A Creative Spirit
The days have flown by so quickly that I've barely had time to catch my breath. This week, I had planned to prepare a meal using the homegrown kale I planted at the end of August. At the mention of Kale, I can already see many of you running for the hills. Trust me, kale... Continue Reading →
Another week has flown by, and thankfully, our garden job list is shrinking. With so many visitors and travels this summer we had neglected our garden. Bad move because the jobs just piled up. For Six on Saurday last week I created a Job List and set to work (Poor Mr. P. The first he... Continue Reading →
Kefir? Is anyone familiar with Kefir? Have you tried it, and do you make it at home? Kefir was recommended to me as a probiotic for gut health. At the moment I'm buying from the local supermarket. I read this article which offers a lot of maybe's: Top 10 health benefits of kefir. Kefir is... Continue Reading →
Our Portuguese lesson never materialised this week as our teacher's internet died. We had dutifully studied our Trabalho em Casa and were keen to practice. We had been tasked to prepare questions to ask the teacher using: How ~ Como? * What ~ O que? * Where ~ Onde? * Which is ~ Qual é?... Continue Reading →
I spotted this unusual plant while walking in the Western Algarve. Eventually I managed to identify it via the Portugal Wildflower FB group. I was surprised, once I discovered its name, that it was not listed in my area on the flora.pt website map. The Paraserianthes Lophantha is registered as an invasive plant in Portugal, which is... Continue Reading →
It's October, and with summer socialising, holidays, and houseguests behind us, it's time to knuckle down and undertake some serious work in the garden. Armed with a pen, clipboard, and critical eye, I made an extensive 'To Do' list. However, my enthusiasm soon ran out of steam. I'm sure you know the feeling when I... Continue Reading →
One of my favourite treats is a Portuguese custard tart, Pastel de nata. But beware—not all Pastéis de Nata are equal, as Mr. Piglet, a pastel de nata connoisseur, will tell you. We avoid ordering from the big supermarket cafes because they offer poor imitations (in our opinion). One of our local bakeries supplies them... Continue Reading →
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 →
Piglet in Portugal 