After starting our morning with pastries from our dear friend, Senor Lenoir, we headed to the market to do some shopping for tonight's New Year's Eve dinner.  We walked along the streets, but had to stop to visit with the 3 amigos who were sporting fetching fleece vests.

Then on we went to the food market.  This is where the locals shop and you see trucks lined up with men filling the pick ups with loads of vegetables and fruits - no doubt taking them to the restaurants. 

Donna, our resident "foodie" taking stock of the variety of greens. 

Tonight's dinner is grilled shrimp and onions, freshly made tortillas, guacamole, cheese, salsas and chips.  Salad is from the most adorable tiny cucumbers, red onion and carrots with an oil and vinegar dressing. We bought fresh strawberries that smell like they just fell to the earth.

After shopping, we walked home, stopping by our favorite food vendor  to enjoy a taco.

                                                       

                       

             

Now it's poolside - time to digest.

And then it's on to cooking dinner for New Year's Eve. 

Shrimp and onions cooked in olive oil that Donna had infused with a dried chili. Served with cheese and guacamole.

Happy New Year Eveyone!

Dinner on the Beach

Have I failed to mention that we are here with wonderful friends, Donna and Lorelei. who are from Texas? Dinner on the beach, directly across from our condo,.  

French Pastries in Puerta Vallarte

A French baker is located just across the street from where we are staying.  Up at 1AM, he makes the most beautiful assortment of pastries.  This morning we tried the chocolate crossaints, apple tart with caramel and berries and a huge merrainge puff.  I came home and made coffee and fresh squeezed OJ.  Our day has begun.

Chef Eric Lenoir, aka the French baker.  A nice red wine makes for scrumptuous treats.

After Senor Lenoir's pastries, it's pool time.

On to lunch at the nearby taco stand - shrimp ceviche and guacamole.

sunny and warm in Puerta Vallerta

A Room with a View.  From our condo we look out to the ocean.  The pool below almost meets the sea.  There's a boardwalk that runs along the ocean, making it easy to take walks and people watch.  But the best is walking in the town, across the cobblestone streets with colorful buildings and friendly vendors. 

Our first day we searched for a highly recommended taco stand.  Simply a cooktop and carefully organized work station, this woman was making corn tortillas in the wooden press.  That's mine she's making here.  Then hot off the grill she filled it with beans, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.  She had two fresh salsas and lime to top it off.  Iron seats surrounded her station where a few can sit and eat.  But you have to move on to make room for the crowd that's waiting. Delicious.

Walking from our condo, we crossed over the isla rio cuale to find more little streets with shops.  The city is rich in color and vegetation. 

Sunday Morning with Sally

Building a Ginger Bread House

Saturday night we joined Finnian, Kristin and friend Paul helping Finnian make his holiday Ginger Bread House.  We also created his first "old man ornament, " not pictured here, but it's now on the tree, hung with care. Each year we plan to make a new one with the date on it so as Finnian said, "When I'm an old man I'll look at them."  I think by "old man," he means 20.