A Creative Spirit
What came first the chicken or the egg? My passion for mosaics developed way beyond the initial Introduction to Mosaics course after my general interest in growing succulents and cacti became a full-blown passion and I expanded my collection. Or maybe I always had the mosaic bug, but lacked motivation and/or opportunity. Living way out of... Continue Reading →
I have been on blogging hiatus for the last few years because I became involved in a writing forum and ended up running the place. I've now stepped away and returned to blogging only to discover 97% of my old blogging buddies have disappeared. When I started my blog back in May 2010 most of... Continue Reading →
I created this low fat fish pie with the idea that it was a complete meal in one dish. Okay, I may have used every pot in the kitchen to prepare it (Mr. Piglet humour) but at least I had time to wash up and clear away while it was cooking. the recipe is still... Continue Reading →
Are you on, or contemplating going on a diet and need moral support? Do you have a sense of humour and the ability to laugh at yourself? If so, I have started a fun FaceBook support group called Piglet's Porkers for like-minded people. This is not a formal group selling a particular diet. Which each... Continue Reading →
Rebirth Mind’s landscape, a mirage of memories displaced between earth and sky Reality’s horizon bears witness as naked limbs shiver in winter’s chill. Leaves tremble memories decay reborn as spirits they rise from steaming earth thoughts gain clarity uncertainty dispelled they bathe in the warmth of winter sun This is my entry and first... Continue Reading →
One of the highlights of our trip to Porto was not the port, but the magnificent vestibule and azulejos tiled images at São Bento railway station - Estação Ferroviária de São Bento. Further research revealed that approximately twenty thousand tiles were used to decorate the station's vestibule which I think you will agree is spectacular!... Continue Reading →
Like a million stars sunrays dance to me across the soulless sea They dazzle me as light and motion pirouette in unison. Tempting me closer --------closer towards the horizon. A path beckons, ---teasing me ------enticing me to walk my dreams-----into the light I raise my glass to toast the golden orb I know it understands... Continue Reading →
Just over a year ago some new friends inspired me to start collecting cacti and succulents. I'd always admired the different species but only as a passing interest. However, once they showed me their incredible collection, I was hooked. Have you ever studied these plants? Structure, leaves and flowers? They are beautiful! Okay, I concede... Continue Reading →
As the autumn evenings draw in, my thoughts turn to log fires and battening down the hatches in readiness for the long winter nights ahead. Summer clothes are now packed away and replaced by winter woolies, thermal PJs and of course my faithful 'onesie' which was a present from a friend. Not the most flattering... Continue Reading →
... That's the million dollar question. I've never had any inclination to grow roses until an unusual striped variety growing in a friend's garden, caught my attention. It was love at first sight and I wanted one! A woman on a mission I went in search of this mystery rose. Armed with a picture of... Continue Reading →
When I was young it was called graffiti now it's moved upmarket and is called Street Art or Murals. At least it has given some artists an outlet to display their work. A few years ago I was walking down a side street in Lagos on the Western Algarve and happened upon this larger than... Continue Reading →
There is a new addition to the disabled and mother and baby parking bays. Or maybe it's always been there and I've never noticed. There is now designated parking close to the entrance of the store for people with walking disabilities. (At least that is what I think the sign means). Fourteen months after injuring... Continue Reading →
Nearly a year after starting my 'tree of life' aka 'tree of patience' mosaic picture, it is finally finished! The substrate for the base was clear glass and the printed picture beneath acted as a rough template. I cut each piece of stained glass to shape before gluing into position. Many hours, days and even... Continue Reading →
Growing succulents and cacti has become my passion. Unfortunately for the plants in my care, I am still relatively new to the sport so have much to learn with watering being the biggest challenge, until now! Imagine my despair when I discovered my prize Crested Eve's Needle (Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. cristata) was covered in a scaly... Continue Reading →
The Rota Petisco (Tapas/snack route) starts on the 4th October through to the 4th of November. There are 277 participating establishments along the Algarve. So wherever you are located (from Odeceixe in the west to Odeleite in the east) you have no excuse not to participate. Each establishment will have a set snack + drink... Continue Reading →
On one of our many visits to see our French grandchildren we went to the picturesque town of Annecy in the Rhone-Alpes region of southeast France. If you've never been, I can thoroughly recommend it. The scenery is stunning and the historic old town reminds me of Venice. Anyway, I digress. My pet peeve, on... Continue Reading →
Have you ever felt grounded in the daily groove like a bicycle trying to escape from a deep tyre rut on an unmade road? The rut of random puddles and hidden potholes sucks you in and throws you off balance. You keep pedaling but to no avail. You are the tyre stuck in the rut.... Continue Reading →
I am usually not too squeamish when it comes to insects, but snakes... ewww... Natrix_natrix_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg Last week, I was walking in the garden at the side of the house when a snake, about 1.5m long, slithered onto the path in front of me. I froze in terror as it reared up and then zig-zagged towards... Continue Reading →
About eighteen months ago I was given a small, insignificant looking cactus. I had no idea of its name until I stumbled across a facebook discussion group for 'cacti and succulent' enthusiasts. One of the members had posted a photograph of the plant (no flowers) and was trying to identify. I immediately had an 'aha'... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 