The West Side

Kevin is back to shift work which will take some getting used to but one benefit is sometimes we have some free time together while the boys are in school. We took one such opportunity to explore the west side of the island and found a park/picnic area that will be perfect for the family once spring arrives. The pictures of the fountain and the green mossy carpeting were taken there. Another stop provided the ocean cliff view and the compass done in traditional stone work. There is actually a "walking street" in Praia done in this type of stone with many different patterns created using the white rock. No paint is involved, they chip the stones until they get the desired shape and size and piece them all together. Even parking lines will be done like this.

Busy Boys

Well, Isaac wishes he was busier and truth is we haven't found a whole lot for him to do here yet. Ethan on the other hand is going, going! He's old enough to join lots of cool activities now- Boy Scouts, chorus, the youth program. He's been to a dance, gone paint-balling and earned his Bobcat Badge. Isaac is jealous and we're keeping our eyes open for programs for younger kids. Both of them are thriving in their new school and have decided they like it here- thank goodness! The last picture is some of our neighbors this past week. The cattle (and occasional goat) are rotated from pasture to pasture, it's funny- the farmers walk them on the roads to their next spot. Several times a month we see cows out our window walking down the road to a new pasture. When we first moved here I accidentally set the house alarm off while the neighboring farmers were moving their cattle and started a small stampede. Thankfully it was a small group of well-behaved ladies who hadn't been milked recently and couldn't run too fast! The farmers were forgiving and still wave when I drive by, another day in the life I suppose.

Welcome To Our Home

Bem-vindo a nossa casa! The doors here are so cute and it's hilarious to watch Kevin try to go in and out- especially in uniform, he's like a giant in this land. This door is where the doorbell is located but family and friends would more likely use the door at the kitchen. Like a good Portuguese woman would, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen but I'm not making bread for the day, I'm washing dishes- no dishwasher! I'm being dramatic of course- because you wash dishes after every meal, you actually require less dishes overall - half of them are not sitting in your dishwasher waiting to be run! As Americans we think we need so much crap, and are always acquiring more, more, more. Visit another country and it becomes so incredibly in your face- like the highbeams of oncoming traffic! We love the bigger and better of anything: houses, cars, gadgets and toys. Transplant it all to a European country and it becomes so ridiculous it's comical. You should see us trying to get the truck out of our driveway!! Adjustments are being made every day around here- we should get the hang of it by the time we say goodbye- sigh. The trees in front are trimmed for the winter but will be so full and beautiful for the summer, their branches were joined together long ago and now each tree is connected to the next. We have many flowering bushes and a yard from which to gaze out at the surrounding pastures. It's beginning to feel like home....

Three Months in Thirty Seconds

I debated making this post about present time- after all, so much has happened in the last few months, where do I even begin!? But for the very same reason, I just couldn't do it. So here we go, I'm gonna skim the top of the last three months and depending on your own reading pace, we should be all caught up in about thirty seconds... In November Kevin graduated from DLI well versed in the Spanish language, we packed up and departed from the street with a very long name- thank you Army. It was a great place and we had the best neighbors- go Navy! We stopped in AZ to see my brother graduate from ASU-congrats!- and spend a little time with family -love you guys!- before moving on to Iowa. Iowa was busy and so much fun, the boys and I had not visited in many years. A nephew turned one, we celebrated Christmas and witnessed a beautiful wedding -so happy for you!- all before heading to Boston the beginning of January. We spent 10 hrs. in the airport there -cool rocking chairs- until making our way to one island and then another and finally being done with our travels- whew! The details are hairy and become more so from here, what's important is that we spent time with family and arrived safely in Portugal ALL TOGETHER! Until next time- thanks for making it so hard to say goodbye -seriously!- everyone should be blessed with family and friends as great as you all!

Avenue of the Giants

Before we leave this gorgeous state we wanted to see some of the big trees most people will only ever read about. We traveled six hours north to the 31 mile stretch of historic 101 aptly named, Avenue of the Giants. We stayed several days in the little town of Redcrest, right on the Avenue, and drove the entire highway from start to finish. We stopped along the way to explore and walk amongst trees that stood even before Christ was born. We found ourselves speechless much of the time, I'm even lacking for words to describe them now! It was a quiet escape we'll remember for some time, I hope to go back someday....

They seem to go up forever!

Skipping rocks at the Eel River

It was a close fit!

Our cabin at Redcrest Resort

One of the many "Giants" we saw

Confusion Hill, just off the 101

I had to hurry through- this place made me sick!

Pumpkins, Halloween and Christmas Trees?

For years now the stores have rushed into the holidays months before it's time to shop, decorate and celebrate. It seems now that the regular population has followed suit! Really now,- a Christmas tree on your front porch the day after Halloween!? What about harvest time, pumpkins and Thanksgiving? Just to be obnoxious I want to dig out all my decorations from Easter to the New Year, adorn the front of the house and hang a banner declaring "I Win!" But winning this ridiculous, underground race would be a loss in the end. I love the fall and winter holidays, the progression, the gatherings, the long, sweet finish to a full year with a brand new one ahead. These months are always so special to me, full of reflection, thanks, and wonder. I thank God for this time of year and what better way to show my gratitude than to savor the moments!