A Creative Spirit
This week's theme for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is dis·tort·ed dis·tort·ed: twisted; deformed; misshapen. I grew this "distorted" tomato from seed, and although its appearance was misshapen and unappetizing when I bit into the fruit it was sweet and delicious. How often do we initially judge people by their appearance and not by their... Continue Reading →
We'd been meaning to go to the Monchique sausage festival (Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais de Serra de Monchique) for years and today was the day we finally made it! Earlier in the week I went to the Tourist Information office keen to discover more about the Feira. Unfortunately, they only had basic information such as... Continue Reading →
These pictures taken in March 2010 are unfortunately a little hazy due to heavy sea mist and high humidity. As you drive through the countryside of the Algarve and Alentajo regions you cannot fail to notice the Portuguese landscape features many abandoned houses - ruins as they are called. I often wonder what happened to... Continue Reading →
My monthly diary continues. Over the next year I'm keeping a monthly diary of the fruit and vegetables I grow in my urban garden here in the Algarve. Gardening is one of my passions, and although my efforts are not always successful my tenacity makes up for what I lack in knowledge. Despite a couple... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is "Indulge" Every time we go to France I love to indulge myself by looking in the windows of Pâtisseries. Their wonderful array of dainty pastries and sweets gives me "foodie" palpitations in anticipation. However, I rarely succumb to temptation as I am desperately trying to... Continue Reading →
Life without the net...you MUST be joking! The following extract is taken from Could You Survive Abroad Without the Internet? my January column over at Expat Focus Could You Survive Abroad Without the Internet? As more people either work or retire abroad I often wonder how expats managed to survive in a pre-internet world. How... Continue Reading →
This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme is Hope I considered naming the tin which contains all my packets of seeds, "My Tin of DOOM". Why? Because many most of the seeds fail to germinate. I'm not sure if this is due to the quality of seed or if I'm... Continue Reading →
Praia do Vale dos Homens beach is located in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park just outside the village of Rogil in the Western Algarve. It is well off the beaten tourist track which makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a great “get away from it all” location. While some websites say it is... Continue Reading →
Every now and again something unexpected makes you stop dead in your tracks. "...errrr...WHAT?" you think as you press your rewind button because you can't quite believe your eyes. You rub them, shake your head and then take a third look just to make sure. You then burst out laughing. I experienced one of these "...errr... Continue Reading →
This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme is Peaceful. My little grandson sleeps peacefully with not a care in the world. His only needs are love, food, warmth, clean nappies, "winding" and sleep - how simple life is when you are a baby! As I watch over him, his basic... Continue Reading →
Julie's first post A personal A-Z of Portugal inspired me to join her by sharing "My "A-Z of Portugal". I then asked my fellow bloggers all over the world to join us on my post My A ~ Z of Portugal; the response was overwhelming. I propose to feature and promote bloggers participating in the... Continue Reading →
My personal diary. Over the next year I will be keeping a monthly diary of all the fruit and vegetables I grow in my urban garden here in the Algarve. Gardening is one of my passions, and although my efforts are not always successful my tenacity makes up for what I lack in knowledge. I'm... Continue Reading →
Portugal blogger Julie Dawn Fox set herself the challenge of writing a series of posts relating to Portugal using each letter of the alphabet. When I read her intro post “A personal A ~ Z of Portugal” I thought “What a brilliant idea” and one that could be easily be adopted by fellow bloggers across... Continue Reading →
Caldo Verde is a rustic soup originating from the Minho Province in northern Portugal. It is now considered a national dish and is popular all over the world. It is made from Collie-greens which is couvos cabbage. I've wanted to cook Caldo Verde soup for some time so when I saw the recipe in this... Continue Reading →
This weeks theme for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is "Winter" The theme "Winter" conjured up so many different images in my mind's eye that I pondered on my choice of photograph for several days. Should I post a picture depicting typical winter weather such as frost or snow, or should I remove all preconceived... Continue Reading →
This year we spent a magical Christmas in France with our daughter, hubby (SIL) and adorable baby granddaughter. The night before we arrived a heavy fall of snow transformed the surrounding countryside into a magical white world which set the scene for the perfect “White” Christmas. Their home was also transformed with an array of... Continue Reading →
To my followers all over the World ~ I hope you have a Merry Christmas! For those bloggers who have almost completed the WordPress postaday2011 or postaweek2011 challenge, CONGRATULATIONS! you are almost there! And for those of us who did not quite succeed the challenge has at least encouraged us to reach out to fellow... Continue Reading →
Inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge this week's theme is "Self Portrait" Well folks the day has finally arrived when I reveal my true identity! I was only three weeks old in the photograph below, and if I do say so myself I looked really cute. However, I am sorry to spoil the illusion... Continue Reading →
Over the next year I will be keeping a monthly diary of all the fruit and vegetables I grow in my garden. This idea was prompted by fellow blogger Hurtled to 60 and now beyond I've made various garden posts over the last year, but as there is very little information regarding what to grow... Continue Reading →
One of my subscribers sent me this recipe...Cherry Mistmas! Christmas Cake Ingredients 1 cup butter 4 large eggs 1 cup dried fruit lemon juice 1 bottle brandy 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt Nuts Method Sample the brandy to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the brandy again... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 