POD "La Playa"

On Sunday afternoon, while our friends were exploring Cadiz, Matt and I decided to make it a lazy afternoon at the beach. We packed up some Tinto de Verano, towels and sunscreen and headed to la playa. I can't believe how busy the beach is starting to get! I'm not sure why I was so hot, but while Matt soaked up some rays on the towel and commented that he felt no need to get in the water, I was so dang hot that I HAD to take a dip. Whoda thunk that I'd be the first in the water over here!!!
Matt and I both agreed that we think we would probably be okay with taking a trip to the beach every weekend. :)
Check out those umbrellas! This is JUST the beginning...

POD "Another Feria Season Gone By"

It's nearly the end of Feria season here in Spain. I didn't make it this year because I was celebrating a BIG birthday in Maine, but Matt went and he said it was a blast! Girls in beautiful dresses; drinking, eating and dancing in the streets. Good times. I am looking forward to next year. For now, it looks like it's time to wash those dresses and carefully store them until the parties begin again in April next year. :)

POD "Gravity at its Finest" (Take Two)

Well, I spent the day cleaning in preparation of Matthew's homecoming and our guests' arrival on Saturday afternoon. Where were the pups throughout all this? Oh you know, living the good life: asleep on the couches. Sultan did NOT approve when I decided to turn the music on. It was about the only time within a five hour stretch that he even cracked an eye. Here he is staring at the entertainment center like: "WTF is that? Of all the CDs you have, you choose ELO???"

Takoda (apparently an ELO fan?) never flinched. Here he is:

Wow. Just... wow.
Pretty much about the time I decide to sit down with a beer, they're going to be like... "COME ON MA, Let's go do something!" Good times.

POD "Our Recent Order"

I'm not usually one for ordering pictures from the photographers at formal events, but the photographer at our Seabee Ball here in Spain (our new friend Heather) is just fantastic! She got creative and had fun with the shots, not opting for your basic "okay, put your hand on his shoulder, okay, your's on her waist, okay now tilt your heads a little... etc." :)

Check out all of her work here on her website at: http://www.heatherbeattyphotography.com/

The print we chose just came in, so I wanted to share!

POD "Un Problema"

Just one of HUNDREDS of tables at the Gypsy Market.
Are we seeing how I could develop a shopping problem here?

POD "Afternoon Delight" (Rated G)

After a day of indoor cleaning yesterday, today, I was ready for a little outdoor time. Finishing a good book in the Spanish sun with an icy (and delicious by the way) mojito. It could have only been better if Matt had been sitting next to me reading as well. Of course, I don't know if he likes mojitos, and I can't seem to get him to read... but a girl's gotta dream yah know? ;)

POD "The Window"

I decided it's time you all know the truth. I have a stalker window.
You see, i've conveniently placed my computer desk up against a front window of our house. Oh yes, the breeze is nice, but the ULTIMATE satisfaction comes from stalking. Mr. Smith... cutting outta work a little early, I see...
I think I remember how it all began. One uneventful day I was on my homepage catching up on some ... rather lackluster facebook status updates and I found myself distracted, peeking over the window planter at the gorgeous day outside. There were cars going by, the kid one house down was practicing his pitch, and two young mothers out for a walk had stopped to chat. Nothing about that particular moment seemed all that spectacular, but little did I know I had stumbled upon my portal to the neighborhood. My stalker window. Why is that guy washing his car again?! You see, living on base is a little like living on Wisteria Lane. (Only without the infidelity, occasional death, and other drama). Everybody knows everybody, everybody lives close together, and everybody has WINDOWS. We all do it. I'm not the only stalker who hides behind a window planter. Anyway, I thought I would share my view. Oh look, my neighbor is back from a bike ride.

El mercadito y Jerez de la Frontera :)

So today, I BRAVELY decided I'd venture off to Jerez in hopes of finding a flea market I heard about yesterday. I've been told it occurs every Sunday, but I really have NO idea what it's all about and even LESS of an idea how to get there considering Matt has our GPS with him in Germany. With my old school printed google maps/directions I packed up and headed to Jerez. Getting to Jerez is no issue, but once in the city, it only took two poorly marked rotaries and I had NO idea where I was. I gave up on my directions and I decided to just go with the little information I DID have and hope there'd be signs. If I couldn't find it, atleast I tried!

