NAVIDAD A LA VUELTA DE LA ESQUINA {CHRISTMAS IS AROUND THE CORNER}

1. SANTILLANA DEL MAR AND NOVALES 8th Dec 2017

1. Each time I write a Christmas post, I realise that time really flies and that this is non stop, but as there´s nothing we could do, here we are once again.

Empecé mis vacaciones visitando Santillana del Mar y también  Federicaandco

1. I started my holidays travelling to Santillana del Mar and visiting  Federicaandco

1. Situated on the northern route of the Pilgrim´s road to Santiago de Compostela, Santillana del Mar is a beautiful medieval town which was developed around the collegiate church of Santa Maria. Its various defence towers and Renaissance palaces make Santillana one of the most important historical area of Cantabria.

1. To walk on the streets in Santillana, in spite of the rain, was awesome really. The houses are beautiful.

1. The centre of this village, declared a National Monument, continues to contain the collegiate church, considered one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Cantabria.

1. Besides, there are many shops in the center of the village where you can find gastronomic products and souvenirs from that area.

1. They say Santillana is the town of the three lies, not holy (Santi), not flat (llana) or by the sea (del mar). This medieval jewel is in such a perfect state of preservation, with its bright cobbled streets, so remember not to come here wearing stilettos or similar.

1. The municipality enjoys a privileged situation in a valley surrounded by mountains, with a microclimate that allows Mediterranean-type crops, particularly citrus, being well known the lemons from Novales.

Nos quedamos a comer un cocotte delicioso con espinacas, Kale, parmesano y huevo y un plato de pasta al frutti di mare. Para terminar tarta de chocolate.

1. We stayed for lunch, and we had a gorgeous cocotte with spinach, kale, parmesan and egg. Then we had pasta al frutti di mare and to finish a chocolate tart.

Y nadie mejor que Federica para meterte el espíritu de la Navidad en vena. La Navidad está por todas partes. Creerme, me quería llevar todo lo que tenía en su casa!!!. Afortunadamente, mi árbol ya estaba puesto para ese día.

1. And nobody knows better than Federica how to get the Christmas spirit into your body and soul. Christmas was all around. Believe me, I wanted to buy everything she had!!! Thank God my Christmas tree was already set by that day.

Cuando volví a casa, hice leche de avellanas, reservé el puré resultante, lo sequé en el horno y guardé la harina para mi sobrina que me ha prometido que hará algo con ella, cuando lo haga, pondré la receta de la leche de avellanas. Fuente Mayi Carles y su Life is Messy Kitchen

1. Back home, I made hazelnut milk, I reserved the resultant purée, dried it in the oven and kept that flour to give it to my niece who has promised me to make something with it. When done, I´ll post the recipe of that milk. Source Mayi Carles and her Life is messy Kitchen

Y comencé también la navidad intentando hacer unas bolas con globos, que por utilizar una madeja de lana en vez de un cordón me salieron fatal y las tuve que tirar. Lo intentaré el año que viene.

1. And I started Christmas trying to make some tree ornaments made with baloon. It was terrible to see that for the mere detail of using a bundle of wool instead of a cord, they came out terrible and I had to throw them away. I´ll try next year though.

He descubierto que las luces no necesitan enchufe y que llevan ahora una cajita con pilas por lo que he llenado mi casa de luz. Ahora espero el momento en que vuelvan todos a casa para seguir celebrando estas fiestas.

1. I´ve discovered there are lights without that don´t need a plug but a couple of batteries, so I´ve filled my house with lights all over. Now, I´m looking forward to seeing the rest of the family together celebrating.

Yo simplemente quería desearos a todos una muy ¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!.

1. I simply wanted to show up here and wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS!