Tags
Merry Christmas everybody!
I’m enjoying the day with cava and cats. How about you?



25 Tuesday Dec 2018
Posted in casa azahar, cats, christmas
Tags
Merry Christmas everybody!
I’m enjoying the day with cava and cats. How about you?



24 Monday Dec 2018
Posted in casa azahar, cats, christmas, food & drink, friends
Tags

This year I was saved from either spending Christmas on my own or – even worse – spending it with Peter the Grinch. Don’t get me wrong, Peter and I are good friends but when it comes to Christmas, well, he really sucks. And by that I mean he pretty much sucks the life out of it.
Last year I actually spent Christmas on my own, at home with the cats, since it was my first year living on my own again. And that was just fine. But it’s always nice to have an excuse to make a nice meal at Christmas time and share it with friends, so I was happy that Pam and Gord were going to be back in town.
I first met P & G in January 2013 when they booked a tapas tour with me. They have been back a couple of times since then, and this year decided to do a road trip between Sevilla and Málaga. In fact, I’ll be joining them for a couple of days in Jerez later in the week.
It was a lovely evening and, as you can see, Peter was also invited (grinchiness is less toxic in a group). And you may also notice that little scamp Morcilla all snuggled up next to El Gordo. I was shocked – she has never done that before. At best she will come into the same room as strangers, but here she was getting all cosy.

Dinner was fab. P & G brought some gorgeous jamón Ibérico and I made my famous carrillada al oloroso. Plus I had found some parsnips while in Málaga last week (!!!) so added those to the roasted veg. First time in YEARS having parsnips. I also made some really good honey-chilli-dijón cocktail sausages that I had come across on my friend Lizzie’s (@hollow_legs) Instagram that morning. So the oven got a serious workout and we all had a great time.

22 Saturday Dec 2018
Posted in cats, Malaga, malaga getaway
Tags
“Cat City” is a thriving community of gatos along the Paseo Maritimo in Málaga. This time I was pleased to see that most of them had clipped ears, which means that some kind person had taken the time and expense to have them neutered. In this photo there are seven cats – can you find them all?
Find them circled below…
13 Thursday Dec 2018
Posted in animals & pets, cats, humour
08 Saturday Dec 2018
Posted in casa azahar, cats, home
Tags

Morcilla has been turning into quite the unstoppable force. Mostly she uses her kitteh super powers for good, by which I mean making me feel like the most special person on the planet, but other times she demands payment. Above you can see her in her role as my Personal Assistant, and having her attached to my shoulder (seriously attached, with claws) is actually welcome company as I spend several hours each day at the computer and her cuddling and nuzzling and purring somehow makes everything feel fabulous. 
More recently she has become “helpful in the kitchen” (please ignore spattered windows – it’s been raining and I have yet to wash them). Here Morcilla is extremely happy – you can tell by her puffed out tail – as she has just climbed up my back (ouch!) and after a short while perched on my shoulder she jumped over to the little storage shelf and had a good sniff around. Potatoes and onions and garlic – oh my!
But it seems I can’t turn my back for TWO MINUTES. After finishing with some washing up in the kitchen I suddenly found myself Morcilla-less. Where could she be? Didn’t have to look far to find her at another of her favourite activities… dragging stuff out of drawers under my bed through the small opening that is supposed to act as a handle. She will often get the drawer open eventually and pull everything out, and then climb inside.
To be honest…. I love this shit! Yes, it’s a bit annoying at times, but it is mostly adorable. And, being a house cat, there isn’t really a lot going on for these guys. Loki and Luna mostly just do the eat, sleep, lounge around thing… but Morcilla is much more about having FUN. Once again she reminds me so much of Azar. And just like Azar, she has become much more affectionate and demanding as she gets older. What can I say? I’m all hers.