Done

The tree is up.
We always decorate for Christmas since December, 1. The Nativity is done too but, as the tree, it has a lot to improve.

Later: I just want to share a comment I made at Mountain Moma about the spirit of Christmas at her post Simple Joys of the Season.

I wish I had snow here. We only have it in the North so, no chance for me. Some 2 or 3 years ago it snowed in Lisbon – Sintra belongs to Lisbon – and it was such a hapiness. The television programs stoped to announce that!I like Christmas so much. As here there’s no Thanksgiving, I dream about Christmas since October. Well, ok, since September but stronger since the end of October. In the day 1 we put the tree up and do the Nativity. Then everyday we improve the decorations and put the garland on the door. I wrap the presents – whatever the number, that doesn’t matter, and make lists. I plan and dream. It’s my favorite time of the year.

Wrapping, wrapping, wrapping...

Sometimes I read that a lot of people doesn't like to wrap all those Christmas presents they buy. Not me. I can't wait, every year, to begin to wrap.

I try to avoid maratons of wrapping, when my back hurts because all that time standing and wrapping. I do small sessions everyday and, because I never tire and burn, it's always such a pleasure.

So, I began some days ago and I have been faithful to my purpose of doing a little everyday.

I keep looking to all those papers that I find so nice, mainly the child's ones.

I like to see the bows, to work on them so they can curl...

I can't wait to see my little girls faces when they will see the Disney papers.

They are not like that children that all the want is to tear the papers and see the contents. When they see a wrapped present, they begin to feel the pleasure. They look how nice they are and then they open the presents.

Ah, that's a nice season.

Thanks to Our Lord

Myspace Graphics, Thanksgiving Graphics at WishAFriend.com

Happy Thanksgiving.

Isn't she a beauty?!

My mother sometimes gives me a rose plant because she knows I'm crazy for roses. The problem is, many times, they come so beautiful but sometime later they begin to look not so nice and eventually, they die.
So this one is stil in all its splendour and I couldn't help showing you.
Just look at that!

Raining outside

It's raining outside but here, in the house, it feels good.
My cyclamen, that my husband gave me, is very nice. I can't say the same about some others in the windowsill. They need a bit of prunning. I should take more care of my plants.
Gardening time.

Christmas is coming

I don't know what it is.
In the end of October I was already dreaming about Christmas - as I always do. Then it came November and in the begining it was still hot. No spirit of Christmas at all. Later, the Autumn arrived in full force and I, so enchanted with the beauty of the season, didn't want to think on Christmas, I only wanted to feel the fresh air, the golden leaves falling down and covering the floor.
Now I'm late, I'm late.
Not really. I even bought some Christmas presents already, in October.
So, it's time to really think about Christmas, to wrap the already bought presents, to buy more, to do things, to plan and act.
I'm rather pleased with the header of my blog and the look of it all together but it's time to make it chrtistmassy.
So, oficialy, today begins the red and green season here at Alfazema.

To Do

Today I must clean the top of the fridge.

So, let me put my apron on.

Um... I must water that plant too.

Almost lunch time

Chilly leftover from yesterday's dinner on top of noodles.
Just an idea for your lunch.

Apple season

Some days ago my husband made this apple pie. It was very good and nice. Today I will make apple crumble. I'm not a fruit person but cooked apples, in a way or another, always have my attention.
Autumn, with all its beauty, has the added bonus of bringing apples too.
Apple season is in full and it will only end in the end of spring.
Well, in my house, I mean.

Autumn, definitely

It has been wet and coldish. Autumn, definitely.

The clothes, put to dry on the lines, take time to dry. Each morning the floor is wet as it had rained and sometimes it does.

For the english people and in other cold countries this is so frequent and normal but for us so as much because, due to global warming, the summer extended itself for so long that looked like we wouldn't have any Autumn at all. But no, here it is.

And I'm so happy about it.

So, in a minute, I will wash some more clothes - in our house it must be done everyday with rain or not - and put it on the line.

The fresh air is good too, not only the sun. Even when there's any it's worthwhile to put it outside. Much better the than dryer.

Here I go for a load: wash, dry (outside), take it inside, fold it and put away to have the drawers full.

It gives so much confort to find all the clothes we need ready to wear. Looks like a small thing but no, taking care of our laundry is to take care of our family. It's an important job.

For Blissfully Domestic.