We’ve settled into our typical routine. Slow start to mornings most days, Bob makes his way to the studio and works till about 2, when it’s lunch break time. Some days he’ll grab a quick bite and go back for a few hours. Other days I go over and meet him in Grácia for lunch. I’ve been working on a little project that will go to Australia with me. We had a good combination of going out and staying in. And the weather has been pleasant!

Tuesday evening tour and concert at Casa Battlo

We hadn’t been inside one of Gaudí’s most famous buildings in years, and they offer an evening tour followed by a rooftop concert. It was fun!

The band was a jazz combo, good musicians, but the leader was a raunchy Las Vegas lounge singer-type! He might have been Australian— only guessing his accent. It was amusing entertainment. Click for a video snippet.

Saturday— Our Anniversary!

September 14 was a beautiful day. We got up and out early to hit the close-by Mercat de Ninot. Nice to get to the market on a Saturday morning kind of early— not as many people! Picked up a bunch of cheeses, fruit, veggies to stock up. Next on the agenda walking across to another market, Santa Caterina, to take in a little food event. Apparently the Mercats de Barcelona organization hold special events around the various locations. This one was a “Sardinada”. We guessed it involved sardines, and we were right! With any purchase in the market you get a ticket for a plate of three grilled sardines and a glass of beer. And there was DJ music in the market plaza. We’re all about that!

The market DJ was in a converted VW bus. They were playing great music. Here’s a snippet.

Video of Santa Caterina Market Sardinera event

Food! A big reason we come to Barcelona

Anniversary Dinner

I read some restaurant reviews and chose a nearby Italian restaurant called La Patsa Lab. Not a typo— but they do specialize in freshly made pasta. It was a great choice! Excellent food, and we had a charming young server, who was from Argentina. Had fun chatting with him about the unique Argentinian accents.
He sat us in a great spot: a balcony table directly overlooking the pasta kitchen! It was fascinating watching the two cooks. It was like they were executing a flawless kitchen ballet! We had tiramisu for dessert, but I forgot to take a photo!

What I’m working on

I’m participating in a group project in conjunction with the mosaic symposium I’ll be attending in Australia in November. Many people are creating mosaic roundels to the theme Wild At Heart, where artists create an image of some flora or fauna indigenous to where they live. People are participating from all over the world. I’ll be bringing my Stellar’s Jay perched on a pine branch to Geelong, Australia with me. They’ll all be installed as public art on some concrete power poles.