Today's recipe: Chocolate Molten Pots

Agathe is a wonderful French student who has stayed with us for several weeks over the last couple of years. We thoroughly enjoy having her stay with us and hope she will continue to visit us for years to come. Agathe made these delicious chocolate desserts for us during one of her stays and we now make them regularly. She very kindly gave me the recipe and I have decided to share it with you because they are so good ! Its in French too, so you too can improve your language skills...

We had the fortune of being in the small village (with a big positive attitude) of Laranjeiros on the Portuguese Spanish border on the 4th of March. This day marks the end of the Carnival time and a life-size doll is buried in a grave amidst all kinds of hilarious actions, including using a certain body part as a microphone...need I say more about which part??

As I mentioned in my last post, it was Frank's 60th birthday on Valentine's Day and he very kindly invited us, Anja and Micha, and his lovely partner, Conny, for dinner at the La Cabane Restaurant. I think it's super to have your birthday on such a special day – everyone is in love and happy and the restaurants put on special menus just for you...

Today's recipe: Birthday platters

I love birthdays. Anybody’s, everybody’s and especially mine – no need for false modesty I say. Bring on the party! Bring on the presents! Let's have some fun! And so what could be better than a birthday while underway in Portugal – yippee!

Bola Bolacha / Marie Biscuit Cake

We'd actually decided to eat at O Tapas, but alas (or maybe thankfully), O Tapas is closed on a Monday so lunch with Ronaldo was out of the question. (See post http://www.acookonthefunnyside.com/content/lunch-ronaldo ) Just as an aside, did you see that he scored 2 of the 6 goals his team got at the weekend? Me either, but Anja told me and I wanted to look smart. And no, I don't know what team he plays for...

Sitting pretty at one of our favourite spots in the Algarves, Ferraguda near Portimao, we bore witness to the spectacular arrival of the German Naval training ship, the Gorch Fock. This massive Tall Ship sailed right by our window, much to the excitement of all.

So maybe he wasn't there in person on this particular day, but he could come in at any time as this is a restaurant he regularly frequents. Well, that is if the photos are anything to go by. His face is plastered across the walls, arm in arm with the owner, who really was there. And it's no wonder Ronaldo loves this place 'cos this restaurant rocks!

I looked up the word Footsie online and this is Urban Dictionary's answer http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Footsie
As in Playing footsie (under the table)
The act of flirting in which one secretly touches the feet or legs of another with one's own, as under a table. Have a great Valentine's Day - live dangerously and play footsie with someone...

TODAY'S RECIPE: Asparagus Pancakes

I can hear the circling helicopters in the distance, dogs yapping and people calling my name, but I can't stop. I just have to keep checking yet another bush for another spear of asparagus. Just one more. Then another one and another one. The search and rescue people asked me to tell them approximately where I would be looking tomorrow so that they could find me more easily, but I won't be fooled. They just want to get to MY asparagus before I do...