Missing Asturias

Toledo Train Station

2011-12-11T21:01:00.000-06:00

Black Friday

2011-11-20T19:26:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted anything in quite a while, I can only attribute it to gearing up and storing energy to get through Thanksgiving, Black Friday and the Christmas season, in that order.

Memories of Castilla Leon

2011-11-05T11:01:00.000-05:00

Me esposo Miguel y mis amigos Fernando y Chari caminando en Las Medulas, (old Roman gold mines)

American Haters

2011-10-30T16:06:00.000-05:00

Alcazar Regis

2011-10-20T13:38:00.000-05:00

Miguel and I have one common love. Traveling. We travel well together. Occasionally we splurge on expensive hotels but sometimes we have no need for anything except a clean bed and shower. We both love the thrill of discovering an incredible room or restaurant or bar that we never knew of before. This Hostal on Gran Via was the thrilling find kind! It was once a luxurious private residence complete with a tea room overlooking Gran Via. The staff is lovely and someone is always present, usually ironing sheets, which I found comforting in a weird way I can not explain. The ornate stained glass double doors are for real and lead to each room. The rooms are clean and spacious and quiet. I give this hostal 2 thumbs up!!!

La Felgeura Church

2011-10-18T19:17:00.000-05:00

Hola Fernando y Chari, I really miss you. Te echo de menos muchos. I miss talking with you and walking with you and window shopping with you and discovering wonderful wines with you and finding incredible resturants with you.... I MISS YOU!

Navidad con mis Primos 2010

2011-10-16T14:50:00.000-05:00

With the arrival of Autumn, I am starting to get homesick again for my adopted home Asturias. I love the cozy feeling of winter in Northern Spain. The constant rain brings more people indoors to the bars to socialize and the bars offer a different fare in winter. Hot wine served with fig, caldo de la casa,(soup of the house) and roasted or boiled chestnuts to name a few. I miss the smell and homeyness of a coal cook-stove warming the kitchen where everyone gathers.I miss my many cousins, uncles and aunts. This is a photo taken last Christmas Eve/Day in Bar Corea with my husband Miguel, cousins Vicen, Berto, me and Jose Luis.

Me Tia Ludi

2011-10-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

I miss my aunt Ludi, I love my aunt Ludi!!!!!

My Dad \ Me Padre

2011-10-13T16:37:00.000-05:00

My dad was honored last night in Abilene Kansas at the National Greyhound Associations fall meet banquet. He has been a breeder for over thirty years and was recognized as being a humble man and successful breeder . I was so proud and I am so very happy that my sister, husband and I could be there to help honor him.

Still our Best Hope!

2011-10-11T18:24:00.000-05:00

Criminales de GUERRA!

2011-09-25T20:41:00.000-05:00

2011-09-25T20:21:00.001-05:00

Miguel and I attended an American wedding yesterday. After dinner the guests could have their photos taken in the photo booth. I LOVED IT. Miguel said he hated it, but he appears to me to be smiling in every photo, doesn't he!

Miguel y yo fuimos ayer a nuestra primera boda en América. Depués de cenar, los invitados sacaron su foto en un kiosko. ME ENCANTÓ y a Miguel no le gustó la idea pero parece que está sonriendo en cada foto, ¿no?.

Make my day punk

2011-09-19T17:58:00.001-05:00

As of recent Topeka Kansas has been terrorized by home burglaries. The buglers are very bold and do not seem to care if the occupants of the homes are inside , asleep or away. If that is not enough people AND their dogs have been shot during the invasions. This photo makes me laugh.... and I surely hope the low life burglars are at least educated enough to read.

My nephew the KING

2011-09-19T17:20:00.002-05:00

Here in the United States we have our American Football. In our high schools we have our HOMECOMING GAME. Sometimes there is a parade before the game and always there is a school dance after the game. During halftime the Homecoming King and Queen are announced and crowned. Last year my nephew Ty was crowned King and this year my nephew Wesley is Da' King. I wish you could see his fancy purple velvet crown!! Congratulations Wesley!!!.

Aquí en los Estados Unidos jugamos al fútbol americano. En nuestros institutos tenemos un partido que es el más importante del año y se llama Homecoming Game. A veces hay un desfile antes del partido y siempre hay un baile después del partido. Durante el descanso el rey y la reina del partido son anunciados y coronados y este es un honor muy importante. El año pasado mi sobrino Ty fue coronado rey y este año su hermano Wesley, mi otro sobrino fue coronado rey. ¡Felicidades Wesley!

Back to Work

2011-08-21T18:59:00.000-05:00

El nuevo coche de mi hijo Tanner.

2011-08-12T23:20:00.000-05:00

This summer while I was in Madrid, sipping sangria, my son Tanner was evolved in a car wreck coming home from work. Long story short, his car was totaled and his insurance did not pay. He had his first car for such a short time that we never even got a photograph of it! This is Tanners new used second car.I made him pose for this picture the second he bought it.

