Tag Archives: flowers

New Flowers and Friends


Newest bloom: Evita’s Rose

We are constantly on the lookout for new plants, trees and flowers. It seems that most of the viveros have all the same common plants: trinitarias, hibiscus, bromelias, orchids, citrus, avocados. What they don’t have are heliconias, gingers, plumerias and all the exotic fruit trees. We are currently on the lookout for durian, Australian finger lime, and reina de las flores (this is a common tree, but for some reason we have a hard time finding it for sale).


Also looking for Rainbow Eucalyptus like this one seen on the side of the road

At the last pulguero in San Sebastian we had a good score! We found another Ylang Ylang tree (the fragrance is so divine, it is used in Chanel No 5), an achiote tree (a natural food dye for the color red and very cool looking fruit), a huge Tibochino espiga and a Raffy palm (that’s what the vendor called it). At Jardines Eneida we also found some new trees like a Cordia, Saman and mamayito (lemon drop mangosteen).


The meadow area after a good mow -we need to mow about every 2 weeks now that it’s raining so much


I also found this nepenthes pitcher plant that reminded me of well…you know


All the rain has brought out the mushrooms


And so we bought some garden art to commemorate them


Rainy days at the cabin. Notice the new railings!


Still not sure if we want to put rails on the bridge though


The mosquitos come out a lot more in the rain, so we put a mosquito net on Aeden’s play pen outside, that he promptly pulled down 🙂


He’s our little farmer so we did an impromtu photo shoot with him


Our little red is getting so big! 9 months now


Aeden’s 9 month video update

In order to find the heliconias and ginger varieties we want, we have to find direct vendors. The rhizomes don’t do super well in pots for long periods of time, so they have to be directly transplanted as soon as possible into the ground. They also need a lot of space and water, that the average home gardener can’t often provide (hence why they are not commonly found in the stores around here). Well, I found someone online who specializes in them! Not only did Carlos sell us some amazing rhizomes, he also delivered them from San German and helped us identify many of our wild species. We hung out for quite a while and got to know him pretty well. We scored some plants, but even more importantly a new friend who is as geeked out about botanicals as we are! He is a student at the University in Mayaguez and knows a TON about plants.


With Carlos and the new plants


We’ve also been busy delivering flowers to friends/businesses like these that are on the way to Karibe Kombucha and Ocean State of Mind

Other than that we have been going out and having fun enjoying the scenes around the island.


In Aguada, Puerto Rico


Cool building in Aguadilla


Selling fresh chopped coconuts in Isabela


A nice Sunday brunch at the Copa Lllena in Rincon


This guy was buying sugarcane from a neighbor


At the Sunday Farmer’s market a basket maker made me a crown. I was the reina de las flores for a day! 🙂


Man on a bicycle at the airfield in Aguadilla

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Easter, Spring Time, Deck Rails, and More!


The kiddo’s first Easter

We have had a busy few last weeks. We’ve been working on the farm with a lot of guests staying with us. We are in process of building the deck railings so that Aeden doesn’t fall off, clearing and planting more and keeping up with the flower orders. We also had a really nice Easter with friends and have generally been enjoying ourselves.


Fun times on Easter


The fam


More flowers for the garden. We’ll see how this rose grows.


Clearing more paths thru the gardens/jungle


Lots of mowing in the meadow area now that it’s raining more


Lots of flowers in bloom like these heliconias


And gingers


The iguanas are nuts! They keep eating our mulberries and hibiscus. Thankfully they don’t eat heliconias or gingers or we’d be really po’d


Britton has had some time with Aeden alone while I take a French class down by Lala’s beach/La Mojonera


You can’t take a French class and not get a glass du vin with your new copains!


Working on painting and installing the railings at the cabin


More rails! Like almost 200!


Cabin before rails

 
Working with Roberto on the install


Coming together nicely!


Torch ginger! One of my faves!


Walking through the jungle to the cabin in the rain


Parenting is a team effort! (Thanks Laura for this great picture)


Aeden is a joy to be with most of the time!


Sunset at Cofresi with the classic Pirata drinks!


And a ride in a golf cart


Sunsets over the Caribbean still don’t get old


Still working on the whole photogenic thing with Aeden -haha


He’s getting there though (and notice the rails coming along?)!


Our first avocado flower buds on trees we planted about 5/6 years ago! And a bee working on the quenepas! Could be a productive August/September!


Which is good, because Aeden is a comelon (likes to eat). Both breastmilk and baby food now!


Fun pool party at Keith and Linda’s boutique guesthouse (Casa D’Palma)


Our water baby, Aeden, was totally blissed out

   
Pomarrosas in bloom, Esperanza bug, hanging out in downtown Rincon


Farmer’s Market in Rincon every Sunday!


A Mariachi Singer in San Sebastian’s Pulguero (Random note: people seem to LOVE Mexican music here, there was so much cheering and “ay, ay, ay que viva Mexico” I had to laugh it was so fun!)


We saw a huge bee swarm as we were leaving the house. Good to see the bees are alive and well at least around here!


Aeden having fun steering the shopping cart at Selectos in Aguada


We took a ride in an old Model A from Missy’s neighbor, Gerardo! So fun!


Aeden didn’t know what was up!


