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.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Shopping

Yesterday , me and my friend D, went to see some of the larger stores in Evora.  We like to go to the big warehouse type stores once a month.  Living here in the middle of nowhere can lead to - I have heard the expression "Cabin Fever" .. I haven't been anywhere since the beginning of December. Apart from spending 2 days with my son at christmas time.    I really was ready to just look and enjoy what I saw.  These photos i am showing you, /taken by me.  Are from a super mega store called "Casa Espaço" - Space in the home.  Most of the little shops are in the centre of Evora. These mega stores are in the industrial area and its so easy to find parking.

                                    The sales were on.  Lots of special prices from left over christmas decorations. but we both know the store very well.. The decor at the moment is what we called inbetween.
                               Filling in with little soft toys , fancy baskets , curtains, lamps.. you name it this place has it.   Just a limited amount of furniture.
                                          Each isle has a stand decorated in different colours. This one is black silver and green.
                                     Kitchen items.. mainly blue.  I really liked the wire lemon holder.
                         My reason really for going, was to buy some scented candles and the scented perfume for the house, and to try and find two delicate looking cups to match this lovely hand made teapot , that My D.I.L S gave me along with my christmas presents.  No luck.  They have very good househould products so stocked up with some.   I bought some scented candles.   D bought a bedspread, and some candles. We went for lunch.  visited the shoe and clothing outlet.  I bought a nice handbag.  Then we returned home. It started to rain on our way back.
Our weather has been cold, but , I keep my little cottage lovely and warm.   After putting my purchases away.   I changed.. and decided to choose a film for watching this week.  I love the old English victorian series.  I still need to add a couple more episodes to Cranford.

My boys , grandson and Paul have moored in Trinidade.  They made landfall yesterday afternoon.
I recieved my first e mail from skipper Manel.. last night.   My heart welled up with pride.   It brought tears to my eyes.  As Mr. M would be so proud of them.

Wishing you all happy days.   Hope none of my dear blogger friends have experienced the awful weather in England and America.!

val

35 comments:

  1. Cabin fever gets bad around February and early March before the weather warms. Glad the boaters landed safely, what an adventure that was! We have had it cold here, zero degrees F last night with wind. We had both the wood and backup propane furnaces running and was able to keep it in the low 60s inside. By the way, I have never seen a lemon holder, interesting.

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  2. Replies
    1. I didnt know what it was , until the next kitchen set up..and there it was full of imitation lemons.. one could use it for oranges too.. it was cool.
      a change to get out.

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  3. I love to go to stores like that - I would love to go there and shop with you. And it looks warm there.
    sandie

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    1. Its a change to see what is in the stores. I couldnt do it every day.. but its a change.. Its not as cold here as what you have there.. but its cold.

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  4. Your shopping makes me want to go now! I have some gift cards that I got for Christmas so once it warms up a tad, I think I'll indulge. I love those stuffed animals...owl especially...but then again I always like things I do not need!...:)JP

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    1. It was a welcome change JP:
      Nice to get gift vouchers.. indulge, sometimes its good therepy.
      The stuffed animals were wonderful. But i dont have any place for new things.
      nice to look at.

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  5. What an adventure you boys are on! I will follow your reports with interest.
    I like the Cranford episodes very much and have most of them. Perhaps that's what I'll do tonight too!

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    1. Indeed a great adventure. I am now calling them, "The true pirates of the caribbean.
      So nice to read that you follow me with interest.. that makes blogging so worth while. Thank you Pondside.
      I need to add more to my cranford series. so enjoyable.

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  6. I have a wee bit of cabin fever after not feeling well and staying inside so much. But today I get to go buy groceries! lol Love those soft toys and all the pretty things you saw. I have never seen Cranford...I think I would like it! We watched Downton Abbey last night and it was SO good! Hugs!

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  7. I know just how you feel Di. I was getting it badly. Hope you enjoyed your shopping..that too can be a distraction ..
    If you like Downton Abbey..you will enjoy Cranford.. Dickens era.
    xxxx

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  8. Hi Val, the Mega store looks like a lot of fun - those green frogs in check pants caught my eye. Your teapot is really beautiful, and is a lovely gift for Christmas. I hope you find special matching cups very soon. Wonderful news the sailors have reached landfall, safely. What a relief for you! Will they be sailing back across the Atlantic? While North America is having such cold and snow, we are still in a heatwave!! I can't wait for Autumn... Hugs to you, Val. xx

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  9. Thank you Patricia. Yes, the mega store is fun to visit. I like the way they lay it out. The frogs were cute.
    No. the yacht will be resting -moored in a marina in Trinidade.. ready for summer holidays.
    The sun is shining a little today here, but its cold.
    hugs to you.. have a good wednesday..wish you could blow a little heat our way.

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  10. It seems that you had a funny day ! The shopping ,the lance ,it is nice to go with a friend a walk like this ! Good news from your family ,they arrived safely ! Here ,it is too cold ,not like America but as a Mediterranean place !!
    Have a lovely evening !

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  11. Thank you Olympia,
    We both enjoy looking at the shops.
    Yes, the family arrived safely.. cant wait to see them.
    Today the sun is beaming its a beautiful winters day.

