Many of you have mentioned that you would like to hear more about the trek I undertook earlier this year, the walk across Spain on The Camino de Santiago de Compostela.  Well, as it turns out, I would like to share some stories about that walk with YOU!  And, as it also turns out, I'd like to share some of the meals I enjoyed there too.

 

SO, how's this sound? 

 

Come join me to hear stories and share some of my favorite food memories from that adventure.  We're planning Thursday, November 14th for this dinner.  We'll be having some traditional Spanish starters, a Paella, and some really typical Spanish meal finishers, like Flan and the very special Torta de Santiago, to top it all off.  We'll make Sangria and, in between courses, I'll tell you some stories, recount some of the Camino Magic that happened.

 

I hope you can make it. 

 

This is the amount of honey that ONE worker bee makes in her entire working life.  A stunner, yes?  I wear one of these amulets most days, as it informs my life.  A seemingly insignificant amount adds up to so much more.  When I feel insignificant i touch my amulet and, most days, it helps me feel a tiny bit better.

 

Hello friends.  I do hope this early November day is giving you everything you'd like, um, for an early November day, that is.  I started my day at the market, filling a bag with crisp apples, a just-baked baguette, and a gallon of apple cider.  A perfect trio, in my mind.

 

A little later I am going to go collect my furry companion and we'll mosey along to The Biltmore Estate where we, or, um, she, can romp around in the leaves and roll in something stinky.  Not much will make her happier.  As long as it involves me and her and a car and an off-leash walk, she will be thrilled.  Her enthusiasm is captivating, spreading and filling me and my heart too.

 

"A WALK???  REALLY?  We're going for a WALK!!!!???"

 

And so we do, she pulling me along the path at the lake, leaping into the water even though it is November and, to me, way too cold for such things.  Harumpf, I've become what I said I'd never be - a grownup who will not go wading if it is too cold.  Ah well, Tye keeps me smiling as she hurries into the water, slipping down until she is completely submerged. 

 

These wet visits result in a hose-down when we get home because she collects mud and sticks and dried bits of this and that which end up on the couch or the rugs or, yes, on my bed.  (She is my best dog friend and there is nothing off-limits for her.)

 

And one thing about having Tye in my life is that I pay attention to things I might, under other circumstances, ignore.  Before Tye, for instance, I ignored squirrels on trees.  Now, thanks to her, I am alert to one that could be a quarter of a mile away.  She keeps track of all of them, the ones who have just dashed across the road in front of our car, the ones who are storing acorns in our neighbor's yards, the ones who are trying to avoid her gaze. 

 

She misses none of them, slinking along a stealthy step at a time.

 

I can feel the pull of this little friend of mine so I think I'll close this out and head home.

 

Isn't this the sweetest little thing?  She was dancing outside the window where my sister and brother-in-law were dining last week.  That's the cool thing about little ones - they don't care if it is actually Halloween or not.  The costumes go on and stay on regardless of the actual date.  Fine with me.  I'm not a costume wearer but I do like seeing the streets filled with littles sporting their princess or superhero or firefighter togs.