My baby grandson sleeps peacefully

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 needs fulfilled, he is so happy and content. He is adorable.

As adults are we driven by materialistic ideals as we strive for more – and once we have more, are we truly happy?

As a new grandparent I am adapting to modern-day parenting. I wander aimlessly around the toy shops and baby stores trying to get-to-grips with all the expensive toys, designer baby clothes and equipment such as: push chairs, cots and high chairs plus other “must have” accessories such as baby bouncers, walkers and even baby gyms. Yes, baby gyms! (They are cute though)

I pause, look at the exorbitant prices – I am stunned…

“HOW MUCH?” I exclaim in absolute horror! (I can see some of you nodding in agreement)

And why does nearly every toy these days need a battery? Batteries are SO expensive to buy! Is it necessary to surround babies with so much electronic noise? I sigh as I remember all the simple toys such as building blocks, jack in a box, and plastic cups my children grew up with; it did not take much to make them happy then, so why is it so different now? A battery operated toy was a luxury not the norm.

This crazy cacophony of electronic noise is enough to drive me to distraction and I can reach for the off switch! Poor baby. If there are several of these toys shouting for attention all at once, is this healthy? Maybe I am old-fashioned, but aren’t babies entitled to peace too?

So as I reflect on the word “peaceful” and in the name of sanity I am tempted to start a “PEACEFUL TOY” revolution!

If you are a parent, baby or grandparent, aunt, great cousin (three times removed) or even a demented observer – am I just grumpy, or are children’s toys today destroying the “sound” ozone layer of our daily lives?

Julie Dawn Fox

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 Global A-Z, not only by promoting a selection of their posts, but also by interviewing a different A-Z Blogger each week. So who better to start with, than Julie herself!

Interview with Julie Dawn Fox, Portugal

Who are you?

I’m a writer, traveller and teacher but not necessarily in that order. My job as a teacher of English as a foreign language (TEFL) has enabled me to live and work in various countries over the years, including Portugal, where I’ve been living for over four years. During that time, I’ve got married, moved to the countryside, adopted a dog and begun to pursue my dream of becoming a writer.

Julie, what prompted you to create the A personal A-Z of Portugal series of posts?

The idea started with the ABC award that Alyson Sheldrake surprised me with around Christmas time. In order to accept it, I had to write a word or phrase for each letter of the alphabet that meant something to me. No need for explanations, just the words, so I did that quite quickly.

While visiting other blogs, such as Restlessjo’s, I noticed an A-Z of Travel doing the rounds. Someone, I’ve no idea who started it, had come up with a question for each letter of the alphabet and challenged bloggers to answer them.

That’s when I got the idea of writing an A-Z specifically about Portugal because that’s the focus of my blog. I began drafting a single post with a paragraph for each letter. Then I thought, hang on a minute, why not write a whole post about each of these things instead of one very long one that people probably wouldn’t bother reading until the end?

I went to bed with the idea buzzing around my head, trying to think of topics for each letter. I couldn’t sleep and in the end, I had to get up and write them down because my memory’s hopeless. Only once I had at least one idea for each letter was I able to go back to bed and get to sleep…

Interview continues here

Why not join the A-Z Country Challenge over at My Global A-Z?

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 always open to suggestions (or encouragement) so please feel free to leave a note in the comments section below. December was the first entry in my diary.

When I look back at December’s entry and study the pictures – Wow what a difference. My vegetable seedlings have grown beyond my wildest expectations! Yes, I know, I’m easily pleased.

Salad in January

This is my first bowl of winter home-grown salad: Rosso and green lettuce, baby spinach leaves and chives from my herb garden.

Herb “garden” is a very loose description as I no longer try to grow herbs in “twee” little rows. I allow them to self-seed and grow where they are most happy.

CONTAINER GROWN FRUIT & VEGETABLES

Due to lack of space in my urban garden I grow several fruit and vegetables in containers. Some more successfully than others!

Radish

The radish sown in November are unfortunately struggling due to lack of sunlight. While the pot is in full sun during the summer months, the sun is lower in the winter so the pot remains in shade for most of the day.
Mental note: do not use this pot in winter! Use for Zucchini or cucumber in summer. Discard radish and use pot for to recycle “green” waste during the winter months.

I scattered radish seeds between a row of leeks in my raised vegetable plot on the 1st of January. There is no sign of growth as yet.

Strawberries in January

Strawberries

Some of my strawberry plants continue to give monster strawberries. They are absolutely delicious!

To do: repot any strawberry runners from these plants and label. “Monster” strawberries

Container grown strawberry plants - planted in November

Baby strawberry plants planted late November are now in flower.

