Judi: Building a New Life

I am becoming more enamored every day with the little pueblo we now call home—Ajijic, Mexico.

Exotic plants and trees like Jacaranda, oleander, bougainvillea, plumeria, and so many others add vibrant color throughout the lakeside. Cobblestone streets are the norm—and a bit hazardous—which keeps us watching our step.

All the towns from Jocotepec in the west to Chapala in the east, sit between the towering Sierra Madre mountains to the north and Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake, to the south.
It is a beautiful place to land.

Both locals and expats here have been friendly and supportive—Roger, Felipe, Blanca, Alma, Andrew, Max, and Eleanor, just to name a few.

We have found neighborhood markets, hardware stores, hospitals, and pharmacies.
We’ve discovered a French bakery, along with a variety of restaurants and music venues.
But some of my favorite finds have been the local food vendors—fresh fruit, vegetables, and tacos. Sometimes we catch the smell of roasting meat as we ride along the bike path beside the main road that connects all the lakeside towns.

Often, while walking or riding, I catch myself smiling in amazement.

This is where we live!

I thought it would take longer to feel at home.

But it feels easy here.

It feels simpler.

It suits me.

And there are parts of this life that remind me of the best pieces of my childhood—living in the country, close to nature, moving at a slower pace.

The day after arriving in Mexico we toured a home, owned by a Russian woman who lives in Dallas, and by day seven we had moved in.

We knew what we wanted. We understood our preferences. We had already talked through what mattered most—location and walkability.

We will refer to it as the Fruit House because the lower garden is filled with fruit trees; papaya, banana, avocado, mango, and grapefruit. There are colorful geraniums, palms, two large birds of paradise, flowering ground cover, potted herbs, and layers of green everywhere. Another small garden sits in the front yard. Felipe, the gardener, came with the house.

This Mexican-style, two-level home sits in a tranquil and colorfully painted neighborhood.
Inside, the home reflects traditional Mexican design—arched brick ceilings, terracotta tile floors, white textured stucco walls, and large black iron windows that overlook the gardens in front and back. Ceiling fans and cross breezes keep everything cool.

Now, it’s time to unpack. To settle in. To begin making this space feel like our home.
Items from my kitchen are finding their place—measuring cups and spoons, my apron, Cutco knives, and two of our favorite cups. A small can of Tony Chachere’s seasoning, from Louisiana, made the journey too.

I tucked in a small ceramic bowl I made over 30 years ago. It now holds our pesos on the kitchen counter. Christmas stockings, ornaments my mother made when I was a child, and the needlepoint calendar Kent’s mom made for us are tucked away for later this year. Family pictures, art supplies, handmade jewelry, my ukulele—these will all find their place in time.

Kent has his own carefully chosen items. Each one will become part of this new home.
Slowly and thoughtfully, we will add pieces of our life here.

And little by little… this will become home.

-Judi

GO TO KENT’S MARCH 29, 2026 POST