April Roundup

My latest post is from Friday, April 10th. For some reason that day I felt I needed to get it done, otherwise I wouldn't. A pricking in my thumbs, mother's intuition, call it what you will - that night my precious star was born, and I haven't been on here since then. I've been changing diapers (about 158 so far), cuddling, singing, taking pictures, napping, crying happy tears, and just enjoying being a mom. April is my birthday month, and now it's also my son's birthday month - extra special!

going to church

After a bit of a hiatus on the linkup, I'm back with Leigh to share what I've been into this month (a heads up - it's mostly baby-related):

Reading: I reread my Hypnobirthing book. It's so calming, and I found it helped me stay relaxed and focused during pregnancy as well as birth, helping me to see the process for what it is - a natural, normal, albeit amazing part of life. It was a good tool for helping me stay calm and open minded during the actual birth (more about that later).

Bringing Up Bebe, by Pamela Drukerman. This was a gift from a friend, and a great read for during Baby's first days at home. Ms Drukerman is an American living in France, and her observations about French parenting are useful and in line with my style, An example - there is no separation between "kid food" and "adult food". Kids should be allowed and encouraged to enjoy lots of flavours from childhood. Some ring true for Spain, such as snacks are for snack time, and snack time happens once a day. If you eat properly at meal times, there is no need to have a bag of squashed cereal floating around in your purse or diaper bag (phew! I hate crumbs). Her comparisons of French and American parenting styles are often humorous, and anecdotes aren't long or rambling, an easy book to pick up for a few minutes here and there when I had time/was awake.

What to Expect in the First Year. Given to me by the same friend, this is a nice book to reference, with lots of lists and good information to use as starting place. I also just like reading about babies, and found this one kind of fun just for that.

Eat, Pray, Love. Elizabeth Gilbert. A reread, but I do love me some armchair travel! I love Italy, and India is on Tall Guy's and my to-visit list. Indonesia's relaxed pace and reverence for children is extremely appealing (what, babies are carried until they're a year old? And it's socially acceptable? I could totally go for that; I never want to put my little one down!). 

Chatelaine and Reader's Digest. Thank goodness for magazines! It's great to start and finish something in one sitting. I have a stockpile of RD which I had been saving for during labour (reading light, funny articles is supposed to be relaxing), but it was over so quickly there wasn't time. As for Chatelaine, can I just say that the weekly grocery shop and meal planner is fabulous, especially at this stage of our lives? 

Be Family to Your Friends, a lovely post by Fiona Lynn that will ring true for anyone living abroad, but especially resonated with me this month.

Going: There were lots of changes in this month's schedule thanks to our early arrival - all of them worth it. 

fragrant lilacs in the park

During Easter holidays, we went to "de billidge" (the village, specially to Tall Guy's family farm) and went on a few lovely day trips, which you can read about here.

My next big excursion  (big as in life-changing, not far or exotic) was to the hospital! In Spain, mothers and babies stay for 48 hours after birth. Since that would have brought us to a Sunday, we stayed an extra day (no discharges on Sundays). They don't call babies bundles of joy for nothing - I am so in love! And the hospital stay was very positive - my doctor and midwife were of course on hand (one or both of them checked in on us every day), and the nursing staff were lovely. There was a sofa bed in my room for Tall Guy, and of course we had our newest family member to keep us company.

Since our homecoming, our trips have been mainly to Parque Santander here in Madrid, where until only a few weeks ago I was running on the track. I had no idea that around the outer edge of the track, there is a beautifully landscaped walking path! Lots of fragrant, colourful plants and flowers, benches to sit down, water fountains, and even a cafe. 

We did get to church on my birthday, and also out for lunch. We went to Sagaretxe, a pincho bar in Madrid. Pinchos are rounds of baguette with different toppings, and also great baby food. Not for the baby, of course, but when you have one - they're already made, so you just pick the ones you want from the bar, and you can eat them with one hand.

pinchos. my favourites are brie and jam, and baby eel and pepper.

