Author: Hugh Talley

Now that Christmas has passed and the quiet of December 27th has settled in, I’ve been thinking back on our Christmas Eve gathering with a grateful heart. Elizabeth and I were blessed to have family and friends join us here at our home in El Salvador. The house was filled with conversation, laughter, and the wonderful aroma of the traditional Salvadoran chicken sandwiches we prepare every year. It’s a simple tradition, but it brings so much joy and connection.

This Christmas also held something very special for me. After nearly a year of steady work and reflection, my book Harmony of the Cosmos was officially released on Amazon on Christmas Eve morning. Seeing it available in both e‑book and paperback was a beautiful surprise — a gift I will remember for a long time.

And tomorrow, on December 28th, I’ll be celebrating my 76th birthday. Reaching this milestone right after the release of my book feels like a blessing layered on top of an already meaningful season. I’m grateful for the journey, the lessons, and the people who have walked alongside me.

As we move through these last days of the year, I’m carrying a deep sense of gratitude for family, for creativity, and for the small blessings that show up when we least expect them.

Elizabeth and I hope your Christmas was filled with peace and warmth. If you enjoy following our journey, we would be grateful if you would like and subscribe to our blog. Your support means so much to us.

Wishing you continued blessings as we approach the New Year.

Elizabeth and I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. This season always brings a special kind of warmth, and we’re grateful to share a little of that with all of you.

Tonight, we’re preparing a Christmas Eve meal with the traditional Salvadoran chicken sandwiches—a family favorite— and welcoming friends and loved ones into our home. It’s one of those simple traditions that fills the house with joy, good food, and good company.

I also want to share some personal news that has made this Christmas especially meaningful for me. After almost a year of work, my book Harmony of the Cosmos went on sale on Amazon this morning. It’s available in both e‑book and paperback, and seeing it published today has been a wonderful Christmas surprise.

Thank you for being part of our little corner of the world. If you enjoy our posts, we’d be grateful if you could like and subscribe to the blog—it helps us stay connected and continue sharing our journey with you.

Wishing you all peace, joy, and blessings this Christmas.

On sale on Amazon in Paperback or ebook.

Thanksgiving this year was quiet and tender, a day of gratitude under the warm El Salvador sun. I rose early, walked two miles, jogged another half, and then settled beneath the big tree in our upper yard. The clear blue sky stretched above me, flowers bloomed around, and the chatter of birds and squirrels filled the air. In that stillness, I meditated on the blessings that shape my life.

I am thankful for Elizabeth, my companion in all things. For our health, which is good at this time. For our beautiful home in this beautiful country. For our children, who visit often and bring joy into our days. And for the retirement income that allows us to live comfortably. These are the highlights, though there is so much more. Above all, I am grateful to our Creator for the life we have been given.

This year, we chose ham instead of turkey for dinner, saving the tradition of turkey for Christmas. Our meal—ham, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, with pumpkin pie for dessert, it was simple, hearty, and shared in peace. It was a nice, quiet, enjoyable time, a reminder that gratitude is not found in feasts or gatherings alone, but in the daily gifts of health, love, and the simple joy of being.

How did you celebrate Thanksgiving this year? What blessings are you most grateful for? We would love to hear from you. Please let us know in the comments below.

We have added some pictures in a slideshow below.

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Yesterday, Elizabeth and I celebrated 22 years together. It was a beautiful day of memories, from the workplace at Titan America, in Northern Virginia where we met, to El Salvador, where we are retired and are living a joyful life.
Elizabeth, her sister Anna, and I went to Sonsonate and had a lovely meal at La Pampa restaurant. We had fried shrimp for an appetizer, steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables for the main course. The meal was very enjoyable.
We went to Ban Ban to pick up our special-order cake, which we took home and enjoyed with some wine—a very nice ending to a wonderful day.
I have added pictures below in a slideshow. We hope you enjoy.

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Between laughter, goodbyes,

Last week, our daughter Marisol and our young grandson Danny came for a short but memorable visit. Elizabeth and I were delighted to have them with us, and though the time was brief, it was filled with joy.

We spent a few days together at a cozy Airbnb by the ocean. The place was perfect — complete with a pool and everything we needed, so we only had to bring our food. The weather was a little windy at times, but the days were warm and sunny, and the nights cool and refreshing. Each day unfolded with simple pleasures: long walks along the beach, refreshing swims, and evenings watching the sun sink into the horizon.

