We awoke to the sunrise and blue-ish skies today. None of the fierce storm they predicted any where in sight.
Yesterday I had to go into Santiago to a long awaited appointment with a specialist. 4 pm on Christmas eve. We wouldn’t have been out and about if I didn’t need to see this Doc. It’s an appointment I had already delayed from when Emilie was supposed to be here. I couldn’t put it off any longer. Where the Dr office is located it seemed like all the residents must have been vanished. Not a person on the street. Jeff was with me and he remarked on how deserted it was. Not even a child outside on a balcony. Or a dog barking. Nothing. Coming back through Arzua and Melide after dark was the same. Normally, even in pandemic times the streets are teeming on a holiday. I think everyone is spooked.
I had wanted to go to the church in Melide for Christmas eve services but decided it was best to give it a miss. Lighting a candle at home, while less festive, works too.
And we are celebrating here on the farm. Jeff and I don’t usually exchange gifts at Christmas. We always focused on our kids and making Christmas magical for them. Although, one year Jeff did surprise me with a new car with a big red bow on the hood. But it seems Santa didn’t forget me this year. I awoke this morning to a couple of gifts under our tree.
As we turn the page from 2021 to 2022, we are starting to prep for our new food truck, etc. I’ve been purchasing some things as I get ready to test out recipes for The Happiness Café. Jeff must have been channeling this in his Christmas shopping. Nothing says Christmas like a meat cleaver.
And he ordered me a map of all routes of the Camino as they converge across Northern Spain. I love it.
‘We can frame it and I’ll put an arrow showing where we are. You can put it up on the food truck.’ Jeff told me.
Very thoughtful. And today I will use my new knife for our non-traditional Christmas Chinese stir-fry, paired with some Spanish cava (sparkling wine). I have a new cast iron wok and all the ingredients for a healthy Christmas meal. The cleaver will come in very handy.
We’ve already been out to spread some Christmas cheer with the neighborhood horses. Special apples on Christmas morning had them running to the fence at full gallop. I think they appreciated my new Christmas pajamas. 🎅
We hope you are all enjoying a lovely, safe, warm Holiday wherever you are. May the spirit of the season infuse us all with more kindness and compassion to carry us through the next year. Towards ourselves and others. The world needs it more than ever. And so do we. Merry Christmas, everyone. Peace ☮️
Viva Espana 
Happy Holidays to you guys. May 2022 bring you good health and great accomplishments.
Raul from Milwaukee
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And to you, Raul. It’s going to be a transformational year for us all.
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Happy holidays,
I am in Malaga and visiting with Trish and Gary some. I think what you guys are doing is amazing. I hope I can walk to you and visit.
Good will and good tidings
Debbie
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Happy Holidays to you and Ted.
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Merry Christmas to both of you! We hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend!
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And to you all. Here is to an amazing year ahead. 🥂We will meet up, for sure.
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Hubby and I are home and kids are moved on. It’s a sunny day in the midst of blessed rains in parched California and we are looking ahead to our move over. I look forward to watching your dream come to fruition for the hungry and tired pilgrims. And I’m kinda jealous of that glorious cleaver even though I rarely cook. I’m sure that will change when we’re over there.
Oh, and wanted to let you know there is a Costco that just opened in Bilbao 😊. I know, I know. But there are some things we would love to be able to continue to get (vitamins) without finding replacements and a day trip to Bilbao to eat great tapas and visit the Guggenheim is always in order. And much closer than the one of Paris or Madrid. Can’t wait 😂
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Nice. We will have to check it out. When do you make the move?
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Still focused on our 20 year wedding anniversary 27 April. I need to up my speed on clearing out shit!
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The clearing out is like climbing a mountain. You’ll enjoy the view from the top. Happy 20th.
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Feliz Navidad 🎄
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Y tu
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Happy Christmas to both of you. We are in a hotel in a very wet and gloomy Malaga. The streets are deserted here also, probably more weather related than any other reason.
Enjoy your cleaver, I have the same brand, from the 1980s. It’s well used and and still going strong. Feliz Navidad 🎄
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Wet a gloomy Malaga? I didn’t know those worlds went together🤔 Happy Christmas 🎄
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