Este verano mientras estaba en Madrid de vacaciones bebiendo sangría, mi hijo Tanner sufrió un accidente con su coche cuando regresaba del trabajo. En resumen, su coche fue totalmente destruido y su seguro no le cubrió del todo. El tuvo su primer coche por un tiempo tan corto que nunca sacamos ni una fotografría de el. Este es su nuevo (de segunda mano) coche. Le hice posar para esta fotografía tan pronto como lo compró.

American Politics

2011-08-10T14:47:00.000-05:00

The United States of America is really fucked

Flamenco!!!

2011-08-01T14:39:00.000-05:00

Niños de Veguín

2011-07-30T11:30:00.000-05:00

In 2007 my son Tanner had a wonderful summer hanging out with his amigos from Veguin. Before he left for the United States the kids presented him with a Nike soccer ball signed by his new friends. He has it still in his bedroom reminding him of his Asturian amigos more then 5,000 miles away.

En el año 2007 mi hijo Tanner pasó un verano inolvidable con sus maravillosos amigos de Veguín. Antes de que se marchase de vuelta a los Estados Unidos, sus amigos le regalaron un balón de fútbol Nike firmado por todos sus nuevos amigos. Tanner tiene este balón en su habitación y siempre le recuerda de sus amigos asturianos a 8000 kilómetros de distancia.

HOT HOT HOT

2011-07-27T16:11:00.000-05:00

Diferencia de temperatura de Topeka, Kansas a Oviedo, España.

Temperature difference from Topeka Kansas to Northern Spain.

Pablo

2011-07-24T13:05:00.000-05:00

This is my friend Pablo. Pablo and my husband both went to school with David Villa ( one of the most famous soccer players in the world, for my non soccer loving friends) Guns are probably what Pablo loves best in the world and he should have been born an American instead of a Spaniard. Pablo, if you ever come to see us in the United States you can knock yourself out !

Este es mi amigo Pablo. Pablo y mi marido Miguel fueron a la escuela con David Villa. (Uno de los jugadores de fútbol más famosos del mundo, para mis amigos amantes del fútbol). Las armas es probablemente lo que fascina más a Pablo por eso él debería de haber nacido en los Estados Unidos de América en lugar de España. pablo, si alguna vez vienes de visita a los Estados Unidos te puedes poner a pegar tiros hasta que no puedas más...

PAELLA PICNIC

2011-07-23T12:28:00.000-05:00

I love eating lunch in my in-laws back yard in Veguin. Even a simple picnic seems very festive among the lemon and hazelnut trees. Photo: My mother-in-law and sister-in-law cooking Seafood Paella in the yard.

Me encanta comer en el jardín de mis suegros en Veguín. Incluso un simple picnic parece toda una fiesta ente los limonares y avellanos. Esta foto es de mi suegra y nuera cocinando paella en el jardín.

Heart of America - El corazón de América.

2011-07-19T13:51:00.000-05:00

Kansas, land of big open spaces. Extreme temperatures. A church on every corner. Religious fanatics, Gay haters, Republicans in every elected office, and GUNS FOR EVERY MAN WOMAN AND CHILD

Kansas, tierra de grandes llanuras y temperaturas extremas. Una iglesia en cada esquina. Fanáticos religiosos, gente que odia a los homosexuales y ultraconservadores Republicanos en todos los puestos del gobierno... y también ARMAS PARA TODOS LOS HOMBRES MUJERES Y NIÑOS.

¡Qué calor hace en Kansas¡

2011-07-19T00:45:00.002-05:00

Words can not describe just how hot it is here in Kansas right now. Day after day the actual temperature is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with the heat index as high as 118 F. I simply can not describe just how eff-ing miserable life is here. People of Asturias Spain be thankful for ye wondrous climate, for it is good. -Photos: San Lorenzo Beach, Gijón, Asturias, Spain-

Palabras no pueden describir el calor que hace aquí en Kansas ahora mismo. Llevamos varios días con temperaturas alcanzando y sobrepasando los 40 grados, con sensaciones térmicas cercanas a los 50 grados centígrados. Es imposible describir el calor que hace. La gente de Asturias debe de estar agradecida por su maravilloso clima. (Fotos de la Playa de San Lorenzo, Gijón, Asturias, España)

Lobo

2011-07-18T12:27:00.000-05:00

I want to tell you about my cousin Lobo. A rare individual whom I adore with all my heart. (in fact as far as I know everybody adores this happy and kind man.) Lobo sells beer for a living, but if you show up at his house I suggest you bring your own as he seems to only enjoy drinking coca-cola..... Always happy, always smiling! Whenever he talks I just want to throw my arms around him and hug him! Other attributes, Lobo is the best driver I know and thinks nothing of taking me up a mountain in his car to show me a pretty vista. Let alone parallel parking his 12 foot car in a 11 foot space with ease. If you would like to meet this one of a kind he can usually be found on Friday evenings in Bar Corea with many friends. I miss you so much Lobo.