Physilis seedlings

I planted seeds from Physilis fruit in late October. The seedlings are still alive.

Other container grown fruit and vegetables

Chili: The mature chili plants continue to bear fruit, but the seedlings are less than enthusiastic and are fighting for life.

Lettuce We ate our first “feast” of organic home-grown lettuce last week.
Rhubarb This appears to be dormant. Friends tell me repeatedly “You can’t grow Rhubarb in Portugal” I disagree (I’m an optimist) and firmly believe “Where there is a will there is a way!” I may have to admit I’m wrong, but at least I tried! Hey I’m a Capricorn and Capricorns are stubborn right?

RAISED VEGETABLE BED

Raised bed as at 4th December
(Cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and carrots)

Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots. Planted beginning of December

Today! Look how much they’ve grown in only a few weeks!

The broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and spinach as at 14th January

Raised bed as at 4th December
(Leeks, red cabbages, rosso and green lettuce)

Leeks, red cabbage, rosso and green lettuce. Planted beginning of December

…and on the 14th January

Leeks, red cabbage, rosso and green lettuce on the 14th January

I talk to my vegetables every day!

I’ve never grown vegetables during the winter months in Portugal before so I am astounded by the results. Daily temperatures have been as high as 22C and night temperatures falling to about 4C.
Over the last month the sun has shone almost everyday and rainfall almost non-existent. (Rained yesterday and last night the first time for ages)

Finally…

Plants for free! It amazes me that I can spend weeks trying to grow seedlings in seedtrays or pots with limited success. Why bother?
I found several self-seeded tomato plants growing between the spinach and rosso and red cabbage, plus rosso seedlings growing in the gravel and it’s only January!

Self-Seeded tomato plant

The Portugal News (A weekly free newspaper in English) now have a bi-weekly gardening section which relates to Portugal! Yay!

Any gardeners out there? Anyone growing leeks – I need some advice please…

Related posts: Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in December

UPDATE: Over the weekend I created a blog My Global A-Z where we can all gather and share our posts. I plan to feature different bloggers and posts each week! I am still updating the blog…please click across and add your links if you’ve not already done so below, to register your interest!

Here’s the plan

Write a separate post for each letter. Create a separate category such as “My A-Z of [Country]” The title of each post will be the letter and what it means. For example, Julie’s first post is “A is for Alva”. Feel free to use a letter more than once.

My A~Z of Portugal

Algarve Blog, who has also taken up the challenge, kindly provided me with a badge which I personalised. Looks like I am all set!

My A-Z will cover Portuguese people, places, culture and more…

My first post will be “A is for Azulejos” which I absolutely adore. Better get writing!

Who else is going to join us?

Update:  when you’ve written your post please paste your link in the comments section below and I will add your blog name to the above post.

Bloggers participating in “My A-Z Challenge”

A-Z is going Global!
The Hand Family in Portugal (Portugal)
Algarve Blog (Portugal)
Sami’s Colourful World (Australia)
What about your saucepans? (Dominican Republic)
Love versus Goliath (Australia)
restlessjo (Poland)
Julie Dawn Fox (Portugal)
Estirador (UK)

UPDATE

Julie has created a great hub website for A-Z challengesMy Personal A to Z Challenge

I hope whatever your personal A-Z challenge you will pop along and register! See you there

Caldo Verde Soup

I’ve wanted to cook Caldo Verde soup for some time so when I saw the recipe in this week’s local newspaper I decided to give it a try.

Luckily the supermarkets in Portugal sell packets of finely shredded cabbage labelled “Sopas Pronto a Cozinhar”, but to be sure this was the correct product, I asked a Portuguese woman who confirmed this would be “perfect”. She also kindly showed me the correct cabbages as an alternative should I decide to prepare it myself – I needed collard greens or kale.
I looked at the packet of neatly shredded cabbage and then at the basic option. No brainer, I plumped for the easy option.

Packet "Sopas Pronto a Cozinhar" (shredded cabbage) is far easier than preparing my own!

The other key ingredient is chouriço sausage.

Chouriço Sausage - I nearly bought the Piri Piri variety!

Waiting for my turn to be served at the cooked meat counter I studied the various sausage options. Mind blowing! By the ip-dip dog’s do-dah decision-making process I chose one. But as the assistant started to weigh the piece of sausage I chickened out on my decision and asked her if my choice was suitable for sopa caldo verde? She raised her eyebrows by way of a response. No apparently not. She then laughed – I’d selected Piri Piri chouriço sausage! So I let her choose.

