Hola amigos!

 Just spent an amazing week in the city of Málaga with friends. I had never been before but it is such a beautiful city, I will definitely return.

 

 

It is one of the oldest cities in the world and therefore rich in history; in over 2,800 years it was founded by the Phoenicians, became a part of the Roman and Byzantine empires, came under Muslim Arabic and then Christian rule.
 

 

The people of Malaga appear deeply religious, most being Roman Catholic.
The city has a stunning cathedral Basílica de la Encarnación.

 

We were lucky enough to be in the city for an amazing procession on the Sunday evening, the streets were lined with people of all ages, men dressed in traditional robes carrying statues and beautifully decorated floats accompanied by music and song and showered with rose petals from the upper stories of buildings as they passed.

These processions take place throughout the year, those of holy week being particularly special. Indeed one of Malaga's famous sons, Antonio Banderas returns to his brotherhood every Easter.

 

It is of course birthplace to world renown artist Pablo Picasso.
 

 

Picasso's childhood home was on the second floor of the building you see behind his statue in this picture. While Picasso left Malaga as a young boy he had always wanted his work exhibited in the city. His daughter-in-law worked to realise this dream and now it holds 285 works donated by the family in the beautifully converted Buenavista Palace.
 

 

It must be a wonderful place for budding artists; home to Picasso and Revello de Toro, so many art galleries to see, lectures and workshops to attend and inspiring views all around. Indeed they can been seen on every street creating their own impressions of the city.
 

 

Malaga is rich in culture. On the eve of San Juan (St. John) we were party to a spectacular festival on Malagueta beach. A massive concert stage was erected and various acts performed. Huge bonfires were alight on the beach which was thronged with people young and old; eating, drinking and dancing into the small hours. At midnight many took a dip in the sea to wash away evil for the year ahead.
 

 

Speaking of eating and drinking, I could not omit Tapas and Sangria, could I? From humble Spanish roots Sangria is now served around the world. Sangria is a sweet punch made with red wine and fruit, is served cold and is typically served to 'visitors'.

Along with the Sangria, Tapas is served in bars on every corner to the sound of Flamenco.
Huge varieties of small 'snack-size' dishes are served in small earthenware bowls. Some hot like meatballs in tomato sauce, prawns fried in garlic and oil (gambas al pil-pil), potato croquettes flavoured with ham, and some cold like cured meats, olives and cheeses. All equally delicious!

 

On our last night there we saw a Flamenco show. Flamenco is of course a type of Spanish folk music and dance with guitars and handclaps or palmas. It was absolutely enthralling, see for yourself...

 



Love is...

a many splendid thing!

 

With St. Valentine's Day this week, it seemed love was all around but not just romantic love, love in all its forms...

 

On Saturday I found this LOVEly card in Aldi. I loved the colours, the delicate print in the background and the subject matter of course, I can feel a little art project coming on!
 

On Sunday, my heart skipped a beat when I found this cute couple at a market…

 

 I do love some chintz! These two will fit nicely into my growing collection.
 

While the weather got less and less clement (Atlantic Storms!) as this week wore on, the flurries of snow around the country on Tuesday were just a picture…

 

Who doesn't love a light dusting of snow with their Tuesday?

 

On Wednesday, love was in the Air from Piano Sonata No. 11 as my mother and I enjoyed an evening of magical Mozart by candlelight provided by a European Baroque Ensemble and three excellent soloists...

 

Mozart knew a thing or two about love…

“Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius.
Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”

Friday of course was Valentine's Day, the day of love!
Some red velvet cupcakes to spread the love to my fellow workmates...

 

And a romantic dinner for two at our favourite local restaurant where we celebrated our engagement, the Motte and Bailey...

 

 

Cosy surroundings, roaring fires, flickering candles, roses, champagne and amazing food, all the ingredients for a LOVEly evening with Mr. Auburn.

 

Hope you had a love filled week...

"Sometimes it feels like there are so many things we can't control, earthquakes, floods, reality shows. But it's important to remember the things we can, like forgiveness, second chances, fresh starts. Because the one thing that turns the world from a lonely place to a beautiful place, is love.
Love in any of its forms." 

