A Creative Spirit
If we were having a cocktail or coffee, I would tell you I am Back on the Treadmill! As May comes to a close and our vacations to France and England are now behind me I have stepped back on the diet and exercise treadmill with renewed enthusiasm. Trying on all my summer clothes proved... Continue Reading →
It doesn't seem possible that only a week ago we were enjoying family time back in England. One of my favourite and hilarious memories was finger painting with the youngest grandkids aged just four and six years. To say we went hog wild with the paints was an understatement. We all had great fun with... Continue Reading →
I love volunteering to work in the charity shop. Why? Our small town is a diverse melting pot, and the shop offers a new opportunity to interact with many nationalities. This is probably why I've struggled to learn Portuguese. For instance, I greeted one man and a woman as they entered the shop. with a... Continue Reading →
It's been a short but trying week. Fortunately, the cold I caught from Mr Piglet cleared surprisingly quickly and apart from taking some time out on Monday with a Martini Pornstar to drown the germs I hit the ground running (as they say) unpacking suitcases, clearing the laundry and gardening. CHARGING LEADS— I don't know... Continue Reading →
Many of us like to set ourselves short—or long-term goals. Maybe we want to lose weight, up our fitness regime for a planned holiday, or improve our overall health. I know my limit, and my body sets the bar relatively low. But any win above the norm is a win, right? When my DIL, Amy,... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, we would have plenty to catch up on, as I have been absent for the last ten days (apart from a pre-scheduled garden post and a Wordless Wednesday), so I am running waaaay behind. The reason: we went to stay with our daughter and family in France for nine days.... Continue Reading →
My week has been crazy busy. What about yours? EASTER We didn't have any plans for Easter weekend as our family is in France or the UK, and our friends are either away, have family staying, or whatever. So we will be 'Billy no Mates' on Easter Sunday. We intend to relax and stuff ourselves... Continue Reading →
This week, we have been giving the garden a Spring clean—but not too much so we do not disturb the wildlife that also call our garden home. When Mr Piglet moved a pot, he encountered an Iberian Psammodromus lizard the size of a small snake. He didn't scream, kept calm, and took a photo. I... Continue Reading →
... or I should say several: Find Easter eggs for a friend who is flying over from the UK with her grandkids for Easter. Get lettuce plants and source a costume for the Western Murder Mystery party. Art lesson to work on Buddha, Portuguese.... holy moly and that's before I worked in the garden. São... Continue Reading →
This week has been challenging, especially as it was time to admit I'd failed on some of the health goals I'd set last month as part of the #wellnessremiagined linkup. But maybe 'fail' is not the right word; I'd just taken a minor detour before getting back on track. https://pigletinportugal.com/2025/03/03/fooded-out-in-february/ My goals for March were:... Continue Reading →
Last Sunday, we finally enjoyed a respite from the rainy weather, which allowed me to catch up on laundry and gardening. I say respite but it was still cold and windy. Mosquitoes and Fly Repellants Of course, when the sun did appear, so did the wretched mosquitoes. They are out in force, breeding like crazy... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you everything aches this week. I think the continued damp weather is getting into the marrow of my bones. One of my friends said she felt the same so perhaps it's not just me. Can your bones ache? Entertaining Friends—On Sunday, we invited a couple of friends over... Continue Reading →
Today, as I walked around my vegetable garden during the lull between heavy showers and gale-force winds to inspect the damage inflicted by Storm Martinho, I wondered how many of us--if push came to shove--could grow our own fruit and vegetables. A random question. Maybe not. With the world teetering on the brink of war... Continue Reading →
Yay! I did it. I FINALLY did it. I started a Yoga for Seniors class in February; this week was my sixth class. Since the first lesson, the Yoga teacher has been trying to persuade me to get down on the floor. I baulked at the idea and repeatedly told her, "I've only been down... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you I hit the ground running this week after last week's self-imposed isolation thanks to 'man flu, ' aka a cold. The weather can't make up its mind. Heavy showers, thunder, lightning and bright sunshine. But despite ALL the rain we've enjoyed, the local reservoir is less than... Continue Reading →
Living in a country where English is not the first language certainly takes you out of your comfort zone, especially regarding food shopping. Imagine walking into a supermarket and suddenly seeing none of your favourite foods and familiar brands; throw the added complication of language into the mix, and you may feel you have landed... Continue Reading →
My offering this week for Cathy's 'In a Vase on Monday' is based on symbolism. The colours, vase, backdrop and even the dead, spoiled flowers on the red base hold meaning. Any ideas? * * * I picked these flowers on Sunday afternoon in a brief period between showers. I wanted to offer an additional... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that the rest of the week was cancelled apart from Yoga. On Monday, I thought I was finally due to start in the charity shop but it didn't happen - cancelled. Tuesday, after Yoga, as the day progressed, my throat felt gravelly, and my 'get up and... Continue Reading →
My gardening endeavours to share for this week's Six on Saturday are courtesy of windows we had in the weather. One moment blue skies and sun the next a squall rolled in from the sea and we had torrential rain. Pruning Washingtonia ~Only a couple of weeks ago I was moaning to Mr. Piglet, and... Continue Reading →
Every year, we Brits celebrate Shrove Tuesday with pancakes. We call it 'Pancake Day'. This brilliant YouTube video explains why. https://youtu.be/pw6oRE7NKVM?si=_wpNybpoK8A9NFCO This traditional batter recipe dates back to 1439, as per Historic UK Quote: "The ingredients for pancakes can be seen to symbolise four points of significance at this time of year: Eggs ~ CreationFlour... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 