Now the moment of truth…

Ingredients

Serves 4

1 Onion (finely chopped)
250g Floury Potatoes (diced)
2 cloves of Garlic (finely chopped)
1 Bay Leaf
80g raw Chouriço Sausage (cut to slices about 1/2cm thick)
250g Shredded Cabbage (collard or kale)
Pre-packed: Sopas Pronto a Cozinha
2 litres of Water
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

In deep saucepan add 2 tbsp of olive, diced onions, garlic, bay leaf plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook gently until onion is transparent.

Add the diced potatoes and half the sliced chouriço sausage and sweat for a further 5 minutes until the chouriço releases its oil. Add another pinch of salt.

Add the water and simmer until the potatoes are tender (about 10-15 minutes). Once cooked use a hand blender to mash the potatoes. This should now form a smooth base for the soup.

While waiting for the potatoes to cook bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Blanch the shredded cabbage for 1 minute. Remove cabbage from pan, strain in colander and quickly cool with cold running water to prevent further cooking. Leave to drain.

In a small frying pan add the remaining sliced chouriço sausage and fry until golden brown.

Add the drained cabbage to the soup base. Simmer for about
5 minutes until the cabbage is tender. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Serve the soup and add the slices of fried chouriço sausage to each dish.

Add a dash of olive oil and serve with broa (cornbread).

Although the soap looked like a bowl of seaweed, much to my surprise it tasted delicious. I will definitely cook this again!

Other Portuguese recipes you may enjoy:
Bacalhau com Natas (Cod in Cream Sauce)
Courve Roxa Com Cominhos – Red Cabbage with Cumin
Octopus Salad
Carne de Porco à Alentejana (Pork with Clams)
Folar – Traditional Portuguese Easter Bread

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 boundaries, “look outside the box”, so to speak, and think of something completely different?

Different in what way?

Finally, unable to decide which photo to use I cheated and selected two subjects; both winter related, but in different ways.

Bees are everywhere this winter!

I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen so many bees in January before; they are everywhere. Maybe the bees are more active this winter because the weather is warmer and drier. Maybe the farmers are not spraying their crops with pesticides at the moment – or maybe I’m now more “tuned” into nature and bee “activity”. Who knows? but they are buzzing around everywhere – maybe it’s spring and I’ve slept through winter!

Bees are attracted to this winter flowering succulent

Curiosity got the better of me so I searched the web “Where do bees go in winter?” for the answer…

My strawberry plants are still producing an abundance of enormous sweet strawberries in January. This is a first! Strawberries have never grown in my garden at this time of the year. This ripe strawberry is just one of many. They are not even undercover.

Guess what I had for dessert tonight?

Strawberries in Winter

Snow transformed the surrounding countryside into a magical white world

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 Christmassy decorations including a huge Christmas tree with twinkling fairy lights, glittering gold tinsel and red shiny glass baubles. Our baby granddaughter  captivated by the tree,  squealed with delight when I allowed her to “gently” touch one of the shiny decorations. The wood burner, although temperamental, also added to the overall ambience especially when you looked outside at the snow and then felt the warmth within.  Hypnotised by the fire I watched the dancing flames as the wood glowed in the hearth and I felt at peace.

Late one murky afternoon as the snow turned to drizzle we went in search of Santa (Father Christmas) in a nearby town. When we finally tracked him down he was so errrr… words fail me errrr strange Mr. Piglet could not bear to watch for fear he would burst out laughing.

Santa’s Grotto consisted of an old bench on the pavement with straw and wood cuttings strewn on the ground for effect. It actually looked more like left-over props from a Nativity scene than Santa’s Grotto.  Santa seemed ill at ease with his role and paced up and down the road, nervously clutching his umbrella. In fact, he appeared totally disinterested and hardly the jolly “Ho Ho Ho” Santa I remembered from our children’s Santa days. Even his dishevelled costume looked somehow out-of-place. However, to be fair I’ve never seen a “French” Santa Claus before so had no frame of reference as to the norm in France. Perhaps this was normal?

Baby granddaughter looked slightly puzzled

His side-kick “Santa’s Elf”, as I named him, sported an impressive camera and tried in vain to sell photo opportunities with “Santa”. We went armed with our own camera and pretended not to understand when he thrust a ticket in our direction while jabbering at us in French. This was a “lost in translation” bonus as we shrugged our shoulders, smiled and continued to take photos. Baby granddaughter looked slightly puzzled but smiled right on cue when she saw the camera. She loves having her photo taken!

The Santa encounter although a little bizarre is still one of my treasured memories.

