The exotic gifts of late summer
brevera blanca figs from the tree around the corner...
The summer heat of Toledo is beyond words. The skin pulsates and the mind spins – all ‘to do’s’ are lost, the memory becomes blank. Blogging is a long forgotten activity. Typing on a keyboard, far too strenuous.
If you dare to venture out in the heat of the mid-day, it’s what I would imagine walking into a blow dryer to be like. The streets are quiet, you can hear only the symphony of crickets. This heat is ancient. Indeed, Toledo has experienced more than 3000 years of this quiet, intense heat.
figs and baby pears for breakfast
The month of August is a time of respite in Toledo – and all over Spain. Signs display Cerrado por el mes de agosto in shop windows and cafes. I admire this, they take their time seriously. Or maybe it’s sheer survival. For me, this month was all about learning. Learning to take siesta seriously, because you might not be able to sleep through the night when the temperature dips to lows of, oh my goodness, about 33′C. I was also learning to just move through the days, allowing my body to adjust and my mind to deal with the dreaded fact that I might not feel productive or efficient until September. That’s just the way it is.
So, dear friends, all month since moving to Toledo – I too, have been cerrado por el mes. Closed for the month. But now, is September 2nd, and I did a rain dance last night. I awoke from siesta to the sound of rain, buckets pouring down – and instantly I felt rejuvenated. You must understand that I grew up in Vancouver, BC. Rain is a part of my DNA. My nanny taught me to open my mouth to the raindrops when I was 3, and dance in the puddles. So, after months of dry heat, the rain washed over my soul. Cooling and cleansing. The storm lasted the entire evening, nourishing not only me, but the miles of olives groves and pomegranate trees.
pan, higos y queso de cabra. Bread, figs, and fresh goat cheese
But, for all the intense heat, this land serves up stunning gifts of figs, melons, pomegranates, aubergines, miniature blushing pears, crisp green peppers and sweet, sweet pumpkin. Foods brought to this land by the Moors. Those Moors, they really had it together – if it wasn’t for them, there would be no pastry or spices or exquisite water gardens.
I have been enjoying these gifts with unabashed simplicity. Higos or figs, other than eating whole go perfectly on my favourite pan de pueblo, with honey and goat cheese. The most perfect summer breakfast ever. And although not captured here, you must try these figs, topped wtih greek yogurt seasoned with cardamom, drizzled (or doused) in honey spiced with ginger and cinnamon. I could imagine the Moors enjoying this type of treat, lazing across mountains of pillows and exquisite fabrics, in the ever so slight breeze of a late summer´s eve.
berenjenas toledanas, aubergines of Toledo
just back from our local organic farm
water fountains and gardens surrounding Toledo
outlines of Toledo through the park
a flock of happy birds in the Rio Tajo
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Would you consider sending me your figs photo (Higos). I would love to hang it up in my kitchen. Ciao from Canada.
Love your food photos – amazing!
(Fellow expat) Laura, HappyHomemakerUk.blogspot.com
Dear HappyHomemaker in London,
Thanks for the visit! Your site is fab- and your illustrated banner is hilarious. So glad you came to find me, dear expat friend.
Hi
Rodrigo from Mexico here… just sent you some photos. i hope you enjoy them
Thank you for all your fabulous food photos, Rodrigo. Keep it up! You should start a food blog from Mexico City!
Oh how I love Spain. And food
Just subscribed to your RSS feed 
Absolutely STUNNING photos.
I love this post so much. 
It feels like summer and warmth and happiness and being carefree. 
Good to read your blog again. You’re so lyrical–a natural writer. I think there’s a book or two in your future endeavours! Sounds like life is good in Toledo–send a little sunshine our way
Welcome back! And LOVE your description of Toledo. The heat reminds me of my visit to Granada, where the practice of siesta first made sense to me, and where the sound of tumbling water was never far away. Beautiful!
Katharine,
Thank you! Your pictures and posts have inspired me and shifted my energy. I’ve had one of those kind of days and yet the beautiful pictures and your eloquent writing have truly transported me to my joyful and grateful place within. Thank you for sharing your pictures and experiences!
XO
How are you not sitting in that lovely fountain? And the figs look amazing. Keep writing Katharine, I am glad to learn about Toledo.
Katherine! Welcome back! I have been stalking your website, in a good way of course, waiting for new posts!
Nice new banner! and I don’t know how you restrained yourself from sitting in the fountain/water gardens. The heat sounds ridiculous! But the figs look delish. I hope you have settled nicely into your new home.
Hi Katharie,
I too love your banner! your photographs are stunning, truly stunning! and your writing is so inviting to the reader…what a delightful way to begin my day ~ thank you
Thank you for visiting Edi!
Every time I love your pictures more and more and more! Stunning as ever!
¡Hola! I just found you through Amuse-Bouche for Two and I’m so glad I did–oh, to be in Spain and eating delicious figs and goat cheese right now. Your photos are beautiful and I’m obsessed with all things related to Spanish foods lately, so I’ll definitely be back.
Thank you for dropping by Elizabeth!
I too love the new header image. And here are more of those gorgeous photos of yours, each one a new treasure to savor.
I know how that crushing heat feels – I love it, but it does make motivation tough to summon for a lengthy period of time. Maine’s got nothing on the heat of Toledo, but it’s been unnaturally warm here this week. It sure makes doing work outside difficult (I only lasted three hours today). Thanks for an update!
I love the colours in these photos! Really beautiful Katharine.
Thank you my most amazing illustrator!
Los higos y las peras son una belleza, y tu foto de estos es espectacular! Me encanta la nueva ilustracion, es adorable. Espero la estes pasando bien en Toledo. Abrazos!
Gracias Cecilia…y esta noche vamos a coger una caja grande de higos ecologicos, me encanta! YUM…(no equivalent word in Spanish)
Un besito.
Hi there… Rodrigo from Mexico here. Toledo is a wonderful city. It is absolutely stunning. The cathedral is amazing. I hope you take some wonderful photos of turron, and mazapán (marzipan) and all those great Spanish candies.
I love food (as I already told you), and Mexico is a really great place for foodies, we have wonderful cuisine. I would realy like to show you some photos I’ve been taking of Mexican food and culture that I’m sure you would love.
Rodrigo
Hola Rodrigo- for photos of Turron and yummy marzapan, here’s an older entry. http://www.agirlinmadrid.com/2010/04/a-daytrip-to-toledo/
I would love to see your food photos, you can email them to me: katharine@agirlinmadrid.com
Gracias!
Love the new header. Your photography is amazing, makes you want to jump in the computer and a devour those figs, and Katharine, your writing is simply amazing.
What a perfect post. Love the new banner. The bread…figs…goat cheese…all good things, indeed.
Welcome back! I missed you! And what stunning, gorgeous pictures of both the food and Toledo! Can I come visit? And your writing is evocative, beautiful, perfect.
I’ve been away to Northern Europe most of August… I guess you understand why now. Indeed this heat forces you to lower your activity close to zero level. And siesta makes all the sense. Really beautiful photos, I just bought some figs today…
Another wonderful post, transporting me from my office in the late summer sun of London to the intense heat of Spain. I really enjoy reading your blog & marvelling over your photographs. Well done darling xx
Thank you Kerry. Delighted to have you along for the ride!