Category Archives: Rincon

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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Pena Blanca, Rincon Marina, Dome’s Wings and More


Fun times with the boy

My how time flies differently with a kid! We have been having fun trying to go out to various beaches especially now that it is the hot summertime. We have been to Pena Blanca before (a long while ago), but we took a little dip. I would like to bring the snorkel gear as I have heard it’s pretty nice. We went down the stairs and tucked ourselves in under the cave as the swallow birds flew about. Aeden loves, loves the water. I can’t wait to teach him to swim.


The water is so crystal blue and clear!


Recently painted and cool cave area


Family time!


I love this little stairway area. It’s a bit hard to trek especially with people coming from both directions

We also have spent a little time at the Rincon Marina. I call the Marina the “social beach” of Rincon because there is always something going on. Boats comically entering the water (sometimes hitched to a car), the newest gadgets are tried out (motor surfboards, jet skis, water jet packs, etc), there is people watching galore. But now that the “season” is over, it has been a nice, tranquil place to hang out on a weekday or celebrate a birthday.


Happy birthday, Amanda!


Doing things with a baby does make life a little more complicated, but it can be done haha


Me and my sweet waterbaby


And with his daddy


Another blissful moment at the Marina


Don’t worry, I didn’t toss him that high


This kid has such a fun life already!


Flamboyans are back!


My little love and I shared a swing ride at Dome’s Beach


This art installment was made by a local woman named Luisa Acevedo. I love it!


We’ve enjoyed going to the San Sebastian Pulguero most Fridays-with friends Bronia and Andrew

There’s no feeling quite like having a cranky kid trust you so much he falls asleep literally in your arms (it also feels quite heavy to walk like this very far haha)


No wonder he sleeps so well!

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Mother’s Day, TARS, and our Tropical Gardens


Overlook spot in Moca

A quick update. We have been tackling house repairs and building of the deck railings, keeping up with the cabana (recently painted the entire interior again) staying on track with all the mowing (we maintain about 2 acres of green areas) as well as planting and watering the tropical gardens when it’s dry. When we are not at the farm, we go out for drives or on searches for more plants as well as just normal chores like grocery shopping and things like that. We have also had the opportunity to spend some time with friends which is always nice.


The farm always feels so refreshed after we mow it, it’s like our own personal park


It would be a rare occasion at a plant store that I don’t find something to buy


Quick stop at Borinquen Beach in Aguadilla


Aeden loved it!

We also went to TARS in Mayaguez. It has been a long time since we’ve visited. Now that we’ve been doing this tropical gardening for a good long while I can appreciate the collection that they have there even more. It looked to have suffered some damage from the hurricane, but overall it is still quite impressive. So inspiring to see what’s possible here. So many home gardens are plain and this is extraordinary!


Britton and Aeden under a huge palm


Me and a HUGE Panama Canoe Tree


Britton and Aeden with a large agave


Me and a jackfruit tree/fruit


We just started a pandanus. It would be amazing to see it grow into this


Back at our farm


We are growing a new variety of microphone/beehive ginger


Another turkey came out of the woods with babies


Early morning sunrise at the finca


Peaceful serenity in the gardens


A mango tree releafing over head


Newest additions to the farm -2 tortoises (I think sulcata but not sure)!


Amazing number of torch gingers to take to the farmer’s market lately


At the farmer’s market with the babe


Celebrated my very first mother’s day as a mother. Here’s the mother who made me, and who made me a mother (around the same age 8-9 months)


My precious boy


Crossing the suspension bridge in San Sebastian


Everyone loves Aeden, everywhere we go. His hair is so “llamativo” and many people want to hold our smiley coloraito/ cano


Doing a photoshoot with friend Laura. Going to miss her so much! We always have fun together. And I have loved being her muse!

Tree-mendous!


Going away party for Laura and Kara


Receiving party (Hawaiian themed) for someone who got out of hospital with our neighbors


A normal day in Rincon -cows crossing the road and mangos falling from the sky


What a beautiful life!

Here’s our 8 month baby update video!

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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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