Europe 2013 highlights {spain}

hello y’all!! 

As shared a few days ago, I just returned from a wonderful trip with my sister…

We’ve thought about this trip for decades but it didn’t happen til now for one reason or another.

We finally took the plunge and planned this trip.  Our parents loved to travel.  My mom was in the airline industry for decades and so it was especially touching that we got to complete this trip in their memory.

We were originally thinking we’d go explore Paris (flea-market anyone?) and then visit our relatives in Denmark but then came across a great deal on a Mediterranean cruise which allowed us a glimpse of several different areas.

The trip started off with our landing in Barcelona Spain – completely lovely!!  We had a day to explore and we made full use of that day.  We got metro tickets and saw just about everything….

amazing architecture by Gaudi:

I had PLANS to eat pastries and bread particularly in France and Italy but….I was surprised that our favorite finds were actually in Barcelona….

for instance – this pastry was filled with marzipan (almond sweet) and chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar – amazing!  So good, in fact, that we went back 2 more times!!

We stayed at a lovely boutique hotel.  The beds were amazing and the breakfast was THE best hotel breakfast I’ve EVER had.  They had everything imaginable and it was all.so.good!!  If you’re ever looking for a place to stay in barcelona – I'd highly recommend this spot.

Next stop – FRANCE!!

chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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back from an {adventure}

I’m back home….ahhhhh!

as expected, while I was away I had VERY limited access to wi-fi so did not post.  however, I was able to slide in one shot on facebook – could any of you guess where in the world my sister and I were based on the shot there?

 

this was our first stop….

beautiful barcelona spain

I’ll be putting together some upcoming posts on our trip locations, travel tips etc. to share with y’all

here is a little teaser shot of what’s to come…(sigh!!):

now….I’m catching up on laundry and gathering lots of hugs from my family!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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{a little trip…}

I’m off on an adventure…with my dear sister – yay!!

so this little blog will be quiet for a little bit

I’m imagining very little access to wi-fi but, if possible, I’ll be trying to (possibly maybe) update a little via facebook. 

I wonder if you’ll be able to guess where in the world I am via my maybe fb posts - hmmmm (the mystery!!) hint: the sea and family connections are involved!!

Of course, I’ll also be updating and giving you the full scoop when I return home but while I’m away… feel free to explore:

NORTHERN COTTAGE on Pinterest 
(coming on 40,000 followers – whoohoo!!)

I’ve got tons of yummy recipes, crafts, decorating, garden and other fun stuff pinned and all ready for your perusing!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure follow along via Facebook and Twitter, too

With the soon to be end of google reader, many are looking at new options to follow their fav bloggers – I’ve added bloglovin’ to my site – see over there ------>> on the right side… so feel free to add it too!

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xoxo

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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{Pork Carnita Bowls}

   You ready for a SUPER yummy meal?  Well… this. is. it !! 

It starts with some amazing
Shredded Pork Carnitas

to round out this meal, we also include some
cilantro garlic lime rice

and then the toppings….oh the toppings….
the salt, lime and a fork!

mmmmm!!

Let’s get started:

3 pounds Pork Roast (trimmed of fat and cut into large pieces)
3 garlic cloves minced (or a couple scoops of jarred garlic)
1 small can diced green chilies
* 1/2 to 1 small can chipotles in adobo sauce – chopped
1 1/2 cup water

cilantro – finely chopped
lime juice

Place the meat, garlic, chilies, adobo sauce and water in a crockpot on low for 8-10 hours.

At end of cooking time, take two forks and shred it up and throw in some lime juice, cilantro and course salt

* Note - The chipotles in adobo CAN be spicy (but aren’t usually).  If you don’t like spice, use fewer of these (maybe half a can) and remove/dispose the seeds when you’re chopping it up.  You can wear rubber gloves when you’re chopping if you want.  If not, be sure not to touch your eyes – m’kay? ouch!  (not like I know from experience or anything)  We always use the whole can and don’t remove the seeds – sometimes it turns out a little spicy (yum!) and sometimes not.  But we like to live on the wild side and take huge risks like that – y’know?  wild and crazy! 

We serve this with cilantro garlic lime rice - Just cook the rice as usual but add some chopped cilantro and garlic in with the water & when it’s done cooking, fluff with a fork and add a couple pats of butter and a few splashes of lime juice…mmmmm! 
no exact measuring required.

a little trick we use is with our sour cream – add a bit of milk to make the consistency smoother – mmmm – so good!!

Now go grab a bowl, pile in rice, carnitas, sour cream, olives, more cilantro (yeah I like me some cilantro – can you tell?) a couple sloshes of hot sauce, lime juice, sprinkle with some sea salt and

EAT UP!!  

I’ve been making these Pork Carnita Bowls for years and loving them every single time!!   I recently saw this pin…  yum! 
{never thought of crisping up the meat after the crockpot tenderizing/shredding goodness – but am Totally gonna try this!}

have a happy day

ENJOY!!

Chat soon -

NORTHERN COTTAGE
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sharing here: a diamond in the stuff * coastal charm * cozy little house * craftomaniac * elizabeth and co * gingersnap crafts * lolly jane * my uncommon slice of suburbia * southern lovely