S-S-S-Snake

This weekend my momma got bit by that rattlesnake.

It was enjoying sunbathing by the pool in the backyard and got startled and bit her when she moved the pool raft.

She had to spend the night in the hospital for observation and the anti-venom but she's all good now.

It was possibly a mini-vacation for her getting waited on, a full nights sleep, and no wild little boys waking her up in the morning.

Of course, my dad killed it after. Real midwest country boy of him.

I'm really looking forward to the very imaginative elaborate stories about how huge it was and how he killed it with his bare hands ;)

Very very thankful it bit an adult and not one of the boys...or Massimo.

But things like this make being in a different country so hard.

Being so helpless, anxious and just sitting around waiting for news.

You never know if "every thing's fine" 

really means 

"every thing's fine" or

 "we don't want you to freak out so we'll tell you every thing's fine"

Oye. Thankful and grateful for my family's health.
Definitely going to be having 'snakes under the bed' nightmares.



follow me on bloglovin'

Summer Couscous

{sorry for the terrible photography. clearly slacking on my game}

My friend in Barcelona used to make this couscous dish all the time!

I finally made it last week for my friends.

It was absolutely perfect for a warm afternoon with the balcony doors open :)

I was hoping there would be leftovers (especially considering what a small cup of couscous actually turns into!), but it was gone before the sun set (which is now at almost 10pm! so weird and very cool.)

I am terrible/hate 'to-taste' dishes, but sorry this is one of them:

Couscous

tomatoes

cucumber

avocado

feta cheese

a lot! of lime juice (i used 5 limes to my 1 cup of cous cous)

salt

pepper

olive oil

After making the couscous let it cool to room temperature and then add in everything else! 

I'm really into couscous now so if you have any easy recipes let me know!

"That's what makes Paris Paree"

Despite the crappy occurrences while in Paris we still trudged through the day to visit all the beauty of Paris. 

Isn't is crazy how the clouds and haze make the Sacre Coeur look so grey compared to it's normal white in the sun? 

peek-a -boo

The Eiffel Tower will always and forever be sight and symbol that takes my breathe away.

I still love you Paris.

I dropped my camera right after the Eiffel Tower so the rest of Paris is via iphone

"Thanks what makes Paris Paree"-Doris Day in April in Paris

Celebrating Madrid's Patron Saint

This week Madrid celebrates it's patron saint San Isidro. 

That means Madrid is filled with festivals and activities!

I spent most of Saturday writing my thesis but I was so glad I spent the evening with friends at the park watching the fireworks.

Personally, they were one of the best and closest shows I'm ever seen. Disneyland included.

Obviously my pictures didn't do it justice. 

 I love fireworks!

To My Mommy

Happy (American) Mother's Day to the most incredible, hardworking, selfless, caring, loving, giving, adventurous, energized mother around.

She's the one who taught me to have an adventurous life and a travelers spirit.

"Oh you want to move to Spain? YES! I'm coming to visit...several times" :)

Couldn't have done it without her gypsy heart, guidance, support and encouragement. 

xoxoxo mommy!

miss you so much!

Sevilla {aka favorite city in Spain}

I have a slight obsession with Sevilla.

The colors, the feeling, the architecture, the otange trees, the river... I can't get enough of it.
The weather was much more gloomy and rainy compared to last time, but I still love that place.
Who doesn't love a place where you can have baguettes, cheese and tinto de verano by the river?

Aranjuez

 We jumped right on the tourist train the day after my mom and sister arrived.

I've been really wanting to go to Cuenca but since we missed the bus we hopped on the train to Aranjuez. 

Honestly I don't ever think I would have made it to Aranjuez had we not missed the bus, but I'm so glad we did!

It's a short 45 min train and less than 6 euros round trip.

It was raining, freezing and windy when we got there but by the time we figured out the lay of the town, got our cafe con leche and figured out which direction to walk towards, the weather calmed down.

The gardens are huge and beautiful! 

Apparently there are some incredible artifacts in the Palace so I'll have to go back for the tour.

(I usually skip inside tours of places. I so much prefer exploring outside)

A perfect day trip from Madrid and start to our vacation.