Quiero hablar hoy de mi primo Lobo. Una persona no muy común a quien adoro con todo mi corazón. (De hecho, todo el mundo adora este hombre feliz y amable) Lobo trabaja para una compañia de cervesa pero si vas de visita a su casa trae tu propia cerveza ya que el sólo disfruta bebiendo Coca cola. Siempre feliz, siempre sonriente. Cuando le oigo hablar solo quiero arrojar mis brazos sobre el y darle un abrazo. Otras cualidades: Lobo es el mejor conductor que conozco y para él no es nada el llevarme con su coche a través de las montañas para enseñarme una vista impresionante. Él también puede aparcar su coche de cuatro metros y medio en un espacio de cuatro metros con toda facilidad. Si queires conocer a esta persona única lo puedes encontrar los viernes por la tarde son su esposa y amigos en el Bar Corea. Te echo mucho de menos Lobo!

El Alcazar de Segovia

2011-07-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

.........So if you find yourself in Spain, and you cant decide between Segovia or Toledo..... CHOOSE SEGOVIA!!!!

Si alguna vez visitas Espana y no puedes decidir entre Toledo y Segovia. ESCOGE SEGOVIA!

Soto de Ribera

2011-07-16T08:23:00.000-05:00

I love foreign movies and especially those made in Spain. One particular movie Ashes From The Sky, was filmed in Asturias just miles from my husband's home. My good friend Goyo took us to find the bar that was the focal point of the movie but I don't think we ever actually found it. We did however find lots and lots of other bars! * The photos above show an apparatus used to pour a bottle of cider at your table whenever you want a drink instead of waiting for the barkeep.

Me encantan las películas extranjeras y especialmente aquellas filmadas en Espana. Una película en particular "Cenizas del cielo" se filmó en Asturias, a unos kilómetros de la casa de mi esposo. Mi buen amigo Goyo nos llevó a encontrar un bar que era el principal lugar donde se rodó la película pero ya no se encontraba allí ya que lo construyeron para la película. De todos modos encontramos muchos otros bares. Las fotos muestran un aparato que se usa para escanciar las botellas de sidra en tu mesa cuando te apetezca beber en lugar de esperar por el camarero.

Amigos de Jannis

2011-07-14T11:06:00.000-05:00

Pictured from left; Chus, Berto, Tanis, Juanje, Jannis and Carlos (Profesor Pipa).

La mejor empanada de Asturias

2011-07-08T13:38:00.001-05:00

Meet Gelin and Chefi Ortea, proprietors of Bar Ortea in Tudella Veguin Asturias. Bar Ortea is a wonderful bar to drop by for so many things. Intelligent conversation, fantastic espresso , lottery tickets, cold mahou and menu del dia! Gelin makes some of the best coffee you will experience in any bar. But if you want some fabulous food, Chefi is one of the most incredible cooks I have ever met. As a fat person I am very knowledgeable about good food and her pastry crusts melt in your mouth. I declare her empanada the best in Asturias! (I miss you both)

Conozcan Gelín y Chefi Ortea, propietarios del Bar Ortea en Tudela Veguín, Asturias. El Bar Ortea es un maravilloso bar por muchas razones. Buena conversación, fantástico café, billetes de lotería, cervezas Mahou frías y un menú del día buenísimo. Gelín prepara uno de los mejores cafés que probarán en cualquier bar o cafetería, pero si quieren comida delicioas, Chefi es una de las mejores cocineras que conozco. Una persona gorda como yo sabe mucho de buena comida y sus pasteles se derriten en tu boca.¡ Declaro sus empanadas las mejores de Asturias!. (Os echo de menos a los dos)

VOTE! VOTA!

2011-07-05T14:23:00.000-05:00

The Communist Party in Asturias lost some ground during the last election. What I appreciate about this party is the strong emphasis they place on taking care of those that cant take care of themselves. People don't choose to be mentally ill. They also are pro education for everyone. Unlike some places I know and live where only the richest are entitled the best education.

SANGRIA

2011-07-02T19:20:00.000-05:00

Sangria or wine punch. No two people make it the same. Some make it sweeter, others with a distinct hint of liquor. Me? I like it cold with lots of fruit and not to sweet so I can drink more with less of a headache!

Random Madrid Bars

2011-07-02T09:06:00.000-05:00

I just had to stop at the bar pictured third, because they had one of my favorite paintings in the world displayed in tile. Goya's The Drunkard's. Turns out the drinks were overpriced and the pinchos were lame-o.

Best Station Master in the WORLD

2011-07-01T12:32:00.000-05:00

I posted a couple years back about my friend Isidoro the Veguin station master. He is just the nicest happiest guy you may ever meet. Every time I run into this man I bust out in smiles! This is a photo of us toasting you in a bar in Gijon Spain. Even hard working station masters get vacation time every now and then!

