Hi Everyone!
It seems I’ve been gone for two whole weeks! Weird. And unintended.
Also weird? It’s been just over a year since I started almostfarmgirl.com. Since then, almost 200 of you (between Facebook and WordPress followers) have started following this crazy ride on the ranch, and I am so thankful to each of you. (I’m especially thankful to those of you who interact, and who I’ve gotten to know a little bit. You guys know who you are.) I just paid for another year of hosting, so here’s to the start of another year of this blogging adventure together.
To celebrate a year of blogging, I went to Costa Rica for a week.
Actually, that’s a lie.
I went to celebrate my sister’s 30th birthday.
You see, for Christmas this year, my mom gave me and my sister a trip to Costa Rica; she had earned the trips in her independent consultant work with Norwex, a company that specializing in environmentally friendly cleaning products. (Just FYI, their dusting mitt is awesome, and I have never found a better way to clean windows and mirrors than with their enviro cloth and polishing cloth.) She chose to give the incentive trips to my sister and I, partly because Chas’s 30th fell just on the other side of the trip.
So we traded this
For this
Between seventy-five and ninety degree temperatures in Costa Rica. Between 20 degrees and negative twelve degrees back home.
I did feel bad leaving Jeremiah with the ranch, but I loved seeing the rainforest, and volcanos and the ocean.
I was playing in the surf wearing SPF Vampire to protect against the tropical sun…
And my poor husband was shoveling the barn out of nearly a foot of snow.
Guys, I actually zip-lined through the Rainforest. I saw Scarlet Macaws, and a Toucan, and Iguanas. And I barely got sunburned at all, which is kind of a miracle.
Chas and I toured an organic coffee plantation. (Seriously, don’t take your morning cup of coffee for granted; it’s loads of work to get it in your cup.) We spent five days in Central America on the Pacific Coast and somehow managed the escape all but the very last harsh winter days of the season.
We spent our last night at the Norwex Rainforest Gala, before packing up and heading back to the states.
And, one delayed flight, one missed flight, one redirection to Chicago, one lost bag, and a three-hour car ride later, we made it home safe and sound…and completely exhausted.
I was ready to be back home.
Because as awesome as that trip was, there’s nothing quite like watching my ponies and alpacas grazing from my kitchen window.
Thanks again for a great first year, everybody! And, as always, thanks so much for reading.
Almost Farmgirl 
I’d be so totally jealous had we not fled the cold weather too. So let’s tilt a margarita to toast all our loved ones who are still freezing their rears off. 🙂
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There is something to be said for running away. 🙂
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BTW, glad to learn you will be around for another year. Looking forward to more tales.
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Thanks
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Whoop, Whoop!!! Go, team Cherity! So pleased you will be sticking around for another year… hasn’t it been fab? I am well jell of your Costa Rica trip – it looks absolutely gorgeous! A proper paradise, huh? But I also know that feeling of getting back home… there is nothing like the peace of our own digs and relief from the stress of travel. You look lovely there with your sis – glad you had a wonderful trip! 🙂 xx Dorreen
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Dorreen! So good to hear from you. 🙂 It’s been a fantastic ride with this little blog, and I’m ready for the next year of it.
Costa Rica was amazingly beautiful and such a great trip! But, as they say, there’s no place like home. 🙂
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Agreed! We wear these ruby slippers for good reason!
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Congratulations! I love your blog! Costa Rica looks fabulous–thanks for sharing your beautiful pics. I laughed until I cried when I read “SPF Vampire.” You’re hilarious! Glad you and your sister had a fun and safe trip. It’s good to go, but it’s great to come home, again. Welcome back! 🙂
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos. And Thank you! I love your blog too! 🙂 The trip was a ton of fun, and I highly recommend adding Costa Rica to your bucket list. Seeing the Rainforest has been on mine since I was a little girl, so I was thrilled to see it in person. I have a story or two yet to tell from the whole experience, but that will be another day and another post.
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Thank you!!! I just might have to add Costa Rica to my list of places to visit. Looking forward to future posts on the topic. Hope Jeremiah survived without you. 🙂
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OK, SPF Vampire is seriously funny. And I see all those Fitbit steps have paid off in a big way! You look great. One of my favorite bloggers live in Costa Rica and your pictures just make it seem even more irresistible! Welcome home and congrats on a year of blogging.
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Your trip looked AMAZING! And i too am glad for your stories and tales, keep it up!!
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Thank goodness for good husbands! Mine’s been there a time or two…or more. Looks like you had a beautiful vacation and congrats on the one year mark! I just had mine as well 🙂
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Happy blogoversary. Reading this put a big smile on my face, describing how much fun you had. Glad you are back with us. 🙂
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That looks beaaaaaautiful! Bob also wears SPF Vampire, hahahah. One of my roommates asked him if he tans after he burns, and he just laughed and laughed.
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Thank you very much for the wonderful photo report of your trip to Costa Rica, it was very interesting and informative.
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