Christmas day dawned to a clear blue sky and brilliant sunshine, but no snow. We were all up and dressed early eager to open the pile of neatly wrapped presents under the Christmas tree. As this was our granddaughter’s first Christmas we were pleased to share the special moment as she carefully picked off the colourful wrapping paper to reveal the wonderful surprises within. Initially she was more fascinated by the paper and labels than the present itself. However, she soon realized the prize was not the paper and became increasingly excited the more presents she unwrapped.

As I sat back and watched our granddaughter surrounded by all her wonderful presents my thoughts turned to all the children in the world who have nothing and to whom Christmas is just another day and it made me feel sad. I thought of our children and now their children and wanted to hug them all. Christmas should not be about receiving expensive gifts but more about sharing and family. Has Christmas become too commercialized with the true meaning of Christmas lost as we become overly obsessed with buying expensive presents? Strangely enough, apart from her Jumperoo, it was the simplest presents such as building cups, a talking book and a little bear with enormous eyes which seemed to give her pleasure.

Our main Christmas celebration was held on Christmas day at lunchtime rather than the more French traditional Christmas Eve, evening. I much preferred this idea as last time we spent Christmas in France the meal started at 9pm and finally finished around 3am in the morning by which time, as you can imagine, I’d lost the will to live.

Four families sat down to Christmas lunch, each responsible for preparing and serving one course. Our contribution was the apéritif plus champagne. You may think this was simple – wrong! The more we discussed our catering ideas with our daughter the more we realised it was not just nuts, crisps and sausage rolls. No, this had to be a full-blown gastronomic manicured experience to Michelin star standard. Our daughter raised her eyes heavenwards, praying I think for divine intervention at some of our suggestions. OK, so what’s wrong with cheese and pineapple on sticks? Anyway, by the time Mr. Piglet and I went on a grand tour of the supermarket looking for inspiration, I was a nervous wreck! We were determined not to let the “English” side down.

The guests arrived Christmas morning bearing trays of exquisite chocolates, salmon, terrain (similar to pâté but far more sophisticated), more chocolates and a host of other mouth-watering offerings plus very good wines to pair with each course.

While waiting for all the guests to arrive and settle (a long drawn out process in France) we were asked to serve coffee.

Exquisite tray of chocolates provided by SIL’s mother

The exquisite tray of chocolates provided by SIL’s mother were opened and then I spotted my daughter had plated up the sweet mincemeat slices I’d made the previous day. I was mortified. Problems with the oven meant they were overcooked resulting in tasteless dry solid teeth breaking squares of oatmeal. They only escaped the dustbin because I can’t abide to waste food.

My oat slices were hardly five star cuisine!

So there they were in pride of place on the table. I could have cried. They certainly lacked the finesse of the handmade French chocolates and looked about as appetising as a dried up bowl of porridge. Before I could utter a word of protest they were offered to the “Frenchies” as “traditionally” English. I groaned inwardly “Beam me up Scottie!” They nodded and smiled politely but their body language spoke volumes! I prayed they had good dental cover as they chewed on my oatmeal bullets.

Finally everyone arrived and it was time to serve tray after tray of dainty aperitifs and copious amounts of champagne. At least apart from my home-made sausage rolls everything else was French and less rustic. Two hours later we finally sat down for Christmas lunch. The rest of the day was a blur of excellent food, wine and more food PLUS even more chocolate for dessert.  I think the French are definitely chocoholics.

I am not sure what to make of “French” Christmas lunch other than that while we really enjoyed it, we felt completely alien as though we were outsiders looking in. Language proved to be a big problem and we felt isolated; observers rather than full participants. This made the ten-hour lunch rather surreal almost like sitting at the movies watching a good French film, but without the benefit of English subtitles. Thank goodness our baby granddaughter still converses in smiles and baby coos. However, as I looked at her I felt lost knowing it will only be a matter of time before we will become the grandparents who speak in that “funny” language. People say language submersion is the best way to learn so I am already scouring Ebay and  Amazon to order an English/French dictionary before my next encounter!

On our last but one day in France we went to a family resort in the mountains near Saint Pierre de Chartreuse. The gentle snow-covered slopes were a hive of activity. Not with skiers but with people sledging, cross-country skiers and walkers wearing special snow shoes.

The gentle snow-covered slopes were a hive of activity

Fascinated, I studied the assortment of sledges amazed they came in so many different shapes and sizes (I’ve obviously led a sheltered life). However, I was absolutely delighted to see it was not just children who were whizzing down the slopes, but adults too. I can’t wait to return with a sledge and snow shoes. Yay!

