Things are getting really mad here at The Tiny Marmalade HQ. 

December is always a busy month for us, but this year you, our lovely customers, are exceeding all expectations. We are jamming, labeling, wrapping and posting nonstop thousands of tiny jam and marmalade jars and I must admit we feel utterly privileged to be producing a product that will be someone's gift this Christmas.

Contributing to make people feel a bit happier is something that somehow overwhelm us, but makes us feel absolutely proud and happy at the same time.

Every time one of our clients gets in touch to tell us how wonderfully wrapped their jams were, how amazing his breakfast that day was, how much fun they had sharing and sampling the different flavours and deciding which one was their favourite, all the effort, all the hours spent in peeling, jamming, wrapping and posting seem absolutely worth it.

Thanks a lot for your continuous support and please, please, please... keep spreading the love with us!!

We promise we'll be back with some delicious recipes as soon as the kitchen becomes available to cook other things but jam!

Lots of love from TTM Team.

Spiced Apple Bundt Cake

Dear Quique,

You are five.

It sounds like such a big boy age.  This year you´ve started school.  I don’t understand how time went by so quickly. It seems like yesterday when we found out that I was pregnant, and I cried, and dad cried, because we were so happy that you chosen us as your family.

Since that day, I love you in this almost painful, indescribable way. I love to kiss your soft cheeks and smell your head. I love the way you talk to me. I love your crazy games that can take for hours to finish. They are absolutely amazing and I would like to play them every single day of my life.

Apple, Capers & Anchovies Potato Salad

I am and have always been an eager reader. I think I learned to read before I could walk, and I have been swallowing book after book since I can remember.

I enjoy reading pretty much anything with pages. But if I had to choose a literary genre I would choose children's literature without a doubt.

Over the years, I´ve put together a huge collection of children´s books. And I must admit that most of times I pretend I´m buying them for the boys (although then I write "Paloma" in the "this book belongs to...." page).

Goat Cheese Nibbles

Life always brings the right people your way.

One way or another the right people will find you at the right time. There is supportive people that will hold your hand without asking questions. This is the people you need to keep close to you. But sometimes, you could also find the kind of people who is able to tell you what you need to hear but don´t want to. This kind of people is also good to keep. Even if we cannot see why.

Bakewell Tart

I loved traveling when I was single. I loved traveling with my husband just after we were married.

“Get your traveling in now, because you won’t be able to do it once you have kids.”

I heard this statement many times while my husband and I were backpacking around the world. And, sadly, the more I heard these words, the more I started to believe them to the point that when our eldest son was born, we resigned ourselves to the idea that family and travel don’t mix.

But soon after that, I just went and impulsively booked a flight to Rome. We wanted to prove that the idea we had internalized was wrong and that our days of travel didn’t have to stop.


And oh how glad I am we did so.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I think everyone should give themselves a daily little treat. It could be anything you like.

From eating a piece of chocolate to barefoot on grass. We should do something that makes us happy everyday.

For example, I love going to the beach and look for sea glass. Or having vanilla custard for dinner. Or getting a free coffee from Waitrose.

Roasted Pumpkins

The warm and sweet nature of pumpkin makes it one of the most delightful comfort foods to be enjoyed roasted, steamed and smeared with butter, or blended into soups in the cooler months.

Did you know that pumpkins are not vegetables but fruits? They come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colours. There are yellow, red, green, white, blue and even multi-coloured striped pumpkins. They can be huge, tiny, flat, short, tall, round, pear-shaped, long-necked, smooth, ribbed and even warty. Pumpkins are amazing for culinary uses. Inside the hard orange or yellow skin, the bright orange flesh is soft, sweet, smooth and honeyed. They are a good source of fiber, as well as providing a range of vitamins and minerals.

Kale, Quinoa & Mango Salad

Why do kids who have hard time waking up during school days, wake up early during weekends?

We live quite close to my son's school, so I normally wake them up by around 7.45 am which is not bad. It is really hard for the, to wake up at 7.45 even though they go to bed around 8pm. That is almost 12 hours' sleep!! I can't even remember the last time I slept more than 7 hours in a row...

It’s a different story over the weekends though. They wake up and get up at 6:30 like an atomic clock, every Saturday and Sunday. No matter how late they go the bed. It’s a futile effort to try to convince them, by saying ‘they can sleep as much as they want on weekends’ at bedtime. On the other hand, I am programmed to wake up when I hear them and really have hard time going back to sleep.