We also went out for hamburgers one night at New York Burger. A good burger, but really slow service. REALLY slow. So slow, Baby ate twice before we ate once. And while it was a good burger, it wasn't better than The Good Burger, which is faster and has frozen yogurt for dessert, so...

Eating: I really didn't feel the need to "eat for two" during my pregnancy. I ate enough (okay, probably more than enough!) but my appetite was nowhere near as voracious as it is now that I am feeding my Plus One as well as myself. I am a bottomless pit! Thank goodness for a fully-stocked freezer (and the bakery downstairs...).

vanilla cake with berry jam filling

Maybe because of his early arrival, but a true, strong nesting instinct didn't kick in until AFTER baby. I made lasagna and vanilla cake (May's Chatelaine) for a triple birthday lunch (me, my mother in law, and baby!). I made a giant meatloaf just because, and mashed potatoes and peas to accompany. I also made lactation cookies from bellybelly. It turns out I'm a regular ewe for my little lamb and don't really need them, but the coconut flour adaptation sure is yummy, and the extra help certainly can't hurt.

i made two - one for the freezer!

For breakfast these days a smoothie alone just doesn't cut it. I've been making steel-cut oats with different toppings. Tall Guy's favourite is pear, cranberry and almond, and I'm a little bit boring, with raisins and a little bit of milk.

Thankful for: With my own family far away, and not visiting until next week (the idea was that hopefully I would have given birth by then!), I am so thankful for my friends and Spanish family, especially my Spanish Madre - my host mother from when I was here on exchange as a teenager came to the hospital the night Baby was born to check on me. She came to see us every day while I was in hospital, and has been popping by with afternoon snacks and for walks ever since. 

love.

"I know you have your husband and in-laws, but it's not the same," she said, "I'm here as your family." 

She has known me for nearly 14 years, from when I could barely string together a sentence in Spanish and would blush beet red with embarrassment when I had to give anyone "dos besos".

I'm also thankful for Skype, for being able to connect with my family and friends back home and in other lands, to share with them the joy that is my son. Even my grandma has seen him, thanks to a cousin and her iPad.

My church family has been carrying us along in their prayers during the whole pregnancy, and continue to do so now. Another language wouldn't stop me, but I am thankful to have an English-speaking church.

Baby Talk

Do you remember the days when you had a handwritten list by the phone of numbers you frequently called, and dialing so often you'd memorized the numbers of your favourite people? Or calling anyone out of your area code was reserved for after 6 pm so rates would be cheaper? Otherwise, if you talked for very long, you'd need to keep a close eye on the time to avoid a talking-to when the phone bill came in.

Ancient history.

i love this phone

Despite being many, many area codes away from my grandmother, I can talk to her all I want, whenever I want, thank you very much, Voice over Internet Protocol. I can even call by pressing her picture, although I still do know her number by heart.

It's not the same as visiting, and letters still have a special place in my heart, but spending time catching up with loved ones on the phone is an important part of maintaining relationships whilst living abroad, a great way to check in and feel instantly connected. And what a fun way to spend the afternoon, hearing a familiar voice, talking about everything or nothing at all.  

Today we had a nice, long chat - she caught me up on what's happening back home, including all the snow I'm missing, and I talked mostly about Baby, of course! I filled her in on today's doctor's visit (the baby is perfect), yesterday's shopping excursion, how the nursery is coming along, and shared some funny stories from my class. I loved sharing all my news with someone who was delighted to hear about every last detail, and who is so thrilled about Baby's arrival. 

At home and abroad, friends and family really are only a phone call away, so what are you waiting for? Log into your VoIP program or pick up your phone, and dial away!  

July Roundup

I'm torn between Is July over?? and July is over!!  I’m grateful to have had work but also that school is over, that the weather is hot but there have been cool days, and I’ve not had much quiet time but lots of opportunities to meet up with friends!

check out leigh's festive 4th of july pics!

