Yo, Adrian, The Best Meat

I saw this ceramic tile sign at a shop in Mijas Pueblo last week. Although I'm no fan of Sylvester Stallone, I could immediately hear Rocky yelling "Yo, Adrian!!!" Obviously, that's not what they intended.

A few minutes later, as San Geraldo got up from a bench and crossed the street to meet us, I noticed a sign in the background behind him.

THINK WHAT YOU WILL...

Four seconds is all I could bear...

Fashion Freak-Out

I have cat photos. Delicious.

Food photos. Delectable.

Scenic photos. Delightful.

But we were out the other night in Benalmádena and I spotted something that eclipsed them all.

THE LAST WORD IN FASHION.

Lady Liberty's Spanish Holiday

We bumped into Lady Liberty last week while shopping in Mijas Pueblo. She said she was here for a short break. Although it's always a pleasure to see her, I'm hoping the "short break" is not one of those alternative facts we've lately heard so much about.

ON THE PLAZA VIRGEN DE LA PEÑA.

VIEWED FROM THE GLASS ELEVATOR
AS WE HEAD BACK DOWN TO THE PLAZA.

Fifteen Tapas

It seems a day out on the town, any town, is not complete without us stumbling upon a really great restaurant. After Mariposario de Benalmádena (Benalmádena's Butterfly Park, see two previous posts), we continued another 5 minutes into Benalmádena Pueblo (the old village). Having only been there once before (click here for my first visit), I was familiar with only one little cafe, so we parked the car and began to head downhill through town.

It was a quiet and gloriously sunny winter day already past 2:00, which meant even the stores that might be open this time of year were closed for siesta. We thought, before settling down to lunch, we'd check out Plaza de España, a charming historic plaza. There were a couple of nice-looking restaurants. We chose the second one we came to, Restaurante Plaza.

It was warm enough in the sun to enjoy a meal out on the terrace, but the cloud of cigarette smoke hovering all around decided us to head inside. We headed up some stairs to a room with terraced windows that looked out onto another street. Service was a pleasure and the menu was varied and unusual. We each chose our own three tapas and we were definitely not disappointed.

HAMBERGUESA DE CHIVO
(GOAT HAMBURGER)

MUSHROOMS AND STUFF... (I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT
IT WAS CALLED, BUT IT WAS REALLY GOOD).

CRUJIENTE DE SALMON, QUESO DE CABRA, Y BOK CHOI.
(CRISPY SALMON WITH GOAT CHEESE.)
SALMON WASN'T CRISPY, JUST PASTRY IT WAS WRAPPED IN.

Numbers in another language can sometimes cause confusion. San Geraldo ordered his tapas by number. Cuatro (Four), Once (Eleven), and Diez y Cinco (supposed to be, but not, Fifteen). Since he was pointing to the items as he ordered, the waiter nodded and took down the information. When Judy ordered, she followed San Geraldo's lead and requested Diez y Cinco. The waiter was a bit further away. He hesitated and looked at me. I said she didn't want both Diez y Cinco (Ten and Five), she wanted Quince (Fifteen). The waiter laughed. San Geraldo laughed. And Judy said, "Well, that's what I get for following Jerry's lead!"

RESTAURANTE PLAZA, PLAZA DE ESPAÑA,
BENALMÁDENA PUEBLO.

HEADING BACK TO THE CAR.
THE SCENIC ROUTE, A DIEZ-Y-CINCO–MINUTE WALK.

Caterpillar To Butterfly

The four stages of a butterfly: Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis, Butterfly.

(Click the images for a butterfly's eye view.)

In nature a repulsive caterpillar turns into

a lovely butterfly.

But with humans it is the other way around:

A lovely butterfly turns into a repulsive caterpillar.

                                              — Anton Chekhov

ENTRANCE TO THE BUTTERFLY PARK (MARIPOSARIO), BENALMÁDENA.

CATERPILLARS AND EGGS (RIGHT)

DOCENT MARINA HOLDING A CHRYSALIS.
(NOTE THE BUTTERFLY WING SHOWING THROUGH THE SURFACE).

ADORNED (BY NATURE) WITH GOLD BEADING.
IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT PENDANT.

IT DARKENS WHEN THE BUTTERFLY IS CLOSE TO EMERGING.

A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BUTTERFLY. 

ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE, THIS YOUNG BUTTERFLY
DECIDED TO IMMEDIATELY REST AND DRY OFF ON JUDY'S HEAD.
THEY WERE INSEPARABLE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

Butterflies

It's been a long time since we paid a visit to Mariposario de Benalmádena (Benalmádena's Butterfly Park) just 10 minutes away by car (I guess it helps to have a car), so for Judy's last day in Spain yesterday (she'll be back in several months), we drove over and then went to lunch in Benalmádena Pueblo (the old village another 10 minutes away). I'll share more of the park and pictures from our exceptional lunch. Today, it's just butterflies. (Click the images to see the flying flowers.)

ONE BUTTERFLY, CONSTANT MOTION.

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow, and beyond.

                                              — Irish blessing

TWO (GOING AT IT).

AGING BUTTERFLY HELD BY MARINA, THE CHARMING DOCENT.

CAMOUFLAGE.

THE WATERING HOLE.

TINY AND BRILLIANT AND ALWAYS AFLUTTER.

Sweet Thing

I read the news today (oh boy) and then wondered what I would blog about that had nothing to do with that. Before heading out for a brief walk after morning coffee, I sat down on the terrace in the warm sun. Our glass curtains have turned the terrace into a glorious sunroom in winter. Moose saw me from his terrace treehouse and came running over to give and get some love. He hadn't even shaken the sleep out of his head. He put everything into perspective. Or maybe out of perspective — but he made me smile.

(Click the images to get as close a look as Moose and I got.)

"And I will never grow so old again..."

Share Something Beautiful

We watched the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States of America. I've nothing to add.

I'm grateful to have friends who text me at 10:00 at night simply to share something beautiful. That's what Elena did last week. She didn't know I was having a little battle with my depression at that particular moment.

"Have you seen the moon?!?"

Her text just about screamed.

I went out on the terrace and I gave thanks to Elena. Have YOU seen the moon?

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow. Snow!

We've had record-breaking cold temperatures here in Fuengirola. The record is since forever or since recent memory depending on who you ask. But we've been here four years and we've never experienced it this cold. And, no, those of you in much colder parts of the world, I'm not looking for sympathy (although it would be nice), I'm just stating the facts.

Beaches in Málaga were covered with snow. People in Mijas Pueblo, less than 15 minutes away in the mountains above us, had snowball fights.

 Click the images to feel the chill (I had to put my hood up).

FROM THE PASEO DURING MORNING COFFEE.

MIJAS PUEBLO, THE WHITE VILLAGE, ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE.
VIEW FROM NEARLY THE TOP OF OUR BUILDING.

The temperatures bottomed out at 4C (39F) a few streets away from us. Mijas Pueblo actually froze (well, we froze, too, but not literally). We're both still taking cold medicine. We're both still not feeling great. San Geraldo never got hit as hard as I did, but he finally got hit. And when it comes to illness, the saintly hunk is not all that tough. I'm pleased to tell you, he has survived.

Below is what I did to get rid of the chill.

SPANISH TORTILLA AND SOPA DE PICADILLO (HASH SOUP)
LUNCH AT MESON  SALVADOR.

THE SOUP HAS IBERIAN HAM, HARD-BOILED EGG, GARBANZO BEANS,
AND MORE. LIKE SALVADOR'S, IT'S THE BEST!

TLC (Tender Loving Cats)

Have you wondered what the cats have been doing while I moped through a few days sick in bed? Nothing any different from what they usually do. Enjoying the sun on the terrace (both). Dragging toys wherever I dragged myself (Dudo) and then expecting me to play fetch. Meowing incessantly until someone/anyone provided undivided attention (Moose). Begging to be cuddled but only cooperating if I got down on the floor (Moose). Demanding company while he ate (Moose). Both completely unaware that things needed to be a little different for a few days. Both completely happy that it's all back to near-normal. I heard Dudo mutter to Moose yesterday, "It's so hard to find good staff these days!"

(Click and see them grow in importance.)

MOOSE: "NO. I'M NOT IN THE MOOD TO BE CUDDLED NOW!"

DUDO: "I'M DOWN HERE. DON'T YOU WANT TO SIT ON THE FLOOR WITH ME?"

DUDO: "SO, WHAT, ARE YOU JUST GOING TO WALK BY
WITHOUT PLAYING WITH SANTA MOUSE?!? I'VE BEEN WAITING!"

"The love I bring you..."

We Have Had A Heavy Cold

I have a cold.