Dry Apricots & Pear Tarte Tatin

It feels so long since I posted my last Tarte Tatin recipe that I thought I must post another one this week.

Yes because a Pear & Brandy Tarte Tatin, a Peach & Passion Fruit Tarte Tatin and a Tomato Tarte Tatin over the last few weeks don't really seem enough Tarte Tatin in my life.

Well, yes, I may be working up a good obsession for these french recipe. But there is something special about that caramelized flavor with fruit and a delicious flaky crust that makes me go weak in the knees.

Mexican Layer Dip

My dear Javi,

next week you'll turning 7. I can't believe it's been seven years already since you arrived, dazed, tiny, and completely bold, so fresh in the world.

Everyone says not to blink because kids grow so fast. That statement is so true. I can still picture your tiny foot that I could hold in the palm of my hand the day you were born.

In your first year, you did all sorts of things: walked, talked, ate spaghetti, discovered Elmo, made me laugh, and we celebrated your birthday in our flat in Madrid with our family and friends. I remember how excited I was, how full of happiness and joy.

Third Anniversary!

Happy birthday Tiny Marmalade! You are 3 years old!

I must admit I'm glad to see that is not only me who's getting older. I wonder if blog ages are like dog ages? In that case, if 1 blog year equals 7 human ones, this blog is in fact older than me!! Wow, I think I feel better now.

Yes, I may be struggling to accept I am 35 years old now. Thirty-five! 

Anyway, I can't believe my blog is already 3 years old. By that time, I was young and inexperienced, and had definitely not a clue about  what I was doing. 

However, 3 years later I'm still the same hiperactive, passionate, sensitive and crazy person that loves cooking impossible recipes. Is there anything better in the world that seeing your loved ones enjoying something you've prepared?

Food is edible love.

Courgette & Potato Omelette

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. The crisp air and beautiful colors pull me out of doors at every opportunity. 

I love how all the leaves from the trees and plants change into multi-colored works of art and fall away. It creates bare, and vulnerable branches, revealing the true scenery underneath.

It also represents a beautiful cycle of loss, regeneration and regrowth once the spring season comes around.

I like harvesting apples and pears. And berries everywhere.

Vegetarian Wild Mushrooms Risotto

Some people come into our lives and barely leave a trace, others leave a string of footprints etched upon our hearts, letting us know they are with us every step we take.

As with the best things in life, Marcia arrived to my world just by chance. A wonderful chance with a marmalade taste that gave our families the opportunity to finally meet last weekend.

There are not enough words (not even in Spanish!) to describe how grateful I feel for having you in our lives. It was the first time we all were together but felt like we knew each other for ages. So relaxed, so natural, so special and fantastic. It felt like a Christmas Day!

Apple & Frankfurters Muffins

We've been back from holidays for over a week now. Our luggage is still sitting in the living room. Next to a mountain of washing, a few empty sun cream bottles and some beach toys.

I wonder whether we want to keep the holiday dream alive or we are just lazy.

Wild Blackberries and Fig Jam

That´s it. The end of my summer holidays has finally arrived, too soon as it always happens.

Today, as everyday, the windows were flung wide open in our bedroom, and the sun was already hot by the time we got out of bed.

As it was our last day before flying back to rainy England, we´ve decided to go on a little excursion across the river.

Pineapple & Lemon Yoghurt Ice Cream

Holidays are tiring. I always feel like I need a week off to recover from holidays.

In Madrid we are enjoying 40C during day time and 34C overnight.

Not to talk about how amazing is to feel your shoe soles literally melting on the pavement while you try to squeeze your sweaty body in the little shadow the bus stop produces.

Peach & Passion Fruit Tarte Tatin

Just 1 day left in the countdown to our summer holidays! whoop whoop!

I always get really stressed the week before travelling, but I've been so busy at work this week I've had no time to worry about anything. Which is good because I haven't been over worrying but is also terrible, because I've left everything to the very last minute.

I hate packing. I really do hate it.

Trying to pick and choose out of the millions of things at home which ones I'm  going to take requires a level of patience I unfortunately lack of.

Salt Crusted Pork Roast

Just one week to be on holidays... Yay!!! And it´s really, really, really starting to smell like summer. As the days get warmer and longer, we try to stay out and about as much as we can. And one of our favourite things to do is pack our dinner and go to the park for a picnic.

Our family picnics are always an adventure because we make them spontaneous. We never know when or where they will take place.

But in all honesty, it doesn’t take much to have us thinking about picnics. A hint of blue sky and a ray of sunshine and there we are packing our picnic baskets.

