committee worked many months to put this event together, and got a lot more sponsors involved this year who were instrumental in helping to make it a success. I can probably state that this is probably the largest annual event in Atenas, and is getting close to being the largest expat event in Costa Rica. It was started by Kay & Tom Costello of "Kay's Gringo Postres" and is for a very worthy cause.

This is a home for abandoned, abused, or orphaned children located here in Atenas. They are supported to a certain extent by the Government, but no where near enough needed to make it work. So Kay & Tom decided to help, and the tradition has been carried on. The theme of the entire event has become to be known as "It is for the Kids"

To see a Great Video on this Wonderful Event, please click the link below:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJNo9yZ9ICM

Their newly revised website contains a lot of information and more pictures of the event - Please check it out by clicking the link below:

http://www.atenaschilicookoff.com/

Now, one more thing that I need to very proudly mention is - that the chairperson of the 2013 committee just happened to be my lovely wife Stef who has now been asked to be the chairperson for the 2014 Event. After what she and her fellow committee members did this year, it is going to be a big one to beat. However, I have all the confidence in the world with this team.  

Just to give you some advance notice, the 

2014 Atenas Chili Cook Off 

is Scheduled for

February 9, 2014

It's Palmares Time Again!!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

The sleepy little town of Palmares, Costa Rica is located about 10 miles NW of Atenas off of the Pan American Highway. It is really a nice town that Stef and I actually considered as one of the choices to live when we first came here. Nothing much really goes on there during the year - EXCEPT MID JANUARY WHEN THEY HAVE A FIESTA THAT IS KNOWN WORLD-WIDE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE ONLY OTHER WORLD EVENT WHERE MORE BEER IS CONSUMED IS AT THE ANNUAL OCTOBER FEST IN GERMANY!!!! Yep, a wild & crazy bunch of party animals right down the road from Atenas.

Since coming to Costa Rica, we have been there several times. It always seemed pretty quite when we were there, but found out that if you go during the day, not much is going on because it all really starts at dusk.

The event usually lasts about 12 days & nights - this year, it looks like they decided on 13 - check out the 1st page of the event schedule to see some of the events...

This year, we decided to take a Sunday to head over and check out this years festivities. We asked Bob & Donna Vadas to go with us. This great couple had been renting apartments from us every time they came to Atenas on their world-wind tour celebrating their retirement. They seem to be looking for a place to settle down to retirement and keep on coming back to Atenas. They have not only been good renters, but have become dear friends of whom we admire and respect.










 In addition, we also took our good friend Bek Kaiser as he was getting a little bored being home at his beautiful mountain top retreat that he just recently built.








Well, we got there late morning and this is what we experienced....

This is how it looked around noon - As you can see, there are not a lot of people there

So, we decided to have a little lunch and some refreshments

As you can see, mostly cokes here, but I did sneak some great rum from Costa Rica into my cup.







I look absolutely terrible in a hat and never wear one because of that. However, I have been wanting one for a long time. Well, I found out Donna also had the same situation so we both went to one of the vendor tents and decided on a hat - What'a Think?

Not sure about ole Pete, but I think that hat was made for Donna - and I told her every chance I got.

Then, we agreed to partake in a sport activity that I haven't done since Jr High School.

 BUMPER CARS!!!

Do you see a look of absolute determination on Bek's face?

I think he is thinking...

"I'm gonn'a get you man"

Then there is Stef quietly sitting in the background planning on getting both of them dudes.

Then comes the Cowboy who is going to get everybody - But didn't quite make it - Everybody was too good for him, but he just blamed it on the car.

That was a blast, and we all had a great time. We All Want to do that again next year!!!

Finally, we decided to go where the real action was, and that was the Bullfight. Now, it is time to let you know that this is not the type of Bullfight that you are thinking it is. No swords are involved, but it can get a little dangerous if the bullfighter cannot run and jump fast enough to get away from the bull that is chasing him.

The event took place in a large round building that was made for things like rodeos and bullfighting. We were fortunate enough to get some seats on the upper level not to far away from the bar. From here, we could see just about everything that was going on. Take a look below...

Now comes the action - check out to see who is chasing who and who knows how to climb a fence the quickest...

Well, it was pretty fun and we put in a full day watching all the activities. As we were leaving around 5:00 PM the place was starting to get packed.

This is one of the 3 entrances

Until Next Year!!!