In Dijon, France!

 Hola a todos!! It's been nearly a year and a half since we made the move from Spain to France and it has been an incredible adventure filled with new places, people, tastes and the joys of learning a new language and culture. I'd love for you to join me in this new adventure on my French living blog :

Au Soleil Sous la Pluie.

 Lots of photos, travels, stories, and petits choses about life in France. 

Hope to see you there! 

¡Hasta pronto! A bientôt! 

vegdecor

hehe...soo cute and delicious. See more at the kitchn.

Curto e Tapas

On the list of things to do in Santiago this week...Curtocircuito: Short film festival. Hoping to catch a showing in the street and some Santiago(é)tapas...I'm determined to fill up a tapas passport this year!

Olive pits...

I want one of these! Not ony for pistachios and olives...but a big one for eating shrimp! What a perfect place to put those shrimp heads. Why didn't I think of this?

Ps: Are you brave enough to eat the shrimp head? They say it's the best part...

* * *

¡Quiero uno de estos! No solo para los pistachos y aceitunas, pero uno grande para comer gambas también...el sitio perfecto para todas las cabezas. ¿Porqué nunca había pensado en esto?

Pd: ¿Te atreves a comer la cabeza de gamba? dicen que es la parte más rica...

(via Kitchn)

Expats en español

Where are all the American expats in Spain? I've found some nice blogs lately about expats in Paris like: Lost in Cheeseland and Making Magique...but where are the blogs showing how lovely expat life is here in Spain? I'm on it...

Donde están los inmigrantes americanos en España? He encontrado algunos blogs bonitos de la vida Parisina-Lost in Cheeseland y Making Magique...pero ¿dónde están los blogs acerca de la vida encatadora aquí en España? Estoy en ello...

UPDATE:

I've been googling around and found two fab ladies living in Spain: La tortuga viajera-a travel and food blog, and Barcelona Bites-another foodie blog. Check them out!

Después de googlear un poco encontré los blogs de dos chicas fabulosas viviendo en España: La tortuga viajera-un blog dedicado a comer y viajar por España, y Barcelona Bites-otro blog gastronómico. Visítelos!

By the ponte

We had our work holiday party last weekend. It was fun to see everyone all dressed up and the food was soooooo good: zamburiñas (small scallops from Galicia), Norwegian lobster, Monkfish, and the biggest steaks ever. And the setting in Ponte Maceira-a tiny village next to a rushing river and framed with a medieval bridge-was ideal!!

Celebramos la cena de navidad del trabajo el fin de pasado. Me encantó ver a todo el mundo vestido de noche y la comida estuvo buenísima: zamburiñas, cigalas, rape, y los chuletones más grandes del mundo. Y el entorno, Ponte Maceira-un pequeño pueble al lado de un río con un puente medieval-era ideal.

No smoking

My first memory of Spain, from way back in 2003 when I came to study abroad, was seeing people light up cigarettes as soon as they were off the plane. Madrid Barajas was filled with smokers, and from then on, if before the smell of smoke bothered me, now it reminded me of Spain. But, as so many other European countries have adopted new smoking bans, Spain's smoking ban came into full force on January 2. No smoking inside any bars, restaurants, clubs, or other public places and smokers must be 50 meters away from a hospital or playground. Spaniards were up in arms-saying that although many people are actually happy about the change-such a law is infringing on their freedoms. I have to say I can't wait to go out now, coming home still smelling like perfume, not getting smoke in my eyes, and not having that scratchy smoke throat in the morning...wonderful! And another benefit: more terraces all year! Diego was surprised by the number of Parisian terraces that were up in the December cold, but in the European mindset of a long lingering drink and smoke with a newspaper or people watching, even bundling up in the cold under a heater isn't too bad. I think it's going to make Spain even more charming.

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?

Happy Old Year...

I'm not really into resolutions in January, I always feel like September is really the new start. But, in any case, I do love the year in review, so here are some of my highlights:

Many trips with my handsome, funny, and loving husband...Lisbon, Madrid, Chicago, Miami, Huelva...where to next?

Traveling through Spain with my Mom! And celebrating Spain's World cup victory!

Visiting the family in Miami's sweltering heat and scary thunderstorms

Making friends at work jumping over bonfires

Discovering the art of Spanish cheese in Asturias

Recovering from jet lag on a beach chair in Huelva with a many shrimp filled meal and a beautiful wedding

Speaking Gallego!

Getting a new couch and coffee table

Seeing, holding, and loving on friends' babies

Summertime in Michigan with friends, lakes, and kayaks

What will the next year hold?

Ps...don't forget to eat 12 grapes in the first 12 chimes of the new year and wear a red underware-both good luck for the new year in Spain.

Rooftops

I love rooftops. Maybe because in my hometown we had more treetops to gaze at (not a complaint! Wouldn't change that for the world!) But I love do love rooftops too, and the these French rooftops are so dreamy! Look at the angles! They're like a storybook.

Tree Time

I would love to spend an afternoon reading in one of these.

(details at BlackEiffel)

For the weekend

The Pope is coming to town this weekend, so most of us Compostelanos (yes, I feel like I can call myself that now!) are heading our of town-although they are saying that there are still 20% vacancies in the hostels and hotels this weekend-due to the prices. Although a part of me is curious to see the Pope, a get together in the country with the old woodstove, some ribs and chestnuts, and a few friends sounds even better. I'll be wearing some homemade fall accessories-elbow patches and a lovely fur scarf or fur funnel (I got Diego a knit funnel last year...it's soooo nice! And in fur, sooo Dr. Zhivago.). Hope it's chilly!

Embroidery

I lovelovelove embroidery. Especially the Latin american kind. And I love this necklace (as seen in Lonny). Maybe a blanket is a bad place to start...but a necklace, that sounds realistic. I'm inspired.

I think we're gonna need a bigger boat

It was definitely summer when my dad used to bring out this line. One of his favorite movies...and always close to my heart, even if I still get a few goose bumps when getting in the ocean because of it. Did you see this living in on D*Sponge?

Can Can

Another way to use your old cans. I've got to start saving them for my terrace. These are lovely. See how to here.

Here or there

I celebration of the 4th of July, summer, camping, and road trips who wouldn't like to have a trailer decked out by the Spanish decorators at Caravanolic? Check out their adorable prototype. I love the tree wallpaper.

Growing

My garden is growing. Remember when I first posted? Here it is as of today. A few tomatoes are on their way, peppers are blooming, herbs are getting out of control, and my bonsai is coming back to life

!

In bloom

I can't believe it's almost been one year since our second wedding in Michigan! It was so wonderful to have family and friends together from all over the globe to celebrate such a special time with us. We were blessed with perfect weather the day of the wedding and the perfect laid back barbeque at home. We worked hard in the days leading up to the wedding, cleaning, decorating, cooking and planting. It was a family effort with everyone involved. My mom just sent me pics of the perennial flower bed that we planted as landscaping last year. It looks fantastic with pastel tones and green textures, and the best part is that we have a natural reminder of our special day.

Serene

Wow. What a make-over. The little ponds are perfect with all the tiny plants. And I looooove the willow tree and the red geraniums. It looks all looks so serene.

Concurso de balcóns

One of the most charming things about Europe are the flowers falling gently above the streets from windows and balconies. I was so happy to hear an announcement on the radio that each summer the Consello de Santiago sponsors a competition for the most beautiful balcony-one day they even offered free plants to the people who wanted to take part (I would have been there in the blink of an eye-but only residents of the old zone of the city can compete.). The balconies will be available for viewing and voting for from July 1-7. Can't wait to see them!