Love

Happy valentine's day. Hope it's wonderful! Aren't my tulips lovely?

Feliz día de san valentine. Espero que sea maravilloso. Son preciosos mis tulipanes, ¿no?

Carnevale

Maybe this year we'll celebrate carnival in Venice....

Quizás este año celebramos carnaval en Venecia...

Reyes:update!

I'm starting to like these Reyes...they were good to me this year! A pair of olive green rainboots, a cheese book-can't wait to make macaroni and cheese, and cheese cake, an electric blender-which I'll use to make that cheese cake, a subscription to Spanish Elle, and 50 euros to spend at sales!

Ya me están gustando los Reyes...¡me han tratado bien este año-unas katiuskas color verde oliva, un libro de quesos (qué ganas de hacer unos macaronis con queso y una tarta de queso), una batidora electrica (que usaré para hacer la tarta), una subscripción a Elle España, y 50 euros para las rebajas!

Another 2011 resolution...bilingual blog! Otro propósito para el 2011...¡el blog bilingue!

Reyes!

Tonight is the biggest night on the calendar of most Spanish children. Yes, Santa comes on Christmas eve, but bringing even more delight to Spanish kids are the three kings who are in town tonight. They're making their way into cities across the country at about 6pm, welcomed by streets lined with kids waiting to give their letters to the kings postmaster, wave to their favorite king, and then be off to bed so the kings can make their way, house by house, leaving them presents. Many of my students this year didn't want to write the obligatory English class letter to Santa, they wanted to cut to the chase and write to the three kings ("Sorry guys, the three kings only speak Spanish..."wink wink). I have to admit, I'm getting kind of excited for the kings to some to town tomorrow morning too! Off to drop my letter to their postmaster.

Happy Aninovo!!

We got dressed to the nines (me in red lipstick and brocade and Diego in a suit!) to celebrate 2011 in Pontevedra despite Diego's flu. At midnight I almost ate all 12 grapes-they were the size of small plums...hahaha-next year I'm sure I'll get it and if not out with the grapes and in with the kisses- I have to admit I do prefer a kiss and clinking champagne glasses welcoming in the new year. Hope your celebrations were great, and that this new year is filled love.

Vintage in Pontevedra-no Zara!

Ps...check out these celebrations around the world! My favorites...the face painting and lights in India and the snow covered hats in Moscow.

Happy New Year...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hope you had a funfunfun celebration! Isn't a new year always so exciting? That said these are not new year's resolutions...but my plans for this new year...I can't wait!!:

Finally make a headboard for our bed

Learn to take better pics...manually!

Speak more gallego

Bake macarons and coulants

Grow more vegetables

Learn all about Spanish cheese...eat it and write about it. Spanish wine too.

Restaurant reviews in Santiago...there are some hidden gems

Travel...especially Bilbao, San Sebastian, Italy, Prague, UK, or Paris...ahh...there's always Paris.

Drive a stick

Self teach a master's in Peninsular Literature with my private tutor

Buy some amazing investment pieces for my wardrobe...and other amazing not so investment things and wear it all!!

ok, that sounds good. What are your new year plans?

Oh Iker...

The best Spanish holiday commercial this year, "Because some of us lifted up the country once, but they lift it up everyday."

Presents!

Just a few of the lovely presents I received this year! And Reyes is only a week away!

What did you get?

And to all a good night...

Merry Christmas, Bo Nadal, Feliz Navidad! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday filled with love.

The no obligation to-do list

Ahhh...finally on holiday vacation!! Yesterday was the official start of the holiday season in Spain with the Christmas Lottery but today is my official start...and I love looking at the calendar and knowing I wont have to get up at 8am for the next two weeks...and I won't fall asleep by 12am and that I can finally dedicate some time to: finally finish Bolaño's 2666, trying out some recipes in the many books in the kitchen, savouring some magazine time, going to the suegra's house to use the sewing machine, finally figuring out how to curl my hair with a straightner, watching movies (and seeing the end!), and walking around Santiago doing nothing more than taking pictures of this lovely city. What are your plans for some holiday down time?

3 days...

All the shopping is finished...the packages sent...and the presents wrapped. Now we only have to enjoy the next three days until Christmas on the new sofa and with the cutest little tree ever.

Con duende

Christmas carols are a bit different in Spain, not as many jingle bells and snowmen and not quite so commercially successful and 24/7 as in the states. But, I have to admit my favorites, and maybe the most surprising, are the flamenco Christmas carols. And, I do like how the songs are about the real Christmas story, usually centered on Mary and Jesus and the shepherds.

Wreath

I finally found a Styrofoam wreath and some time to make my version of this wreath, it was so easy. I'm starting the red one now...perhaps for a present or for the door.

Happy Weekend

We have a long weekend in Spain for the national holiday to celebrate the constitution. Me and some ladies are off for a girly weekend in Oviedo. I'm hoping to snatch up some lovely presents...maybe a few for me...and spend some time bundled up on snowy streets with twinkling lights. I finally pulled out the Christmas carols this week, and this is one of my favorites. Enjoy it, and enjoy your weekend! besitos

Thanksgiving...

Not being home for Thanksgiving it's funny the things you miss...

-waking up late to the smells and sounds of mom in the kitchen

-wearing PJs all day and channel surfing between holiday parades all morning

-searching for the deals that we aren't going to get in Black Friday ads(well, we've gone once or twice and man was it worth it! haha)

-eating the second warmed up helping of everything at about 7pm on the couch watching some marathon on cable.

-baked beans all week(my mom's recipe is the best-similar to these dark molasses beans...mmmm)

Miss you Mom and Michelle!! Happy Thanksgiving.

stockings and totes

I'm thinking about making felt stockings as presents this year, filled with some sweets and maybe a book, it would be a nice surprise here on Christmas Day as the stocking tradition doesn't exist. If I were back in the USA these tote-stockings are a great idea. Better than a basket too!

Bling

December in Spain's holiday season is all about golden luxury-Freixenet Cava always has a golden holiday commercial, Ferro Rocher golden wrapped chocolates are everywhere as the luxe of the luxe of holiday sweets, and Elle's December issue cover features actresses dressed in golden Swarovski crystals. Elle's cover-Yay or Nay?

Tiny things...

I love and quiero all of the cutiecute things that madrileña Blanca Gomez sells in her Etsy shop, Cosas Mínimas. So happy and simple. A framed print would be a lovely present.

It's really early...I know

But I'm always so late on getting things sent out and planned...so I'm going to make a deadline (December 8th) for myself (and a budget) and get working on Christmas presents! A beautiful little package...wouldn't it make your day? (Only rule, you little package should be put under the tree and not opened until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day! The anticipation is half the fun!)

Fireworks

Happy fourth of July! We're hoping to fire up the grill and have some salads and ice-cream sandwiches on the terrace. Since we have to wait until July 24th for fireworks here are a few bold and bright colorful cacti and succulents.