WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Monday 28 January 2013

After the weekend

This last week passed very quickly for me.  Even though we had heavy rains and cold weather.  I was catching up on e mails, cooking hot soups, bringing in the wood to keep the wood burner going. 
Until today, its been about 4o degrees..sometimes even lower.  The village people were talking on saturday and saying.. we will be getting better weather.  The shepherds and the farmers know when the weather will change.  
Today it was 4 o early, and around 12 it should take us into the afternoon rising to about 14. So the met  office said on the early morning news.
Then just like a click of the finger.. the light changed and Mr. Sun was peeping through the clouds. 
With camera in hand.. I ventured out to take these early morning shots.
It lifts one's heart, when the sun shows his face.  The grey clouds have gone , the birds are chirping and hopefully I can get my washing dry.
It was a very busy weekend.  My grand niece , and two of my grandaughters spent the weekend with me.  It was all a girly weekend.  Wet and miserable ..I made warm food, bought some comfort choc and cookies.. and we cuddled up watching films.  It was so great to have them. Boy, do they keep me on my toes.  It was fun and giggles way into the late evening. They left yesterday to return to Lisbon .
 Progress on Pete's yellow brick road..  The weather has been so bad, that he has had only a few days here and there to progress.. but its coming on, as you can see.  If the weather holds out with some sun.. Pete will be working away for some hours this week.  Its all excitement.  I am planning to plant some new bushes around the area.. That will be when I return from the UK:

Hope that you all had a wonderful weekend.

Wishing you a great last Monday of January 2013. yes, can you believe Jan, has come to an end and we are about to go into feb.  

val

36 comments:

  1. Hello Val:
    Yes, January does seem to have flown by. It is incredibly difficult to believe that February is almost here and, only today we have been thinking of Easter which is, of course, extremely early this year.

    It is uncanny how people who work regularly with the land and outdoors know exactly what the weather is going to do. Spring surely, therefore is not too far off for you!

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    1. Late on replying to comments.
      Thank you dear Jane and Lance.
      January has really flown by for me.
      I can understand you organising and thinking about easter.
      Indeed uncanny..the village people that work the land..tell us much.
      looking forward to Spring.

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  2. What a lovely weekend you enjoyed Val - so nice to spend special time with your niece and granddaughters.
    Pete is making a wonderful job of the path, it is going to be a very attractive feature in your garden. It will be fun planning how you are going to plant the shrubs and which ones to choose.

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    1. Dear Rosemary,
      It was a great weekend. I felt young again. It is a special time with the girls. Now that Didi and Tom are getting older.. soon they will be able to catch the train and spend weekends with me.
      I am so pleased with the progress of the path.. Pete is enjoying himself too.
      I am looking forward to planting and spring.. when i return from UK.

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  3. Hello dear Val!

    I was here the other day reading about your future trip to Norwich!
    Not weird you must be looking forward to it!

    Everything looks so refreshed after the rain. It's almost like it's spring!
    I know 4 C is very cold for south areas. The clima is so different. -20 C here, is of course cold,
    but the air is complitely dry, and I believe that makes the difference.

    love & hugs form demie

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    1. I am looking forward to my trip to Norwich.. Weird, was in the context of you having been there with your husband..
      I bought myself a warmer jacket.. my case is ready.
      Oh my gosh Demie.. 20 below.. I dont know if i could survive that.
      Thank you for commenting Demie.. x

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  4. girl's weekend sounds like a lot of fun! :) but i bet you need a rest now.

    glad the sun came out to start the new week!

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    1. Thanks Tex.
      Seems to be busy around here at the moment.
      great to be with my grandchildren.. the sun is out again today..yipee

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  5. ~ These girly times are just the BEST! Val.
    I can just imagine you all..hehe.
    January has seemed to fly by, although it can seem a long month with all of its 31 days....
    Take time time to dream~ Love Maria x

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    1. Thank you Maria..
      Yes..I become a child again with my grand girls.. its so rewarding.
      2 days left now.. and feb is here.
      I love to dream Maria.. I make special time for myself.
      xx

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  6. Hi Val! I enjoyed reading your post. I could almost smell the soup bubbling on the stove, and I could hear the birds singing.

    We had some sun today, but it's still very cold and windy. Quite miserable, really, but nice at the same time. I just love nature and every season. I feel blessed to be alive and to be able to enjoy beauty...

    CIAO

    ANNA
    xx

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    1. Its sunny again today Anna.
      I wonder if the winter is slowly disappearing ! I can smell a whiff of spring in the air.
      The birds are chirping all over the garden.
      I so agree with you Anna.. Its a blessing each day to wake and know that we have another day .. our lord is good.