Culture Night 2013!

Last Friday Night was Culture Night!

Culture Night is a night of artistic and cultural entertainment around Ireland where Art Galleries, Museums, etc. throw open their doors and put on events which are all free! Lovely Michelle over at michellemadethis had her own Culture Night at the Cottage.

So what did the Auburn’s do?
We attended a Gala Concert featuring The Priests at the beautiful St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Athlone. The concert wasn't free but it was for a really good cause. The church was built in 1937 and renovated in 2007. The money made on the night will go towards repaying the bill! 

  The church looked amazing decorated with beautiful floral arrangements, lanterns filled with candles and the altar uplit with blue lights. 

  For those of you who are not familiar, The Priests are a hugely talented classical trio from Northern Ireland and as the name suggests are catholic priests.

 

 So when they are not releasing No.1 albums and touring the world, they are doing their normal priestly duties in their respective parishes.

 

They entertained us with classical pieces from around the globe, some more sacred pieces and some well know Irish tunes like this one.... 

They even snook in a little Christmas carol, You'll Never Walk Alone (which really pleased Mr. Auburn as a Liverpool supporter!) and Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles.

A truly cultural night was had by all!!

Liebster Award!!

I was delighted to discover (eventually in my spam!) that I had received a Liebster Award from the lovely Magali over at

The Little White House On The Seaside.

 

 

Magali lives in Brittany, France in an old Fisherman's cottage which she is renovating. Among many things shared, such as tales of renovation, she is currently helping us vicariously explore all the beautiful houses that are to be found in wonderful Brittany!
Needless to say, as a new comer I am absolutely thrilled with this award!

 

So what is the Liebster award?
The Liebster award is given to a blog that is a favourite of yours; one that is up-and-coming, with 200 followers or less. 
 

Here are the rules...

1. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, and then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.

3. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.

4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.

5. No tag backs.

 

So to my job as recipient of this great award...

 

Random facts about me...

 

1. My real hair colour is Auburn despite my parents both having black hair, these locks have never seen a bottle of hair dye!

2. Artist Mark O'Neill once painted these same locks.

3. I have one sister and two bothers all younger than me.
4. I don't like feet, not even my own.
5. I have Hemophobia; an extreme and irrational fear of having blood drawn.
6. I love cheese. I could live without chocolate but not cheese!
7. I love tea and drink a minimum of 6 cups per day of the good old fashioned variety.
8. I have a 'pipe dream' about having my own tea room.
9. I am not sporty. Apart from a stroll, I exercise as a last resort.
10. I like to cook and bake but love to eat more.
11. I am left handed which puts me in good company; Leonardo Da Vinci, John-Paul Gaultier, Albert Einstein, Joan of Arc, Jack the Ripper.



  

 Questions asked by Magali...

 

1. What is the one song/music you listen to when you need to be cheered up?

To my husband's dismay, it's probably Yes, Sir I Can Boogie by Baccara. Can help singing and boogying (badly) when I hear it!
 

2. Are you a cat or a dog person?

Having had both over the years I would say I am a dog person. Our family had two dogs which were with us for most of our childhood; Buddy and Chubby. They died a few of years ago aged 17 and 18 years.
 

3. What is the little habit you know you shouldn't have but can't give up?

Daydreaming. I'm a big daydreamer. It got me in bother at school and even appeared on a school report; 'must stop daydreaming'! In my defence most of my best ideas come to me in daydreams.

 

 

4. If you didn't live where you are right now, where would you like to live?

Hmm, that's a tough one as I love where I live right now. I would still live in Ireland as it is such a magical, scenic, green place.

 

5. What is the colour you never wear?

Pink!! Not even in a sock! With this hair, it just doesn't work in my opinion.

 

6. What makes you cry for no reason?

I'm not really a crier, not even at a sad movie. If I cry, there's usually a reason!
 

