Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Thursday 15 August 2013

Lazy, hazy days of summer


From time to time, I pinch myself.
This could all be a dream.
Wall to wall sunshine; sunflowers, a swimming pool, happy children, generous neighbours, good food, great friends...
I do appreciate it. 

Here's just a little, unembellished glimpse of what we've been doing recently.

The boys picking tomatoes from Sergio's huerto (allotment)


Cycling home with a bagful

Honing some cooking skills - Ruy's take on Scotch pancakes - he adds 'Nesquick'!



Very pleased with my crystallised oranges - it's taken three weeks to get them to this stage and I'm delighted with them


Imagine them dipped in a strong dark chocolate.....



Stunning view of La Mota and the firework display last night.

Taken at our friends house - La Mota Vista Casa Rural.
A great evening!! 

Welcome to Berta's puppies - one of Sergio's dogs. Guess who wants one?

Super gorgeous - not sure who is poking them with a walking stick...

I made a recycled apple. What else do you do with them?

My sunflowers grew BIG!

Hope you're having a lovely summer. Or a lovely winter if you're on that side of the world! 


25 comments:

  1. You have every right to sometimes "pinch"n yourself ,, I would too :-)

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    1. Thanks Anne. It really is SO lovely here. Wish all my friends could just pop round to see me... Axxx

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  2. Sheer joy in those photographs....loved every one of them.

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    1. We're feeling most joyful, Helen - yes indeed. Thank you! Axxx

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    2. Your sunflowers are much better than mine which made a speedy start then produced very petite flowers, which I missed anyway. You are teasing us with pictures of those oranges and the apple - please let us know how to do it ourselves.

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    3. My sunflowers have been really impressive, Annie - some have had multiple blooms - but most of them are now collapsing under their own weight. Sorry you missed yours!
      The oranges...well, it took me ages to find a recipe that would hopefully give me what I wanted. I send you a link on Facebook if you're interested (of course you are!). The apple is less complicated - it's just the bottom parts of two water bottles, fitted together with a little twig stuck in the top! I was going through a 'how can I recycle all these bottles' phase. Nothing else appealed to me. And this is really quite useless, although I now keep sugar in it...looks quite pretty in layers of brown and white.
      Axxx

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  3. Just wallow in it all Annie, you have waited long enough for these moments. I cant tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing you, wallowing ! Jxxxx

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    1. I'm an excellent wallower, Janice. Hoping to lose a few pounds though...:-) Axxxx

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  4. I wish I could be so happy during Summer, but I hate this heat. Your photos are lovely Annie, and I am so pleased that you are enjoying your life in your lovely new home.

    Oh those puppies are adorable...you must take one!

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    1. We do spend several hours a day ensconced indoors, Ayak, but having the pool has made such a difference. A quick dip even at the hottest part of the day is really refreshing.

      I'd have one of those puppies like a shot, but have a resisting husband...although he does now love Darwin and he never thought he could!
      Axxx

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  5. Long may your happiness and contentment continue... x

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    1. Thank you Gaynor...I'm afraid I'm becoming rather boring! Axxx

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    1. Many thanks, Linda and thank you also for visiting and commenting. I've had a quick look at your blog and feel honoured that you like my photos - yours are wonderful!
      Axxx

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  7. Romi does not look impressed with her role as William Tell's son ;)

    Gorgeous sunflowers, cute puppies, tomatoes, oranges, fireworks ... it sure looks like the good life!

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    1. She didn't really want her photo taking that morning but it was a spontaneous gesture to put the apple on her head and I wanted to capture it there! If Ruy'd seen her, he'd have gone for his crossbow...

      It feels rather good, Annie - and now we have the pool, the afternoon heat is much more tolerable.
      Axxx

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  8. What a delicious joy to read this afternoon, Annie. Only problem is that I now have a yen for chocolate covered oranges. Sigh.

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    1. Thank you, Penny! And, hee, hee, my wicked little plan is working. I shall be making chocolate covered oranges very soon and when you see THOSE, my chocolate business will take off worldwide!
      Axxx

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  9. Your crystellised oranges look amazing, I never thought to do that, now I can't wait to try it...wonder if it will work with other citrus fruits?

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  10. Hello Nicki - thanks for popping by and commenting. I shall be visiting you very shortly! I understand that it's possible to do other fruits in the manner but everyone who has tried has said that limes DO NOT WORK! So probably best not to do limes. I fancy red grapefruit done this way but my first objective is to perfect the technique with oranges. I'm hoping this time wasn't beginner's luck! Ax

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  11. Absolutely gorgeous photos, Annie, and your deep contentment radiates from every one of them. I'm happy that you're so happy in your new home. :-) Those crystallised oranges look scrumptious and in dark chocolate.... My mouth is watering already. Will you be doing mail order?

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    1. Thank you Perpetua - and which home are you happy in right now?? I think the oranges will be wonderful dipped in dark. I will have to do some more before we get to Christmas. Mail order could be arranged but I'm always appalled at the Spanish mail costs!
      Axxx

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    2. We got back to Wales yesterday and I'm still unpacking..... The sun should be shining for the Bank Holiday tomorrow, so I'd better tackle the garden. :-)

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    3. I do hope a warm Welsh sun shines down on you - (please don't find any mole visitors....!) Axxx

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    4. Since we don't have a lawn in wales, only a back field, the moles can wander unhindered and unnoticed, by me at least. :-)

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