Treat Yourself!
Take yourself to a park, to your backyard or wherever might be your place of serenity, and serve yourself bread and butter with mermelada and a cafe con leche. So simple. But don’t allow it to be ordinary. Go to a bakery and get some really good quality rustic bread, your favorite butter (we all have a preference), and fresh marmalade. Make yourself a fresh pot of coffee. Decorate your table. Put out some fresh flowers. Take out your decorative plates and “plate” your bread. When you take out everything to your table, sit down, relax, and indulge in the beauty of what you’ve just created. Take a deep breath. Take in the view. Eat. Drink. And Enjoy.
Why we don’t do this more often.. will always puzzle me. Myself included. I had to come all the way to Europe to do what I just described. We take advantage of our home. We allow ourselves to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, people, and just overall noise that we really do not allow ourselves to be reminded of the simplest of things, like a well dressed table, a beautiful plate, bread with butter, bread…
Reuniting myself with the culture of Spain has taught me that. Simplicity. Elegance. Attention to detail. The cuisine isn’t always that complicated, more often than not, it’s very simple. But it is always presented nicely, it is always presented with a touch of je ne sais quoi that makes it all the more inviting. Take your time. Give yourself time. Because when things are rushed, whatever it is your doing, does not have your full attention. In this case, your food would not have your full attention and it deserves that. Your bread and butter deserve that. You deserve it. Because ultimately you will be consuming that delicacy.
So, please, date un capricho and enjoy your home :)