Well that’s it for now! Chao with lovely plumerias in bloom once again

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April Update -Finca, Flowers, Friends, Fruit and Fun


Hanging with my little guy in Rincon

If it weren’t for me being a chronic photo-taker, I don’t know if I would ever blog anymore. The pictures help me to remember what we have been up to which has been a lot of fun! We have been busy with visiting friends, the flower business continues to grow (literally haha), the cabana has been booked regularly and we have seen some cool sights as well. Aeden is growing up fast and at 7 months can now sit up on his own and eats sooo much regular food! Here are quite a few pictures that tell so much more than my hands can type.


Babies grow so fast! I had no idea. Compare 1 month to 6 months


Britton and Aeden at Rompeolas in Aguadilla


We have a bunch of new varieties of flowers coming in right now


Family fun at the farm


Why is Britton usually carrying Aeden? Because he is huge in comparison to me! These pictures were taken at the same moment in time 🙂


And work -clearing out more underbrush and dead trees to plant fruit trees and flowers


One of Kitty’s last pictures 🙁


We buried him near the bridge so we can think of him every day. We miss you, Kitty. You were a good cat


I am also so saddened by the death of our former bandmate, drummer, artist, jokester and friend, Rob


We finished the concrete staircase that enters the jungle and added solar lights


Fun in Aguada


With the babe


At the pool of Casa Islena -Aeden loves kicking water


At the pool of Villa Montana too!


With his sweet little friend and our new friends


At the pool of Rincon of the Seas

 
With friends Tracy and Fernando


We’ve had some large orders of flowers lately!


And more and more keep growing like these gardenias


Peek-a-boo!


New variety of starfruit started growing on a tree we planted!


And our first ever Siam Rose flower bloomed! We weren’t sure about this one since it usually takes a lot more rain than Rincon gets

Grosella tree is going off!


So I brought a bag of them to Roots Bar to see what magic Sashary can make with them!


These gals are so fun!


So sad to see our good friends the Kersches move away (at Ode in Aguada)


Chicken in the bushes


We spend a lot of time outside on the farm with the munchkin


Manzano guineos as they ripen – apple flavored bananas! Not your typical store banana!

 
It’s a colorful time of year! Ornamental Turmeric Flower and caladium from our farm and a Reina de las flores in the market

Our little boy is growing up too fast!


Go where love grows! My two cowboys!


Yeehaw at Cowboys in Rincon


Palm Sunday procession in Rincon


Gecko visiting an ornamental banana flower


“Bienvenidos” is too cool! And a great part of Rincon


Stopped in at the Ag Fest in Mayaguez


And the ArtWalk -we don’t go out at night much anymore with the little guy


Britton, bananas and baby!


Fun seeing our friends Matt and Jamie again


Hanging at the beach


And my friend from high school/Colorado, Sarah and her family at Villa Cofresi


Pineapples are growing good!


And more bananas! These are the “Cuban reds”


More flowers! Double hibiscus and orchid


We also ate our first jaboticaba after about 4 years of waiting!


The gardens are really coming in beautifully!


Driving along in Mayaguez, this horse was standing there like “Am I not Magestic? You should take my picture!” So I did


Plantain delivery in action!


Saw these ornate Don Quixote (I assume) carved figurines in a garden store!

Check out this stinky star flower I saw walking around too!


Cool mural in Aguada


Selfie time!


Papaya grows wild here! We didn’t plant this, but we sure did eat it! Tasted like cantaloupe


Well, that’s all folks! Until the next time!

Oh and here is Aeden’s 7 month update video! Enjoy!

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Around the Finca, Moca, Festival de Chinas, Isabela and More


Aeden is too cool for photos

Whew. Lots to update. We have been doing a variety of projects around the farm including finding new plants and building a new staircase into the jungle. When we’re not working on the farm or cleaning or repairing the cabana or cabin, we go out into the world and try to find new adventures. We like to stay around the west side because we can make a day trip out of it and still get back by dark to keep to Aeden’s sleep schedule. Here are a few moments caught on camera recently.


Another beachy day in Rincon – Playa Lala is now a favorite here


Fun at Villa Cofresi with the babe

From eggs we came to eggs we sit


Isabela, PR with the moon and all


We filled one of our largest single orders of flowers!


I love making the bouquets

Aeden has many adoptive aunts and uncles like Carlos and Maribel from the market


Photo bombed by a cow and a bird 🙂


Cool church in Moca


Just chillin’, kickin’ back on Mom’s lap


Aeden’s making his mark! In the new cement stairs!


Lots of hard work!


Silly boys at the beach


First time in a swing! He’s getting so big!


He has even gone swimming, underwater!

And had his first real bath -in the kitchen sink!


Cool leaves on a plant. I think this is a rattlesnake flower


Our monstera plant fruited!


Immature and mature monstera fruit! Tasted like pineapple and banana with a slight bite. You have to be careful not to eat them immature or it will burn your mouth.

 


Our prettiest ginger yet!

 
The Festival de la China was a bit of a bust! Super rainy!


I thought it was funny they were selling oranges in onion bags though!


And I was amazed at the variety of oranges (and bananas) one can grow


Aloha! A fun day in Isabela


Britton and Aeden in Isabela


Family fun


Two cuties


“Still round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate”


This little guy melts my heart!


We walked this LOOONG boardwalk in Isabela -windy, hot and dry but very beautiful. Would be a great bike ride


Fun with friends from Colo. It’s weird to “remember when.” It seems so long ago now


This just happened. I always call him my little monster and then I saw this onesie at the flea market and I was wearing basically the same thing and then we ate at an El Meson that had this colored wall. Serendipity-do-dah!

Latest update from the farm about baby Aeden (on the new stairs!)

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