Suddenly, I rounded a corner and THERE IT WAS! AND, there was parking RIGHT Below the plaza!!! Me in the parking garage VERY excited to have found el mercadito:

The market was amazing! Lots of great junk, lots of random yard saleish stuff, some art AND some antiques! I strolled around for a while, talking in spanish, taking photos and getting some prices before I made any purchases. The day was BEAUTIFUL and I just enjoyed the views from the plaza.





I walked away with a handmade set of earrings, a small handpainted morrocan table and a TEN EURO original watercolor of spanish rooftops. :) The artist was painting right there and he was SO nice. I was bummed to find out from him that today was the last day of the market until it cools off again in September. Ah well, I will return and see what new work he completes this summer.

After the market, I decided to grab a snack! I chose to sit outdoors and enjoy the views in this big plaza.
There was fountain, a carousel, lots of people to watch and cold cerveza. :) Perfecto!

I tried gazpacho for the first time.

Although it was very refreshing and the fresh veggies were crisp, I couldn't quite get past the "zing" it had. It almost seemed fermented a tad. I tried to ask the waiter in spanish if the "zing" was normal. He proceded to tell me how they use the freshest tomatoes, best olive oils and finest vinegars there. I guess that means it was normal? I didn't know how to tell him that when food starts "zinging," we Americans know it's time to toss it. ;)

Anyway, my chaffed thighs still could handle more (damn skirts) so I opted for a bit of exploring in el centro de la cuidad (the city center) before heading back to my car.

That is a small alleyway!
These gargoyles have seen better days.




What a gorgeous day in a highly underrated town. One more treat before I hit the road! :)

POD "Working On Our Tans"

As you can see, I cannot stretch out on the lawn without being joined by my favorite sunbathing partner. I still cannot believe how well his white coat reflects the sun's rays! He lasts for a while with me out there in the direct sun! Comes out as soon as he spots me laying the blanket down on the grass and flops down beside me. Poor Sultan with his black coat can only stand to lay with us for about two minutes before the panting begins and he has to get up and find shade. What kind of Siberian Husky enjoys suntanning? That would be mi perro loco. ;)

POD "My 'Biscus"

The hibiscus are loving Spain. Just a simple shot of my favorite. :)

POD "Flat Fish"

So, my spanish partner, Rocio and I were walking the streets of Rota yesterday after enjoying some English and a delicious tropical juice in the sunshine. I told her that before heading back to my car, I wanted to stop by the fish market to see what they've caught for the day, prices...etc. I told her that if I found a good swordfish steak or Marrajo I would have to immediately get going, because the fish probably wouldn't taste too good if I continued to carry it along with me in the 75 degree heat for another 2 hours. Fish and sun... not a good mix. Right? Wait for it... irony coming your way in 3...2...1...
After scanning the rows of fish, I didn't see anything jumping out at me so we left empty handed and headed back to our cars. We rounded the side of the fish market and WHAT do I see??? THIS!!!


Hanging fish carcasses just blowing and spinning in the wind like laundy on a line. "OMG WHAT ARE THOSE!!! I excitedly asked Rocio. Of course they were fish that had been hacked in half and spread open like rug, but WHY?! She proceeded to laugh, but then tell me how delicious those were going to taste with a cold beer. I was like "WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!" Oh yes, there is a name for these mcNasty fish and once they have dried and been salted to the perfect rot, they will be served in small bite sized pieces as a snack.

Great with a beer. RIGHT! Now, I am all up for trying things, but nothing about these fish hanging on a rope outside the back doors of the market says sanitary and safe to eat. At this point I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures. Hopefully the fisherman standing outside having a smoke didn't mind. On a side note, somewhere between my photo flashes and "you've got to be kidding me!"s I learned how to ask "Am I embarrasing you?" in Spanish. Haha poor Rocio. Too bad I was SO excited about these crazy dead hanging fish that I don't remember how to ask it. AH well, until the next time I embarrass my dear, local amiga. :)

POD "For everything else... there's Mastercard"

Now where did that darn Garden go? I know there was a garden there when I left. And that white fence... not exactly what I had planned for it. Maybe I should ask Takoda and Sultan what happened to it?

