A Creative Spirit
God loves a "tryer" and as Mr Piglet says I’m very trying! Every year I attempt to grow my own vegetables with varying degrees of success. I do not have a Horta (Allotment) but a patch of poor sandy earth in a small, windswept urban garden in the Algarve. High humidity and salt air, due... Continue Reading →
Since moving to Portugal I have been fascinated by white storks and their nesting habits. White storks are majestic birds about 1m tall. They build their nests on man-made structures such as chimneys, telephone poles, lamp posts, rooftops, towers etc. Nests, as you can see from my photographs, are HUGE and can be up to... Continue Reading →
The weather here in Portugal, over the last few weeks, has been bright and sunny with temperatures up to 20C. The warm weather is an early reminder that my "tractor tyre" midriff currently concealed, but still lurking under the layers of winter clothes, needs urgent attention. Oh no, I need to focus on the dreaded... Continue Reading →
When WordPress started the PostADay/PostAWeek Challenge in January and subsequently made a post about “blogging buddies” I left a comment and ClassyRose came to my rescue. Rose is great, always offering words of encouragement and support both through the good times and bad. ClassyRose also helps and encourages so many bloggers through her blog “Things... Continue Reading →
Do you experience problems with "Parking Scammers"? They are rife in Portugal and they REALLY annoy me!. It does not matter whether you park in a side road or in a free car park the "Parking Scammers" are lurking - just waiting to spring into action by directing you into a “free” parking space. “Free”... Continue Reading →
Are you taking part in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge? This week's theme is "Shadow" We sheltered from the bitter wind in the entrance of the National Opera House in Lyon while I deleted some old photos from my camera card. Mr Piglet, despite the sub-zero temperatures had a creative moment, grabbed the camera and... Continue Reading →
OK, OK so I win no prizes for my food photography! I promise it tastes far better than it looks in this picture so any food photography tips gratefully received! One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to research and cook one new recipe each week. This weeks recipe "Savoury Pear Delight" was kindly supplied... Continue Reading →
A couple of weeks ago hugmamma of "hugmamma's MIND, BODY and SOUL" kindly asked if I would like to be interviewed; honoured by her request I readily agreed. 1. What do you feel you get from blogging? Does it fulfill you personally? Has it opened up new vistas for you? I discovered the “blogosphere” in January 2010... Continue Reading →
The Bermuda buttercup is an invasive plant which although initially grown as an ornamental is now classed as an invasive "weed". It is very difficult to eradicate as it propagates through underground bulbs. The Bermuda buttercup has unfortunately taken hold in our garden and along the coastal areas where we live. On a positive note... Continue Reading →
A few months ago, a friend in Northern Portugal kindly sent me some Jalapeno Peppers, which were excess produce from her veggie garden. She also included a simple recipe on how to pickle Jalapenos plus a variety of chilli seeds so I could grow my own. I thought Christmas had come early and I’d have... Continue Reading →
When we opened our first bank account in Portugal the only thing I remember was our lawyer marching us up the road to a bank. The rest of the proceedings were a complete blur because said “proceedings” were conducted in Portuguese. Various pieces of paper were passed back and forth across the desk, our signatures... Continue Reading →
When I saw the theme for this week’s photo challenge I groaned. Usually inspiration is never far away but on this occasion maybe because my head is “muzzy” with the flu virus - my creative juices were just not flowing. It was while I was sitting in the sun pondering "refuge" and then thinking I... Continue Reading →
You can't get blood from a stone, but apparently, in Portugal, you can get soup! The legend surrounding the recipe for Stone Soup (Sopa de pedra) has been passed down for generations. It made me smile so I thought I would share the story. Many many years ago in the Ribatejo area of Portugal a... Continue Reading →
I don’t mind queueing, honestly, providing there are clear rules as to "who" goes in "what" order. Your expectations are then managed accordingly, as you stand and wait. Of course, someone will inevitably try to queue-jump. This is usually a little old Portuguese lady knee-high to a grasshopper, who with head down elbows her way... Continue Reading →
Are you taking part in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge? This week's theme is Curiosity. My favorite area of Lisbon is not the trendy modern development by the waterfront which houses designer shops and stylish restaurants, but the Alfama quarter with its outstanding views and medieval alleyways. On our last trip to Lisbon we wandered... Continue Reading →
There was a cookery program on TV a few months ago which inspired to make this easy loaf. I've never tried to cook one before but this loaf looked pretty 'foolproof', or was it? Cookery programs are great but why, when I cook the same recipe, does it never look the same? Do you experience... Continue Reading →
I went to the local flea market on Sunday; I needed to buy some English books and Broadbean seeds. However, I was immediately distracted from my “mission” by a couple of piglets which an old Portuguese farmer was trying to sell. They do not normally sell livestock at this market so I was really surprised.... Continue Reading →
Are you going to take part in the new WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge? Each week, WordPress will provide a theme for our “creative inspiration”. Simply take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog anytime before the following Friday when the next photo theme will be announced. Ok my... Continue Reading →
This recipe was really simple to cook and absolutely delicious. However, tracking down cranberries in Lyon proved problematic. I thought cranberries were in vogue but apparently not in this gastronomic centre. Eventually, after several fruitless forays to some local supermarkets (and not to beaten) we made the "pilgrimage" to the "English" Food shop aptly named... Continue Reading →
Living in a country where English is not the first language certainly takes you out of your comfort zone, especially when it comes to food shopping. Imagine walking into a supermarket and suddenly there are none of your favourite foods and familiar brands; throw the added complication of language into the mix and you may... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 