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.

Sunday 12 April 2015

A special sunday in April

Dear friends,  Its been pretty busy around the Quinta.   I haven't had time  to blog.. but, I am still here and haven't forgotten you all.  In fact, I have missed you.

Busy with visits to Lisbon to be with family.  Family here for Easter, traditional easter egg hunt with Max.
Catching up , clearing and preparing garden  and grass in the garden.
Getting some new little plants in pots and thining out the daisies..

We also seem to be having very strange April weather.    One day its really hot and warm.. then the clouds come over and it rains for a day or two and the temp goes down.


                                                 One of my yellow rose bushes.. pink roses in teapot,  I picked Monday.. first of this year..

The front porch on 'casita rosa'  Is finished now.. just a few tiny things remaining to do.  I am really happy with it.  It will be stronger than the awning.


I will add more decoration at the end of the month.
When i was  in Lisbon for 4 days .. We all had lunch by the sea .. a 3 min walk from son m's new home by the sea ..  Super 4 days with the family.

In between garden, family and family visits here.    I started and finished a new painting.  I am happy with it.. but I know I can do better.. It was fun, we learn with every new stroke .. and our likes change. I need some new art on my walls.
  As I was getting ready to clear my paints away for Sunday lunch..  Filipe had come to borrow a rake from me, and was on his way back to the big farm.. I came inside to start clearing, and I heard a loud shout.  MUM.. come out-  Look what's here..   and there she was.. a tiny little foal, she must have been born in the early hours of this morning. She is so so gorgeous.. we are delighted.. I cried tears of Joy..Filipe had smiles of happiness and Diana, just stood staring at this tiny little beauty in bewilderment. Until I gave her the camera to take these super photos.   We all arrived at a name for her  after choosing various..  we chose  'Venus'..


                                                   Rosie and little Venus.. Sunday morning 12th April.
                                                    Filipe introducing himself to Venus
                                                          Suckling here  with her little tail wagging.
                         Filipe giving a cuddle...with mummy looking on.


Love and  peace to you all.


I hope to be catching up with all your posts .

Val

24 comments:

  1. Dear Val, So many wonderful things happening at your Quinta, especially the birth of your new foal Venus. She is a little beauty.

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    1. Thank you dear Gina for visiting and leaving your kind comment.
      Its always special when a new foal arrives.. I also try to keep as busy as I can.

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  2. Glad you spent some quality time with your family dear Val. Love the pink color and the lovely porch to casita Rosa .. It looks so pretty :) your little Venus looks adorable :)

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    1. Hi Pallavi..
      Nice to see your commment.. I thought i must catch up with a post ..have been so busy..

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  3. wonderful new foal! adorable! LOVE your art studio - casa rosa. beautiful!

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    1. thanks Tex. Casita rosa is always work in progress. i like to better it when i can. I rent it out during summer months.. so always something to fix and do.

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  4. Hello Val,
    I loved seeing Venus today. What a joy. It sounds like Spring has arrived and all the joy that accompanies it. I love your painting. Your Rosa Cottage looks most initing.
    Have a glorious week
    Helen xx

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    1. Thank you Helen. Today, i will take some new photos of Venus.. she is so so sweet. Spring has come..still some much needed rain coming.
      Thanks for the compliment on my painting..xx

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  5. What a happy post! Congratulation on the birth of Venus – such a pretty foal. Your painting is also full of lovely colors, then a lunch by the sea near Lisbon sounds magical and to finish a pink casita … la vie en rose!

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    1. Thank you so much Vagabonde. I am so delighted with little venus
      Try my best at painting.. its a hobby.
      nice to see you..

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  6. So many happy things, Val - what a delightful post you have for us today :)
    Casa Rosa is the most exquisite shade of pretty pink, and looks adorable. How happy you will be working there, producing more of your lovely paintings. I really like the latest one, as well as the pretty pink roses in a teapot. And, congratulations on the arrival of Venus, a pretty new foal. Life is good at your place. xxx

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    1. Hi Patricia..
      I mixed the shade of pink for rose cottage.. it does look nice
      I appreciate your comment on my art.. gives me encouragement.
      its my hobby. Life is good.. god bless

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  7. You have been busy ! We are having some strange weather too. One day is very hot and then, a cool front moves in. Rain is expected all week...so much for gardening. I have lots of little plants, in pots, just waiting for me to set them free in the garden. I also miss my blogging friends when life gets too hectic......

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    1. Hi Meggie,
      yes strange weather, but then after all it is April and april showers come our way.
      nice to see you Meggie.
      good luck with your pots.. i am getting more too.
      xx

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  8. Oh Val, Venus is a good name for the precious foal, and I really loved it because I'm part Greek myself hehe. That must have been a sight for you to see that newly born at the farm. Casita Rosa looks wonderful, and I'm so glad it's finished. And I love your painting, Val. You know, Jess and Nel took a beginner class, and Nel will be posting her painting on Wednesday. She wants us all to take a little class together, but I can't draw or paint at all haha.

    Welcome into the world, little Venus.

    love, ~Sheri

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    1. Dear Sheri,
      thank you for your kind comments on Venus.. she is so beautiful and sweet. Yes we chose Venus - Goddess of Love and protector of animals. I will be looking out for Nel and jess's painting.. Mine is jst a hobby keeps me occupied when not gardening or with family

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  9. HI Val, I was only thinking of you yesterday so it was lovely to see a post from you again! How wonderful to have a new foal and in Filipe's arms too! The new porch looks so good too. Sarah x

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    1. Hello Sarah,
      That pleases me to read that you were thinking of me.. I too think of special friends I have made through blogging.. I am so lucky.
      Little Venus is delightful and very spritely .. Filipe was over the moon. glad you like my new porch.

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  10. Sounds like you are very busy at the moment - everything is looking lovely. How wonderful to have a new foal - Venus is the perfect name. Casita Rose is looking good will you be growing roses up the new porch.

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    1. Hi elaine,
      yes its busy here .. thank you for you kind comment and coming to visit. Little venus is doing so well.
      That is my intention to grow roses up the poles on the porch.. hope it works. xx

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  11. So happy news Val and so beautiful photos. The new look of the porch is absolutely gorgeous, I love the colors, everything. Congratulations for the new foal, you gave her a great name, originally Greek! So tender and delicate she is...You have already picked roses from the garden! Nature must be ahead in Portugal?
    Warm regards
    Olympia

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    1. Thank you dear Olympia..
      Its all go here.. we had rain all night and the flowers are just loving it. The horses get their bath and the fields grow thicker.
      Yes.. Venus is the goddess of Love and of animals..
      My roses are starting to really bloom.

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  12. Hello Val!!
    I'm sure you had a great time visiting Lisbon !
    Lovely flowers in your garden!!Your new foal is so preety!!Venus!!Wow!!A Greek name!!!!
    Love your paintings and your sweet horses!!
    Have a lovely week dear!!Thank you for visiting my post!Hugs!
    Dimi...

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  13. Val, what a wonderful post. Your casita is looking beautiful. How pleasant to sit under the new roof and VENUS, Oh my goodness. Such a beautiful little precious thing. It will be so much fun watching her grow..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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