Mi Amor!

I am in love!!! He licks my toes, kisses my ear, nuzzles my neck (basically everything my husband doesn't do.) We got a dog finally after seven years and not just any dog... but the perfect dog! His name is Raphael (Rafael in España). He is a West Highland Terrier and eight weeks old. Everybody loves him...but the cat! The very first day we got Raphael the cat sat under the table and hissed at him every time he came near, he even slapped him when he did get close! We are trying to make it up to the kitty by buying him expensive cat food. At least he hasn't moved out yet! Besos.....

Mi Suegra

My mother-in- law (suegra) is a fantastic cook, and a fantastic person! I love her so much. Among her specialities are arroz con leche (rice pudding) & Asturian Fabada (bean stew.) Meals, especially lunch, are the best part of the day!! Lunch is served between 2 & 3 pm. Always red wine to drink and orange soda or casera to dilute the wine if you like. I always eat too much of the 1st course and then regret it when the 2nd course is served! In between are the salads and ham and cheese plates as well as the huge crusty chunks of bread served with every meal. This is the point that I start to feel really miserable..... and then desert is served! Maybe an almond cake, apple tart or a hazelnut confection. Followed by fresh fruit, yogurt and various cheeses, and finally very strong coffee and a shot of licor. Hazelnut, cherry , strawberry , coffee flavored, the variety is endless. Sometimes we eat in the back yard and that's always a treat to dine. under the lemon and hazelnut trees. Life is good.

Cabrales Cheese Caves

This photo was taken inside one of the many caves where Cabrales Cheese is made and aged. People from Kansas, we don't normally see many "cheese caves"

Sotres, Asturias

One morning our cousins Jose Luis and Vicen drove over in their SUV and took us on a "little" day trip. We ended up driving through 3 states / regions before we got home . Our first stop was a lovely little family operated bar/general store for a late morning vermouth and a quick browse around the various cowbells, milking stools, dried codfish...you name it! Stop two was Cabrales, an area known for the very famous blue cheese of the same name. The cheese is made and then aged in caves in the mountains, some wheels are wrapped in oak leaves while it ages. For all of you that have tried Cabrales Cheese you know that it is one strong cheese! Stop three that day was this lovely little village "Sotres" for Menu del Dia or menu of the day. My first course was spaghetti cabrales. Noodles with blue cheese! I was unsure about anything other than marinara sauce on my spaghetti noodles but I tried, I liked, and now I eat it at home in Kansas. If Miguel and I look really full in this photo its because we were!

No More WAR

I love this photo so much that I framed it and it sits on top of my T.V. It translates: Damn all wars and the criminals who support them. 548 days on the Bush Countdown Clock, that I inherited from my friend Carrie when she moved to New Zealand last month. I wonder where her tax dollars are going now ............ (wow, 548 days is a long time!) I am so happy , Miguel is back from Las Vegas. Today we are going to visit my sister and her family and grill hamburgers and drink wine. I will take my camera just in case we see something interesting.....

Amigos de Veguin - Las Vegas

Saludos a todos "Los Amigos de Veguín" desde Las Vegas, Nevada. Esta es la ciudad de los casinos y del juego. Antes de regresar a Kansas este fin de semana decidí sacar unas fotos dedicadas a todos los "Amigos de Veguín" La próxima semana estaré en Portland, Oregon y sacaré más fotos que añadiré a este blog. Voy a intentar hacer mi misión el llevar el poster de "Amigos de Veguín" conmigo a todos mis viajes e intentar sacar fotos. Mañana he alquilado un coche e iré a visitar el ¨Hoover Dam¨ que es el mayor pantano / presa de los Estados Unidos y la nueva plataforma de cristal en el Gran Cañón del Colorado. Un saludo a toda la gente deVeguín. PD. Apretad en las fotos para verlas a un tamaño mayor. Miguel

Spains fastfood is better!

Why is a fast food restaurant better in Spain? Very simple, cerveza! While we were in a mall it was inevitable that we would come across a McDonald's and decided to do a taste test comparison. After all I had a professional with me. (my 14 year old son) Tanners findings, the same. My findings....... MUCHO MEJOR! THEY SERVED BEER!

Tornado Drill

Its Monday 12:00 noon and that means it time for our cities weekly tornado siren test. Every Monday from April through September the sirens all over town are tested , it reminds me of a bomb raid. (not that I have ever been in a bomb raid) I can remember when I was a child in school and we would have our tornado drills, how I hated them! We would have to crouch down in the hallways and curl up into a very tight ball , while protecting our head with our arms and hands. Depending on the school you may do the curl-up under your desk for extra protection. Now I am a grown up and work in a school and we are still practicing tornado drills, and lock down drills ....... that's a story for later!