It's the last day of 2010 and although the sun is shining brightly it is cold! Last time I checked at 7:30 AM it was 33 degrees! So I decided that the best way to keep warm this morning (aside from throwing a log into the fireplace) was to bake something. The quickest and easiest was a batch of cornbread...yum! I also pulled out my brand new espresso maker that G&J gave me for Christmas. If you have never tasted Illy coffee then you are missing out! By the time I figured out how to run the machine the cornbread was ready. I served it with some of my pomegranate jelly and voila my last breakfast of the year was ready to go! It looked so pretty I took a picture of it to share it with you.
Yesterday I did a short little hike up to Skyline Drive in Fullerton to see the view. The last rain we had made for quite a bit of snow up in the mountains. Here is a view of the surrounding mountains. Doesn't really look like southern California does it?
Today I am trying to finish organizing all my filing. I have to admit this is one of my weaknesses. I am not good at keeping up with it all so it stacks up all year. Anyone have any ideas to keep this paper monster from taking over your desk? I think the fist thing I should do is invest in a good shredder!
I better go and tackle the stacks and enjoy the rest of this beautiful day. 
The week began with Christmas Chapel on Monday morning. What a blessing it is to be able to work at a place where we can take off an hour and go hear the wonderful message and music of the season! The following day was the annual cookie exchange at work. This year I made 
Church!
What were you doing on Monday, December 1, 1997? I was starting my first day of work as a Data Entry Clerk at the Registrar's Office. It seems like a million year ago and then again it seems like only yesterday. It has been an interesting thirteen years going through the Y2K scare, transitioning to new online registrations methods, new software, new job positions, and then in the last two years to a new ERP system. I have made some lifelong friends and been through some good times and some rough times. I am truly blessed be part of this great office family! 
Inside there were quite a few more and also some of my favorite pieces, The Kiss and The Waltz by Camile Claudel. The feelings and emotions that are embodied in these sculptures are quite moving.
After that we took the metro to the beautiful, old Opera House (the setting of the Phantom of the Opera). It is truly one of the most beautiful buildings we visited. I can't imagine what it would be like to see a performance under the great chandelier and Chagal painted ceiling. It is enough to make you want to dance!
That afternoon we went on a final shopping spree and picked up a few more Christmas gifts. Grace and Jon went to a concert that evening and Abby and I went out to have our final dinner in Paris. This has been a great couple of weeks and I have experienced many memorable moments. So until next time... Au revior Paris... Hello California...
Imagine getting engaged in Paris, surrounded by this beautiful painting... I guess I can still hope and dream...maybe...
Yesterday we took the train to Toledo and spent the entire day exploring this ancient city. There are ruins dating back to the Romans. With it's narrow winding streets and alley ways it almost takes you back in time. 
We met up with a local guide, Margarita who took us around and gave us the history of the city. Toledo has Jewish, Christian and Muslim history intertwined into the fabric of their history. I really like this city! Here we are at a little place where legend has it if you leave a hair pin here you will find an excellent boyfriend! The little old lady was explaining the legend to us...maybe it will work?
Next we drove to another village and viseted and even smaller winery where the owner still processes the wine in century old giant clay pots. These are no longer made (last ones were made almost 100 years ago) and when they break they are irreplacable. 
She carefully cares for and produces the wine as it used to be done by her father and grandfather and even farther back. We also tasted some wonderful olive oil there. After that we stop at a typical small restaurant and had a delicious meal of croquetas, sopa, lomo & ternera accompanies by delicious warm pan and patatas. We finished it off with hojaldras con crema for dessert.
Back at the hotel we rested and napped for a couple hours then around 9 PM went out and did a Tapas Crawl for dinner. We started at La Casa del Abuelo (Grandpa's House), then went on to La Oreja de Oro (The Golden Ear), and finally ended up at Los Chanquetes. The food was absolutely delicious! From sizzling shrimp and prawns to chorizo and stuffed mushroom to Iberian ham, Manchego cheese and sauteed Bacalao (Cod). At the last place which was all local and no tourists we made friends with Mariano. He entertained us with his pleasant and funny interactions with Jose the waiter. He also gave us some inside tips on local places to visit. It was a good time to share with a local Madrileno. 
Believe it or not we went to a restaurant tonight at 9:00PM and we were the first customers of the evening. By the time we left almost at midnight after a delicious meal of traditional iberian cured ham, wild boar and venison the place was full of regulars. Yes, people were sitting down to dinner at 11:00PM! 
In the evening after resting a couple hours we headed out to dinner at Savador's Restaurant (as seen in No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. It's so interesting to see how many people are out and about the city taking leisurely walks after their late, late dinner. Tomorrow we have a lot more planned so I better get some sleep...it's 1:30 AM. Buenas Noches!
We had croquetas de bacalao (cod), tapas de bacalao, and a sandwich of queso manchego. It was delicious! to top it off we walked to a famous choclaterie and had churros and chocolate...yum!
I guess after being up for over 24 hrs it's time to go to bed. Tomorrow we plan on seeing the Naval Museum and catch a flamenco show among other things... Hasta manana!
