A Foodie's Heaven

We cherish our local food market, Mercat de Provençals. The region of Catalunya has a rich gastronomic culture, having a network of food markets scattered throughout the different neighborhoods. Locals flock to these markets, where a little squeezing through and bartering are not uncommon. They sell a wide variety of fresh fish, seafood, meat, cheeses, and produce that are just so appealing to the eye.

Paloma and I make a trip once or twice a week to get our fresh fare. There's something so special about taking a stroll to the market in the fresh air and buying a freshly caught fish from a fishmonger. That is quality of life, my friends!

A few weeks ago Fernando, Paloma, and I partied down to the market on a Friday evening. We're just crazy like that.

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The not-so-prominent sliding doorway to said foodie heaven.
There are maybe 30 to 40 stalls of goodness. I have my favorites now.

Fresh eggs. I don't know why they feel fresher when they have a feather stuck to them sometimes. I guess they feel like they were picked on a farm. I noticed that white eggs are very hard to find.
Whole chickens. Don't look too close if you don't wanna see any heads. It's that farm feeling again. I turn away when they "clean" mine.
The variety of embutidos, or sausages, never ends.
The pig = most loved eaten animal. No part is ever useless! That's the tail you see on the left lower corner.
Pigs' ears and feet. I repeat, let nothing go to waste!
Paloma's a now a pro at waiting patiently for moments at a time.
Cheese, oh glorious cheese.
This one's of cultural interest. Tetilla is a cheese from Galicia, named after it's mammary-like form.

There are bars inside these markets also if you're craving that cup of coffee.

I always go to this fishwife (female fishmonger, according to Wikipedia) for our seafood cravings. She gives me fish recipes when I'm at a loss. Shoot, we're so tight that she doesn't even ask for my ID when I pay with a credit card.
This fish has both eyes on its left side, which is keeping me from trying it.
A classic Spanish white fish, merluza, or hake, pretending to be Jaws.
Langostina and calamares. Ahhh...I can smell the sea.
Hope you enjoyed!

Pau and Paloma - 8 1/2 Months

Katya, Rafa and Pau swung by for another visit a week ago. Here we go with the camera...

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Brothers Fernando and Rafa look on as their kids learn to play nice.

These two are so cute together. And that's my objective opinion.

Ahh, the wonderful phase of "everything I touch must go in the mouth - crumbs, dust, germs, cooties and all".

Pau and Paloma got to talk with Abuela Juana on Skype. (Abuelo Rafa was in his Swansea for his annual visit.)

More overdue posts to come. Thanks for stopping by, my imaginary mass audience!

White, White, White!

Happy winter! Yesterday we got a freak snow day in Barcelona, not having snowed this much in the city since 1962. In the morning, I tried to capture the miniscule snowflakes falling to the ground.

It was starting to feel unreal.

White!
White!

White!Fernando got a shot of our snowy, abandoned street.

This little snowman sat in on the action.

Me and P stayed indoors to watch our first snowfall.

The snow was so paralyzing that many commuters had to find alternate ways to get home because public transportation was cut off. We even had to put up Fernando's supervisor for the night. Today, the sun is out. Thanks for an unforgettable day, Barcelona!

Feliz Octavo Cumplemes!

The weather here is on and off wet and gray, but we're surviving. Unbelievably, Paloma turned 8 months on Saturday and are delightfully seeing some changes in her. She closely observes everything we're doing and examines everything within her reach, then samples it of course. Another thing is that her two upper teeth are coming through. It's amazing to watch "growth" happen before our very eyes.

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Chubby knees. I couldn't resist!

Wondering - what purpose does the shell of a snail serve?We had to flip her somehow to get a shot of the sprouting teeth. Nope, she didn't really like it.

Chillin' on the bed.

We noticed unusually rapid growth of the upper teeth after having watched a few episodes of "Fringe". Coincidence?

Until next time, amigos!

Ho Hum

The weather's been sucking these past few days with rain and cold. Blech! So that means we spend a lot of time indoors taking lots o' pictures and videos. Without further delay...

I finally captured them. The budding teeth!

Now for some riveting footage from yours truly, which I know you are all dying to see.

Now I'm hoping for some better weather!

A Little Catch Up

On Saturday, we headed to Sant Boi to catch up with Katya, Rafa, and Pau. Reunited and it feels so good...
The buddies on the couch.
Hey, this snail looks familiar... Ride 'em, little cowboy!
Fernando's little brother, Juan Pablo, stopped by from Andorra to see the little ones as well.Paloma's trying to master the chokehold with her legs, but they're too short.At home, she's been experimenting with food.
Ah, to feel squishy banana between your fingers. Must be fun the first hundred times of your life.Reminiscing about the good ol' times.
Have a good week!

Our Neighborhood Garden

On Sunday, we visited our nearby park, the Parc de Sant Marti. It was built on farmland, and has three farmhouses still standing from the mid-20th century.

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'Twas a cold day indeed.

Nestled in the park is the old Sant Marti church, from which the neighborhood was named.

Fernando stands in front of the mosaic-laiden wall of a historic building, Can Cadena.

The park also has a quaint garden, which is part of Barcelona's vegetable garden network. This one is separated into 17 allotments and taken care of elderly people in the neighborhood. Below: chives!More veggies.

And even more where they can soak up the sun.

I don't know what this is, but it looks like it's from "Little House on the Prairie".
The composting area.

Schools can also come to visit so students can gain first-hand knowledge of ecological and organic farming techniques as well as common farm animals.

Band o' brothers o' sheep.

Feeding time. Crispy hay fresh off the ground!

Paloma peeks out of her rain guard to pose with Baa Baa Black Sheep.
Have you any wool?

On the Paloma front....we're on to something. Miss P has been practicing in her little potty. What? TMI?
Miss P, pigtails and Papi.
Sexy bedroom shots.

Thanks for stopping by!