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  7. I love your early morning shots, you have captured the morning rays so well. Your path looks great hope the promise of better weather will allow Pete to make further progress this week.
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah.
      I think Pete will be able to get more progress now that the weather is getting a little better. At /75.. he sets targets for himself.. after all , he is on holiday.
      thank you for leaving your kind comments.x

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  8. The wall is going to be so lovely, Val. I hope your weather gets warmer for you. Although it is nice to get cozy inside with warm food, films, and a nice fire in the stove.

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    1. The path is coming along nicely thank you Haworth.
      our weather is on its way towards spring.
      thank you for commenting on my posts.

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  9. I love the look of that path. There has been a few quick glimpses of sunshine here but mainly rain. A lot of snow and now lots of rain!
    June

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    1. Thank you June..
      great to see you.
      the path is coming on well.
      our weather seems to be getting a little better

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  10. I can't believe January is almost finished either. Why does time fly so quickly ? Thanks for stopping by my blog and cheering me up on my bleak monday !..XX

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    1. Thank you Silver Bunny.
      Yes, time fly's by so quickly.
      we have to enjoy each day as it comes... hope you are over the blues..!!!!
      ):

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  11. I love the brick path. It will be so nice when it is done! Sounds like you had a fun weekend! Nothing better than spending time with kids!

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    1. Thank you Lavender Dreamer.
      I think you sent a little Florida sun my way.. its been a couple of days good weather.
      Great to spend time with the girls.

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  12. You spent a nice weekend with your girls !! I can imagine the joy , the happiness , laughing ,talking ! I see that Peter's work go well !Here we have the sun who shows us his tooth !!!
    Have a nice week !
    Olympia

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    1. Hello Olympia.
      It was such a good weekend.
      I do enjoy being with my grandgirls and niece.

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  13. Dear Val, Your walk is becoming a piece of art. How wonderful of your friend Pete to make it so special for you. Isn't it great to have good friends. If you have good health and good friends nothing is more important. ox, Gina

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    1. Thank you dear Gina.
      the path is becoming a work of art.. Pete is enjoying himself.
      He is staying on and will look after my doggies while I am in the UK.
      You are so right. nothing better than good friends.. its very important.
      xx

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  14. Dear Val,you realy had a wonderful weekend with the girls,my granddaughter visits me every weekend and i enjoy her pleasant company!Ι enjoyed seeing your beautiful pictures!Hope the brick path will be finished soon!Wishing you a lovely week!
    Dimi..

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    1. How lucky you are Dimi to have your grandaughter visit every weekend.
      I hope that will happen soon with me..
      Thank you for your comments.

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  15. January nearly over, and I am only now adjusting to writing 2013. I am a little bit late this week, having no electricity and no computer for 50 hours! Your morning shots are so fresh and pretty, quite soothing..and the path is just gorgeous. Maybe he will come over here and make one for me? ha ha , only kidding :) Exciting that you are off to England soon, and I'd love to see the new coat. P. xxx

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    1. I read your post of today Patricia.
      such awful weather there where you are.
      Thank you for your kind comments on Pete's path..
      I told him , that his next job will be in Aussie.. He lived for some years in Adelaide..
      ):

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  16. Hi Val: I'm glad you are getting some sunshine. I was reading in our newspaper this morning that what started out as a winter where we were ahead in the rain department, has changed now and it is too dry. Hope we get some rain and snow soon. Your yellow brick road is coming along, how exciting. Thanks for your sweet comments as usual, I think I accomplished what I set out to do. You thought that really was a firestorm? Fortunately, it was only clouds with the light of the sun setting on them..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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    1. I hope that it doesnt get too dry for you Judy.
      At the moment.. i am so happy to see the sun. I cannot think of rain. We have really had a heavy downfall.
      Oh.. I did think it a firestorm.. it looked like it. great photos Judy.

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  17. Me again, Val. I forgot to mention the painting. I admit that I have tried to paint some. But, the way it goes is I have to have a picture in front of me, and I trace the outline onto the canvas and then with acrylics I have painted it. It doesn't come out too badly but that is only copying. I can see things in my head but can't put them down on paper..Judy

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  18. How great that you paint Judy. Your own ideas will come too you..and you will be able to put draw them.. just takes practice.. At least its a nice hobby.

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  19. Comfort food and movies sound like a great way to spend a weekend.

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  20. Val,
    It sounds like you had special "girl time" with your grandaughters and grand niece. It has been so cold where you live. It's in the 40s here in the early mornings, but warms up in the afternoon....California weather. Can you believe it's almost February? Have a nice Thursday, Val.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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