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 9 December 2013

sunny days

We have not had rain since the beginning of November.  It seems like spring.  
                              Looking up a plane on its way to somewhere.. the skies are blue blue blue.
                      I planted my Colombine creepers that i had in pots, but due to no rain. they are just making it. I watered everything well this morning.
             I have not pruned the roses yet. They such seem to keep blooming. This bush, the rose is about 6ft high.   I can see it will be pruning in January now.
                                My roses give me such pleasure ..and when there is a new bud.. I feel hope is always with me.
  We are all amazed at the weather.. it really is beautiful.   The rain will come when its ready.
I was in Lisbon last week, to see Mr. H.  The christmas lights are all up, chestnut vendors on the corners.. I didnt take my camera.. but such a festive air in the city.
As always however.. I am glad to be home..

Wishing you all a happy week.

val

33 comments:

  1. It looks so nice though I know you would like a little rain. We had freezing rain and the plants all have a coating while the ground is mud and standing water.

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    1. Hello Sunnybrook. It is all beautiful.. but we do need rain.
      Your weather is much colder than ours.. but when it rains the mud and puddles are horrible. You will be very busy there keeping the animals warm and out of the cold. I can imagine you with a big wooly thick jacket off to work in the early morning.
      thanks for your comment..

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  2. really lovely scenes, val. glad you are feeling uplifted once again.

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    1. Thanks Tex. I feel happy that i can at least blog now and again.
      I have been going to Lisbon to see mr.M.. so am coming and going.
      hugs valxxx

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  3. Dear Val,how lucky you are!!Here it's getting so cold,and waiting to snow!!
    Your garden looks great!!So beautiful and colorful roses!!Wishing you a lovely new week!!
    Dimi...

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    1. Hello Dimi.. thank you for your comment.
      I didnt know it snowed where you are. Here where I am we dont get snow. we might get a slight covering of frost.. the snow is high up in the mountains.
      I am amazed at my garden.. its beautiful weather. My roses look super. Happy week to you too..

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  4. How great that you have roses blooming in December! Your climate is undoubtedly warm for them to continue. So lovely. Oh, chestnut vendors in Lisbon! Sounds so Christmasy. We don't have such a thing here. Not vendors for them I mean. Chestnuts are usually in the stores around Christmas. Some people put them in their stuffing/dressing, but I don't believe anyone eats roasted chestnuts here anymore. The "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" days are in the past. I wonder if it's primarily because years ago there was a blight on the trees and practically wiped them out. Val, hope you have a wonderful week.

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    1. Hello dear Sanda.. Yes.. my roses are blooming like crazy.
      Its colder at night and morning..but during the day its beautiful.
      Lisbon is so so christmasy. Here all the shops sell chestnuts on the corners ready to eat or to roast on the christmas fire.. I am not fond of them..but i love the smell and to see the smoke coming from the little oven they cook them in.
      Here ther is no shortage of chestnuts. Maybe it could be your area.
      happy week Sanda.xxx

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  5. Dear Val - this post reminds me of when I was in Lisboa at this time of year a few years ago. Their lights at Christmas are always spectacular. I recall that we bought a poke of chestnuts and they were delicious.

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    1. Hello Rosemary,
      I did not have time to walk the streets of Chiado and downtown..but the atmosphere was so inviting.. I myself dont like chestnuts..but i love the smell and to watch the people huddle around waiting for their poke..
      I love Lisbon at christmas time. this year I will be spending it in the Hotel with some of my children and grandchildren.. chiado 16. We have booked a couple of the big apartments for ourselves.
      I will just put a few candles around here this week and the nativity.
      I have been going to Lisbon to see mr. M in hospital.

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  6. Hi Val. Your roses are so pretty. Looks like the lack of rain doesn't bother them. I would like some sunshine right about now. Hasn't snowed for about 3 days now but still as thick on the ground as ever..I'll think about you being warm..Happy Monday..Judy

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    1. Thank you Judy, I am amazed they are still blooming mid december.
      Our weather is lovely at the moment. cold in the morning and evening.

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  7. I miss the blue skies and the flowers. We are headed for winter and just got a snow a few days ago.

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    1. Hi Betty..thank you for your comment.
      we are still having lovely weather here.
      possibly it might be like last this year..and rain in march.
      We dont get snow here..only high up in the mountains.

