27 Friday Dec 2019
Posted in casa azahar, cats, christmas, food & drink, friends
So Martha is back in town! And so we planned to meet up on Christmas day for a Christmas Hanukkah mash-up at my place. Well, first we had to stop at Las Teresas for jamón and cava. Then it was back to Casa Azahar for the carrillada al oloroso I’d prepared the day before. We were also prepped, wearing comfy clothes and ready to eat, drink and watch Christmas movies with the cats. And so we did. And it was fabulous. 🙂
26 Thursday Dec 2019
Following the lovely pre-Christmas Eve family dinner on Monday was an actual Christmas Eve dinner, this time with the family of my pal Jota (owner of La Chalá and Lola por Diós), and our friend Esteban (Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre) and his mother. When I arrived Jota was busy in the kitchen – he prepared the entire meal on his own – so I chatted with his parents and other family and friends while we waited for Esteban and Tanya to arrive. Everyone was so charming and friendly… and as it turned out most of them are originally from Galicia.
As you can see, it really was a feast. Not showing are the four thousand desserts and endless bottles of wine… I ended up rolling home around 2.30 and was far from chipper on Christmas morning. But it was another wonderful family gathering. I think this has been my best ever Christmas in Sevilla!
Fabulous feast!
My boys! Jota & Esteban ❤
23 Monday Dec 2019
I was thrilled to be invited to a pre-Christmas family lunch by María Paz (on the right in photo), whom I’ve known since I first arrived in Sevilla over 26 years ago. I thought it was just going to be a casual thing with immediate family so imagine my surprise when I got to her place to find about 30 people spanning 4 generations gathered around various tables set up for the meal. This was supposed to be their usual Christmas Eve gathering, but some of the grandchildren were leaving the next morning for Madrid so they decided it move it up a day.
It was a potluck affair with everyone bringing something they’d prepared at home, with the star dish being María Paz’s famous partridge in chocolate. But really, all the food was wonderful, and there was so much of it. Plus plenty of wine, and desserts galore. I could barely move when it was finally time to move. In typical Spanish fashion, lunch finally finished around 8 pm, but this also included a lengthy sobremesa and everyone (one at a time to cheers and applause) opening their Secret Santa gift. It was total chaos most of the time and I totally loved it. Such a lovely way to start Christmas. 🙂
18 Wednesday Dec 2019
I first met Claudia & Paul last November during their six-week visit to Sevilla, though we’d previously known each other on social media before that. And now they are back! This time for three months. Today we got together to catch up.
Met for lunch at the recently opened La Casa del Tigre and just as we were finishing my dear friend Esteban, owner of Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre stopped by and we shared another bottle of wine with him. Love that guy!
Also got a call during lunch from the hospital and – eep! – my endoscopia is happening tomorrow afternoon (!!!). Not sure how to feel about that. Hoping there was a cancellation and not that it was deemed so urgent that they got me in ASAP. More to follow on that.
Meanwhile, it was great spending the afternoon with Claudia & Paul and knowing that we have many more afternoons ahead to enjoy together. And it’s always lovely seeing my darling boy Esteban and getting a few hugs.
10 Tuesday Dec 2019
Posted in food & drink, friends
Dan, Paige, Mark, Deb
I first met Dan & Deb when they visited Sevilla earlier this year, but had previously known them for ages on social media. This past weekend they were back in town with Deb’s brother Mark and his wife Paige. We did a little tour of Triana, finishing up on the rooftop of Alfarería 21. And D&D even surprised me with this lovely London bus Christmas ornament (with matching card) to remind me of my visits to London, where they live. Hope they come back soon!
casa azahar 