My first July here was 2012, and I spent most days from 1 till 8 on the couch with an ice pack and a fan blowing on me, all the blinds down, reading or watching TV and trying not to move. I guess eventually I'll acclimatize, right? Anyway, here's what I've been up to (and blogging wasn't it - too wiped out, must be all that singing and jumping around at work!):

it even looks refreshing

Reading: Uh, I read a lot of books this month, even for me. Probably has something to do with my commute... I’ll just mention a reread, though: The Other Side of Eden by Hugh Brody. Non-fiction, this book explores hunter-gatherer societies, mainly in Canada, and how they change once in contact with agrarian societies. A fascinating trip to my homeland and university days via the written word, and for bonus points, there’s snow in it to help me cool down.

Watching: I caught up on Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. I love funny shows! I only just discovered that Ugly Betty is on during breakfast, a nice change from Spanish news football reports. Seriously, get over it, people. It’s a game. And yes, Canadians do love their hockey, but unless it’s something huge, we keep the replays on the sports networks.

Listening to: A lot, and I mean a LOT, of kiddie songs. I even hear them when I'm trying not to. If You're Happy and You Know It plays over and over and over in my mind. Now I know how my parents felt when I played my Brian Adams Everything I Do "mix tape" -basically a tape with this song recorded on it as many times as it would fit- when it was my turn to choose music in the car. Sorry! 

Fortunately, the kids also like Happy, and it's become our daily theme song. I love it! It really pumps me up. Hmm, that's one to put on a new "mix tape", if you ask me...

Finally, one student introduced me to Zaz, a jazzy French singer just perfect for a summer soundtrack. How did I not know about her? Probably because part of my job involves listening to groups like The Wiggles and when I'm home I sometimes just revel in the quiet and miss out on grown-up tunes.

Doing: Tap dancing on the ceiling and bathing in glitter. No, I've not joined a cabaret, I've just been at day camp. Lots of songs, lots of crafts, lots of activities and games. 

My best ideas so far have been having the older kids draw large cartoon-y sports posters (it’s a sports camp) and cut out holes for faces for fun photos, and water painting (inspired by my friend Sherry, AKA The Child Whisperer) – take out dishes of water and paint brushes, and the kids spend a happy while “painting” the school yard.

Refinishing the buffet. Still. Seriously, not my thing, but it now looks pretty good!

Seeing lots of friends. Girls lunches, afternoons with a friend and her children, burrito nights, window shopping, and coffee. The summer school timetable allowed for a lot of socialization. It’s so nice to spend time with friends.

Being interviewed for this neat blog, Strangers with Smiles. The blog features a smiling someone every day and aims to spread the happiness around. If you'd like to participate, you can get in touch with the smiley Christina via her blog. 

towel pets from day camp

Singing in church. I sang a duet with the lovely Amy, who just radiates joy when she’s sharing music. She is such an inspiration to what it means to share our gifts and talents, and I hope to collaborate more with her soon!

And the best for last... pinning up a storm for my new job! As of September, I will be Mrs Tall, JK teacher extraordinaire (well, that’s what I’ll be aiming for!)

Thinking about: Next year – I am so grateful to have a job teaching full time at a school by my house. BY MY HOUSE! JK! Spending time with fun little people doing crafts, reading stories and singing songs? Yes please! Of course I’m going to enjoy my holidays to the max, but I am already looking forward to September. Nerd alert - I love school! 

March Roundup

So, only one other post this month, not because I have nothing to say but because I pretty much sleep or zombie-out on the couch when I'm not doing this:

yes, that is a wall on the floor!

Home renovations! We're in the throws of what I am calling Project Phoenix and Tall Guy calls Home Destroying (gotta love second languages). I'm looking forward to the comfortable new home that will rise out of all of this dust. It's mostly fun and obviously more economical, but sometimes I wonder if we're crazy for getting so involved in the project. It's much more difficult and way messier than the DIY shows on TV let on...

