POD "Low Key, Late Morning, Low Tide"

The POD for today is just a shot (okay... a couple shots) from this weekend. Matt and I brought the pups down to Rota for some late morning, low tide exploring on the beach. I'm not sure who had more fun searching for fish and strange critters in the tide pools, Takoda or Matt. Sultan, on the other hand, isn't much of a "searcher." He prefers throwing himself off the groupings of rocks into pools with depths of... well, he never has any idea. Could be a puddle, or surprise!... he might just be going over his head. Entertaining? I'd say so. :)

La Viñuela

Happy Presidents Day! Ahhhhhh what a relaxing four day weekend we had! We took it nice and easy and didn't venture too far this weekend. We enjoyed the great weather with a little beach time, doggy time and of course, a combination of the two. Since we didn't travel this weekend, and since I'm a bit behind on my posts, I'm going to share the photos from our last getaway!

We had three days off last month for Martin Luther King Day so we decided to pack up the pups and spend two nights in the mountains of Spain (foothills of the Sierra Nevada range). The pup-friendly hotel, "La Viñuela," looked great online but it was even more tranquil and inviting in person.
The view from our balcony was great and the puppies weeeewy wiked it.
Koda was also happy we brought his favorite squeaky ball. If only it didn't keep rolling under the bed. :)
Our first morning there, after a nice breakfast, we took the dogs for a walk on the 44km trail that surrounds the lake. No. We didn't walk 44 km. Need I remind you that I'm pregnant? Anyway, the trail was quiet, the lake was quiet and the sights were spectacular!

The water was like glass... that is... until the doggies found it.
Sultan's first big trip, he was a little confused as to where, when, and how he was to "download." After a day and a half, Matt and I started to get a little concerned that our backyard brown-mountain-builder (no joke, I think more comes out than goes in) hadn't gone numero dos. Thankfully, after a good swim and some fierce playtime... he was able to push through his performance anxiety. Matt was very excited.
Towards the end of our stroll, we discovered this amazing old farm with far too many sheep to count. I was OBSESSED with the sheep. As you can see, they were pretty obsessed with us too. Matt and I decided that they would be talking about us for weeks. :) My two favorite sheepy tidbits: Each sheep had a bell on it's collar. Each sheep had a tail. YES a tail. Sorry for those of you who grew up on a farm and are thinking "Well, DUH!" but I had NO idea sheep's tails are cut off! I thought they were born without tails! I even had to take a video of these curious lil critters. Check out the cutey patooties.

After our nice morning walk, we spent the afternoon lounging in the warm January sun. We ordered room service, played some cribbage and watched the sun set.
Evening time at the hotel was just as beautiful and peaceful as during the day.
We REALLY enjoyed our relaxing weekend away with our little family, but eventually it was time to hit the road and head home.
Atleast we had a beautiful drive. :) Yes, these mountain-climbing fellas had bells too! As soon as I cracked open the car window I could hear them!!!

POD "Perdy Up Close"

Just a simple POD of the cute lil springtime flowers we have growing on our bush in the backyard. They are REALLY tiny and hard to see from a distance, but they are perdy up close. :) The butterflies love them.

POD "Claw, Clow... Same Thing"

A couple days ago, I dropped off my car for an oil change and I had a little time to blow before a friend picked me up. I decided to bring my book and relax in the corner of the soft leather sofa at the new library coffee shop. While ordering my fresh squeezed orange juice (yum), I contemplated the goodies in the window. Hmmmmm, crossiants, donuts, pastries... wait... what is this unusual danish???! :) CLOW danish?! (For those of you who are confused, Clow is my maiden name.)
Anyway, I have a feeling something went wrong in the translation of "claw," but nevertheless, I thought it was cool enough to make it my POD. ;)

POD "Orange You Happy Spring is Here?"

Springtime in Spain means ORANGES and the trees are looking beautiful! I can't WAIT to smell Sevilla in March!!!

POD "Sunday Funday"

This morning, a couple girlfriends and I headed off the base for a little Sunday funday. Our destination was the antique/junk market held Sunday mornings in Jerez de la Frontera. You can find almost anything at this interesting outdoor market, IF you're willing to dig. Cluttering rows of folding tables are collectable stamps, coins, old postcards, pins, jewelry, car parts, lamp parts, used electronics, old pictures, used dolls (REALLY used), clothes, and various other treats that might appear as trash to the untrained eye. I like to think I've got a knack for seeing the potential in rusty, chipping junk and giving it a new life as decor in our funky home. Even when I'm not scoring sweet finds, I take pleasure in finding the perfect purchases for my friends. I mean, JUST TODAY I found a fabulous full length brown, maroon, and green leather coat for my friend Shelley and this really adorable red haired clown doll for my friend Alicia. I know what you're thinking... when can I come shopping with you, right?!

Anyway, I walked away from today's market with just a small gift for a friend, but Alicia was the one who really hit the jackpot. Check out her beautiful new mug.

Thirsty? Would you like a supple from my nupple?

It was a great morning with good friends, fresh air, a little people watching, and of course, a lil Spanish snack.

POD "Warm Pink Glow"

The POD for today is just a shot from this weekend. I was busy working in the kitchen when Matt gave me the "Hurry up and get over here and bring your camera too." Of course, never wanting to miss a photo op, the camera was readily available right on the kitchen table. :) So, before it faded away, I snapped a shot of the beautiful, late afternoon rainbow shining brightly above our backyard swing. The camera even manage to catch the warm pink glow that seems to be typical here just before the sun goes down. Just thought I'd share. Note: We must also thank Matthew for noticing this POD. ;)

POD "Winter Weekend Hoops"

Yesterday Matt and I decided to forego the cleaning and laundry and opted instead for some outside sunshine. It's been a BEAUTIFUL winter weekend here in Southern Spain, with morning temps in the forties that gradually creep up to the amazing afternoon sixties! So, I threw on some capris (Yes, my New England friends, the kind that show your ankles) and a longsleeve, pumped up our dusty basketball and we headed to the playground. Of course Matt gave me a bit of a hard time about bringing the camera, but I needed the photo proof to show our friends back home JUST how gorgeous it was!

I have to admit, carrying our special package in my tum tum, I found myself favoring my newly bulbous torso and thus... WAY off my game. Our friends' child, riding by in his stroller, was asked about our hoop skills. "Look at Mr. Matt and Miss Tristin! Aren't they good?!"

"Miss Tristin isn't," he responded. *Sighhhhhhhhhh* Even a 3 year old could plainly see that all the bricks and airballs were coming from my direction.

Anyway, after a couple games of Horse and a record breakingly long game of Around the World, I was ready to retire. Still, we had gotten some fresh air, a little sunshine, a little exercise, and a little competition. I may not have won... anything... but it was just what my body and da bebe needed. :)

POD "Poinsettaaaaoooh My Gosh It's HUGE!"

The POD for today is a shot I took Tuesday afternoon with my friend in Rota. Walking a side street I'd never taken before I noticed this fabulous red tree! It looked like one giant poinsettia. Anyway, I just had to share. I started pulling out my camera when my spanish friend said "La foto del dia, no?" :) Of COURSE it's going to make it as the photo of the day. Just LOOK at it! I must figure out what this tree is!