Exploring the Alentejo

When we have more than a quick weekend in the Alentejo, we try to explore the area and find new places to visit. It's not that easy considering we have been coming here as a family for almost 13 years, but Saturday we discovered the Barragem de Caia just 25 minutes away. Portugal is facing a serious drought so the water level was noticablely low and the usually bright purple and yellow spring fields were dry and golden green.

Pai and Zita found this big flat rock to read and relax in what is supposed to be the lake bed.

 Freddy is practicing his surfing. You can see Zita in the background, walking through the shallow water in her wellies.

Happy cows grazing in the dry lake bed

The view as we drove in

and just to round out this post with something cuter than grazing cows, look how big Miss Pepita got in just one week!

Getting Pampered

We're home. Two loads of laundry are washed and hung, the car is unpacked, and two cats and one dog are happy to have the family back.

Zita is the best at knowing what I need done and then doing it with flair. She arrived upstairs carrying this tray and presented it to me like a server in an upscale restaurant: "today we have strawberry, mango, and orange smoothies with just a hint of coconut, and a choice of toast with honey, or applesauce with a dash of cinnamon."

Have I mentioned how much I love this girl?

I hope Freddy was taking notes.

Lazy Alentejo Days

I can't upload photos, but we are holding true to our Alentejo rituals.

We eat, walk, eat, nap, tea time, play, dinner, movies (VHS in use here!), sleep, and repeat.

Oh, and there's that cute puppy and a new badminton set that are keeping us busy.

Packed and Ready to Go

Birthday Re-Cap

Zita had a vision for my cake, which consisted of a vanilla layer, a chocolate layer, lots of chocolate frosting, and lots of whipped cream. She came through the door from tennis and set to work on cake decorating.

I love the expression on my nephew's face here.

 The cake begins to look festive...

I love my Zita girl's take-charge-of-the-party and get organized spirit.

A few decorations made by Zita

and lastly, the only shot of the five of us (plus one)

I forgot to mention the best part of the day- breakfast in bed, and all five of us piled into our bed to shower me in gifts!

Bits and Pieces from Spring Break

Last week we had beach weather and first thing Monday morning, I had all three kids at the beach for a picnic lunch. They can never resist a swim, even when the water is absolutely feezing.

The beaches were filled with local teenagers with only a few tourists

Moojie has been getting in as many friendly tennis games as he can, but it's hard when a lot of people are away.

Everyone is counting the days until we go back to the Alentejo and reunite with the cute puppy, and there's lots of talk about this year's bunny cake.

I started Prince Caspian with Freddy and it's slow going since every sentence sparks a long story from Freddy about how it links back to The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe.

I celebrated my birthday, but I'll cover that when I get the photos uploaded. Now I have to get Zita to tennis.

More Scenes From the Farm

Just in case anyone hasn't been converted to loving Pepita like we love her, here are a few more shots of this bundle of fluffy cuddles.

She had a hard time walking through the grass and had to sort of jump along like a frog.

 Wherever we go, Pepita goes

 The children took to calling her my 4th baby :)

Zita would much rather skip along with her rope than walk like the rest of .