It was a visit rich in laughter, relaxation, and togetherness — the kind of family time that lingers in the heart long after the days have passed. The week seemed to slip away in no time, and before we knew it, Marisol and Danny were heading home. Watching them leave for the airport left Elizabeth and me with heavy hearts. The house feels quieter now, and we already find ourselves missing their presence.

We are holding onto the hope and joy of June, when the whole family plans to visit. Alex will be able to take time off from work, and Kristian and Jacob will be on school break. The thought of having everyone together fills us with anticipation and gratitude for the family moments yet to come.

Daily rhythms resumed and the work of everyday life:

In the meantime, Elizabeth and I are easing back into our daily routine here. Much of our time is spent tending the yard — cutting grass, caring for the chickens, taking daily walks, and keeping things in order. These simple tasks ground us, reminding us of life’s steady rhythm. I’ve also been working steadily on my book, shaping chapters and reflecting on the journey it represents. Though I haven’t written much on the blog lately, sharing these small updates helps keep the thread alive between the larger stories and the everyday moments that sustain them.

Visits like these remind us how precious the simple rhythms of family are — brief in time, yet lasting in the heart, woven into the larger journey we share.

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I haven’t posted here in a while, and I’ve missed it. This blog has always been a kind of open window — a way to share what we’re seeing, feeling, and learning. And while I haven’t been out exploring new towns or sites lately, I’ve been walking a different kind of path. One that winds through memory and meaning, through silence and vision.

It’s been a quiet stretch here in El Salvador. Not the kind of quiet that comes from absence, but the kind that settles in when something more profound is unfolding. I haven’t been out to the towns or sites lately — not because the beauty has faded, but because my attention has turned inward.

For the past many months, I’ve been writing a book. It’s a memoir, but more than that: it starts with my young life growing up in rural Virginia, Spotsylvania County, and goes through my travels around the world, the many spiritual encounters I have had and am still having, and the visions I have been given for the future. — It’s a weaving of memory, spirit, and the vision Elizabeth and I share for a life tuned to something greater.

I thought I’d share a bit of that journey with you. Not the polished version, but the lived one. The kind that unfolds slowly.  

Writing a book here has been less about discipline and more about listening. Listening to the wind in the trees, to the rhythm of our days, to the memories that rise when the world is still. Some mornings, we sit under one of the large trees in our backyard after a morning walk, watching the birds and squirrels in the trees and the beautiful blue sky. It feels like the land itself is whispering stories — not just mine, but something older, more profound.

Elizabeth and I have always said that this place holds us. It’s not just where we live — it’s part of the story. The way time stretches and softens. All of that has found its way into the pages I’ve been writing.

I’ll be sharing more soon — about the book, about what it’s taught me, and about what’s next. For now, I just wanted to say hello. We’re still here. Our life is still beautiful. And the story is still unfolding. I am adding a link to Chapter One of my book. All I ask is that you please Like and Subscribe to my blog. Please comment and let me know what you think, or email us at ourlivesinelsalvador@gmail.com

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19skO424D-9ywWYequVawg0IbuOPeCBOZ/view?usp=sharing

In yesterday’s post, Where Peace Lives: Our Home in El Salvador, I shared the story of our home’s renewal—the colors, the quiet, and the spirit of restoration. But I left out someone essential to that journey.

Our friend Adal Granados worked tirelessly alongside us, bringing his many skills to every corner of the project. From painting and tile work to repairs and refinishing, Adal’s craftsmanship and dedication were woven into every brushstroke and detail.

He’s not only skilled—he’s reliable, trustworthy, and deeply generous with his time and talent. Adal helped bring our vision to life, and we’re grateful beyond words.

This home now reflects peace, hope, and renewal—and Adal’s hands helped build that. Thank you, my friend.

I added a slideshow showing some of Adal’s fine work. Anyone in the area who needs help of this type, we highly recommend Adal.

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Over the past couple of months, Elizabeth and I have been working on our home. We painted the entire inside of the house with different colors, and we also painted the outside trim—our house is brick, so the trim really stands out now.

In the kitchen, we replaced a broken granite countertop with white quartz, which brightens the space. We also refurbished and painted the cabinets, giving everything a fresh, clean look.

It’s been a lot of work, but the house feels renewed. I’ll let the pictures show the colors and changes better than words can. For us, this wasn’t just about fixing things—it was about restoring the energy of the space we live in. I decorated my home office in bright yellow, which gives us a feeling of hope and renewal.