Vanilla & Blueberry Mini Brandy Cakes

My husband never gets anywhere on time. I utterly, deeply love him. But he cannot be on time almost for anything. 

On his defense I should say is normally not his fault either. "I lost track of the time" is the usual explanation. "Why didn't you text me?" "Because I was actually on my way but I had to change my shirt 3 times and stop to do my laces twice, when I remembered something I forgot, I then found a friend and chatted for a while, and when I was just almost there, I saw a lovely butterfly and, as I thought I still had some minutes left, I sat on a bench to admire it's beautiful wings, when suddenly I remembered how amazing was that wine we drunk yesterday and I decided to stop for a minute to write the name down, and then just walked straight here."

Superhealthy Courgette Pizza Crust

Last week I run my first muddy run with my dearest friend Paula in support to Cancer Research UK. It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever done, and one of the trickiest at the same time. While the experience was awesome enough to have me coming back for more, I found it emotionally a bit upsetting.

When I was 20, I hardly knew anyone with cancer. My grandma had died of it, but that was years ago when I was much younger and I didn’t know much about it. Fast forward 10 years and it’s an entirely different matter.

Broccoli & Cheese Roulade

That’s it. I’m absolutely fed up of bad news. The last couple of weeks I’ve been battling with this completely overwhelming nonsense feeling and I’ve had enough. ENOUGH.

The entire world seems to have gone mad and you know what? That is a train I’m going to lose.

For this reason, this week I’ve made a resolution. A summer one. Maybe because I’m terrible with the New Year’s ones. But this time, I’m completely determined: I’m going to enjoy life. So simple and so difficult to accomplish at the same time that I’ve set up a feasible target. I’m not going to worry about anything but what next I’m doing to have fun for a week. A whole week of fun and joy.

Pear & Brandy Tarte Tatin

On Monday evening I went to bed, as every evening, sheltered by the security of feeling at home. I have been quite busy at work, so I fell asleep thinking in all the stuff I would need to deal with in the morning. Before going to bed, I carefully prepared my bag, the boys bags, lunch boxes, documents, laptop, mobile and everything we needed the following morning.

When I woke up on Wednesday morning, I was no longer the owner of any of those things.

I also was no longer in possession of my driving licence, my passport, my cards, all of my digital photos and songs, my home keys and that amazing My Neibour Totoro pencil case that I loved. 

New Potatoes with Pancetta and Quail Eggs

Growing your own food is like printing your own money.

I refuse to be part of this manufactured reality that was manufactured for me by some other people. So I’m now manufacturing my own reality.

We have started attending a farm school. Because we do want to change things. Because we want our children to understand how important food is for our body and our soul.

You can’t imagine how amazing soil is. How a humble tomato plant can have a positive impact in people. How the most miserable day can be changed by a growing cauliflower. How your heart can heal just by connecting ourselves with the earth.

Mint Butter Biscuits

A week has gone since the referendum results were revealed. Over the last week, I've been reading lots, discussing with friends and family the different options. I must admit on Friday morning I was sad and confused. I was scared of speaking in Spanish in public spaces. I didn't want to talk to anybody. I was concerned about my children going to school. I got insulted in the street. I was told to stop sticking my nose in other country's business. I was asked to shut up. I was told I had no right to share my thoughts.

When 4 years ago we decided to move to the UK we did it full of hope, dreams. Thinking we were moving to an open, resilient country full of  opportunities for those who were willing to work hard towards them.

I can assure you that no one has the word "immigrant" in their "things to accomplish in life" list.

Full English Breakfast Quiche

Oh dear, I am going to write something about the EU Referendum.

Well, to be honest I'm actually not. By the way, I didn't vote yesterday. Not because I didn't want to, but because I was not allowed to. So don't ask me what did I vote.

What would I have voted if I would have been given the opportunity? That's another matter.

Pineapple Baked Puddings

Last Sunday was my birthday. 

That means I´m 35 years old now. Thirty-five! It does look like it was yesterday when I laughed about these really really really old 35 year old´s.... and now look at me, blowing a number 3 and 5 shaped candles!

I am in that age when people cannot really guess your age. When I´m asked, how old are you? I respond with the evil question, how old do you think I am?

Lemon Drizzle Cake

Yes, we have succumbed. I must admit that it is my husband's pretty much entire fault. But hey, we are a team and we both agreed. To be truthful, it was me who arranged the whole thing this time.

