Christmas in the Andalusian countryside


Christmas in the Andalusian countryside is festive but also wonderfully simple. Here, people usually have a nice good meal on Christmas eve and wait until King's day to exchange gifts. On Christmas day, everybody is out, sharing a drink with friends or another meal with family. We chose to be just the two of us and spend a romantic Christmas day. At the moment, winter is barely perceptible here. It was a perfect sunny day to go out for a walk in our favorite pinewood forest. We picked up pine cones, played hide and seek, stood in the sun until the last rays were gone. On our way back, we stopped by a bar on the side of the road, la Venta del Fraile. We were hoping for a cosy and warm place and the first thing we saw was a nice roaring chimney fire. Just what we wanted. But I liked even more the windowed wall through which we could see a shepherd and his flock of goats. For a moment, I thought the view was nearly too good to be true, especially on a Christmas day. A shepherd guiding his flock....But there it was, right in front of us....this splendid and quiet image of peace, simplicity and love around us....
Just my idea of Christmas.
I wish you lots of joy and love during the holiday.
Much love to you all......xo Lala

Noël dans la campagne andalouse est un jour de fête mais qui reste merveilleusement simple. Ici, la veille de Noël, on partage un bon repas en famille et on attend le jour des Rois pour échanger les cadeaux. Le jour de Noël, tout le monde est dehors. On boit un verre entre amis ou on déjeune en famille. Nous, on a choisi de passer Noël tous les deux en amoureux. En ce moment l'hiver ne se fait presque pas sentir. C'était une journée de soleil magnifique pour sortir en forêt, dans notre pinède préférée. On a passé quelques heures à ramasser des pommes de pin, jouer à cache-cache, rester debout sous les derniers rayons du soleil. Au retour, on s'est arrêtés dans un bar sur le bas-côté de la route. Pourvu qu'il fasse bon à l'intérieur, on s'était dit. Mais mieux que ça, un bon feu nous attendait. Et puis surtout, à travers l'immense paroi vitrée, on pouvait voir un berger et son troupeau de chèvres. Pendant un moment, je me suis dit que cette image était presque trop belle pour être vraie...un berger menant son troupeau dans la nature, le jour de Noël...Mais si, c'était là devant nos yeux : une image belle et tranquille de douceur, de simplicité et d'amour....
Tout simplement l'idée que je me fais de Noël.
Je vous souhaite beaucoup de joie et d'amour en cette période de fêtes.
Bisous à tous....xo Lala




pics : me

first 2 collages, La Venta del Fraile
rest of pics, at home

La Venta del Fraile
on the old road to Almuñecar

Comments

Joyful said…
It sounds like a perfect Christmas. xx
Unknown said…
Heureuse rencontre, ce berger et ses chèvres.
Bonnes Fêtes
FairyFiligree said…
All the best to you too from my island in the MEd....
Gina said…
A lovely post, Lala. So refreshing to see such beautiful and simple images after so much glitz and color. Happy New Year to you and yours. Gina
aguja said…
Beautiful! What could be better!
I have just seen your comment on my 'writers pencil post, to ´which I replied that you can join us anytime, Lala!
Unknown said…
Your pictures are so lovely! I love the way that you decorate!! Very pretty and romantic!!
Happy New Year!
Lisa
Ken said…
Our American family of 5 will be in Granada this year from Dec 24 - Dec 26. We are planning to visit the Alhambra...anything else we should plan to see/do during Christmas there? Any advice is appreciated.

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