A Creative Spirit
I've toyed with the idea of picking up the 'I must 'Learn Portuguese' lesson' baton I dropped many years ago for a while. When I try to speak Portuguese in shops and restaurants, my efforts are so hopeless that I am encouraged to communicate in English. For example I recently asked a waitress for 'uma... Continue Reading →
Let's talk about traditional English 'Fish 'n Chips'. When we were back in Blighty, Mr. Piglet had a craving for real English fish and chips bought from a proper Chippy (slang for Fish and Chip shop). When I was growing up, fish and chips used to be bundled up in sheets of old newspaper--fancy wrapping... Continue Reading →
This is another Wild Wednesday offering. This week, I'd like to introduce you to one of the most common wildflowers I see on my roadside walks—they literally grow out of the road! It is a common wildflower across Portugal. Do they grow where you live? Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter - False Yellowhead Sticky Fleabane Remember, all... Continue Reading →
For this week's Six on Saturday, I focus on container gardening. Plants still flowering in late September in my urban plot in the Western Algarve, Portugal. I aim to nurture plants and shrubs that offer interest or year-round colour and do not require huge amounts of water. Friday afternoon, I thought we would enjoy rain... Continue Reading →
I have been a busy bee since we last met for coffee two weeks ago. Grandkids: We have just returned to Portugal after a week in the UK to spend time with family and enjoy the grandkids. We stayed with our son, Ian, and daughter-in-law, and it was great to enjoy quality time with them.... Continue Reading →
I am trying to lose weight by adopting a healthier lifestyle and eliminating processed carbs (or at least trying to). Part of my journey is experimenting with low-carb recipes and researching superfoods that have proven positive effects on the body. A while back, a friend waxed lyrical about the benefits of cider vinegar. I bought... Continue Reading →
It's Friday, so let's talk about food. Diets, Recipes, growing fruit and vegetables, pictures of your meals out etc. As part of my drive to change my eating habits, lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle, I am experimenting with recipes outside my comfort zone. This week, I made a cake using oats as a... Continue Reading →
As we move into September, reviewing pictures of my vegetable garden diary from previous years has highlighted that growing certain crops is a waste of time, energy, and expense, and that's before I factor in the stress factor. https://pigletinportugal.com/2012/10/08/portugal-growing-fruit-and-vegetables-september/ I know I am stubborn, and apparently, God loves a trier, but sometimes you just have... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I've lost 5.2kg since starting my diet on July 10th. However, I don't look any slimmer, and my clothes are still tight, which is disappointing, but my knees say 'thank you and keep going!' My BMI is currently 32.5, so yes, I hang my head in... Continue Reading →
As part of my drive to adopt a healthier lifestyle (diet and exercise), I am trying to stepping outside my food comfort zone to experiment with different recipes and vary my diet. Pondering the health benefits of chickpeas, I consulted Google and stumbled upon this interesting article. 15 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Chickpeas Who... Continue Reading →
This week, I was scooping up dead leaves and cuttings from my tomato plants to put in a bag for disposal. Without thinking, I removed my gloves to better photograph the blight-infected leaves. I was uncurling one of the leaves to frame the picture when I saw it move, and this thing that looked like... Continue Reading →
GUTTED! During our family's visit, I neglected our vegetable patch, only to discover that my prized tomato plants had contracted the tomato equivalent of the Bubonic plague—LATE BLIGHT! I am not surprised. Over the last month, we have been enveloped in sea mist at some point most days, so the humidity has been very high.... Continue Reading →
The past couple of weeks have been hectic. Our family from France has been staying, so it was all hands on deck with shopping and preparation before they arrived and piles of laundry and sweeping sand from every nook and cranny once they left. Still, it keeps us fit, and spending time with them is... Continue Reading →
Let's talk about food! The zucchinis growing in my small vegetable garden are like buses: They are either a rarity or, like buses, arrive all at once! I now have a few tried-and-tested recipes when my zucchini arrive like buses. Our daughter, who lives in France, gave me this delicious recipe, and I added my... Continue Reading →
I spotted these Sea Daffodils (Pancratium maritimum L.) growing in the dunes beside the boardwalk entrance to Praia de Monte Clerigo. Thankfully, they are away from the footfall traffic, so providing they are left to grow in peace, the seed bulbs should fully develop, and they will reproduce. Map citation: A.Carapeto, F.Clamote, P.V.A.Raújo, P.Beja, D.Frade,... Continue Reading →
It doesn't seem possible that September is only a week away. Our vegetables grow weary from the continued sea mist which shrouds us in a cloud, and the sun plays peek-a-boo as the mist retreats only to return later. 1. Courgettes (Zuchinni) This is the last offering of courgettes. The leaves have white mould and... Continue Reading →
Let's talk about food! After picking yet another bumper crop of tomatoes, Mr. Piglet asked what on earth we were going to do with them. I shrugged. Make some more chutney? There's an old saying that 'walls have ears', but I'm less suspicious of the walls and more suspicious that the 'ears' are embedded in... Continue Reading →
We were walking across Ponte Pé bridge in Aljezur when I happened to look down and spotted these little critters basking in the August sunshine! I posted a photograph to the Wildlife in Portugal Facebook group for identification, and I was informed that it was an Iberian Stripe necked terrapins, Mauremys leprosa. Upstream is now... Continue Reading →
It doesn't seem possible that we're already halfway through August! Where does the time go? As I pause from my gardening chores to take a coffee break, I reflect on my Dipladenia, Hydrangea, and Pelargonium challenges, introduce the latest members of Piglet's plant family, and perform a happy dance at this year's bumper crop of... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the Foodie Friday Challenge. Let's talk about food. Whether it's sharing your favourite recipes, growing fruit and vegetables, your harvest ups and downs, hints and tips, or pictures of plates of food - even diets. If it's food-related, why not post it on your blog and add it to the Foodie Friday Blog... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 