We Love Spain

Hi! What's happening, Internet. We went to Spain to visit family, just outside Bilbao. Took a million photos that I have yet to sort through, but in the meantime here are a few from my trusty 5C.

Some murals in Plentzia. I had to be an Instagram girl and get our pic in front of it. Awesome beach there, by the way. Someone had made these little sand pools by the waters edge, and all the toddlers were loving it. I love the beaches there - it doesn't matter if you've got stretch marks, varicose veins, spare tire, whatever, Spanish women are out in their bikinis. 80 or 8. I was casually chatting to another mom, who happened to be topless and was rocking some post-breastfeeding boobs. Beach + body = beach body. I'm always covered up, because I'm lame.

More mural.

She got to spend a lot of time with this guy. Heart-eyes.

Going a bit feral. She was naked for the better part of a week.

Sun.

There are playgrounds every two blocks, it seems like. Really fantastic for families. This Snow White has a bit of the Madonna about her, no?

Father/son siesta.

The siesta continues. He's actually gone off the charts size-wise now, and his delicious chubbiness seemed to delight older Spanish ladies. Quite rightly. And he's on food properly now. So much food.

Gotta love a good washing line.

Hangs.

Yet more mural.

Me and the boy.

Random corner in a bar. Continental Europe always makes me want to plant geraniums.

A snack on the grass in a rare clothed moment. Papaya and hemp seeds.

More public art in Bilbao, right by the Guggenheim.

Yeah. Wow.

I like this lettering.

And last but certainly not least, some fountain frolicking. Right outside the Guggenheim is an amazing playground, because of course there is. AND some crazy fountains for playing in. I'm not sure I've ever seen her happier. The world is her playground.

Hopefully I will get around to posting some more soon!

Everything Bagel Salt Rip-Off

So, I didn't invent this. I was given a jar as a hostess gift, and soon found I couldn't live without it. The operative word here is "everything", because it now goes on everything. Anyway, I gather you can purchase this delightful stuff in the US, but we don't live there - I find these proportions do the job quite nicely:

Everything Bagel Salt

1 cup coarse sea salt (however coarse you like it - I ground mine a touch finer in the mortar and pestle.)
1 tablespoon caraway
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion salt

Here it is on some golden beetroot on toast. 

Also good on tomatoes, or avocado - basically anything on toast. In other words, everything.

Sewing

Eek, where have I been? I've been sewing.

Love as an Anchor

There's a song I love, Prescilla by Bat for Lashes, do you know it? She's talking about a friend settling down to start a family, who wants to "comb a brush around their heads in the morning / to be needed, simply and with meaning."

With "love as an anchor, before the courage is gone." Because it takes courage, this motherhood gig. And love is an anchor.

Snapshot - Pea Podding

Just to say that I'm pretty sure that pea podding is the most wholesome toddler activity there is.

She thinks it's pea "popping", and softly says "pop!" as she pops them in the bowl. It's pretty delightful.

That's all! Happy Monday! 

Lacto-Fermented Daikon (that my toddler loves)

I've mentioned before that my kid can't get enough of these fermented radish pickles. This isn't a recipe, as much as a method - I obviously didn't invent this (if it were a song, it would be 'Trad'), but I'm asked about it frequently enough that I thought some of you might like a how-to? They are unbelievably tasty, considering how simple they are. I just plonk the jar on the table to have with dinner, or with bread and veggies and dips for an easy Sunday lunch. The three of us (you know, who eat solid foods), can get through a jar in one sitting. Sound good? Ok!

Miso-y Peanut Dipping Sauce

Another recipe?? I've gone all industrious on you! No, this is just a little one - a simple (but completely addictive) dipping sauce for those gorgeous rice-paper rolls we're all making now that spring has finally sprung. Whenever I make something that my guy really loves, 9 times out of 10 it has miso in it. This has miso in it: