16 Friday Jul 2021
Posted in casa azahar, home
Tags
According to HERE, the last time I bought new towels was in July 2016 (!!!) which will explain why my present towels are like thin loofahs at this point. So I took advantage of the summer sales and found these fluffy guys at 50% off. They are up drying on the roof as we speak. Can’t wait for my next shower. How often do you replace towels and sheets?
15 Thursday Jul 2021
Posted in history, rants, sevilla, spain, tapas bars
Tags
photo courtesy of Gurmé Sevilla
You may recall when a few months ago I wrote about Bodega San José closing its doors after more than 80 years (the Bueno family took over the location around 1935). This was because the present owners of the building refused to renew the lease this year, presumably because they got a more lucrative offer. And here is the result.
Surely this is identity theft? Taking over a cherished family-run bar, doing a big reno, and then not only keeping the same name but putting “desde 1893” in your logo. This new bar (actually “desde 2021”) has nothing to do with the old one and is nothing like it. I’ve seen photos on their (new) FB page and it looks like your typical gastro bar inside. It’s irksome that they are staking claim to a history that was never theirs, obviously trying to profit from it. Not the first time I’ve seen this happen here, but perhaps the saddest one for me.
14 Wednesday Jul 2021
Posted in casa azahar, home
Tags
Look what I got! I used to use Brita back in Toronto but later just kind of forgot about filtering water at home… until this week. It might just be me but lately the tap water has developed a very strong chlorine smell (and taste) which isn’t so noticeable with coffee or cooking, but it’s not great for drinking. So I checked out filters on line and decided to go with good ol’ Brita (plus this model was on sale at El Corte Inglés). A friend had also recommended Zero Water, but that’s only available on line and I prefer being able to purchase replacement filters just around the corner from my house. So I’ve just finished setting it up and I am looking forward to nice filtered lemon water in the morning.
13 Tuesday Jul 2021
Posted in azahars kitchen, food & drink, homecooking
I don’t know how these things happen but I can start off a day feeling fairly normal and with a “to do” list of things of thing I want to take care of, and then remember that a few weeks ago someone mentioned pistachio pesto on Twitter and then I’m suddenly lost down a google pesto rabbit-hole. This is followed by an immediate desire – nay, OBSESSION – to make this dish NOW (last time this happened I think it was lamb faggots). Anyhow, after a quick trip to the supermarket to get some pistachios and basil I was in business.
12 Monday Jul 2021
Posted in casa azahar, home
Tags
I may be in the minority here, but I really don’t like baths. In fact, I remember my last bath clearly, almost seven years ago in November 2014 when I stayed at the fabulous Parador Hotel in Cádiz. And the only reason I took a bath there (normally hotel bathtubs are to be avoided like the plague) was because the damn thing was massive, made of stone (or marble?) and about 8 metres long. And so I filled it up using the lovely bath products provided… and lasted about ten minutes. I mean… meh. The idea of sitting around making “body soup” has never appealed and I don’t find it particularly relaxing. I guess I just get bored? Anyhow, how about you?
The other more practical matter is, as the years go by and if you never take baths, having to climb in and out of a slippery tub to take a shower is fraught with peril. Hence I totally love my big walk-in rain shower 💦🚿
casa azahar 