This wooden cross is another treasure from San Antonio de Ibarra.

We also have a collection of several wooden plates. I think they are so so beautiful in their detail. This one was carved in a town by the name of San Antonio de Ibarra and is about a two hour journey from Quito.

We have been collecting crosses since our move here as there are so many beautiful ones! This one is made of pewter and was made here in Ecuador.

Thought I would start a series of photos that feature some of the Ecuadorian art that you find in the country. Todays photo is a tapestry wall hanging, made in Otavalo, the artisan town that I have featured a few times on here.

I wanted to crop this picture so you could see the subject better (click photo to enlarge), but then you would miss the whole story behind it. This is such a common site here among the streets. This little one is all snuggled in for a nap, even though on one of the busiest street intersections in Quito. It was Sunday afternoon so not as busy as usual, and it was a light, but you get the picture. This scene used to just break my heart...but now I just know that it is the way of life here...everyday is "take your child to work" day.

Some more outdoor life

Once in awhile we see these paragliders out our window. :)

Here's a common highway site. Click to enlarge!

Another view of Mondays area. :)

Not something you see everyday...

...or at least not something I see everyday!

Every time we drive by this location (to and from the artisan town of Otavalo), we wonder what these white things are in the valley...though assume they have something to do with flowers/roses or something of the like. Any ideas?

It was a little hazy for good photo taking yesterday, but I still think this is a lovely depiction of this range of mountains.

And the final light pole (for those of you who do visit regularly, you will notice that I caught up today as I've been a little behind). We thought this ear of corn would actually be the most beautiful at night, since it actually covered a bit of the fixture that would light up at night. :)

Another light pole adornment.

This picture doesn't really do justice to the coolness of all the different light pole adornments we saw today, but no matter which way we turned, there were just so many electrical wires! We wished to see these stained glass creatures at night, but left the location by mid-afternoon.

Another little glimpse into our side yard construction...

I showed another one of these Aloe Aborescens here, but I do like how this one turned out as well, from our backyard.

A little wildlife in the city

Allow me to introduce you to Patch, the rabbit of friends of ours. He was pretty nervous and hunkered down low amidst the children (particularly my three-year old) but all in all was very gracious with the petting, poking and pulling.

Incidently, did you know that you can't get rid of red eye on a rabbit? Somehow our red eye remover software must recognize an animal eye from that of a person and I couldn't even do it manually. Crazy bit o' information for you. :)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day from Quito :)

The night skies are so beautiful here.

Recently we hosted a group in our home and we served (thanks to a caterer!) a traditional Ecuadorian meal. Shown here is the very common appetizer of ceviche soup, which is a cold tomato soup type base with either shrimp or white fish. It is served with popcorn and chips to sprinkle in the soup and is pretty good actually

This is little Sumel - isn't she adorable? She is awaiting a cochlear implant as she is deaf but her family is very, very poor and so I do not know when or if it will ever happen. My daughter and I see her once a week at speech therapy and it's always so fun as she is so full of life. She has learned to say "bye bye" to our daughter, though her first language is Spanish. :)

Another work section in the neighboring lot. Some of you commented on yesterdays post about the dangerous looking work conditions. All I have to say is, mm hm, you're absolutely right!

Progress is being made next door where they tore down this building. There is obviously going to be some sort of underground parking based on the depth of the hole they dug. Thank goodness for that since parking around here is hard to come on our busy street. We have enjoyed periodic looks out our 4th story bathroom window to see what they're doing, and it appears now that they are making smooth the edges of the hole by hand. Wow. They have been working late into the dark night as well, doing what we think is some sort of cement and rebar work. It's kind of fun hearing them yelling and whistling to get one anothers attention about this and that...a noisy bunch they are!

A Sunny Monday to You!

Happy Peaceful Sunday

Pineapple, anyone?

The pineapple here in Ecuador is fabulously sweet and tasty. I don't normally care for pineapple (do we have a theme going here?) but there is definitely something different about it. Anyway, enjoy this large, full truck of piña! If you can't see it peeking out, click to enlarge! This shot was taken from the wide open upstairs of a restaurant by the beach.

Pretty in Pink

This home front definitely is in need of some flowers or something (the pots are there...they must be between plantings) but wanted to show you yet another color from Old Quito!

An apple a day...

Here sat this man with his cart full of apples and absolutely nobody around. Not sure if he was just taking a break or getting ready to go for the day, but his bright red apples caught my eye.

More lovely residential living in Old Quito.

(pictures of this area could go on and on - there is such variety!)