Fast forward to winter 2011-2012…

The coldest I’ve found in what I still call the “new casa az” (though it’s been almost a year now) has been 15ºC, first thing in the morning when overnight temps have got close to freezing. Normally early morning indoor temps are between 16-18º here. And no draughts thanks to double-glazed balcony doors (which also help keep out the noise from an illegal after-hours bar across the street, but that’s another story).

Plus I have central heating. For the first time ever in Spain!

So when I first wake up I put on the heating while my flatmate Peter puts on the coffee, then I snuggle back under the duvet with cats and iPhone while the place warms up and coffee brews… and then I get up to start my day. Comfortably.

Don’t get me wrong. I still wear three layers and a scarf while at work in front of my computer, but the difference is that I’m not still freezing cold after all that. The central heating is set to a maximum of 20º which is perfectly comfortable. And well… it just somehow feels so darned GROWN UP that I can live comfortably in my home, for the first time in almost 20 years.

Sure, I’m still a bit worried about what the next electicity bill will be, but I like that this “new” casa az never actualy gets as cold as the old one did, and that my flatmate is now making enough money to help me pay the bills, and that I put on the heat in the morning… because I can!

]]> http://azahar.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/16o-celcius/feed/ 5 azahar c-f thermometer http://azahar.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/circular/ http://azahar.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/circular/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:42:55 +0000 azahar http://azahar.me/?p=27369 ]]> Today’s Photohunt theme is “circular”.

[this may be my last entry as Blogger does not let me leave a link on the Photohunt page!!!]

I’ve had a kilo bag of alubias (white beans) in the cupboard for ages and finally decided it was time to do something with them. But what? Twitter foodie friends suggested a fabada, a stew from Asturias, so here it is. My first fabada.

As usual, when trying something new, I found a few different recipes on the internet and then did a sort of mash up while adding a twist or two of my own. I’ll try to write down my recipe and get it up on azahar’s kitchen this weekend. Meanwhile, any guesses as to what’s in it?

What’s the last new thing you tried cooking?

[update: recipe is up! Fabada Asturiana]

Unlike most people, you are truly interested in and open to the world around you.

You don’t judge anything until you know it well. You are happy to step outside your comfort zone to try something new.

You are rare in your ability to take in many new sites, sounds, and ideas at once. You don’t get overwhelmed.

Like a snowflake, you believe life is more about the journey than the final destination.

Apparently this video has gone viral since I first saw it via Twitter yesterday morning. In case you’ve missed it, here it is. Wonderful stuff. Filmed at Type Books in Toronto.

I really really want to do this!
Such a simple yet brilliant solution.

Yesterday morning I went through my Málaga pics and had a lovely time reliving those memories. Peter and I left very early on Monday morning and arrived in Málaga with the whole day ahead of us. After setting up the apartment (we bring our own sheets, towels, kitchen stuff, etc) we went out to explore the city. First thing on the agenda was something I had never done during previous trips to Málaga – a trip up to the Parador Gibralfaro to enjoy a drink on their “balcony of Málaga” terrace, which turned out to be a perfect start to our mini-break. Afterwards we walked down the mountain (we’d taken a taxi up) and after a stroll around town had a fab lunch outdoors at La Cosmopolita. Later we checked out the new port area that was finally open to the public and went back to the apartment to rest up … we had dinner plans with food blogger Sarah and her husband at La Moraga, which ended up being a lovely evening.

Next morning we went to the Picasso Museum and saw both the permanent exhibition and the Alberto Giocometti retrospective and then headed off to the Atarazanas Market. After that – another first. We stopped in at the oldest bar in Málaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia, for a glass of sherry. It’s a rather bizarre place, full of both locals and tourists sampling sherries from the various stacked casks along with steamed mussels and grilled prawns. We just had a quick drink and headed out to find a place for lunch. After trying a fish joint and getting burnt rosada (sent back – cheque please!) we went to one of our favourites, Dos Gatos, and got some perfectly grilled rosada along with some terrific presa. Then another walk before heading home. Later that evening, after watching a spectacular sunset from the balcony (last photo in the slide show) we went to check out the Christmas lights, which is something Málaga does big time. Then home again for a light snack and a dvd before hitting the hay.

Third and last day in town we took a walk along the port before checking out the Eugenio Chicano exhibit at the Municipal Museum. Then there was just time for a stroll around the centre and a final lunch at La Reserva del Pastor before collecting our stuff from the apartment and catching the train home.

One of the best birthday presents ever. Thanks Peter!

(if you refresh the page you’ll see the pics more or less in chronological order)

Some images of me along the way…

Last night I caught the final “mapping” projection show at city hall. Not sure if it lived up to all the hype, but it was kinda cool. I actually preferred the little festive light show afterwards…

(apologies for dodgy framing, was upstairs at Lab4 trying not to drop video camera)

[also posted on azahar's Sevilla blog]