Always Round Up!

It's been a busy week around Culebra, well, at least in my unbusy world. Free solar lanterns, Dinghy Dock opened for the season, lots of new things blooming and cooler days. Which helps when standing in line for a free solar lantern.

Another season!

A flash rainbow for a moment of smiling

I didn't know about this giveaway (and still don't know much about the players, except the Mayor and others from the Municipality were there with people I'd never seen before) until I got a text from a friend saying 'Free solar lamps being given away at the basketball court, now'. I was in town on a friend's porch so off we went, that minute. But apparently the word was out because when we got there, there were plenty ahead of us. 

We signed our names on the dotted line, behind a lot of other names. I did some ambling, asking people I thought were more in the know than myself, asking what was the process and where were the boxes of lights. No one knew much but one person did know they were on a truck, on the ferry, and should be arriving soon. No one knew if we were getting a glow stick of the kind that goes in your yard or something with a solar panel. It turned out to be in between. 

The truck showed up. The boxes showed up. 

One at a time our names were read and we went up to claim our lamps. Handy sized, with a telescopic barrel in a barrel light, with the solar bit on top, it can also be used as a flash light, located on the bottom. And it has a phone charger too! 

Most everyone stayed, with lots of visiting going on. It was sort of like Christmas, except instead of Santa calling out kids names, we were the kids. It was a fun couple of hours. Thanks, powers that be, light is always good. Thanks, Sarah, for the head's up!

It's sea grape time. Twice I've seen boaters stop along the canal wall where a tree drapes over loaded with sea grapes. I wanted to ask what they are used for but it's a bit of a tricky business keeping a boat on the wall with fast currents going through, so I left them to it. There are plenty of recipes for them, from jelly to wine. I keep saying one year I'm going to do one of those things, probably the jelly. Maybe I will.

Or maybe I'll go for sea grape margaritas instead?

From SuwanneeRose (link above) - I won't steal her photo but the color is really gorgeous!

For the Sea Grape Simple Syrup

1. 3 cups sea grapes
2. 3 cups water
3. 1 cup sugar

For One Sea Grape Margarita

1. lime wedges
2. coarse salt and/or sugar, for the rims
3. 2 1/2 ounces sea grape syrup
4. 2 ounces tequila
5. 3 ounces lime juice
6. splash of Grand Marnier (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring the sea grapes and water to a boil in a pot over medium heat, smashing occasionally with a potato masher or a large spoon to separate the fruit from the seeds. Reduce the heat to simmer for about 30 minutes. Place a mesh strainer over a large measuring cup or bowl. Pour the liquid through the strainer, but don't force the fruit through. Return the liquid to the pot along with the sugar and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Pour it into a jar or measuring cup and allow it to cool.

To make the margaritas

1. First, pour salt and/ or sugar on a small plate (wide enough for your glass rim). Run a lime wedge along the rim of the glass, then dip it in the salt or sugar.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the sea grape syrup, tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier. Shake it up and strain into the glass. Repeat.

Hanging out on the bridge

It's rare for me to walk over our bridge and not appreciate the look and technology of it. But then, I do have a bit of a bridge obsession, as anyone who has traveled with me knows. Rare too is the ability to stand in the middle of the road and take bridge photos. Another Culebra thing.

A couple of weeks ago when walking by the old dock gazebo, there was a big pile of trash and it was looking a bit sad. But now, it's all spiffed up for the holidays, AND there is a freshly painted trash barrel there. So far, so good!

It's really starting to feel like our version of Fall here, the sky in the day is that brilliant blue and at night the air is crisp much less humid than it has been. Ahhhhhhh!

Plying the bay

Just because they make me happy

This has felt like a nice slow build up to the Beaver Moon
(which is full tonight)

Zipping around the bay at moonrise,
viewed from another housesitting hill

Moon over Culebra

Ready for a close up

Don't forget to check out the full moon rise tonight. It's been beautiful for days now and I imagine tonight will be even better.

Have a teachable Tuesday. Do something thoughtfully.