It's worth pointing out that in Spain, wood is not the preferred building choice. When you hit the wall with the sledge hammer, it doesn't just cave in. No, in Spain we've got terra cotta bricks laid with thick, old-school cement topped with more cement and tiles. Oh, the tiles. Tiles from floor to ceiling, in all kinds of colours. Don't like it? Just tile over in another colour. Or wallpaper, then tile. Yikes. It takes a lot of smashing to get through that stuff. Yesterday the payout was huge though - we discovered a supporting beam marked as very annoyingly large in our drawing is actually quite small. Make way for more cabinets for the kitchen!

Anyway, there will be more pictures and more reflections coming regarding our home makeover. It's quite the process.

I didn't post anything more about Carnaval because it literally rained on my parade, and unless it's because I have a chance of seeing Gwyneth Paltrow or Will, Kate, and baby George, I don't stand out in the rain for a parade. Sorry. Disappointing, but there's always next year!


i wish my hair really were that voluminous

I made a new friend at the place I volunteer (we've been painting with the kids this month, they love it!). She's studying here until May, but if I've learned one thing as an expat it's that when a friendship appears, hop on board! When you click, you click, so I say go book-shopping and meet up for coffee while you can.


our hairdo - we picked the same one

Another friend and I went to an event called Buns and Bubbles - come for a hairdo, stay for a glass of champagne. Don't mind if we do! It was so much fun to have a total girl evening. On the way home I discovered an Essie manicure shop, which is now on our radar for April.

Madrid peeps, we found this activity through Madrid Confidential, a great website with all kinds of alternative and interesting ideas for things to do around the city.


On the way to the hairdresser's, in true Madrid fashion, we ran into an Easter procession. The music was solemn but sounded really familiar, so we stopped to listen. Yes, it was indeed I will survive, and song number two was My Way... I suppose you could twist those lyrics to make them Biblically appropriate, but let's just leave it at this: a very dedicated group of musicians processing through the streets of Madrid to a tucked-away church, touching and memorable no matter what the songs are.



Tall Guy and I went to a wedding in Seville. I love the dress I found (my mother in law helped me pick it out - a nice bonding moment). This is pretty much as Spanish-looking as I get.

I love Seville and I was sorry it was just a quick there-and-back overnight, but we did have a lovely time - lunch outdoors, then on to the wedding in the Cathedral, and the wedding dinner cocktail hour was held outside with lots of bonfires for warmth. Dinner and dancing indoors, and we danced until 4 in the morning. We were not the last people to leave, either. Yikes!

Travel Tip: Hotel Inglaterra is a stone's throw from the cathedral and there is a super-cute bakery just outside the front door, Colette, where you can get a proper cappuccino and any kind of pastry your heart desires.

We're watching season two of Vikings. Well, Tall Guy is watching. I alternate between watching when nothing too bloody or violent is happening, and reading when it is. I'm actually watching episodes the whole way through of Season Two of Arctic Air, Season Seven of The Big Bang Theory, and Season Five of Modern Family.

It's been a month of rereading, for better and worse. I reread The Booky Triology, by Beatrice Thurman Hunter. It's a semi-biographical account of a child growing up in Toronto during the Depression. I loved this series as a child and still love it now. A good reread.

Also reread a mystery by Caroline Roe and enjoyed it even more than the first time through, since now I've visited some of the places mentioned in the book (Mallorca and Valencia).

Abandon, by Pico Iyer, was not a good reread. I liked it less than the first time. It wasn't so much hauntingly mysterious as it was irritating - the main female character was just so desperately helpless, it drove me crazy! I do enjoy Iyer's writing though, especially descriptions of place, and I'm looking forward to digging through my boxes to find another one of his books to try again.

