Mejor Cada Día!

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The sign says “Mejor Cada Día” (meaning “Better Every Day”). On one of our forays down unknown backroads between Atotonilco and San Miguel, it was posted at a bridge crossing the river. I examined the sign, debating inwardly as follows: Does this mean “It gets better every day” – like – Wow! What a dadgum great philosophical thought that we all should embrace!  Or, is it a command? Like “Hey you. Make it better every day.” In which case, I, being stubborn, might respond with “You’re not my mother.” Since the sign indicates the name of the bridge, maybe by crossing that particular one, your day would just automatically become better: You’d get where you’re going without getting wet in the river below. Que Suerte!

Truly, at Casa Alfaro, things are getting better every day: more attractive, more functional, more colorful, more comfortable, and more pleasing as time passes. See photos above. But, here’s the thing about the photos, Frank. You’ll have to be pretty sharp whilst enjoying them. Figure out which are photos I took while out shopping, (because I knew you’d enjoy seeing all the things we can choose from), figure out which ones are of Casa Alfaro’s rooms in semi-complete state and in process, which ones were taken at Casa Hyder where Bess & Lee were married, (inspiration!) and which ones are simply images, drawings, of plans and ideas for upcoming areas.  

This time, we had a big group there! Armando and the crew worked fast to get more bedrooms somewhat finished for us – at least to a semi-camping-out stage. With Bess, Lee, their four little ones, Lee’s mother and John, friend Nancy and her two boys, along with Laurita (who came from Colombia!) we had quite a houseful. Mornings found Modesta making huevos rancheros for – count ’em – 14 people! Days were filled with swimming, rides in Rubble, (the green-nosed vehicle described in the previous post here), shopping, rides on Lee’s other new toy, (a spanking brand new motorcycle), and the required, of course, day of horseback riding at Xotolar Ranch, check out Charles here: Fearless Cowboy, Charles!

There was more! Then came Cha’s 6th birthday celebration, an adult cooking class with beloved Paco Cárdenas, and tennis/cooking/art camps for the kiddos. For Charles’ birthday gift, he chose camping overnight with Mommy, Daddy, and Sissy, on the Xotolar Ranch property. All in all, the weeks spent at Casa Alfaro were quite a beautiful experience.

Speaking of Charle’s birthday celebration, back at the casa they really did it up big! Alejandro asked for a photo of the piñata Cha would want – a detective – so he had one custom-made!  One of the workers set up a grill by the pool and Modesta made a glorious barbequed feast. Charles, dear heart that he is, invited all his new friends from camp, plus the family/staff children, plus all the workers. It was a lovely day, for certain.  

As an aside, take a gander at this little video.  A fun experience was had just a block down from Casa Alfaro, at the local barber/beauty shop in Atotonilco. Click here: Haircut!

Take a look at my other story posted along with this one, entitled “Excellence Down a Back Road” regarding the hidden gem of a tennis center we found while on an excursion in Rubble, exploring the remote countryside beyond Atotonilco. We were agog, surprised, and amazed at the tennis compound we came across quite by accident. On the ride, perusing Google Maps, I read “San Miguel Tennis Academy”! We made the twists and turns and there it was. What a serendipitous occasion. We became fast friends with Ángel, the owner/coach. The children, for the rest of our stay, took priceless lessons. 

Take a look here: Vivi’s tennis lesson!

In the midst of all these goings on, Bess and I met frequently with Armando to go over what areas are complete, a punch list for those spaces, plus what’s in the works to be ordered, and so forth. Glory hallelujah, so thankful I have my tabbed notebooks to keep my head on straight!

Meetings are fun – a series of handing back and forth a can of Coke-Cola in exchange for the metal measuring tape, pencil in mouth, juggling Spanish and English, and side-stepping slabs of stone and tools, as we discussed the intricacies of each area. Maestros and Ayudantes alike, stop their work to listen to us debate things. I’m sure my Spanish has them inwardly in stitches!  We all laugh (thankfully) and I celebrate when a made up word leaps forth from my lips and it ends up being a true, valid one in the Spanish language!  “Approximadamente” – por ejemplo. This whole project, with all its colorful moments, is perhaps more fun and satisfying than anything ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. En serio.

Before the arrival of the aforementioned grande grupo de personas, Antonio and I worked feverishly to get the finished rooms furnished and ready for at least sleepability. It was a last-minute push as floor sealant dried, to move in beds, dressers or armoires, bedside tables, and lamps, but it was crazy fun to watch it come together! As you’ll see in the photos, some odd mixes of furniture were placed as “make-do” pieces for this stay. Just needed beds, tables, lamps, and a place to put clothes on temporary rods and shelves. None of the closets have been installed. Some doors are installed, but others not. A funny little old table was found in the discards, a hole cut out, and a sink and faucet installed to give us a temporary vanity!  

Bess and I share a vision for each room. We giggle at how fortunate we are to see things the same as to the style of this historic place. We see a great mix of furniture pieces, local embroidered and painted fabrics, art, and rugs. Textiles, art galleries, and furnishings abound. The nifty thing is that so much of the furniture is custom-made. Once the orders are placed, it may take eight weeks before completion of, for example, an intricate, punched, stained metal headboard. (See in the photos a glimpse of the one we’re getting.) Patience is definitely a big part of the process.

Oh, here’s an interesting happening: Quite coincidentally we met a favorite artist while dropping off children at cooking camp. Weeks before, in Charleston, Bess had shared with me the works of a Oaxacan artist – Andrew Osta. What a surprise to start a conversation with this dad and learn that he was the one whose work we had been admiring!  He was in San Miguel for a showing, so here below is the one chosen. Not only that, his son and Charles became friends and we had them over for a swim. 

So, back to my story about fixing the place up before Bess, Lee, and crew arrived from the airport: To make this special visit as pretty and functional as possible amidst the piles of rocks and bags of cement, we worked with what we had. Added playful Mexican embroidered throw pillows for each bed, plus little bouquets of fresh flowers thrown prettily into vases, then placed around in the final hours before everyone arrived.

The fun side story: Realizing that a trip to el centro the morning of the family’s arrival would be impossible, I asked the local fresh flower couple at Mercado Ignacio Ramirez if they would deliver flowers to Atotonilco. I continue to see that our little town is perceived as so unique with its healing water and El Santuario, so a smile poured over Lupita’s face and she said of course. $183 pesos, which amounts to $11 usd. Later in the week, Antonio sent pictures of that day’s flower choices (see the photos of buckets). The order was placed and one really cute black-haired young man in a starched, striped button-down, sleeves rolled up, so cool in his creased jeans and boots, showed up at the appointed time with bundles of flowers and a gorgeous smile. Oh, Mexico, my heart be still. You get “Better every day!”

So, here you’ll find many photos. It’s a melange depicting this past month at Casa Alfaro, which included many moments of both work and play!  

Onward to next month. Watch for the continued story of Casa Alfaro’s transformation.

Love,

Jane