Delicious chaos happening in the kitchen.
After spending Canadian Thanksgiving at the beach, my flatmates and I celebrated the American holiday with a slightly more traditional dinner this week. We were joined by a couple of our Spanish friends, our flatmate’s mum all the way from Atlanta, AND her dog who will be living with us from now on (a little chihuahua, who I affectionately call rat-dog…). Dinner came together rather chaotically in our small kitchen, as we each made something to contribute to our feast. It was a happy chaos; dancing around each other as we cooked, languages mixing over lively conversation, music blasting, cervezas in hand. We each talked about some thing(s) we were grateful for, and sat down together to a delicious spread of roast veggies, seafood paella, polenta fries, pumpkin pie and this fruit crumble. 
Dessert and/or breakfast. Perfect.
My parents and twin made the trip over in October, and I’m so glad I got to show them my home for the year and travel with them around the country. I had been feeling rather proud of myself, in that I hadn’t been feeling homesick at all since getting settled in, but when Thomas and I met my parents in Madrid I realized how much I had missed just seeing them everyday. Internet is great for keeping in touch, but it was super to catch up face to face. We spent a weekend with all four of us (just missing the two little brothers; you’ll have to come next time, S&R?! xo) exploring Madrid; examining art through the grand museums, enjoying cold sunny days through the streets and the parks, and trying a different chocolateria everday. It sounds cliched, I know, but I really am so thankful for my loving and supportive family — and it’s nice to have two Thanksgivings in Spain this year to remember that, although I know it everyday.
Chocolate, churros, sangria, mojitos…Madrid is tasty…
Gratitude is a nice feeling.:) Happy Monday!
Persimmon Apple Oat Crumble
After a rather unfortunate (read: embarrassing and expensive) start to my travels, a weekend that revolved around a brunch reservation in Madrid was wonderfully restorative. The concept of brunch seems to be taking off in Spain’s capital and my friend Britney picked out a fun little spot: The Toast Cafe (this seems like a trendy name for a Spanish brunch spot, actually), where their brunch menu includes a primero plato of a massive fluffy pancake AND a segundo plato of picante huevos rancheros…we practically rolled out of there we were so full by the end of it.
The sun was shining, brunch was bright, and we wandered around the city until an equally delicious dinner. It was all about catching up and good food. Mostly talking about boys…so, a weekend of food and girl talk. Priorities! (Gracias, mi hermana!) Continue reading…