My new read is 40 Days to Rethink Life, a Lent Bible study. It's very handily available on my phone. Each day a new challenge is presented - one day shifting away from ego-centric decision making, another day taking a "friend-entory", or dropping judgemental attitudes. A life makeover to go along with our new home.

wedding hair on the train

Online reading included Leigh's Enneagram series, which you can find here. I had never heard about this until she wrote about it a while back, and it's very interesting stuff, especially if you're into personality tests and exploring yourself. I'm linked up with Leigh's What I'm Into.

Madrid dwellers, take note: I broke a tooth (on a seed in some muesli!!) and have a new dentist. He's gentle and explains exactly what he's doing (and he asks before he does stuff), and he speaks English. Send me an email if you want his contact info. North Americans, take note: Dental work is MUCH cheaper over here. Much, much cheaper. As in, come for a visit and fix your teeth while you're here.

April is packed already - Easter, my birthday, a visitor, and of course, renovations. 

Hasta pronto, my friends!   

February Roundup

February was a good month - I did not take even one single sick-day! The days are getting longer and warmer, so I've been able to reincorporate my bike into my daily commute.

Here's what I've been:

Laughing at: kids at school again, grade five this time. We've been talking about Anglophone countries, and since Bro was recently in New Zealand and is a really cool and dedicated video-blogger, I decided to show them a clip from his visit to Hobbiton. It went down like this:
I started the video, and said "That's my brother"
Student A: He's famous!
Student B: Wow, his own Youtube channel!
Me: Well, he isn't famous, but he is pretty cool...
Student: Do all Canada people have really white teeth?
Me: Shhh...
       Video plays, students ooing and ahing over the scenery, exclaiming at the tiny little houses.
Another student, at the end of the video: So, your brother is a Hobbit.
Her deskmate: No, she's too tall to have a hobbit brother! He just lives there.

I also very much enjoyed a presentation about the Marshall Islands, where the typical food, is, apparently, crap...

source

the original recipe from chatelaine

Doing: Baking up a storm – lots of healthful eats and treats. I made a lemon loaf and a really fabulous chocolate caramel tart for my Lovely Ladies Coffee Afternoon – watch for my recipe adaptation soon! We’ve also been working on getting back into a routine at home. We slipped into winging it, which means unplanned meals, messy rooms, and underutilized time.

I am definitely a paper-person. I printed out (and coloured) a wall calendar for this month, obviously with birds on it, and I went back to my pen and paper lists. More got done, less got forgotten. This month we really stuck to our menu plan (we plan and grocery shop once a week) and cleaning rotation. We also met up with an old friend for dinner, went running together and finally caught an exhibition I’d been wanting to see.
 
Getting a haircut! It's a monumentous event - I got a haircut and the only tears I cried were tears of joy. My old hairdresser's timetable doesn't work with mine, and my two latest "tries" were disasters. Third time's a charm, and I have a new hairdresser!
 
Lovely Ladies Coffee Afternoon - does it ever cross your mind that friends from different circles would get on really well? And that maybe you would like some of their friends? I like making connections, I like hosting events, and I like baking, so I decided to invite some friends over one afternoon to see what would happen. The requirements were 1) girls only! 2) Madrid "lifers" or at least long-termers. And that's how eight young women and a baby (also a girl!) ended up at my place one rainy Saturday afternoon. It was heaps of fun and we'll do it again, and hopefully again and again. One Canadian (me) and one Spaniard, and everyone else was American. You know, for such a big place, you guys sure seem to know everyone who comes from there...  Oh, that's where my dad grew up / hey, my mom went to your highschool / yes, we lived there for two years! / I was born there! / etc. And you guys make jokes about Canada, phsh.

Gardening. Now, those of you in my hometown, you may not want to read this, since it's -25C and the highways are closed due to a blizzard... I've been gardening. Weeding, planting new things, and enjoying a continuous stream of cheery orange marigolds, and now, mini daffodils and little yellow crocuses! Today my mother-in-law brought me to lovely lavender plants which I'm looking forward to getting in the "ground", and the plant Tweedle N "borrowed" from the beach garden is doing so well it's practically taking over!
 