I have always been quite critical with Disney: all this consumerism, manufactured fun, and the fact that I'm not Mr. Walter Disney's greatest fan. And when my parents took when I was around 13 years old I must admit the park itself didn't impress me much.

But I presume that when you are a parent, you do Disney for your children. In fact, when you are a parent, you do all sorts of things for your children. Like taking them to horrid birthday parties, or eating their left overs, or coming back home from that epic barbecue because they are tired, or forgetting what a relaxed weekend away means.

Dark Chocolate & Avocado Pudding

I suspect today’s recipe is going to be a hard sell.

Avocado and dark chocolate pudding. Avocado. And. Chocolate. In a pudding. These two ingredients shouldn't work but they really do!

Before you click away, please wait just a minute. As unpromising as this sounds, this unusual combo makes probably the most delicious dessert I’ve eaten in months. And trust me, I've eaten lots.

Avocados are super versatile and can be used to create creamy smoothies, or can be substituted for butter or oil in baking. They also make great additions to sandwiches or burgers, and they can even be used to make brownies and more indulging desserts.

Cod en Croûte with Halloumi & Sundried Tomatoes

I absolutely loved driving.

I wanted to be a race car driver for some time. I used to take longer routes in purpose. I dreamed with a 4x4. 

It's been 5 months since I gave up driving.

When you have a car, all car-ish things seem pretty normal and mundane: expending a fortune in fuel; wasting time trying to find a parking space; stopping in the double yellow like "just for a minute"; yelling at people unable to learn how to drive in a roundabout; being trapped in traffic jams; wasting your Sundays at the garage or getting upset because "someone" touched the upholstery with chocolate hands.

Spicy Chai Latte Loaf

Last weekend we went to a barbecue at a friend’s house. We had so much fun, and you know, as the time goes by, conversations tend to turn unexpected and amazingly interesting and funny.

So after a couple of wine glasses and feeling slightly overfed, we started talking about where are we from and where do we think we belong to.

One of my friends is English, with Ukrainian ancestors, and she said she was convinced she should have been born Mongolian.

The other one, blond and blue eyes prototypical British lady, assured she should have been born in Japan.

Both discussed how out of context they feel in the UK, and how happy and fully integrated within the society they felt when they visited Japan and Mongolia. They talked about their experiences and anecdotes, and the reasons why they were utterly convinced to have been born and raised in the wrong place.

OMG Chocolate & Beetroot Cake

As you know, a while ago I decided to stop my battle against beetroot and I felt completely in love with this amazing root.Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that I find them delicious. Beets taste like sweet dirt. Like licking sugar spilled on the ground on a rainy day. And I love them.

Since then, I've tried to convert a few people. Just because I'm convinced that what’s most likely is that people who think they hate beets just haven’t tried them in the right form.

You may won't believe it, but there are still plenty of beetroot haters around. And I can proudly say I've done it. Or almost.

First step: ditch the vinegar. Honestly. Cheap vinegar cannot make any good to any food. At all. Not even gherkins. Nor pickled eggs. Yuk.

Second step: assume your wee will be red for a couple of days. Jokes apart, we have a friend that literally freaked out But you don’t have my permission to continue hating them.the first time he ate beets as an adult. Thought he had internal hemorrhage. Beetroot are pooptastically colorful. Let's move on.

Tomato Tarte Tatin

Spring is here!! I’m really loving this warm weather. Since I live in the UK I appreciate the different seasons a lot more. In Spain, where you only have winter and summer, people normally goes from running to avoid the terrible cold weather to running to avoid melting under the sun. Literally.

I remember one summer I stood still for longer than I should and my soles stuck to the road like marshmallows in a barbecue. True story.

Pork Chorizo & Thyme Wellington

This week I´m going to be very brief. I´m extremely busy packing up our smartest outfits as we´re flying off to Spain to attend one of my best friend´s wedding. Yay!

We´ve been friends since we were like 13 years old, which means we have been friends for around 22 years... that´s a whole life being friends!!

The best thing about it is that we´ll be staying in my other best friend´s house for a couple of days and then attending the wedding together.

I have shared with them every single moment of my life. The good ones, and the bad ones. And they both have been there for me always. No questions, no judgement. Just unconditional love.

Cherry Kirsch Cupcakes

My favorite recipes are cooked when I'm really hungry. It's like I channel that energy into food and make it taste better. Yesterday I woke up at 6:30, and although I was massively tired and sleepy, I also was massively starving.

The sunshine was lighting my kitchen, and I thought I would have breakfast on my own for a change. The house was quiet and warm.