San Geraldo, Judy, and I have all had colds. However, my cold decided to knock me off my feet. I have barely been out of bed for three days. When I finally saw Judy briefly this afternoon and she wondered if I might have had the flu, I told her I have simply had a very bad cold. 

Judy reminded me that it was at least a Heavy Cold — like The Queen's. I am grateful to Judy. I should not have to tell you the quality of my cold. That should be left to The Staff.

Speaking of "The Staff," San Geraldo has been a gem. Tender-loving care. Kindness. Soup. Grilled cheese sandwiches. Ginger biscuits. Patience. He even went to the pharamacy yesterday and picked up "Propalgina Plus" recommended by a nurse friend of Elena's. Within 20 minutes the symptoms eased.

I've decided to keep San Geraldo on permanent retainer. I don't like to call out to him to fetch and serve, so I simply wait for him to come into view. Even then, I don't tend to ask for anything. I just whine (maybe a bit more than I used to).

The first couple of days, I felt like I had only a Light Cold. One day, we drove up to Viveros Guzman, our now-favorite garden center. Pictured below are some of the things we did not buy. Looking at them now, I wonder if they didn't have something to do with the severity of my illness.

SANSEVIERIA CYLINDRICA
(DIPPED IN PAINT AND GLITTER)

CACTUS DECOLORATIONEM
(I MADE THAT UP)

I WAS GOING TO INCLUDE THE SONG "BLUE ORCHID" BY THE WHITE STRIPES,
BUT IT WAS JUST TOO NOISY FOR ME.

Chef Show-Off

We often go downstairs for our morning coffee at Cafe BarBoru by the Sea. Chef Robbie loves to bake and usually has something special to get us through these cold winter days.

I know. I know. I should just shut up. But our blood has thinned after years of living in the desert and in Mediterranean climates. We did, however, have San Geraldo's cyclonic winds Tuesday night. We even had to close a window that was open on the terrace! Then again, we were out all day today in just T-shirts (well, pants, too).

But back to Chef Robbie and his baked goods.

As long as Robbie keeps up with the printed menu, he's free to create anything that strikes his fancy. We're lucky his fancy is always being struck.

(Click the images and your mouth will water.)

MINCE PIES AND CREME ANGLAIS. (FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW,
MINCEMEAT IS A MIXTURE OF DRIED FRUIT AND SPICES.)

RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE.

A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR CHEF ROBBIE'S FRIEND.
(THE PURSE IS NOT MY STYLE, BUT — INSIDE —  CHOCOLATE!!!)

If you ask me, Robbie is just showing off. I made TEA!

A blend of teas. From scratch. I filled the bag myself. Do you have any idea how much work that is?!

FROM LEFT: MANZANILLA (CHAMOMILE); VAINILLA Y ANÍS (VANILLA AND ANISE); I PUT IT IN THE BAG; I PULLED THE DRAWSTRING. AND I USED THE ELECTRIC KETTLE, NOT THE MICROWAVE.

Everything stops for tea.

Coín For Food

Upon on our arrival in Coín Monday (see yesterday's post), we parked the car under Plaza Mercado and headed to the street for lunch.

San Geraldo was leading the way and suggested we stop at the very first place we passed. It looked charming and popular.

The first letter in the logotype was impossible for us to decipher; we couldn't figure out the name of the place. But we headed inside.

We were greeted warmly and the interior was surprisingly cool and trendy. The theme was American (mostly) music. Vinyl discs amid photos of famous rock & rollers adorned the walls.

I was pleased to see the menu was all Spanish with some very unique (and delicious) tapas. It turned out to be a brilliant choice.

After careful study, we decided the name of the restaurant was (a) Bommara.

Or (b) Pommara.

Or maybe (c) Rommara.

So I Googled it while we ate.

We should have included (d) Other...

Welcome to Jommara.

OPEN THE BREADBASKET.
THE AROMA OF FRESH BREAD WAS EXQUISITE.

PATATAS BRAVAS, AN EXCEPTIONAL VERSION OF A LOCAL TRADITION.

I CAN'T REEMEMBER WHAT THIS WAS CALLED.

HOJALDRE CON ESPINACA
(PUFF PASTRY WITH SPINACH)

THE BOSS AND THE KING.

OUTSIDE AFTER OUR WALK.
WE WERE THE LAST CUSTOMERS OF THE DAY.

This was playing when we walked in...