Alexandra Isobel's Blog, page 11
May 16, 2016
Travel Through Basque Country
WHAT EXACTLY ARE PINTXOS?
Mysterious Basque Country
First we must travel to Basque country, which lies in the North of Spain near the Bay of Biscay and in South Western France. Basque country has a rich culinary heritage and is best known for Pintxos – small, composed bites that are not unlike tapas, but are worlds different.
Pintxos, pronounced “pinchos”
Small, savoury canapés presented in a myriad of colours, forms and flavour combinations, laid out on giant platters and spread along every counter in town. Twice a day, hundreds of people pour into the streets of San Sebastien for a traditional “pintxos crawl,” moving from bar to bar: tasting, drinking and socializing.
Gildas – White anchovy, olive and pickled pepper skewer (named after 1946 Rita Hayworth role).
Soft Boiled Quail Egg with Black Anchovy and Piquillo Peppers.
Fried Eggplant with Honey and Goat Cheese.
Wood-Fired Chorizo with Pickled Carrots.
One of the easiest ways to spot a good pintxos bar is to look at the floor. If it’s covered in napkins and skewers, it’s worth going in. Those in the know drop everything on the floor after finishing, leaving the waiters to quickly clear the plates (until the bar closes). The bars are lined with plates of different cold pintxos that you help yourself to. Be sure to save room for the hot ones, which are listed on blackboards and cooked to order.
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“Katrin sipped again, the savory liquid coaxing her to relax further, the smooth taste flowing down her throat and unfurling her muscles. She moved the delicate bundle of flavours through her mouth. “My Heaven’s this is good.” She closed her eyes and inhaled.
Santiago smiled and lifted his glass. “To trying new things.”
She sipped and another burst of flavour sprang to life over her tongue. “Definitely time to try new things . . .”
Except from – Spanish Security
Blog information and photos from: http://www.thelondonfoodie.co.uk/2013/08/the-london-foodie-goes-to-spain-san.html. http://compass.coxandkings.co.uk/compass/travel-articles/a-guide-to-pintxos-in-san-sebastian/. Here’s Why You Have To Try Basque Cuisine, According To A Basque Chef. Alison Spiegel. Huffpost Taste. July, 2014.https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pintxo_de_pulpo_con_alcachofa.jpg
Filed under: Spanish Security Tagged: Basque Country, cuisine, food, pintxos, Spanish Security
MONDAY FLASH FICTION – May 16, 2016
“Stephanie . . . ?” I frowned at my ex, curled into a ball and surrounded by a pile of white frothy material in my trunk.
“Daniel?” She twisted to stare at me. “Oh sweet Jesus thank God.”
I leaned in and dug her out. “What are you doing in there . . . ?”
She unfolded her long legs onto the pavement. “I can explain.”
“Really?” I stood back and stared at the wedding dress she fluffed out around her. “I’m dying to hear it.”
She threw back her length of long red hair. “Well . . . “
Filed under: Writing INSPIRATIONS Tagged: creative, creative process, inspiration, inspire, Monday flash fiction, writing inspiration, writing prompt
May 11, 2016
READING WEDNESDAYS – WHY YOU NEED ONE!
So you look down beside the couch or your bed, and see your burgeoning ‘to be read’ pile frowning at you. Your saved blog posts, newsletters, website, and e-zine articles file is so filled it’s about to crash your laptop, and you don’t even want to think about your tablet’s monstrous e-book library. That is what now, 1200 strong?
Face it. You have saved so much reading material you’ve started to avoid looking at it.
Enter reading Wednesday. That one day you can set aside to start reading your way through it all.
Make an appointment with yourself and keep that time for simply reading. And maybe organizing.
THE MORNING POWER READ.
This is when I gather up all the bookmarked pages, articles, journals, saved blog posts, website pages, tweet links, downloaded research e-books, texts, dog eared magazines and other wise print material that lurk about my house.
Then I decide on a space, preferably secluded with a trip wire for those who wander to close. I like the library and will travel to the very back where it’s quiet. I take my coffee, and make sure I have a full charge to my laptop and iPad.
This is also when I’ll check out new podcasts, download some trial episodes, or scan my old subscriptions for new materials. Note to self – bring headphones.
THE LUNCH TIME BIG O – ORGANIZE.
By lunchtime, all read material is slotted and filed into HOLDING, PTU-put to use, or SOT-sorted or trashed.