I went downstairs and started looking in the kitchen cupboards for something to eat. I didn´t fancy toast at all, nor cereals or biscuits. I fancied something nice, spongy and home made. It was only 6:40 and I still had time.

Spanish Lentil Casserole

My mum has come to spend some time with us and you can tell because my home smells amazingly well all the time. It smells like my childhood used to smell. 

Every day she asks me what I would like for dinner. And weirdly enough, every day I ask her to prepare all these dishes that used to have a "meh" when I was a child. Maybe because it is now when I´m able to appreciate how much effort time and loves goes it goes into each plate.

My mum is definitely the best cook ever. She taught herself to cook, and then she taught me. And then I turned into this quirky random cook that is completely unable to follow a recipe or to plan meals in advance.

Creamy White Lasagna

Everyone has one (or more) song(s) that they never get tired of listening to.

I'm talking songs or melodies that you have heard probably a hundred times, and still makes you smile. Songs that give you chills, songs that make you sad, songs you play while running or working, or just songs you like to sing. Could be Jazz, could be rap, could be orchestral, cultural, Rock and or Roll! Just any song you've never seem to grow tired of hearing.

I mean the kind of songs you don’t even need to listen to start singing. The kind of song that start automatically when you hear a particular word.

Torrijas or Decadent Spanish Easter Toasts

All relevant religious holidays in Spain have a reflection in the food. When Spain was a strictly Catholic country, there were tight food rules that everyone was pushed to follow. Although those rules are now largely overlooked, there are some traditional recipes that every family will prepare year after year.

Maybe, one of the most popular Easter recipes is Torrijas, a very simple but delicious dish similar to a French toast, normally made using bread leftovers. There are as many different ways of preparing Torrijas as families live in Spain. And this is a quite common controversial subject, being one’s mother’s Torrijas the best in the entire world. Always.

Sundried Tomatoes & Chia Seeds Spelt Bread

If I was told that I must pick one single food to live on for the rest of my days it would be, without a doubt, bread. I could live on bread alone. Well, I could certainly do with a little bit of stilton and red wine as well. But if it has to be just one thing, then it will be bread.

Bread is beautiful. I love it from crust to crumb. It is amazing the humongous range of colours, flavours and textures you can get by just mixing water and flour. I’m fascinated about the magical process that turns these two humble ingredients into heavenly food.

Dark Chocolate, Almond & Cherry Cake

Yes, cake again. But this week I have a very good excuse. You must trust me.

Although viruses have been visiting us on and off for the last couple of weeks, we have had a lot to celebrate in between Calpol, handkerchiefs, blankets and thermometers.

This week my lovely husband has turned 36, and this year I wanted to treat him with a very special day. To be honest, it was more the boys idea than mine, but we all helped to put together a great party.

Here is where I have to make a confession. I have never watched Star Wars. Never. It was just the kind of film I was not interested in.

I really cannot stand all this Star Wars madness. Honestly, what is all the fuss about?

Scones Cheese Cake

Every time I go to a restaurant the first thing I do is to check the desserts menu.

It doesn’t matter how posh or how tacky the place is.

Until I’ve decided what I’m going to have for dessert I’m unable to order any food.

It has took me years to develop this sophisticated strategy that I’ve been practicing since I was a little girl. I have never been a fussy eater, but I get distracted easily. So when I was in a restaurant with my family, I had to make sure that finishing my dinner, sitting properly, not singing, playing with the cutlery or running around was definitely going to be worth it.

My mum has been her whole life skipping the dessert. 

I know, I know. My own mother!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie

I have a massive issue.

Some weeks ago I changed job and now in my new office THE FOOD IS FREE. And to make matters even worse EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS.

So this situation is having a massive impact in my blog and in my wardrobe.



In my blog because now I don't have to cook that much. But as I still love doing it, I'm basically making cakes, biscuits, and all sorts of chocolatey snacks.

Salmon, Leek and Apple Fish Cakes

A couple of days ago I discussed with my sister how people tend to have one sense more developed than the others. For example, her hearing sense is a lot more sensible than  her sight, touch, smell and taste. She told me that she can experience strong and deep feelings by listening to a song.

And then I realised that my smell and taste sense are my most developed senses. I presume they are quite interconnected. 

It is not uncommon for me to walk into a bakery and take a deep breath. It is also not unusual – although some people do find it more than a little strange and disconcerting – to find me walking out of the place with bag of freshly baked bread in front of my face as I sniff it.