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  12. Oh, we enjoyed Cranford so much! I wish there was more to watch. Your shopping trip sounds fun. I get cabin fever sometimes too, but going out now is not much fun. We have been stuck in some intense weather, but it meant Jesse got to extra days of vacation and Mike got to be snowed in from work on his birthday. It was wonderful with a fire and games and books. I loved it! I hope your holidays were wonderful!

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    1. Hello Lisa.. yes I too enjoyed Cranford. I like to watch it again a couple of times a year. Living out here in the country..its nice to get away to the town to see other things. I have seen on the news.. bad weather you are having.
      great to be all in together and get quality time. x

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  13. Good morning Val.....I'm so glad all the skipper and crew have landed safely. You never know with the weather and boating.

    xo

    Jop

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    1. Thank you Jo.
      I feel a little lighter now I know my boys are in harbour.
      No. one never knows the weather when sailing. respect for the sea always.
      xx

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  14. Oh Val, I love to go shopping, but I have a mall right down the road and get to shop all the time, so right now I am longing nature. This place looks so fun, and there is nothing more exciting than when we find the perfect treasure and it also comes with a good price. I love the little tea pot, and the scented candles sound pretty. I hope your shopping day with your friend was a fun one.

    It's very cold here today, and just trying to stay warm.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. I do so understand that you want to get back to nature Sheri.
      That is where I have lived most of my life in the country.. nature pure , all the lovely smells, birds.. a wonderful place to be.
      Every once in a while though.. i need to just visit the shops to have a change..makes me use some of my clothes i rarely get to use.
      even if itsjust to look. I am very into the scented candles at the moment.
      Our day today was so sunny.. that it was a little warmer ..but its cold and windy here.. No where near as bad as you are getting.
      stay warm sweet Sheri.. love val x x

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  15. Now that is a shop that I would love to go and check out if it was around here.

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    1. Its really one very big sort of decorated warehouse..but not a warehouse.. its really a nice place to browse and get some ideas. Thank you Betty.

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  16. Dear Val, I'm so glad your boys have reached land safely,what a proud moment ! It was lovely taking a shopping trip with you. I always get overwhelmed when visiting a city these days as the choice is over whelming. Maybe next time you will find some cups to match your lovely tea pot.
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah.
      I am full of emotion at the moment.. and so very proud of them.
      A great feat. I need to go to the town once in a while.. as my days are here out in the middle of nowhere. our little village only has a couple of little mini shops. I probably will find cups in Lisbon..in the same designer shop as the teapot came from. I love tea pots. xxx

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  17. Hello Val. What interesting displays in the stores you visited. So artfully put together! Like others, have never heard of a lemon stand. It's quite attractive. I am glad you were out and about. I find that a day out does me good as well, and makes me grateful to return to the comforts of home. I'm glad you heard from the sailors and they are safely ashore. Keep warm and have happy winter days, Val!

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    1. Hi Sanda.
      Yes, this big store make lovely displays.. and its organised so well.
      I too had never seen a lemon stand.. I thought i might one day get one.
      I like to get home after a day out..
      Thank you for your wishes .. My boys are safe and well.

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  18. Oh I do like a bit of girly shopping, just browsing around and having morning coffee and/or lunch in a nice cafe somewhere. I don't like the sales though and avoid them like the plague. Always happy to find a bargain on the off-chance though. So pleased your boys have had a safe journey to Trinidad. Have a great weekend.
    Patricia x

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    1. Your comment probably didn't arrive , due to the fact I was without a computer until 5 today.. something went wrong.. so the technician came and it was up and running after him changing the transformer for the router.
      I did not buy anything really.. just a few candles.. and a new handbag.
      Thank you Patricia..
      I am so happy my boys are safe.. they will be home this weekend.

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  19. Oh I do like a bit of girly shopping Val. Browsing the shops and taking in some coffee or lunch somewhere nice. I don't like the sales though but quite happy to find a bargain on the off-chance. So pleased your boys arrived safely in Trinidad. Have a lovely weekend.
    Patricia x
    PS this my second comment - Blogger told me that "Oops there's a problem sending the first! No change there then!

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  20. Hello, my dear Val! Here I was, holding my laptop, and I suddenly felt nostalgic! I must return to posting! My poor blog is so neglected!

    In the meantime: HAPPY NEW YEAR with lots of love

    ANNA
    xx

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    1. That is exciting news. I know that you have been very busy.
      Would love to know more about "Palenta"... i watched an italian cook making it..he also used semolina.. but it looks like a tradition too.
      All the best for you too Anna. hugs xxxx

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  21. Dear Val, I hope you had a beautiful Christmas and will have a wonderful new year full of happiness. I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep up with visiting the blogs I enjoy, but I hope to remedy that in the new year. Your shopping trip sounds like it was fun. I, too, love Cranford. It's such a wonderful story and was so beautifully done. Wishing you all the best and hoping I can go back and read what you've been doing for the past few months. Take care.

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  22. That big store looks nice, with all the decorations and the colors. Here we are surrounded by malls, shops, outlet malls and the like. We did get very cold weather for Georgia at the beginning of the week and today we had storms, but it is warmer. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  23. Lovely things, Val, but I'm afraid I never go shopping for pleasure, only out of necessity. My family despair of me. :-) But I'm a great fan of Cranford and we have all the DVDs.

    Wonderful to know that the sea voyage is safely over. What an achievement!

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