What a great Christmas…but we miss our family already!

I also had a great Christmas!

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 bloggers all over the world. We’ve  laughed and cried plus  encouraged and supported each other through good times and bad.

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 but I was not born “piglet pink” at all. Hands up all those who thought all pigs were pink? OK, I don’t see many raised hands so you are not all as gullible as yours truly!

Me as a baby

This is me today – snout in trough, but still trying hard to watch my waistline!

Piglet has now grown up

Who votes that WordPress continues the Weekly Photo Challenge?

Physalis, they are still bearing fruit in December

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 when in our corner of Portugal I thought I’d create my own planting diary and be more organised in my approach.

CONTAINER GROWN FRUIT & VEGETABLES

Due to lack of space in my urban garden I grow several fruit and vegetables in containers. Some more successfully than others! In December I’m growing: radish, lettuce, strawberries, Physalis, rhubarb and chili peppers.

Physalis (Cape Gooseberry)

Earlier this year I was given three small Physalis plants. I planted them in a large pot and after a couple of months they bore fruit; they were delicious!

Physalis still bearing fruit in December

In late October I dried one of the fruits and planted the seeds as an experiment. I was really surprised when they germinated especially as in my mind it was so late in the season. On the 13th December I transplanted the seedlings to larger pots.  I’ve placed these in full sun in a semi-sheltered position.

From my experience Physalis are a great plant to grow in pots either with a support or allow to trail along the ground. They need full sun and a sandy soil.

Physalis seedlings grown from fruit

Researching the net I’ve just discovered “Unripe fruits are poisonous”

Chili Peppers

It’s great to see my chili plants are still flowering and bearing fruit in December! The chilies are grown in pots, in full sun on my terrace so they are in a sheltered position.

Chilli Peppers are still growing in December

I planted several of the chili seeds end of October and I’ve now planted the seedlings in large pots.

Chili pepper seedlings

Lettuce

I love lettuce, but only the young leaves. During the summer, rather than buy lettuce from the supermarkets,  I now grow lettuce “pots” . The pots are crammed with various lettuce varieties and I pick the leaves while they are still young. This particular pot is an experiment as I’ve never tried growing lettuce during the winter months before.  I’ve placed the pot it in a sheltered position and in full sun.

Growing lettuce in containers

Strawberries

I grow all my strawberries in pots or recycled containers. Much to my surprise they have produced sweet strawberries all through the summer and are still bearing fruit in December! I’ve just eaten the three strawberries you can see in the picture and they were delicious.

Portuguese strawberries in December!

I decided as my efforts to grow strawberries proved so successful I would expand my strawberry “empire” by collecting and repotting all the strawberry runners. This was until a friend pointed out that strawberry plants are so cheap to buy it was not worth the effort! I bought some baby strawberry plants from a local garden shop for only €3 per bundle. Each bundle contained 20 plants. these were available from November.

He was right of course, but there is something satisfying in getting plants for FREE!

Strawberry plants November

I then scavenged some containers

New strawberry plants in recycled container

Strawberries growing in a recycled container

Lemon Tree

Because we live so close to the sea the garden centres advised citrus fruit would not fruit due to the salt air. I’m not the type to give in easily, so  contrary to advice we bought a lemon tree and planted in a very large pot. It now sits in pride of place on our terrace. I like this picture because it captures the various stages of the lemon’s growth.

Lemon, flowers and tiny fruit - December 2011

RAISED VEGETABLE BED

Mr. Piglet’s hard work (motivated by yours truly) to completely dig out all the earth, line the raised bed with a root barrier,  and then refill was completed just in time to plant the winter vegetables. I’d never tried to grow winter veg in Portugal before so was amazed by the choice on offer. Lettuce was the biggest surprise. In the UK I’d certainly never consider lettuce as a winter crop! But then again, gardening is so different here in the Algarve.

I usually grow all my vegetables from seed, but this year I cheated and bought seedlings from the local market. At ten cents  each they were a bargain  because the quanitities I need are so small it actually works out cheaper than buying seeds. Seeds of course can be rather hit and miss as I either end up with dozens of unwanted plants or nothing!

Leeks, red cabbage, rosso and green lettuce. Planted beginning of December

Cauliflower, brocoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots. Planted beginning of December

Related post: I’m being invaded…

If anyone has ANY suggestions or advice  please PLEASE leave in the comments section below. I’m looking for some natural slug and snail remedies as Sammy the snail and all his relatives are showing a very keen interest in all the juicy seedlings.  Oh and a cat deterrent as the local cat(s)  have started digging…