SCENES FROM WORLD CUP 2010

2011-06-30T11:11:00.000-05:00

Da' Plane

2011-06-29T13:58:00.000-05:00

Over the past ten years Miguel and I have traveled the United States/ Western Europe flights countless times. We have the routine down pat. Always keep calm and an open mind. For instance more often then not your luggage arrives well after you arrive to your destination. East coast International airports are harsh places, relax and try to enjoy the humiliation that the TSA puts you through. European airlines are far superior in service but more expensive then American airline companies. Pack light because there is not much worse then lugging a 50 pound suitcase up three flights of stairs under a subway station, and their is nothing that you can't purchase that you may need. Taxi's are a ridiculous waste of money when public transportation is so readily available and economical. (footnote; the subway from the airport to city center in Madrid is 2 euros, the subway from airport to city center in Paris is 18 euros.)

The Fish Truck

2011-06-27T17:54:00.000-05:00

I adore that home delivery and personal service are still in existence in places. I have previously posted how the local grocer delivers fresh bread and any other items that my mother in law requires daily. In addition is the local fish truck that comes through several times a week. I watch from the local bar as the truck pulls in and lays on the ever present horn that Europeans simply can not drive without.In no time at all the Spanish housewives pour from their apartments and stand in line to view the fare of fresh seafood. This is normal life to these ladies but it's picture worthy to a farm girl from Kansas.

Piquero! Piquero!

2011-06-26T10:27:00.000-05:00

This is my amigo Piquero. I have been watching him goal tend for many summers in Spain.He is amazing to watch and has his own fan club in Veguin.. People yell Piquero! Piquero! Before he was my friend he offered me a taste of his dinner once in a bar. After I tried it I learned it was horse meat..... If you ever find yourself in Tudella Veguin during the month of June, take time to watch a futbolista game before my friend retires!

Creepers Jeepers

2011-06-25T18:53:00.000-05:00

Random creepy bar patron , every country has one.

No fumar!

2011-06-25T18:37:00.000-05:00

This is a photo I took of an actual pack of cigarettes in Spain. "Smoking shortens your life." The no smoking ban in Spain took place at the beginning of this year and it is WONDERFUL! If Spain can make this law work, any country, anybody can quit!

Bigaros

2011-06-18T04:13:00.000-05:00

Last night my husband Miguel and I met Fernando and Chari for a few ( quite a few) bottles of sidra and then dinner. I've said before that Spaniards are famous for eating lunch and dinner very late. In fact we got done with our meal around 12:30 am. Dinner was stupendous and I was able to try bigaros (sea snails) for the first time. I have eaten escargot in France before, but these are totally different. As my friend put it, "they taste like the sea".

Miguel in the Chestnut Forest

2011-06-17T03:39:00.001-05:00

My friend Fernando always try's to incorporate a learning lesson in all things new he shows me. As we walked through Las Medulas he told me about how the Romans mined the mountains for gold using slaves to dig tunnels and then pumping water through the mines, thus collapsing the mountains and usually killing the expendable slaves trapped inside. He pointed out massive and majestic chestnut trees that were introduced by the Romans in order to feed the thousands of slaves. I ALWAYS get somber when I am told a story like this, as I am under no illusion what so ever that I would have been one of these slave laborers had I been born 2000 years ago. Today's lesson .... Count my many blessings as I am so fortunate!

Un paseo por Bueño

2011-06-15T16:50:00.002-05:00

My very good friend Goyo picked me up in his Citroën after breakfast yesterday. Our mission was to seek out a cider bar that was in a Spanish movie filmed in this area. The movie is" Ashes from the Sky".....anyway we never really found the actual bar but we DID drink a lot of cider! I am so glad I remembered my camera, as you can see from the photos below... you don't walk through villages like this every day!

Excursion to Roman Gold Mines

2011-06-13T04:15:00.001-05:00

Yesterday our best friends Fernando and Chari picked us up in their big awesome car and off we went on a day long journey to Castille Leon in search of gold ....Actually the Romans mined all the gold 2000 years ago, but I kept my eye out all the same!

2011-06-11T15:08:00.000-05:00

Farmacia in Spain : )

Pharmacy in United States : (

yeah, Toledo pissed me off...

2011-06-09T16:03:00.002-05:00

And still making fun of the city that tried to squeeze me of my last dime....and succeeded in putting me in a horrible mood for at least 10 minutes..

Toledo es muy caro....

2011-06-08T16:13:00.001-05:00

I really really wanted to love Toledo Spain. It is possible that I can blame it on PMS, but I dont think so. I could say with certainty that the THING that really pissed me off is that : THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TRIED TO MAKE ME PAY 20.00 DOLLARS TO WALK INSIDE THEIR CATHEDRAL!!! PUTA MADRE. And they were rude as hell about it. So maybe its just me but I so refuse to pay money to the richest hypocrites in the world.