HOLDING. If material is holding, it’s in one specific saved file until the time comes for me to use it. So it might be the website of a person who does dynamite photography that I want to use at a later date, or a website guru who, when the time comes, I will connect with to update my site.
S.O.T – SAVE OR TRASHED. Some things, most things will be read, committed to memory then painfully trashed. I hate discarding things, but have to keep in mind that my affinity to ‘save’ things got me here in the first place. Other things, the way-too-awesome-to-ever-think-about-trashing things get stored into one limited space ‘keeper’ file. Limited space forces me to keep things very sparingly.
P.T.U – PUT TO USE. I will choose one thing for the day’s PTU. For example, the article of tips on how to set up a great Goodreads dashboard. I’ll read the tips, head over to Goodreads and put the tips to use by updating, reorganizing and revamping my dashboard.
I’ll also listen to my new podcasts episodes in my car during the ride home.
Reading Wednesday peeps – try it and let me know how it goes!
Filed under: CrEaTiVe SPACES, Writing INSPIRATIONS Tagged: reading wednesday, writing #amwriting, writing place
May 9, 2016
Monday Flash Fiction – May, 9 2016
I can’t stop thinking about her. I can’t live without her. Baby, please come back home.
Filed under: Writing INSPIRATIONS Tagged: Monday flash fiction
May 4, 2016
TEA TIME = Quiet Time
Sometimes you just need to sit down to a cup of tea. This afternoon it was at the Thimble Cafe, Ottawa.
Quiet time I wouldn’t have any other way . . .
Filed under: CrEaTiVe SPACES Tagged: cafe, tea house, tea shoppe, tea time
April 29, 2016
Friday Find . . . A Creative Space
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It’s a quiet morning and a deadline looms, so out to find a creative place to muse.
Café Cristal welcomes warmth, peace and a tranquil space for tea.
With a relaxing breath you’re steeped in ambiance.
Exhale and indulge . . .
Imagine. Create. Inspire. Muse
Take Flight
Filed under: Coffee Shop Knights, CrEaTiVe SPACES, Writing INSPIRATIONS Tagged: cafe, creative process, creative space, Friday find, inspired, writing
April 25, 2016
Monday Flash Fiction – April 25, 2016
“Just stay right like that–”
“Are you kidding me? I can’t do this . . . naked.”
“Ya you can. You’re naked. I’m half way there. Just let me set the camera . . . beautiful. You are so fucking beautiful.”
He set down the camera and tugged down his pants. “Now, let me do this . . . getting every moment on film.”
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Filed under: Writing INSPIRATIONS Tagged: flash fiction, Monday flash fiction
April 23, 2016
DESIGN a Creative Writing Weekend
Sometimes we have to get out and chase our inspirational muse, and sometimes we need to retreat into a creative cave to collect our thoughts and germinate ideas before our minds can be free to hit a new creative stride.
DESIGN YOURSELF A CREATIVE WRITING WEEKEND
Choose a time when you can either go away to retreat, or staycation and see your city from a new perspective.
Rediscover some hidden places and enjoy them wrapped in your own little world.
Spend some time alone and contemplate without daily distractions.
Go someplace new. Drink coffee in a hidden place. Listen to people talk and hear their stories.
Indulge in some things that are all about you.
Do not leave leave without a journal and pencil.
Happy trails . . . .
Filed under: Writing INSPIRATIONS Tagged: creative, CrEaTiVe SPACES, inspiration, inspire, reading, writing inspiration
DESIGN a Creative Weekend
Sometimes we have to get out and chase our inspirational muse, and sometimes we need to retreat into a creative cave to collect our thoughts and germinate ideas before our minds can be free to hit a new creative stride.
DESIGN YOURSELF A CREATIVE WEEKEND
Choose a time when you can either go away to retreat, or staycation and see your city from a new perspective.
Rediscover some hidden places and enjoy them wrapped in your own little world.
Spend some time alone and contemplate without daily distractions.
Go someplace new. Drink coffee in a hidden place. Listen to people talk and hear their stories.
Indulge in some things that are all about you.
Do not leave leave without a journal and pencil.
Happy trails . . . .
Filed under: CrEaTiVe SPACES, Writing INSPIRATIONS Tagged: creative, CrEaTiVe SPACES, inspiration, inspire, reading, writing inspiration
