RIP Paco de Lucía

We saw him in concert one wonderful night in Chicago.  A brilliant musician.

Another Update

V´s brother sent these.  The builder thought it would help with drying things out if we went ahead and installed the woodstsove - so here she is in all her glory.  The story of how we found her here.

The chimney is a little shiny for me, but a few months of my housekeeping and I´m sure that will take care of itself.

Who else has dragons?

Game of Thrones season four coming in April. Squeeee!

And also,

A person has started a Tumblr called A Game of Clothes - putting up examples of couture and whatnot, that looks plucked from the series.  Let me tell you there is some seriously whackadoodle fashion out there.  I found it delightful.

Something sweet

For Valentines Day - Steamed Chocolate Pudding is definitely on the list.

Or perhaps Sticky Toffee Pudding is more appealing.

From the tempting blog Poires au Chocolat. Emma started her down-to-earth blog while studying English Language and Literature at Oxford.  She also studied patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu in London.

I like her dedication to fine tuning and experimenting and her clearly written and illustrated posts.  Enjoy!

steamed chocolate pudding

steamed chocolate pudding

steamed chocolate pudding

steamed chocolate pudding

steamed chocolate pudding

House Update

We were concerned about the severe weather in Galicia and whether or not trees were falling, rivers rising, roof tiles flyng etc., so we went up for a lightening visit, if you´ll pardon the pun.

Fortunately, all is well.  There is a little driving rain entering through the doors and windows on the southern exposure, but that´s to be expected with no weatherproofing.  The creek was high, but draining downhill and away from the house, like last year´s rainy season.

The floors have had insulating foam and a finish of cement to cover the water and electrical lines.  A dehumidifier is going 24-7, but the daily rain isn´t helping.  They can´t really progress to the wood floors until the humidity falls. Slate has been laid in the bathrooms, the utility room, the laundry and where the woodstove and bilbaina/range/cooker will go, as well as ¨landing pads¨ at the entries.

Shower bases have been installed in both baths.  After much discussion and calculating of millimeters, we´ve decided to go ahead with a 160 cm tub in the main bath.  It will require some creativity on the part of the builder, but he assured us it will fit.

The wires, boxes, switches and plugs have been installed, so it´s now time to approach the electric company to get the service turned on.  Keep your fingers crossed, they seem dedicated to gauging customers whenever they can these days.

Luck was on our side as we dodged not one but two different ¨explosive cyclones¨ as they´re calling them.  The river looked very high in Lugo and there was a little snow in Pedrafita on the way back.  This winter has really been challenging with people being swept away by the sea, rivers spilling their banks, trees down, boats tossed around and fields flooded.

But the sheep were out on the new grass (in February!) and, especially when the sun came out, I really just want to be in my green corner of Galicia.

Berrogüetto

Berrogüetto, whose trajectory began in 1995, has recently announced they´re breaking up.  Their first album, Navicularia, established their reputation for a fresh new take on traditional Galician music.  They have been an important addition to the Celtic Festival in Ortigueira since its inception and were recently featured on the soundtrack for the 2011 movie about the Camino de Santiago ¨The Way¨ with Martin Sheen and directed by Emilio Estevez. 

There are plans for a farewell tour of Galicia this spring, details to be announced later.

That time of year, again.

In case you´re wondering, this is the only minute of the Superbowl you really need to watch.

Saved yourself 4 hours there.  It´s too bad Budweiser doesn´t make beer as good as their ads.  Puppies and Clydesdales, oh my!

And for the other puppy obsessed out there.  Puppy Bowl X.  Starting linep here.