Thinking about: What kind of soup I am. I read a thought-provoking article that touched on my career/job musings which suggests thinking of yourself as a soup instead of trying to sell your brand. I’d like to think I’m chili – it’s reliable and comforting, yet versatile and hearty; flavourful, and it can pack a punch.
 
Jobs, and this quote from Jo's Boys which struck me as poignant: We don't choose our talents; but we needn't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what we want. Wow, how true. Thank you for the reminder, Louisa! Kind of makes you think twice about the ways you use your talents, or if you've got talents that are underused.

My brother and his... Fiancée! Congratulations on your engagement, you two!

Reading:  I mostly reread this month, including some childhood favourites, Underground to Canada, A String in the Harp, Little House on the Prairie and Farmer Boy. My new read was Jo’s Boys (I'm not sure how I made it this far, loving the genre of books that I do, without reading this!).  I enjoy reading nice stories about people trying to be good. Also, at school we're talking about “the olden days” in grade four, and these stories are coming in handy. The kids can't believe the part in Farmer Boy, for example, where Almanzo walks to school in the snow wearing moccasins because he doesn't have boots.

Books are always good company if you have the right sort. Let me pick out some for you."
           -Jo in Jo's Boys, by Louisa May Alcott
Um, how true is that!?!?!  

My book purchase this month was a new e-cookbook, Naturally Sweetened Treats. 41 new dessert and snack ideas, hooray! I found out about this project because Elise from Healing Cuisine, a recipe developer I admire, has a recipe in it (cookies, in case you were wondering). Anyway, if you like sweets, you should buy this book.

Watching: Friends. Do I ever not enjoy watching this show? No. Never.

November Roundup

chinchon, famous for the main square. it's round!

November. In like a lamb, out like a... sick lamb. It felt like an extra-long month, or two mini-months in one. The first one was great - good weather, a visit from an awesome friend, good times at work. And then the germs came. Flu, laryngitis, day after day of resting and feeling not the best. It's a sure-fire way to make any month drag on. Anyway, it’s time to move on to a hopefully healthy December.

I'm linking up with Leigh's anniversary edition of What I'm Into. Be sure to check it out!



This month I've been

Reading: Alice Munro. I love short stories and I love Canadian writing, and in honour of her Nobel Prize, I've been re-reading old favourites. Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage is a lovely place to start. This woman explores relationships like no other. Old married couple? New married couple? Sisters? Friends? Enemies? She just gets it. Add to that the spot-on descriptions of life in Ontario, and voila - loveship.  Sarah Polly's film Away from Her is based on The Bear Came Over the Mountain, the last story from this book.

I've got some more Canadiana on the go, a non-fiction book by wine writer Natalie MacLean. It's interesting how differently wine is made, tasted and viewed in Europe and "The New World". While I like plenty of New World wines, I prefer the attitude and history that comes with it over here. The book's called Red, White and Drunk All Over.

Gulliver's Travels. Because it's fun, and the only thing better than making up words is reading made-up words.

Joy! To your world. ON MY PHONE! I still can’t get over it – I have a phone that can handle apps.  

This excellent article about tweeting other people’s conversations. Using the problems and misfortunes of others to gain followers? Not cool, people.

I also finished Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, by Helen Simonson. A senior love story with dry British humour set in the rolling English countryside? Yes please. 

Watching: Reign. Leigh got me hooked on this last month, and I love it! It’s not trying to be a 100% accurate historical drama, which kind of makes it more fun. The soundtrack is great and the costumes are amazing. And, let’s be honest, the actual Mary Queen of Scots was one tall lady, so of course I’m into this show!

