When You Can't Run Away from Winter

I spent Tuesday through Thursday last week in Mannheim where I am doing what is hopefully a short term assignment as I await news on a possible long term gig in Munich. Finally, finally the awful cold that has plagued me for a month was fading away following a week's worth of antibiotics. As always, whenever I start to feel comfortable in my job, it throws me a new curveball but it felt good to be back to work after a few weeks home and I was still happy from the promotion news, so the challenge was welcome.

I took a late train back on Thursday night and was looking forward to a home office day on Friday, dinner and an evening out with the girls on Saturday and, most of all, seeing Mr. Kilt. We had originally planned to go out for dinner Friday night with his former boss and his wife but he decided to postpone it for a quiet night in until I was fully recovered.

The weather had turned bitter cold again with snow in the forecast. Normally I like long, drawn out winters but after being ill for so long and with limited prospects of more skiing this season, I am for once ready for an early spring. Well, there is not much you can do to control the weather. A girl from New England learns this early on in life. But, you can create whatever season you want in your own house.

And what I wanted to create was Spain. Warm, sunny, and with some fantastic food to boot.

With that in mind, I headed off to the Viktualienmarkt for some seafood, appetizers and a bit of wine to make my own Mediterranean dinner on Friday night with Mr. Kilt. I returned home and was finishing up work for the week when the doorbell rang. I racked my brain for what I had ordered and couldn't think of anything but waited at the top of the elevator to see what was coming.

A warm, sunny bouquet of flowers from Mr. Kilt! Bright orange and yellow flowers, perfect for the Mediterranean dinner. I was beaming.

An hour later, the doorbell rang again. Hmm..now what? It was another bouquet. Honestly. This time from my friend and colleague C., who had spent New Year's with me. A congratulations for the promotion!

Was I feeling spoiled? You betcha! Some days are just too good.



In the evening, I built a fire and Mr. Kilt came over. We made the paella together and barring one chopping accident, I'd say we did pretty well. For anyone looking for a good paella recipe, I can recommend this one from allrecipes. I put in whatever seafood is priced ok and looks nice from the store, so substitute away! It will still be great.



I'm on my way back to Mannheim but can't wait to get home to Munich on Thursday.

Posted from BD