I am ALIVE AGAIN

2011-06-07T16:07:00.001-05:00

Anyone that knows me well, (or not) knows that I am with the socialist party in the United States and Spain. This was taken in Madrid Spain at Puerta del Sol. Sadly I had to leave Madrid to travel north to Asturias, but I plan on spending time with the protesters at the end of June.

Spanish Revolution 2011

2011-06-07T15:56:00.001-05:00

Eiffel Tower

2010-08-06T14:48:00.000-05:00

......And this is the view from the 2nd floor

View from the Eiffel Tower

2010-08-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

I always thought of the Eiffel tower as a cheesy tourist attraction and never took the time to purchase a ticket to go up. It was so worth it! In fact it was probably my favorite part of this trip. This is the view from the 1st floor.

Skyline of Paris

2010-08-05T13:55:00.000-05:00

This is a partial view of what a city of about 11,000,000 people looks like. Taken from Montmartre

The Paris Chaperones

2010-08-05T13:28:00.000-05:00

I was able to enjoy the luxury of flying 11 hours in a size small seat with my size large ass, not once but 4 times this summer. Here are three of the Paris chaperone's settling in for a loooong flight over the Atlantic.

Madrid bar # 3,460

2010-08-04T16:40:00.000-05:00

When I grow up, I want to visit every single bar in Madrid and sample the house specials. I will write about each place and rate it on a 5 point scale. I will get paid a Gazillion Euros and live in a huge house on Gran Via.

More bang for your buck!

2010-08-04T16:10:00.000-05:00

At this bar you can purchase a mixed drink for the bargain price of 5 Euros. Mixed with hot pepper OR Marijuana

Cerveza Fria

2010-07-30T12:47:00.001-05:00

I love Spanish cerveza! My favorite is Mahou made in Madrid. I also like the fact that a person can walk around on public streets drinking her beer....

Monjas en la Playa

2010-07-30T12:19:00.001-05:00

San Lorenzo Beach in Xixon

Tanto Monta Monta Tanto

2010-07-27T19:25:00.000-05:00

The throne of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
(one is as important as the other)

View From A Castle

2010-07-27T14:50:00.000-05:00

Enchantment

2010-07-27T14:42:00.000-05:00

My husband Miguel in front of Alcazar De Segovia

This may be the most beautiful city in Spain

2010-07-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

The Romans built this incredible structure to carry water in the 1st Century AD. (thats 2000 years ago!)

Segovia Spain

2010-07-25T21:05:00.000-05:00

A Tranquil moment in Segovia

Gulpiyuri Beach

2010-04-20T15:46:00.005-05:00

If you ever get a opportunity you will not regret it. Pull your car off the asphalt road on the way into Llanes and hike the 100 meters or so through the fields...just follow the smell of the sea, and make sure you have a camera.

My American friends

2010-04-17T20:27:00.003-05:00

When your friends that live 6 blocks from you, travel 5000 miles to visit you... well I guess that means they are pretty good friends! This is the gorgeous Dr. Ximena Garcia and her husband Craig. (He is some sort of Dr also) Jake, David, Lauren and Christopher (their spawn)

Mas comida por favor!

2010-04-16T17:54:00.004-05:00

I left off yesterday with the empanada and mussels in Madrid. Same day same city we moved on to some unknown location for some sort of beer or wine and my other favorite food SARDINES!

Next on the tapa tour my other favorite food... champinons or mushrooms.
Even the notoriously picky eater Mig will eat mushrooms in Madrid!

So you are thinking...." This chick is obsessed with food" And what? This is what fat people have in common!

2010-04-15T16:38:00.004-05:00

Next stop was a tiny bar specializing in one item, mussels or mejillones. (no idea on the spelling but I am sure Mig will spot any errors and fix them :)

Our first stop on our tapa and vino tour included fresh tuna empanada and Rioja wine

After a hot shower and clean clothes we did not waste any time making up for lost time! Vino tinto here we come!

This is the best located hotel in Madrid. It is smack dab in the heart of Puerta del Sol. I love it I love it I love it!

It got better....

2010-04-15T10:53:00.003-05:00

After arriving in Atlanta in the wee hours of the morn, Mig the "should-have -been-an-attorney" got us all wonderful rooms on the house at a really nice hotel in Atlanta. See the clothes I am wearing?..... I wore them for 4 days, As my luggage was enjoying Madrid without me!

It turns out that Delta Airlines is a pretty fair airline, as far as a American airline company goes....

Story of my life.....

2010-04-15T10:42:00.003-05:00

See the mechanic sitting on top of the tail? This was my first clue that we were in for a loooong day. If I remember right, we were delayed for 9 hours at Kansas City, thus starting a chain of events like missing our plane to Spain, loosing our hotel and our train tickets. All pre-paid of course...

