Life Transplanet

The party was great last night. We had a fun time early on with the kids chasing chickens around the yard, we had lots of food and music, and a couple of games. Midway through the night, we gave out the raffle prizes: 2 bouquets of flowers from our yard in mason jars, a mojito pack that included cane sugar, club soda, fresh mint from our yard, a lime and shooter of bacardi, a salsa pack with some ingredients also from our garden: tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno and garlic. Britton’s deviled eggs from our chickens’ eggs and cucumber California rolls with cucumbers from my mom’s garden were gone within 2 hours after making them.

We launched potatoes into the empty field behind our house while it was still light, and again later, had an interesting garlic eating contest, and in general had a great time. We drank cherry wine and dark chocolate and everyone enjoyed the cheese and olive tray downstairs. The food and drinks that everyone brought and made were excellent!! Thanks everyone for coming out and for all you brought to the party (in both senses of the word)!
Here are a few memorable moments:

After the kids chased the chickens till they were breathless, I picked up “Pepa” so they could touch her

Then I did the “trick” and put the chicken to sleep. All you have to do is gently stick the head under her wing and rock up and down. She woke up about 10 seconds later.

A lot of people wanted to see and hold Josh, the parrot

We used a whole bag of potatoes and a few other items throughout the night

Hanging out in the basement (Jody, Melissa and Lorena)

Cassie and Erin Ready with Garlic and the Bait (quarters)

Setting up the bet

Shortly after this video, one of the kiddos also ate a whole clove of garlic and ended up throwing up. But he was a champ!

The Morning After

If you came to the party, we would love for you to let us know how you liked it (click on add comments below this post). If you didn’t come, you missed out, and we missed you!

- Make sushi rolls
- Make fruit salad
- Make deviled eggs
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad
- Make gift raffle pack (mohito, salsa, flower boquet, fruit basket, beer or wine pack)- Buy food
- Buy ammo (potatos for launching)
- Buy glow in the dark paint (for potato launching at night) *None Available at Lowes*
- 6 feet of sub
- go to whole foods for chocolate, olives and cheeses and boulder chips
- new belgium brewery for ‘giddy up’ and ‘old cherry ale’ *COULDN’T COMPLETE DUE TO TOUR DE FAT*
- make sun tea
- pick up tiki torches from craigslist contact *DID NOT COMPLETE*
- pick up chairs and missing piece for potato launcher from Lowes *LOWES DOESN’T HAVE ANY CHAIRS!!*
- mow lawn
- put down red mulch
- clean Josh’s cage and room (Parrot)- vacuum whole house
- Get Keg/beer and drinks

I saw the following article on the Internet today. This is really similar to what Britton and I would like to do there in Puerto Rico. I wonder how difficult it is to become a “Coffee Zone Certified Hacienda”?  There is even one in Lares, which is the city we will be in…hmmm.

New Coffee Zone Warmly Welcomes Visitors

Puerto Rico is a popular tourist destination with much to offer travelers who choose to explore this exotic country. Ever mindful of the fact that tourism is a major source of income for the country, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) has announced that ten historic coffee plantations will receive certification by the Department of Agriculture and the PRTC to form a new tourism concept that will be known as the “Coffee Zone”.

Puerto Rican Coffee Berries

These ten haciendas are located in the towns of San Sebastian, Jayuya, Ponce, Adjuntas, Lares and Las Marias. The objective of the new Coffee Zone is to draw attention to this thriving local industry that generates around 60 million dollars annually, while at the same time promoting the ever increasing interest in agrotourism. Visitors will be introduced to the daily way of life on a plantation, as well as being able to enjoy a host of activities such as hiking, walking and bird-watching in the lush mountainous regions where the plantations are situated.

Coffee in Puerto Rico is graded and certified in line with international standards and is exported to different parts of the world as well as supplying the needs of the island. The selected coffee plantations are eager to participate in this new concept and to welcome tourists to their plantations, thus the PRTC will be highlighting the Coffee Zone in upcoming tourism promotions. The selected and certified plantations are Café Bello and Sagra in Adjuntas; Anna Coffee Estate, Hacienda Gripiñas and Hacienda San Pedro in Jayuya; Café Laredo in Lares; Palma Escrita/La Casona in Las Marias, Hacienda Buena Vista and Hacienda Patricia in Ponce; and Hacienda El Jibarito in San Sebastian.

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company, which has been in operation since 1970, supports the development of the Puerto Rican tourism industry by evaluating tourism facilities and establishing standards of quality. With offices and representative on the United States mainland, Canada, Latin America and Europe the PRTC actively markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination. Certainly Puerto Rico is a country of great natural beauty and the new Coffee Zone will no doubt encourage more people to enjoy what this fascinating country has to offer.