Good Company and Good Food

I was introduced to Paella by my good friend Conchita and her cousins when we traveled through Spain as college students.  Her cousins took us to Los Caracolas in Barcellona’s Barri Gótic (Barrio Gotico).    We started out with snails and the advanced to the Paella Mista which is a symphony of rice, chicken and seafood.  

Planiol Restaurant in Lloret de Mar

Each time we have come to Spain we have indulged in Paella at least once this trip was no exception.  The scent of a restaurant where they are preparing paella is enough to calm the spirit and make your mouth water.  When it finally arrives at the table all hands commence spooning this marriage of meat and fish on to their plates.

This year we were treated to Paella in a restaurant on the beach in Lloret de Mar by our friends Lluis and Mercedes Pujades.  They decided ordered to select Paella Mariscos and Paella Langosta.  The favors of both were spectacular with the Lobster Paella having a stronger seafood flavor.  A semi-dry tinto (red) wine selected by out host enhanced the experience.

Paella Langosta

Paella Mariscos

Monday was a holiday for the city of Barcelona.  Our host, Antonio Villasenior, in Barcelona,  planned a splendid walking tour. In the afternoon we met his girl friend Adelaida at Ristorante La Fonda.  They enjoyed Paella Mista,  I tried something new, Fideus,  a Catalan specialty which used fine noodles with a stew of shrimp, clams, and mussles and various vegetables.    Bob had the bacallà (cod) with a finely chopped vegetable sauce.   Each dish was superb and we enjoyed a traditional Catalan lunch hour filled with delicious food and entertaining conversation.

Visiting Lloret de Mare

Back  in the day when travelers made the grand tours of Europe I would hope they stopped in the beautiful city of Barcelona.   Although, I have lived in Madrid, Barcelona with its mountains and sea is my favorite city in Spain.  Very cosmopolitan it is known for its unique architecture and fabulous food.  But, what impressed me most is the lovely people I have met.  This trip we were able to visit with some old friends and with some new.  Our old friends were Lluis and Mercedes Pujades.  With the Pujades we traveled last Saturday from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar to their weekend apartment.  There we hiked the rocky coast for breathtaking views along the Costa Brava.  Here are a few photos from that trip:

Twins at 9 mos.

Avery in hat

Twins Drummin

This summer’s blog is starting out in New Jersey, where I had the opportunity to play grandma with my twin grand-daughters Quinn and Avery.  At nine month they are full of energy and crawling every which-way.   They are connoisseurs of mother’s milk and yogurt with applesauce.   Of course they both want to play with the same toy at the same time…which often causes vocal disputes.   But, nap times aren’t always at the same time which lets the awake twin demand “only child” status for an hour.  Walks to the park and swinging on the swings are their main entertainment.  They also love to bang on Great-Grandma Herrmann’s cookie tin.   I’ll miss all those hugs and kisses as I go off to meet Bob in Barcelona.

Quinn

Avery