2010-04-14T12:15:00.002-05:00

Hola

2010-04-14T09:36:00.004-05:00

Buena dia!

I have been wanting to start blogging again and the list of excuses go on forever. I believe that I did not post anything of my last summer in Asturias and I am getting ready to go again... time does fly!

Mig and I have an incredibly busy summer planned. We are taking a tour group to Paris for a week and then Mig and half the group will head north to Normandy and I will escort my half of group back to good ole Kansas. Two weeks later Mig and I will head East over the Atlantic again for my sister in law's wedding in Asturias.

Weddings are big big big in Spain and I am currently looking around for a gown that will pack easily and wear comfortably. Oh yeah and make me look like a size 9 instead of a 16/18...

I got pictures galore and I can not wait to be back in touch with my old blogger buddies.

This picture was taken at Semana Negra in Gijon Asturias. Octopus and a mojito.... oh yeah

Que Paso?

2009-06-25T13:03:00.003-05:00

OK I can not believe that Spain lost this game...... We are talking about the BEST PLAYERS in the world! Nobody cares about soccer in the United States....I am so ashamed of this defeat. Team USA had better enjoy the moment because it will never happen again! I always laughed at the grown men in Spain that would cry after a loss....I too felt like crying. It's all so embarrassing!

I love my cousins!!!!!

2009-06-20T20:24:00.003-05:00

My awesome cousins Berto and Carmen Maria and me taking a Sunday drive in the mountains above Veguin. {I don't think that Mercedes ever recovered.} Te echo de menos primos!!!!!Hasta Pronto....

no para la venta !!

2009-06-19T10:50:00.003-05:00

World Trade Center Artifacts

2009-06-19T10:27:00.004-05:00

Here is another powerful photo, I assume the two guns on display here belonged to NYPD officers who responded to the World Trade Center. The intensity of the heat is mind boggling. Hell the whole story is mind boggling....

World Trade Center

2009-06-16T09:45:00.004-05:00

This is an airplane window recovered from the World Trade Center. I stood in front of this window and so many thoughts raced through my mind. Who was the last person to sit in this seat? A man or woman or child? Was it the first time they had ever flown? Did they have children waiting for them at an airport somewhere? I have more questions but suddenly feel so sad while typing this post I think I will leave it alone. I am reminded of President Obama's inaugural speech. "We will extend our hand if you will unclench your fist"

Madison Square Garden

2009-06-15T09:10:00.003-05:00

In march Miguel , Collin and I enjoyed a short trip to New York City. Collin and I were waiting for Miguel at Madison Square. When I saw the special agents show up with their arsenal of weapons.... well at first I felt safe..... Pretty soon my powers of paranoia set in and I started figuring in factors , like what if someone were to shoot at the SWAT guys ? Shit, what if they missed and shot me or my son? I did manage to sacrifice my son long enough to snap a picture before we moved a good distance away from possible gunfire!!! (yes, yes this post screams country girl)

UN GRAN CABRON

2009-06-09T14:19:00.004-05:00

I was just pondering to myself who is the MOST EVIL BASTARD I can think of ? Today I give the EVIL BASTARD PRIZE to DICKLESS CHENEY. Congrats dude.

Mis Tres Novios!!!!

2009-06-08T22:55:00.001-05:00

La Gigante

2009-06-07T18:00:00.002-05:00

This is my beautiful mother in law Mari my handsome father in law, Luis and me....the enormous Americana. I am the biggest person in our entire Spanish family. If I were to lose 50 pounds I would STILL be the "fat one" EVERY YEAR when I squeeze into my shitty itty bitty coach airplane seat I swear to myself to shed some major poundage. AS GOD IS MY WITNESS ........ next year.

Kansas

2009-06-05T18:11:00.003-05:00

Anyone from Kansas would look at this photo and wonder "whats the big deal?" My Spanish friends however will be amazed and confused at the width of main street or the plaza mayor. This is my old hometown Burlingame Kansas USA. Way back in the day it was a awesome little town to grow up in. I really do have wonderful childhood memories....Not much else to say on this subject.

New Sheriff In Town!

2009-06-05T16:05:00.002-05:00

OK OK I got some new toy's so I have not even turned my desk top PC on in months. I will start blogging again, I promise (if anyone really cares)

I found this old photo from 2001 when Miguel and I visited Abilene Kansas. A very famous cow town on the old Chisholm Trail, also the birthplace of US President Dwight Eisenhower. My husband is in yellow in between the can-can girls! Oh yeah he is also pointing a pistol at some bad ass hombre....

Our Final day of HELL

2009-01-19T10:23:00.004-06:00

Adios Dickhead!

2009-01-15T19:17:00.003-06:00

The last 8 years have been a nightmare.

Your policies suck.

You are a F-ing idiot.

