01 Friday Dec 2017
Posted in welcome
It’s that silly time of year when WordPress makes it snow on my blog (until January 4th), which always makes me smile. Even though – thanks anyhow – I am quite happy never having to see snow UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL again for the rest of my life. That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate gorgeous snowflake pics like this one by my friend Alejna, or enjoy seeing snow fall in films… or on my blog.
Also time to put up the Happy Christmas header!
30 Thursday Nov 2017
Posted in friends, sevilla, sherry, tapas, tapas bars, twitter, twitter friends
Just over four years ago Joel & Kelly first came to Sevilla and we went out on both a Market & Tapas Tour and a Gourmet Tapas Tour together. This time no assistance from me was required, other than to give them a few tips about some new (or new to them) bars they might want to visit. But of course we had to meet up for a bit of sherry, tapas and chat. It was great to catch up. xx
29 Wednesday Nov 2017
Posted in casa azahar, cooking, home, homecooking
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It’s been RAINING here in Sevilla the past two days, something that we are all quite grateful for. Well, except for getting the laundry dry. But it also means that it feels like “stay at home” weather. So after going to see my GP today (nope, still no clue as to what THE PAIN is about) and doing some shopping, I came home and made a totally comfort food rainy day lunch. Garlicky pan-grilled swordfish, stir-fried courgetti and twice-fried chips with soy mayo. And well, have been home ever since. Doing this and that. A bit of work stuff (as always). Netflixing with cats. In PJs.
Sun will be back with us tomorrow.
28 Tuesday Nov 2017
What a spectacular way to spend a Manzanilla Monday. Yesterday I was invited to the presentation and tasting of the latest bottling of Bodegas Delgado Zuleta’s premium “en rama” manzanilla Goya XL, a rare and special beast that has only occurred four times in the history of the bodega.
The event was held in the elegant central courtyard at Taberna de Alabadero, and we were given a tasting of two criaderas that were on their way to becoming Goya XL, and then the final product. And well, it was wonderful. I sat spellbound as DZ’s newest winemaker José Antonio Sánchez Pazo told us about the evolution of this very special wine, and also gave us a bit of insight and history about the bodega.
Full report coming soon on the Azahar Sevilla blog.
27 Monday Nov 2017
Posted in casa azahar, friends, home, sevilla
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Peter, Javier & Laura at Las Teresas
Last year I got a lovely surprise visit from Sarah, and just a couple of months ago Alex was back in town. Then the other day I heard that Javier and his wife Laura would be visiting. The connection is that all these lovely people were once my flatmates when I was living in Mateos Gago.
Javier & Laura were spending some time in Sevilla and Andalucía after having spent the past year travelling around the world. It was wonderful to meet up with Javi again after 18 years and still feel like great friends. Peter joined us for lunch and we went to a weekend BBQ in Prado de San Sebastián. Laura said that after a month in Morocco they were happy to be eating pork and drinking wine again. After a long lazy lunch sitting outside in the warm November sunshine, we made our way back to the centre for “dessert” (a plate of jamón Ibérico with manzanilla pasada at Las Teresas), followed by a penúlitima at La Azotea. And then all too soon it was time to say hasta luego.
My life truly is filled with having met and known some pretty wonderful people. I should always remember this when I am feeling oppressed by backstabby assholes, so I can put things back in perspective. This was a fabulous day.