My Grandma's Christmas music video. Check it out!

rice in Chinchon

A cooking show presented by cloistered nuns. The title translates to Divine Palate. They make traditional Spanish dishes while giving a social commentary that sometimes relates to food – we’re cooking this and we have to remember to be thankful, because so many are poor. We’re cooking our favourite Spanish dish, and we have to remember that it’s hard for missionaries to adapt to foreign cuisine. We’re cooking this dish, it’s Sister so-and-so’s favourite, and she was friends with JPII. Daytime TV in Spain...

Drinking:  A lot of water. Mug after mug of lemon-ginger infusions. Nettle tea. Chicken broth. White tea.

Doing: catching up with an awesome friend from my London days. We'd planned the visit months ago, and we were both pretty hyped up when the time finally came. We spent the weekend catching up over coffee and donuts on the balcony, shopping our way around Madrid, eating lots of good vegetarian fare, and sightseeing in Chinchon. It's one of those towns that screams Spain. Old churches, castle ruins, a clock tower, artesan shops, and people - old men in hats having a café at the bar, women gathered around tables to catch up on the news, the children running around the main square. It was very cool - the main square is round, and in the summer they use it for bull fights. Don't go that day. The area is famous for anis, which people drink as little shots with coffee and also use for baking. We vote for the anis doughnuts.

together again!

Yoga, 10 minutes nearly every day. I’ve stopped going to class, and started a home-practise instead. At the moment, I like it more. Yoga is too chatty in Spain (surprise, surprise), and at home I can really focus and make it my own, digging in to poses I'm enjoying, and working on challenges at my own pace. Some poses can even help you feel a bit better when you’re sick. Reclining twist and legs up the wall, corpse pose and deep breathing.

I made some Advent Bunting, and I'm nearly done some (bird) tree ornaments. Watch for pictures soon!

Thinking about: Christmas everything – a concert at school, art projects and lessons, at home, Christmas choir, Christmas travelling... I’m getting excited!

Sister Sledge

I have just been blessed with a two week visit from my cousins, Tweedle E and Tweedle N. It was their first time in Spain, and Tweedle N's first time in Europe. Needless to say, we had a blast. I had so much fun showing them around, and just as much fun hanging out with them at home. Throughout the two weeks, our similarities (shared weirdness, Tall Guy says) just kept popping up.

free popsicles on the metro

Tweedle E and I could just read away a week of time. We love the Vita-mix with a passion bordering on the disturbing. Tweedle N has such an artistic brain and loves free stuff more than I do. We watched Friends and ate popcorn and candy like maniacs. We drank copious amounts of coffee and huge smoothies, and ate heaps of Spanish cheese. Tweedle E and I freaked out when Tweedle N planned to "just throw everything in the suitcase and sit on it", and Tweedle N and I teased E about the birds (she hates them - once when she was sleeping on the beach, we made a trail of chips to attract seagulls to her leg for a photo op).

yep, we really did that

Sister Sledge said it best:

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing

 

 

at the palace in Santander

 

 

 

Ev'ryone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
 

I won't tell no lie
 (ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
 

Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose

 

 
 
 
 
Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight

 
 

at the palace in madrid



 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(WE!) no we don't get depressed
Here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do

 


pizza and beer at sultana

 

at the castle in denia

 
 

You won't go wrong
This is our family Jewel

Who stole the tarts?

In less than two weeks from today, Tall Guy and I are getting married!

To kick off of the celebrations, my mom, aunt and cousins threw me a shower. It was great fun spending the day with so many friends and family members, but also a little strange - while I have been showers, of course I had not been to one for me!

fancy a spot of tea?

Thank you to my mom and aunt for all of the food, even though at first we couldn't find the tarts. Don't worry, they weren't stolen, so I didn't chop off any heads - they were just in the fridge. Phew!



cucumber and cream cheese. you can't get more english than that.




peanut butter squares, my favourites, made by grandma



Thank you to my cousins for making and decorating amazing cupcakes. They were incredible!

amazing alice cupcakes

Thank you to Renaissance Woman for capturing the memories!

it's a gravy boat!

And thank you to everyone for coming - I had an amazing time!

thank you!