Good bye Dickhead !!!!

bueno pinchos, malo camareru

2009-01-09T15:43:00.005-06:00

The first time I visited this so called sideria I liked it. I ate grilled sardines fresh from the sea and my waiter , after discovering I was American wasted no time in proclaiming "Bush fucked you good, yes?" I felt an immediate fondness for this waiter as he talked. And Talked. And Talked....I did notice however that he refused to pour my sidra opting instead for a mechanical device saved for tourists. OK that irked me a little .... I don't pay taxes but I don't consider myself a tourist.
On my second visit here I noticed again that the locals were all drinking glasses of wine, but as I loooove sidra so much I ordered a bottle. Yet again I was given the stupid mechanical device shaped like a plastic apple and powered by a battery to squirt sidra into my glass. Unlike my last visit I now found him full of hot air, shit and himself. On a positive note..... this place has awesome pinchos and tapas! Unusual morsels like dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon. Mussels cooked a variety of ways, hot and cold seafood tidbits....This summer I do plan to patronize this bar again. I hope that the waiter in question has moved on to another vocation in life. No matter I guess there is an excellent chance I too will be drinking wine like the regulars.

Muy Apuesto!

2009-01-08T16:26:00.001-06:00

Catch of the day

2009-01-06T17:04:00.003-06:00

My husband Miguel took this photo and I love it!
Fisherman unloading the day's catch in Aviles Spain.

2009-01-04T14:19:00.000-06:00

Tio Manolo

2009-01-04T11:12:00.002-06:00

My uncle Manolo. I love him so much! Manolo is always happy , always telling jokes (I never can understand them, but laugh anyway) Manolo loves to read the newspaper and has one hell of a time understanding my Spanish! Did I mention that I love him so much!!! I ALWAYS CRY when I have to say goodbye to him and tia Ludi. Te quiero tio & tia.

2009 It will be better

2009-01-02T09:38:00.005-06:00

Hello again. I see from the date of my last post that it has been 4 months since my last. My husband is spending winter vacation in Asturias and called to tell me that my friends in Veguin want me to start posting again. I think I will change my format a bit, more photo's less words. Until I get around to that, here is a recent photo of my family at Thanksgiving. Minus my oldest son Ethan.

Memories

2008-08-30T18:16:00.002-05:00

I have blogged before of my friends the Barbershttp://barbersnz.blogspot.com/ who sold everything they owned (except their children) and moved to a better life in a different country. I should add here that the Barbers are both Doctors so it wasn't as if they were without gains and means....I should also add here that GeorgeWBush might have influenced their decision to get the hell out of Dodge! ANYWHO..... My friend Manford gave me a great idea for a blog post..... "Memories" Oh my God, I have so many! My Grandma Fast's roast beef .... sometimes I can still smell it out of the blue....My honeymoon meal in Spain.... The waiter was changing a light bulb and cussing while simultaneously getting shocked!.. The first time I tasted the ocean and almost drowned! ....every vacation I ever took as a child with my mom or my dad .... when I was stopped by a KKK roadblock in Mississippi wondering if I was on Candid Camera ...comforting my brother that the BTK killer would not crawl through his bedroom window and murder him during his sleep.... eating goose jerky and making gingerbread houses with my neighbor Terry.....driving to Hudson Wisconsin with my dad and a load of greyhounds, reading out loud Forest Gump and drinking Miller lite beer. The first white wine I drank with my friends Lori and Mike .....oh my God I could go on and on and on and on...... please tell yours!!!!

Yo estoy triste....

2008-08-24T14:04:00.004-05:00

I held out hope until the end that my home girl Kathleen Sebelius would be Obama's VP pick..... Maybe if it weren't for those damned Russians picking on little tiny Georgia, wanting a war, then Obama would not have been so pressured to go with Biden. Oh Well. I would have preferred our Governor as the Vice President of the United States but I can and will live with Joe Biden. One of my best friends was grocery shopping the other day and our Governor was shopping as well. (by herself) My friend walked up to her and said " I just want to thank you for your solid stance against the coal plants in Kansas" I do not like very many politicians, I do however love my Governor. You rock chica!

My 14 Euro Feast

2008-08-17T17:01:00.003-05:00

As I mentioned before, Paris is the most ridiculously expensive city I have ever been too! Miguel and I travel a lot and in order to do that we travel on a budget. Our budget does not afford 150 Euro dinners, let alone a 12.oo euro cup of soup.... The unromantic but sensible solution ? Eat out of bakeries and grocery stores. Everything that you see in this photo was purchased in a Parisian grocery store for 14.00 Euros. (2 blocks from the Eiffel Tower) Miguel and I took our loot back via subway to our Hotel and feasted! As you can see red wine for me, peach nectar for Miguel. Roquefort and chorizo sandwiches on baguette bread. Followed with an apple, chocolate filled sweet bread and a cafe latte. My only advise, if you go to Paris take a lot of money , you will need it!

