Willow and Juanjo's SplashBlot

On our last visit to Toledo Juanjo’s dad planted these parsley plants for me, and packed them up in the car for the trip back to Barcelona. When I first cooked with them I was worried they wouldn’t make it because they were drying out, but then I clipped and watered them, and put them back on the balcony. And they are flourishing, giving us delicious fresh parsley with anything we cook. It’s especially great because we eat at home a lot more here than we did back in San Francisco. (No yummy burritos around the corner )

I’ve been talking for a long time about how I want a kitchen garden with herbs and this is a nice start, even if it is temporary and only two plants!

For my birthday Juanjo planned a surprise day in Madrid that included a visit to the Prado Museum (to the permanent collections, including Goya and Velazquez; Sorolla was sold out). Then we had lunch, walked around, tried to get tickets to a ballet, and ended up seeing a play. We stayed in Madrid until about 1 and it was the first time I really loved Madrid. So many people out, walking around, kids playing, outdoor cafes full, warm air with a slight breeze. It was beautiful!

Then on my real birthday yesterday we had a special family lunch, including a delicious fish that Juanjo’s Mom made. I talked to lots of people and spent time with my wonderful husband. Looking ahead, this year is going to be a big one for both of us. Having my birthday at the beginning and Juanjo’s near the end (April 2nd) feels like bookends to a collection of adventures just the two of us before we settle down.

Thank you to everyone for the birthday calls and good wishes!

Walked around the property here at Juanjo’s parents today, taking some pictures. I was amazed to find that so many of the olive trees were loaded down with fruit. Somehow I had never imagined them as bearing real olives, always just noticed how pretty they were. I  guess I’d never been here in the fall either, when the fruit matures. Maybe someday I’ll try and cure some of them, use Rose’s recipe. Perhaps when I’m done with the Ph.D. and we’ve got kids that can help me gather them (or play outside making forts while I pick them).

Anyone else ever pick and cure olives?

Yesterday Marisa came home with a car full of melons from a friend who lives in Villacañas, a pueblo near Toledo. Every year this lady gives Marisa some of her abundant crop. People say the area around Quintanar is one of the best climates for melons. And oh what melons! Sweet, juicy, crunchy, deliciousness. We’ve already eaten nearly 3!

We have gotten bunches of pea shoots in our farm box several times now. I like peas a lot and the shoots taste just like whole peas, but I’m not sure how to cook them. They suggested sauteing them with olive oil, chili flakes, and salt. I tried that the first time and it came out ok but I found the stalks too hard and chewy. Decided next time I need to seek out a new recipe. Some internet searches yielded:

• A web page all about pea shoots in England. Looks like there are some good salad ideas there, I could see Juanjo liking the beef salad recipe, with some kind of substitute for the horseradish. The ham and egg salad with pea shoots has real potential for us (too bad I just used up the last of the Serrano ham in a soup or I’d make it tonight!).

• A recipe on Epicurious, a site I always have good cooking luck with. Another salad, this one with sesame seeds, which I love.

• A stir fry. This has potential too, maybe with different mushrooms.

Any ideas, or previous experience cooking these?