Progression of a Tulip

Sometimes it is nice to arrange flowers as a single bloom in an interesting or pretty antique vase. Here was a lone pink tulip placed in the windowsill for a party. The rest of its bouquet was scattered in other equally pretty vases throughout the room. This way you have more to look at as you look around! This tulip served its purpose artfully...

The First Day - The pink Tulip brings life and color to the room in contrast to the grey day outside.

That Evening - The Tulip provides a bright note to a white shade.

A Few Days Later - The Tulip still brings a colorful charm, although upside down by now...

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Recipe: Make your own Pan Con Tomate!

We had a wonderful rustic Catalan meal in the middle of olive groves just outside of Barcelona, after visiting Montserrat mountain. One of the most fun parts was making our own pan con tomate, or tomato bread, right at our table! It is so easy to do!

Rubbing the bread with a whole peeled clove of garlic.

Rubbing the bread with the cut side of a tomato.

Washing it down with local wine, directly from the carafe! This takes a lot of skill!

Tomatoes hanging from the ceiling rafters - they are so soft they would burst if left on a counter!

Recipe:

-extra juicy ripe tomatoes (the most juicy you can find)
-garlic cloves
-thickly sliced peasant bread, in large slices and toasted
-olive oil
-salt

Take a whole clove of garlic and rub vigorously on one side of the bread. Slice a tomato in half, and use the entire half rubbing against the bread. Sprinkle with salt, and olive oil. Enjoy with some red wine - especially if you can master the skill of pouring from the carafe to your mouth!

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Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Soup

I started making this soup around Thanksgiving, when I had leftover pumpkin from making pies! This is a nice soup for cold weather - comforting, with a hint of sweetness.

1 small can pumpkin purée
1 large container (32 oz) chicken or vegetable stock or broth (home made if possible!)
1/2 white or yellow onion, finely chopped
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small piece of ginger, grated
1 TBS agave or maple syrup
1/2 C milk or cream or soy milk
1 TBS Olive oil
Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper

Heat olive oil in pot. Add onion and shallot and cook until translucent (not browned). Add garlic and ginger, cook another minute.

Add stock and cook 10 minutes. Add pumpkin, agave and spices. Stir together and cook 30 minutes covered. Add milk or cream at the end.

Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche if desired.

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Montserrat Mountain - Barcelona, Spain

While in Barcelona, we took a day trip with friends up to Montserrat mountain. The view was incredible! We felt so far up, and the view seemed to go on forever... According to our friend, the mountain is named after the teeth of a saw, which it resembles when gazing up. 

The mountain was a place of spiritual pilgrimage. While at the top of the mountain, we visited the Benedictine abbey, where we heard a boys choir sing, and visited the famous statue of the Virgin Mary. 

It is quite an amazing place, and a recommended day trip for those visiting Barcelona!

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Trees in Spain - Like Being Inside a Painting

While in Barcelona recently, we took a drive up Montserrat mountain. Afterwards, we ended our day with a late lunch at a hidden restaurant, nestled amongst olive tree groves. There I was delighted by these beautiful trees in bloom!


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