Menu de Comida Asturiana

2008-08-16T08:50:00.006-05:00

So you find yourself in Asturias and have a craving for fresh seafood! I recommend the coastal village of Luanco. Not as touristy as other coastal locals, you can get fresh seafood as cheap as anywhere I have seen before. The prices listed are in Euros, tax included and Spanish waiters do not work for tips like we do in the USA.

Parrocha= Sardines

Chipirones= Whole Baby Squid

Calamares= Squid

Mejillones=Mussels

Pulpo= Octopus

Gambas Plancha=Grilled shrimp

Almejas= Clams

Fritos Bacalao= Fried Cod

Llampares= Goose neck Barnacles

Navajas=Razor Clams

Bigaros= Ocean Snails

Every year I tell myself that this will be the year I finally try snails! ........ to date I still haven't tried them yet. My plan is definitely set for 2009.....

One Wonderful Weekend!

2008-08-11T17:28:00.003-05:00

I can not believe it but school starts here this week so Miguel and I took the boys on a little get away to Kansas City. We had a wonderful time! I highly recommend the hotel we stayed at. ( Hyatt Place) it had all the amenities that our house does not have.... like fluffy goose down pillows and comforters, and a 42" flat screen TV. We took in the local amusement park on Saturday with the family of very dear friends, followed by a trip to their home for pizza and superb white wines. (My friend L has impeccable taste in wine) Afterwards we went back to our beautiful room and watched the flat screen .... "gotta get one of those!" On Sunday L took us to an awesome outdoor restaurant and treated everyone to lunch. I had chilled avocado soup and it was fabulous! Life can be so wonderful!!!!

The Station Master

2008-08-08T16:04:00.003-05:00

This is the best Station Master in all of Spain! If you are ever in Asturias and find yourself on the train line C2, that runs from Aviles to El Entrego, you absolutely must stop off in Veguin to meet my friend Isidoro! I don't know the technicality's of what a Station Master does but in addition to those he sells tickets and hands out bombones and hard candies, dispenses weather reports, informs people of local fiestas and happenings, gives directions and has time for kind words to everyone. Isidoro has brought me sidra from his Aunt's orchard and Spanish red wine to share with my family. Gracias Isidoro. See you in a year.

My friends of Veguin

2008-08-07T13:48:00.004-05:00

Please meet some of my friends that I spend time with every summer. I can tell you that I am always so happy to see these people and it is always sad to have to say good-bye.

Starting from the left is Almodovar. He is an auto body painter, loves all foods and plays cards almost every evening in Bar Corea with the same partners.

Berto is in the middle. Berto and I have 2 things in common , food and drink. We have long conversations about Spanish and American wines. Berto loves seafood but does not care much for meat and hates cheese!

Yoli is a co owner of Bar Corea. Kids adore her and vie for her attention. Yolie is one of my most curious friends about life in the United States and endlessly asks questions about my life here. She is usually Almodovar's card partner and Berto and he wait patiently while she pours cider and draught beer for the bar patrons in between hands. Unlike me Yolie hates Sidra.

Somebody drink a sidra for me because I miss it sooo much!

Puxa Asturias, Puxa Veguin!

Dedicated to Nina & Her Mother

2008-08-06T08:16:00.003-05:00

Home Delivery

2008-08-01T06:37:00.004-05:00

Every morning my mother in law hangs a cloth bread bag from the door knob of her home, by mid-morning a fresh loaf of crusty bread is hand delivered. On this particular morning Mari placed a quick call to la tienda and requested eggs and peaches as well.

Imagine how much a person could save by not going grocery shopping! * Note that eggs and milk are not sold refrigerated.

Somewhere in Asturias....

2008-07-31T15:58:00.002-05:00

The village blacksmith talking on his cell phone.

Jose Calvillo Gomez

2008-07-30T08:52:00.004-05:00

My good friend Jose passed away this year while I was in Spain. I still can not believe that I will never see him again. I took this picture of Jose a couple of weeks before his heart stopped . This is how I know him and will always remember him.... sitting in a bar enjoying a glass of wine.

Jose Calvillo Gomez 1919-2008

There's No Place Like Home

2008-07-29T16:23:00.004-05:00

I am back. I am tired. I am broke. Miguel and I were gone almost seven weeks this year, with stays in Madrid and Paris as well as little known villages and cities in between...Some random observations....Europeans adore Barack Obama. Gas is about 6.50 US dollars a gallon. Europeans are better at recycling. My biggest discovery this year involved Paris. All my life I have seen romantic photos of Paris, couples sitting on park benches, people sitting on steps, families sitting on the grass in parks....the REALIZATION of it is they can't afford to do anything else. Paris is so f-ing expensive! I don't know about you but it really pisses me off when I am charged 10.00 US dollars for 1 can of cold beer and 13.00 for a cup of soup. My most affordable meals were the ones I purchased from grocery stores. Part 2 of my realization is that although Kansas is not a pretty or fun place to live, at least I can afford to eat out and drink beer!