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  8. The cold 20's and 30's temps here has killed all my Roses, will have to wait till spring to see them again, in the meantime I'll just enjoy yours.

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    1. Oh.. am so sorry your roses have died.. you can protect them with straw and plastic. Mine will need to be pruned soon. but the blooms keep coming.

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  9. Wow these pictures of your garden could almost be summer ones. Your roses are gorgeous Val. How different two places in the same country can be - you have summer whilst Lisbon had a very seasonal feel to it. I don't like chestnuts at all but I just adore the smell of them roasting! Have a great week and lovely to have you back.
    Hugs, Patricia x

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    1. Thank you Patricia.. yes, its still pretty much like summer here.. well a spring feel. Its cold in the morning and evening.
      Lisbon is also sunny. Colder as its near the sea. I too dont like chestnuts..but love the smell.

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  10. How wonderful to enjoy the smell of chestnuts in the streets of Lisbon. I have only once enjoyed this beautiful aroma, and it was in winter in Japan. I thought it was some incredible bakery until we found the vendors in the street. Your roses are quite amazing: a rose 6 ft tall is unheard of here! The climate and your gardening skills are obviously perfect for the rose. So sorry Mr M still in hospital, and you must be busy and tired going to visit. Thank you for another sweet post, dear Val. xxx

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    1. I love christmas in Lisbon. the atmosphere is so inviting.
      yes, Patricia.. i was so surprised the rose is 6ft. i am going to measure it tomorrow. I just left it to grow and grow. My gardening skills are just by luck.but i do work on my roses. Mr. M is very very ill. Thank you for your lovely comments Patricia.. xx

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  11. Thinking of you and also Mr M in hospital in Lisbon.It can be quite tiring visiting hospital especially if you don't live close by. Your roses are delightful glad they are adding brightness to your day.
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah. Mr. M is very ill. I dont go all the time. My boys are with him every day.
      Its true Sarah.. the roses and my flowers add brightness to my days.
      xxxx

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  12. All that warm sunshine looks so inviting...chilly here, Val...icy this morning...snow may be on the horizon!...:)JP

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    1. I must say JP. we are having beautiful days.
      I watch tv.. and can see you will be having snow..
      thanks for coming over.. always so welcome. val

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  13. I am always delighted to see your roses, Val. You are spending Christmas in Lisbon with family? That sounds lovely. I will have a house full, as all my children gather at mom's for Christmas. Come by on Wednesday if you get a chance and see some of our traditions that we have kept alive for years.

    Have a nice week, Val.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. Dear Sheri.
      I know we both love roses. I am amazed at mine this year.
      I think i am finding out more and more secrets about keeping them blooming and happy. With Mr. M in hospital.. our christmas will be in Lisbon this year.
      i am not decorating. Thank you for your lovely comments..

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  14. This is a dumb question, but are you in summer now? We are missing the sum which is unusal in GA!

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    1. No Sandie.. we are in winter.. but our winters are sometimes mild.. once again this year its mild.. its beautiful sunny days. i put the heating on at night. Portugal has a very mild climate.. usually more agressive in march april..
      we havent had rain since beginning of last month. not complaining.

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  15. Wow, you are so lucky to still have wonderful weather. It has been very cold in Texas.

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    1. Hi Meggie,
      Yes, I saw the news this morning.. the snow in Dallas is so so bad.
      we are having a lovely soft sunny winter. Its often like that here.
      The rain and bad weather will come when its ready. I am sure you are well stocked up with wood. take care. Thanks for your comments and coming over.. x

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  16. You are so good with your roses. They are always beautiful and now when ever I see a wonderful rose I think of you. I am good at growing many things but am sad that roses are not one of them. My son Jakob is going to be roasting chestnuts for us soon. I can't wait. It's been so long since we have enjoyed them. I hope you are having a beautiful week!

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    1. Thank you Lisa.. I have learnt over these last years so much about roses. I knew nothing before. Roses are easy to grow. They need a lot of feed.
      How great Jakob is going to roast chestnuts.. something we all used to do as a family when the children were younger. enjoy it all. xxx

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  17. Gorgeous photos, Val. I would be happy to have this weather at midsummer and can't imagine it at midwinter.

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