7. What's the device that makes you happy you were born in this era rather than in the Middle Age?

I would have to say my iPad. I can catch up on my blogging in bed, follow recipes in the kitchen, what's not to love.
 

8. Is there a TV-show you hate to miss?

At the moment, it's Dermot's Secret Garden. It's about gardener Dermot O'Neill as he restores a secret Victorian Walled Garden 'Clondeglass' in Co. Laois. What happened Thursday evening, yeah, missed it and Sky+ failed me!

 

9. What's the title of the book that changed your life?

When I was little, I went to stay with my aunt. She had two boys who were grown up so her house was kind of boring for a 6 year old girl. But I found a set of Childcraft encyclopaedias, one of which was Make and Do. I read it from cover to cover. Better still, I got to take them home!!

 

10. Which fictional character are you in love with?

After watching Jane Eyre, I was in love with Mr. Rochester for a time, granted this was aided by the fact he was played by the lovely Irish actor Michael Fassbender!
 

11. How did you start blogging?

I read many blogs and have done so for years while my own life was an undocumented blog; living in the country, decorating our home, crafting and gardening. It was my husband that suggested I start my own blog, so this year as sort of a 'new year's resolution', I did.

 

My nominations for the Liebster Award...

 

Cottage Dreaming & Flea Market Wishes - An Oklahoma girl and her Chi Chi's who are moving from city to country and all their flea market finds along the way.

A Good Year - A country girl living in Worcestershire, England who shares her beautiful photography and her wheat free, egg free, yeast free treats!

A Load of Old Tat - This lovely blogger is from Kent, England and writes to us of life's simple pleasures.

Cottage in the Lane - This gardening enthusiast lives in Surrey, England and constantly amazes us with her beautiful crochet.

Crafted by Carly - Carly is from Britain living in Duesseldorf, Germany and hand makes the most inspiring things!

Dian's Timpanalley - Dian is a genealogy addict from Utah, USA with Irish roots who regales us with tales of nostalgia.

One Little Acorn - This artist from Australia is currently studying Art therapy and brings us lovely life stories from magical Melbourne.

Pretty at Heart - This lady blogs about charming family life in her pretty seaside home in Whitstable, Kent, England.

Shrimpton and Perfect - This perfect blogger shares with us her love of all things vintage from East Sussex, England.

Beneath the Elm Tree  - Dee, a keen writer and cook brings us ramblings from the good life in York, Pennsylvania.

1939 Cottage Collectables - This mother daughter team from California share their love and their collection of amazing Victorian antiques.


And finally my questions for my nominees...

1. What was your first thought when you got this award?
2. Tell us something about your corner of the world?
3. Have you ever been to Ireland?
4. Why do you blog?
5. What is your favourite cuisine?
6. What are you most afraid of?
7. What are you most grateful for?
8. What is your favourite time of year?
9. Are you introverted or extroverted?
10. What is the worst job you ever had?
11. What have you learned today?

Our Family Vacay!

 This day last week, my family and I returned from a little holiday.
Can you guess where we were???
 

 

You've guessed it; we went to New York City!!

So did Winter Storm Nemo but we didn't let that stop us...

This is our third time to visit New York city. In fact, on our first trip, we got engaged in similar weather, on Oak Bridge at Bank Rock Bay in Central Park.
 

 

This time my mother and two brothers came with us.

We did some shopping and lots of sightseeing...

Some sights we've seen before...
 

  

..others we saw for the first time...

 

 

Unfortunately the Knicks game was sold out but we did take in a show; Newsical the Musical off Broadway, it was hilariously funny!

 

Then there was the food...I may have eaten my body weight in yummy food... pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, Italian style pizza, Bourbon chicken, hotdogs, New York cheesecake, Pretzels, Shrimp at Bubba Gump's all washed down with Arnold Palmers!

 

New York really is the city that never sleeps, always something to see, something to do. You couldn't be bored! It's so diverse, such amazing scenery, so much culture, so much history, so much entertainment. I really think you could visit time and time again and experience something new on each visit. Even those things you've experienced before have a certain allure.

 

Ah, til next time New York.......