Fincaometepe's blog

Meet Bella, our newest baby!

Meet Bella

Meet the newest baby on the farm. Isn’t she adorable?

Her mother is Snälla, and her father is Felipito, both of whom live here on the farm. Snälla means “nice” or “kind” in Swedish, and Felipito means, well, Philip.

Since Håkan and I are not currently on the farm, we have sadly not met her yet. Luckily, plenty of guests have been able to say hello for us.

Finca Ometepe Coffee-Delicious!

Six years ago we put coffee trees in the ground.

They didn’t look like much. A few glossy leaves and some thin stems. We cleared space for them with machetes and hoped they’d take.

Every year since, we’ve cut weeds back by hand so they don’t get swallowed. In January we walk the rows with clippers and prune each tree one by one. In February the branches fill with small white blossoms — plain, almost fragile — and then they’re gone again.

The rest of the year is quiet work. Rain. Sun. Waiting.

Tomas and Tito

One of the real pleasures of life here is getting to share the farm with families who are genuinely curious about how things work. Recently, we hosted a family with two kids who seem very likely to grow up as farmers—or at least carry a deep appreciation for animals and early mornings.

Adventures in Landscaping

While the Heron House itself is now finished, the landscape around it is very much a work in progress. Luckily, plants and trees grow fast here, so it won’t take long before things start to fill in and soften the edges.

So far, we’ve planted cacao, bananas, plantains, coconuts, limes, and oranges. There’s still a garden to put in, and the waterfront area needs more attention, but we’re getting there. Landscaping here isn’t about instant results—it’s about working with what the land already wants to do.

Lala’s Smile

This is Lala smiling.

She didn’t start out like this. At first it was just the faintest hint of a smile—so subtle you weren’t sure it was intentional. But we noticed it. And because it was cute, we encouraged it.

Now she smiles constantly. Bigger. More deliberate. Very aware that this particular facial expression gets a response. If you watch the video in slow motion, it is… alarming. All teeth. Lips fully retracted. Not something you would describe as welcoming if you didn’t know her.

Our beautiful Heron House is ready to rent!

Introducing The Heron House

We have some good news to share. Our fourth rental house, The Heron House, is now open to visitors. We’ve spent the past year building it slowly and thoughtfully, trying to create a space that feels welcoming — for family, friends, and friends we haven’t met yet.

Mona is a Mom!

Exciting times here at Finca Ometepe! Yesterday, our beautiful cow Mona gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, and I’m happy to report that both mama and calf are doing great. While we’ve had two other cows give birth here on the farm, this was the first time Håkan and I were almost present for one… emphasis on almost.

Local sights!

One of the things I love most about getting around Ometepe by ATV is that you’re not insulated from anything. There’s no glass, no air-conditioning, no separation between you and what’s actually happening on the road in front of you.

Yesterday, I was biking around the Maderas half of the island and we saw a a kid using his horse to bring home his family’s plantain harvest. The horse was doing the heavy lifting—bundles of green plantains and stalks piled high—while the kid biked behind so the horse could carry as much as possible.

Happy Cows, Delicious Milk!

The day starts early in the pasture. First, the calves get their turn — they nuzzle in and drink just enough to get the milk flowing (thank you, oxytocin!).

Each udder is washed clean, and the teats are dried. Hands are dried, too — this improves milk quality— and then the real work begins. Milking looks simple from the outside, but it’s harder than it seems. Our milkers have forearms like iron from years of practice, able to strip each quarter clean.

A Horsey Day at Finca Ometepe

Today was a horsey day. I spent all morning playing with our equids, donkeys, and horses both. First, I worked out trying to get the halters I purchased in the USA to fit our donkeys. Donkeys, while cute, have differently shaped heads than horses, and it is strangely dificult ot find a halter that fits. Since it is time to train our little Poppy, I need equipment that fits well so we all stay safe!