Various vegetable seedlings... 30 euro
Fencing... 40 euro
HIGHER FENCING... 40 euro
Coming home to two dirty dogs and a dust bowl of a garden... priceless

POD "A Lifeline in Dover"

As many of you know, hopping a military flight back home to Rota wasn't quite as easy as it was leaving Rota. The back up from the icelandic volcano a few weeks ago combined with another volcano fart last week, led to closures in Rota and me stuck sitting around a hotel room in Dover, Delaware waiting to get out. I was not really a happy camper, even with re-runs of Say Yes to the Dress and all the HGTV I could want. That of course, was until I discovered Grotto Pizza. RIGHT on the Dover base, is a glorious restaurant (available off the base too) that not only produces some MEAN pizza, it DELIVERS!!! Just wanted to share a snap of my Margherita pizza with fresh mozz, fresh garlic and marinated spinach. Thank GOD for Grotto.

POD "Chunky Monkey"

Just in case you haven't been formally introduced, this is my nephew Gabriel, "chunky monkey" as I lovingly refer to him. Got to spend some time with him while back in Maine. He's getting so big!!! Here's a pic of him with my parent's Chloebug. She climbed right up and flopped her head on his lap. He thought that was pretty funny.

POD "Fifty and Fabulous"

So, mom and I headed out to Portland for a big night out to celebrate her 50th! We stayed right downtown in the old port of Portland, Maine. Love Portland.
We started off the night classy with wine, mussels and Art Night. All of the galleries (including Maine College of Art) were open late. Loved it. We hit a few of the fantastic shops, returned to the hotel to freshen up, and then had some DE-LISH crabcakes at Walter's. (Ammmmazing. WILL be returning to that restaurant.)
Oh, have I mentioned yet, that my mother was nearly killed twice by a bicycle? OH, and NOT JUST ONCE. TWICE! My mom is pointing and looking, and "oh what's that" as she steps off the curb and is nearly taken out by a biker whizzing by at probably 40 miles an hour. The first time was funny. The second time, I thought mom was going to pee her pants. Come on, give her a break... she's fifty now. Piss happens when you're having fun. Can you imagine though? 50 years old... taken out by a bicycle. That's a headline.
Anyway, the night concluded at the not so classy Bubbas Sulky lounge. Mom's call, not mine, but I gotta give her credit because the place is definitely a must see. Go like we did on 80s night. Two dance floors and excessive spandex. Good times. I was singing "You can dance if you want to..." in a robotic voice for 4 days. Ask my dad. It wasn't pretty.

Overall, even with the near death bicycle encounters, we had an amazing time. Well mom, you may be fifty, but you're still fabulous.

POD "Views From a Mountain Deck"

"Sensational Sunrise" Taken by Photographer Tom

"Mainely Moon"

"Living above the clouds"

Couldn't just pick one POD for this category. I've taken too many shots from my parents deck to choose just one. I personally love the "living above the clouds" photo, but my dad would NOT have been pleased had I excluded his "sensational sunrise" shot. (Yes, he figured out how to turn on my camera while I was sleeping and get a shot of the sunrise before he left for work). Mmmm gotta love the views! In case you haven't figured it out, you can click on the photos for a larger view.

POD "sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff"

So since i've been in Maine, we have been taking the dogs for a walk everyday. My parent's three labs and Kodiak, my brother's crazy dog. Upon getting into the car to drive to the walk starting location, Kodiak assumes his normal position standing on the arm rest between the driver and passenger seat. That's nothing new. That's his spot. Well, what we HAVE discovered, is that if you open the sunroof, Kodiak plunges his head out the window into the fresh air, smiles (ever so slightly) and begins to sniff. A sniff sesson that starts as soon as the sunroof is opened, and does not stop until we approach our destination. The sniff session can be heard from INSIDE the car and it sounds like this. Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, SNIFF... Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, SNIFF. Seven sniffs. Every time. I snagged a pic of him. Too bad you can't hear his rhythmic sniffing.

POD "Back From the Dead"

As many of you know, our Saratoga baby disapeared for over 2 months. We all grieved and assumed her gone. Well, if you don't know that she's back living on the mountain or HOW she made it back, ASK!!! Because the story still amazes me. :)
Just a photo of the day to let you know that not only is our girl back, but she's still her usual amazingly bitchy, fantastically silly self. ;)