Elizabeth and I love our home here in El Salvador; we feel the closeness of nature, the beautiful plants, trees, and flowers that surround us. We are close to the ocean, which we visit often, and this proximity gives us a feeling of renewal, hope, and peace, enhanced by the stunning sunrises and sunsets. Looking out over our yard at night, enjoying the beauty of fireflies lighting up the night, and the beautiful moon and stars connecting with us. I do not understand how anyone could see this beauty and not believe in our creator. I feel incredibly blessed to be here, away from the hate and division that plague the world.

We have added a slideshow with pictures.

If you enjoy our content, please subscribe, like, and share our posts—it helps increase our visibility and reach. Additionally, your comments mean the world to us and help us continue to improve our services. Thank you for being part of our community!

Yesterday, I shared a glimpse of Matt’s visit and our stay at Mangomar Beach House in Teotepeque. What made this visit especially meaningful was that the very place we stayed was once home to Elizabeth and her grandparents—years ago, when she was a young girl. As we walked the shoreline and listened to the rhythm of the waves, memories began to surface. What follows is Elizabeth’s story, shaped by the feelings and recollections that resurfaced during our time there.

On August 25, my son Mathew came to visit. It was a joyful day for Hugh and me—one of those moments that fills the heart with quiet gratitude. In the days that followed, we planned a trip to the beach, and I never imagined that my husband would reserve a ranch at Sihuapilapa Beach, the very place where I had lived for several years. Without knowing, I found myself standing exactly where my grandparents’ house once stood—a place woven into the fabric of my childhood, where laughter echoed. Mornings were filled with sunlight, running, and leaping with joy.
At the age of eight, my parents chose a new path, and we left that beautiful place behind. Now, at sixty-three, I return to find everything changed. Others now own that little piece of land where my early memories still linger.
I was blessed to revisit La Loma de Penas, where I used to search for starfish, colorful little fish, and seashells. I bathed once again in the saltwater pools left behind when the tide receded—just as I did so many years ago.
This journey was enjoyable. I hadn’t expected to return to the place of my childhood, and yet I did. And in doing so, I remembered how life once felt in that sunlit stretch of coast. It was a very happy trip.

Our son Matthew came for a long-awaited visit, arriving on August 23rd. Elizabeth and I met him at the airport bright and early—8 a.m.—and kicked off the day with breakfast at Denny’s in San Salvador. It was a simple start, but one filled with joy and anticipation.
After breakfast, Matt had one request: cigars. He was eager to bring home a few authentic Salvadoran cigars, so we stopped by a local cigar shop. He enjoyed browsing the selection and picked out a few to take back to the States. The rest of the day was spent meandering through San Salvador, shopping and soaking in the city’s energy before heading back home to Cara Sucia.
Sunday was a quieter day. We spent it catching up, sharing stories, and mapping out plans for Matt’s short but meaningful 10-day vacation.
One of the highlights was our stay at the Mangomar Beach House in Teotepeque, from Monday, the 25th, to Wednesday, the 27th. This oceanfront gem had everything we needed—an inviting swimming pool, a play area for the kids, and plenty of space to relax. There were seven of us: Elizabeth, Matt, and me, along with Luz, Adal, and their children. We grilled, swam, and spent time by the ocean. I even went treasure hunting along the beach, which brought back memories of earlier days. It was a beautiful couple of days filled with laughter, good food, and shared stories.
Later in the week, we took a scenic drive along the Ruta de las Flores. We stopped for lunch at Nubes Café, a charming spot with great food and a peaceful vibe. From there, we headed to Concepción de Ataco—a stunning town nestled in the mountains. It’s part of the Ruta de las Flores and is known for its vibrant murals, artisan markets, and cozy restaurants. If you ever find yourself in El Salvador, Ataco is a must-see.
We also made a trip to the port of Acajutla, where we strolled along the waterfront and enjoyed a delicious seaside lunch: the ocean breeze and salty air made for a perfect afternoon.
As always, time flew by. It felt like Matt had just arrived, and suddenly we were saying goodbye. He’s already planning his next visit—and this time, he hopes to bring his lovely wife, Vilma. Elizabeth met her during a trip to the States, but I’ve only spoken to her through FaceTime and phone calls.
I’m looking forward to meeting her in person.
I’ll be writing another blog soon. Elizabeth and I have been busy with home renovations—lots of painting and remodeling—so I’ll share those updates next time.
Below is a slideshow from Matt’s vacation. We hope you enjoy it, and as always, thank you for following our life and times here in El Salvador.

If you enjoy our content, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share our posts—it helps increase our visibility and reach. Additionally, your comments mean the world to us and help us continue to improve our services. Thank you for being part of our community!