Serrano Ham & Cottage Cheese Triangles

Yay!!!! I did it!!! Last Sunday I run my first half marathon! I completed the 21K run in just… 2 hours and 12 minutes!!!

When I arrived there were lots of people warming up. Chatting. Laughing. I was really nervous, feeling a bit lonely, and not sure about what I was just about to do. But then, I was given my number, and that was it. I was runner 52. I was ready. And I was determined to do it.

The run got delayed due to part of the route closed because of criminal investigation. Apparently the police found a dead body somewhere... That gave us something to chat about while the organisers rearranged everything.

Fruit, Seeds & Chocolate Energy Bars

This weekend I’m running my first half marathon!!! I’m soooo excited and nervous about if… I can’t stop thinking whether I will be able to make it to the finish line or not…

If you have been reading my blog you would probably know about my hate-love relationship with running. If not, you can have a look here and here. And despite feeling really disappointed with myself at times, I have not gave up. One, because I’m not the kind of person that gives up. Second, because running makes me feel tremendously happy and fulfilled. 

I have been running intermittently for around 3 years now. And I must admit that most of times I didn't know what was I doing. I didn't have a clue of how warming up looked like or how to do a proper stretch. I just wanted to run. To feel the air in my face. To go as fast as I could without thinking in anything, with my mind and my body focused in running for another 5 minutes.

Nutella Stuffed White Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've always had mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day. And while I truly appreciate thoughtful expressions of love and gratitude, it always seems forced and a bit superficial when given only on Valentine’s Day. I'm certain of this because it feels dramatically different to receive flowers, gifts, or letters of appreciation when I wasn't expecting it. 

I can’t understand why Valentines is for some people the pinnacle of when love has to be expressed for the other person.

Why do we need opportunities to be made to express our love? Why do we need to be told to buy a card, sign it and put our crosses for kisses and circles for hugs? Why can’t we just make each day special in some way?

Pumpkin & Chickpea Soup

I have been recently invited to be a guest lecture at Exeter University. It is the third year I have been asked to do it and it is always an amazing experience to share points of view with a bunch of enthusiastic students keen on changing the way the world is set up.

After the workshop, a student approached me and asked about how did I discover my vocation, my passion, how I knew what I really, really wanted to do with my life.

The question really left me in shock, as I have never thought I had it clear at all. He told me that I looked like a person that has her goals very clear, her mind set, and her objectives in mind. That left me even more shocked.

Green Monster Smoothie

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you would probably know I am a quite impulsive person. I don’t give things second thoughts most of times, which made me be the dream of any salesperson.

I am not very extravagant though, however if I fancy something, I may buy it without much planning.

And that’s exactly what happened last weekend, when I saw an amazing American Blender at only £14.99. I mean… an American Blender!!! The 80’s children would be with me in that an American blender is the coolest thing you could ever have in your kitchen.

Pineapple Buckwheat Muffins

I have always wanted a dog. Since I was a child I pled my parents for one, but they always said no. Sometimes our house was not big enough. Other times we had no budget for the vet and food costs. Most of times it was just not the right time. So I grew feeling that I was missing something. A dog to share my games with, to walk, to stroke and hug. A furry friend to love. 

During my primary school years I must admit was not very popular. I never had a “best friend” and I used to struggle with social events like birthdays and school parties. And I was so desperate to have a dog that I remember pretending I had one, which didn't have a good effect in my classmates when they discovered the truth.

I dreamed about finding an astray dog somewhere, rescuing it and taking it home so my mum had no choice but letting me keep it. But that never happened.

Super Eggs Benedict

I can’t believe it’s 2016 already and nobody has yet invented the teleporter. I feel disappointed and embarrassed to be part of the humankind.   

When I was a child I always thought that 2015 will be a really exciting year with holidays in Mars, flying cars, mind-reading helmets and with all sort of futurist gadgets being used worldwide.

I gave for granted that by this time, people would have learned how to live together in peace, using natural resources wisely, enjoying life, love and friendship. 

Silly me.

Porrusalda or Leek Casserole

This week I haven’t been much around the kitchen. My mum has come to stay with us over Christmas so why would I cook myself having my mum around? Let me tell you something: my mum is an absolutely amazing cook. I don’t know how she does it but even if we use the same ingredients in the same proportions and we follow exactly the same recipe, mine never tastes as good as hers.

Additionally, as every Christmas, the viruses have come to stay with us as well, and I've been dragging my body from the sofa to the bed leaving a trail of snotty hankies behind me.

So I’ve been really taking advantage of my mum, bless her, letting her do all the cooking.