Madrid - Day 11

Friday, November 11

Our final full day in Madrid. The sun came out {that was a blessing!}, we decided to get cookies from the Cloistered Nuns {Stacy had to show us the way}, walk to the palace gardens, go eat at a place we had eaten at when Ashley and I went to Madrid the first time, Casa Mingo, and just enjoy the day.

 First, at the Cloistered Nuns, you ring the bell and they let  you in a little door...

 After you get in there you walk through a long hall {being very quiet}

 and you arrive at a rotating door in the wall that you put money on and they replace it with a box of cookies. 

They were delicious almond shortbread cookies.

 So we took our box of cookies to Plaza Mayor and had coffee and cookies out in the sunshine.

And we took this "awkward family photo". We are hoping to get on that website...apparently.

 The plaza at a very un-busy time of day.

 After the plaza and looking in shops we began our walk to the gardens.

Saw this huge grill on the way...

 shopped at the merchants there...

 walked through a park overlooking the gardens...

 since it was lunch time we walked to Casa Mingo and ate.

 So simple but so delicious. Roasted chicken, bread and sweet cider.

An arch we saw on our walk.

 Now we are in the place gardens. This is the back of the palace.

 We ran into three princess' on our walk...

 they let me take their picture.

 The king was out strolling too. {with his pink purse...}

 The king kept asking the oldest princess questions about "compared to the States how does Spain..." 

so the other two princess' mocked him with this symbol.

 The path led us to Hagrid's Hut so we had to take a picture.

 Oh look, King and Queen {she doesn't usually let people take her picture}

As we were leaving the gardens, the King and his daughters were trying to catch falling leaves. As soon I started to video the leaves stopped falling. It was rather strange and funny. So...

 Jayme found this mug in a shop. It has all the handsome Madrid {soccer} football players on it. 

So it was a must have for her.

What a wonderful memorable time for the whole family. 

We miss Ashley everyday. Seeing her was just so wonderful.

If you get the chance go to Madrid. She would love to see you.

Spain - Day 12

Saturday, November 12

Ashley took us on the bus to the airport in the morning. It was hard to say goodbye. 

We look forward to seeing her when she has her leave. 

Good Morning,

Just that kind of day...

It's cold and snowy out, Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family, making cut out cookies with Jayme and crocheting little projects.

Madrid - Day 10

Thursday, November 10

We got up later and then met Jenee and Sam in a little plaza in Ashley's neighborhood.

 Hung out there and chatted for awhile. It was great to see them.

Below the apartment that Ashley lives in is this great little coffee shop and bookstore, Tipos Infames. The guys who run it are just so nice. One of them told Ashley that although she would miss her family when they left, she still had them and they are her family in Spain.

TWINS!

 Not sure... just had to put one of me in to prove I was actually there...

 Just the views down from the apartment we were in.

 {This was the view straight across from the living room window.  Nosy neighbor...}

 and the laundry drying...

 Ashley took us to a market that has a rooftop garden seating area and they had these lovely fireplaces going. We hung out there and talked for awhile.

Walked to another market and got... potato chips. They are amazing I must say. 

Bryan kept calling them Grater Taters. {At the state fair he always got that. It is a potato that is cut in a spiral and deep fried. These were just chips but they became "Spanish Grater Tater"}

 Even in Spain...vanilla with strawberries and nuts. 

Jayme and I were picking out truffles.

Saw these boys dancing in the plaza.

On our way home we met Captain Jack Sparrow. He was funny. 

And these guys were amazing.

It was a very nice 9th day.

Spain - Day 9

Wednesday, November 9

Time to leave Salobrena.

We had one last breakfast out on the patio.

 Just had to show the darling pottery light cover and room number.

 Hum...snow on the mountains? Oh, right it is November...

 Oh look, Don again. It was a little chilly the further up and away from the coast.

 Not sure...but we are back in Madrid and in our apartment right around the corner from Ashley's.

Jayme and I went down from our apartment to this little store and got ingredients to make...

 cookies!

 Because there was an oven, which Ashley says is not that common in an apartment.

 Ashley brought over stuff to make Moroccan Pumpkin Black Bean Soup. {Delicious}

She and Bryan went and bought fresh bread at the bakery.

 And we had a wonderful family dinner.

Not sure what my face is there but...I am old so...

And so ended day nine, back in Madrid.