A Creative Spirit
Hey, I haven't disappeared. I've decided to take a couple of months' break over the summer from Facebook, the news, and probably blogging so I can concentrate on other projects and regain some much-needed karma. Facebook - Doom-scrolling has become addictive and invasive, and I swear if I get one more advert trying to persuade... Continue Reading →
Good afternoon (now evening), fellow gardeners! It's now our turn here in the Western Algarve to enjoy the excessive temperatures suffered elsewhere. Like most older folk (yes, I am finally owning the fact that I am in my winter years), I don't fare well in temperature extremes, whether hot or cold. Ho hum... so ...... Continue Reading →
Yep, if we were having coffee, I'd tell you that on Thursday or was it Friday...I was awoken to the dulcet tones of Mr Piglet muttering obscenities at my computer. I checked my watch - 6.45 am. Seriously? My bladder and heartburn had kept me awake most of the night and I was beyond tired.... Continue Reading →
https://pigletinportugal.com/2025/06/22/how-was-your-week-looking-back-to-move-forward/ Another year has passed, and while my mobility is still an issue and restricts many activities on Saturday, I met an old acquaintance whom I'd not seen for a couple of years. An acquaintance who loved to dance and hike and was waiting to retire to Portugal. She was in a wheelchair. Her foot... Continue Reading →
When we first created our garden over twenty years ago on a bare, sandy plot, I had the romantic notion of planting a cute palm tree. Our neighbour had one (about 8ft) as did many other gardens in the area, so armed with no more than the dream of our very own palm tree swaying... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that despite having another busy week, eating out, and socialising with friends, entertaining, dancing, working in the garden and in the charity shop, etc. I've tried to pace myself (LoL) as I've not been feeling that great. But we smile and keep going, yes? One foot in... Continue Reading →
And I am still trying to catch up! On Sunday, 24th May, we travelled to Granada with friends for a vacation. I am not usually a fan of cities, but I kept an open mind, and I'm glad I did. Granada was fantastic! No high-rise and we were pleasantly surprised by the diverse architecture, the... Continue Reading →
https://pigletinportugal.com/2019/05/31/pet-peeve-plastic-packaged-fruit-and-vegetables/?page_id=11997 On this day, 31st May 2019, I was moaning about plastic packaging. Why are fruit and veg packaged in plastic? Shrinkwrapped cucumbers. Seriously? Grapes, kiwis, apples, tomatoes, leeks, mushrooms, etc. Meat packaged in plastic. Now we even have microplastics in food Interesting info by National Geographic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRLM8wQG0Y https://pigletinportugal.com/2025/01/17/foodie-friday-lets-talk-about-ultra-processed-foods/ Seven years later (is it really... Continue Reading →
https://pigletinportugal.com/2020/05/27/covid-19-lockdown-reflections-and-beyond/ Was it really SIX Years ago that we all (well, most of us) lived in fear for our lives? Looking back, it seems surreal. How did you cope with lockdown? ETA: Everyone in the Health sector should have received a medal or some recognition of their service and sacrifice during this time.
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that last Sunday, despite the threat of showers, I'd reserved a spot at the local car boot/flea market (what's the difference?), an event I'd relentlessly campaigned to our local residents' association to reinstate after they'd cancelled it several years ago.... I can't remember the finer points as... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you the last couple of weeks have been hectic! Hence why I've not been online much. Just nine days after returning from a family holiday in England, we were jaunting off on our travels once again to stay with family in France. It was a last-minute decision because... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you we've just returned from a fabulous, albeit freezing-cold holiday in England. Bristol and then, Cornwall, for a family get-together and then back to stay with one of our sons while we catch up with friends and more family. If I thought it was cold in Portugal, I... Continue Reading →
If we were having a coffee or a cocktail, I'd apologise for rocking up a day late for the weekend coffee share. Even my Six on Saturday garden meme organised by Jimbecame Six on Sunday, and it's Monday already. I'm not sure if the unexpected appearance of sunshine for the whole week has addled my... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you I had a great week. I keep telling myself to learn to live in the moment and not stress about things that are out of my control. Enjoy the precious moment of here and now. Learning to live in the moment is certainly easier when the rain... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I am on a short fuse thanks to a pain that resembles a chronic toothache just below my left shoulder blade and the group of muscles between the ribs. Have you noticed how pain does that? I mean, shortens your patience fuse? Makes you irritable to... Continue Reading →
Last Sunday I cooked a traditional English roast dinner. Roast Beef, roast potatoes, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower cheese, gravy AND Yorkshire pudding. What is Yorkshire Pudding?For those unfamiliar with the quirky accompaniment, No, it is not a dessert, as the name suggests, it is a British savoury pudding made from an equal weight of eggs, milk,... Continue Reading →
I confess I'm not a 'Domestic Goddess' in any shape or form, but despite this, I have decided it's time to bite the bullet and reorganise my larder. It's not only a mess, but thanks to the disorganised chaos, I often miss expiry dates on products and well ... just can't find what I'm looking... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd confide that last week was a challenge. Poor Mr Piglet caught a bug. Not a straight cold, cough or upset stomach. Nope, it was a combination of ALL three. He tried to soldier on, but it wiped him out for several days. Now, under normal circumstances, it wouldn't matter... Continue Reading →
Let's talk about food! One of my favourite go-to hearty winter meals to cook is Shepherd's Pie, or at least that's what my mum called it. But apparently I've reached the ripe old age of 71, believing this... that was until I was out to coffee with friends, discussing what we were making for dinner... Continue Reading →
Or should I say weeks! Yep, since my last post, "How Was Your Week? A Lot Better Than Last Week! the last couple of weeks, my feet have hardly touched the ground! It's amazing how time flies. Line Dancing Lunch For those who have been following my blog for a while, will be aware that I... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 