A Creative Spirit
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 →
Hi folks, I’m having a few issues with WordPress at the moment which I can’t seem to resolve. The comments I leave on your blogs are not appearing. To begin with I wondered what on earth was happening - there was not even the “Your comment is awaiting moderation” message. Nada - nothing – Zilch.... Continue Reading →
This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week's theme is Waiting Fishermen spend hours fishing from the rocks or shoreline "waiting" to catch a fish. They cast their line into the sea and then wait patiently for the tell-tale signs which signify a fish has taken the bait. As I watch... Continue Reading →
Holidays and House Guests I was recently asked by a friend living in the UK: "Do expats still take holidays and if so where?" What a strange question and one I’d never considered! So what's the deal with expats and holidays? Do you return to your homeland to visit family and friends, explore your new... Continue Reading →
Driving down the country lane to our local town I noticed several of the road signs bore strange indentations; almost as though they’d been shot at. Surely hunters were not using road signs as target practice? I immediately dismissed the idea because one of the damaged signs was in very close proximity to a house.... Continue Reading →
This post was inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge This week's theme is "Family" I spotted this family of storks nesting on an outcrop of rocks in the ocean near my house. However, I was a little surprised by this location because up to this point I'd only seen storks nesting on chimneys or... Continue Reading →
...by roots! We returned to Portugal in Mid October and the weather was hot and dry; a balmy Indian Summer. My raised vegetable bed which had been left to run wild in my absence was full of weeds and in dire need of some tender loving care. I'd never grown winter vegetables before so I... Continue Reading →
Can you believe I was an authentic curry virgin? My friends, the curry addicts, could not understand how I’d managed to reach the ripe old age of xx and had never eaten at an authentic Indian restaurant. In fact, they thought I was joking when I informed them the number of curries I’d eaten in... Continue Reading →
Post inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge This week's theme is "Wonder" Our very basic knowledge of Portuguese often means simple tasks turn into a challenge; today’s experience is a typical example. Although I continue to study Portuguese I am struggling – the more I try, the more stressed I become! After my recent... Continue Reading →
I loved this “window” at the ancient Fort of Arrifana but sadly it no longer exists. The old fort as it was a year ago...an old ruin, but a place to take in the views and reflect. We returned a year later to find... I am not sure this has been sympathetically restored. Look at... Continue Reading →
On Tuesday, after a THREE month wait for a new part for my "broken" oven it turned out they had ordered wrong part! (see my Pigging Oven! post) In desperation and with the hope of identifying the correct part the oven technician decided to take my oven to their workshop with the promise of a... Continue Reading →
Well folks, my oven saga continues and it's time for a real good pigging rant! "What?" I hear you say. "Ah, but I was only warming up in my earlier oven post" I Only Want My Oven Mended…please I'm "chilled" most of the time...honestly. I was sceptical that the oven technician would even come today,... Continue Reading →
Do you remember this picture? It was my interpretation of the theme "Broken" for the “Wordpress Weekly Photo Challenge on the 6th August. It was my “Broken” oven and guess what folks? My oven is still broken! Initially, I was very impressed when the appliance engineer actually arrived on the agreed day and more or less at... Continue Reading →
Shortly after we moved to Portugal we discovered a gift on our doorstep - an old coffee jar containing a strange liquid. “What on earth is it?” I asked Mr. Piglet as I opened the jar to smell its contents. “Smells interesting” I proffered the jar to Mr. Piglet for his opinion. He sniffed, then... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge" is "Hidden" I know snails are a menace in the garden but I did not have the heart to stamp on him. Instead, I named him "Sid" and later deposited him safely on some adjoining shrubland. Snails (Caracóis) are VERY popular in Portugal and although you often... Continue Reading →
Although I love to set myself goals I must confess I’m the worlds worst at keeping my New Year’s Resolutions. However, when I spotted the 101/1001 challenge on Sarsm’s Blog I thought it sounded great fun especially as you have the support of other 101/1001 bloggers. So what is 101/1001? You set yourself 101 tasks... Continue Reading →
