This is an image you don't see here in Atlanta: clothes hanging out to dry.

Here, clothes dyers are a "bare necessity" and also a major energy consumption, not to mention a source of house fires. I do recognize that sometimes it comes in handy, but this is Georgia, with sunny weather most of the year. In Portugal hanging out your clothes to dry is a cultural thing!

We've been trying to be sustainable in small daily things and buying this rack (on craigslist of course!) is just another step towards a more eco-friendly life. Aside from air drying our clothes, we've been using biodegradable laundry and cleaning detergents. They cost a bit more, (but not a lot more) and in the long term are better on the environment and on more gentle on our clothes. 

no more empty walls

Slowly I'm going to fill them up with more frames and embroideries. I'm finally finished with this work I started last year and now I'm starting a special embroidery gift, aside from getting some tea bags together for a tea swap with meiadeleite.

have a great weekend!

the first few days...

... were all about starting from scratch in a place I still don't feel comfortable. Coming home to empty walls and carpet needs some time getting use to. It's a process.

During the first few days we had a rented car and drove around everywhere. But after that, it's hard to get around in a huge city without a decent public transportation system. We have been lucky because the best thing so far about Atlanta are the Atlantans themselves! 

We went everywhere in our rented Toyota Corolla: visited second hand shops, shopped for all our groceries at this amazing farmer's market were you can get all the organic stuff you need, visited the High Museum, bought basic furniture through Craig's List, shopped at Ikea and Zara and visited the Asian Market with our great couchsurfing hosts. 

Now we are just trying to settle down into our new lifestyle and start a fun, adventurous and healthy life together.

it's that time of the year

this is my kind of happiness

(there's a basket full of them in the kitchen!!)

Urban inconveniences

What I most dislike about living in the city is not having a garden: not even little tiny one where I could plant herbs. Though our house does have a small balcony, it's too hot in the summer and everything dries up fast. For now, all I have is mint and basil near the kitchen window. But in August I'll be going north and have I'll my fair share of proper gardening. 

* I've just discovered this very simple way to have a vertical garden in an apartment. 

the day I was born

I think that if most people who know me would see my on my birthday probably wouldn't recognize me... let's just say I'm not my usual happy self. Thankfully, I have amazing friends and family that make sure I put a smile on my face and make me feel loved.

orangettes

Last night's monthly dinner by chef Pierre ended with orangettes. Very creative and delicious. Recipe here.

this post is long overdue

Last summer, Toronto came to Portugal and gave true meaning to the word saudade. 

In between all the work I had, I got 2 wonderful visits from Marisa and Tatiana - friends from back in the days when we looked like this:

cute?!

It was nice to see that both are very European girls who brought along their equally charming husbands! (Vá, Simão e Steve nada de se babarem...!)

They are both extraordinarily joyful and outgoing girls and seeing them brought back many memories. Tatiana and I kept in touch every once in a while through letters and emails, always asking one another who would cross the Atlantic first. She managed to win the race and shared a great big hug right in the center of Rossio. 

full house

Maria came to visit and brought Jaime with her!

north

with my pretty vintage suitcase all packed up, I'm heading north.

Las manas

It's obvious: I enjoy transforming photos into embroidery projects!

Las manas was inspired by this pretty photo of me and my sisters.

change

Everyday I walk the same path to work, the same streets and views. I used to say "good morning" to the traffic police officer that kindly would stop the cars so I could cross the street. He doesn't work there anymore. I now say hello to a very kind indian shop owner that is hanging out his shop items at the same time I start descending the Rua do Monte Olivete. 

When I get to Praça das Flores, first, I always look up (nice trees that let in the bright sun) and then I look around... usually at the same people... that, for some particular reason, are already sitting around doing whatever it is they do. 

I repeat the whole thing in the afternoon, on my way back home. It felt good for a while, but now I'm a bit tried of it. 

welcome march

March started messy, chaotic and with a lot of change: new bedroom and new flat-mates/friends, which means more forks and knives!! Welcome!!

Change always feels good. (and there is more change on the way....)

Final note: 

Hi Joana, hope you are having a great time at your new place!

beijinhos!

Spent the weekend with the whole family. 

Helena came back to civilization for 2 weeks and will return to nowhere land next Friday.

Luisa settled down in Coimbra where we will be dinning next Monday.

As for me, I'm trying to rearrange all our stuff in one big room... never has change been so unpleasant!

chaos runs in the family

I have always enjoyed the chaos of my grandparents house. Unfortunately for me, it runs in the family. Yesterday I spent the day unpacking and replacing stuff where it should be after being almost 3 weeks away from home. Unfortunately again, this state of order will only last until next weekend because in March we'll be moving out... but we'll still live in the same house.

PS: i seem to have inspired someone...

even though up north the sun shone this weekend, the bare trees of winter really kicked in...  

Easter,1989

This was our first year in Toronto: we lived on Grace Street with a family that soon became our family. Our mom cut our hair and upholstered the kitchen chairs so they wouldn't look so second hand. We were starting to learn English and called our dad puppy, instead of daddy. I was 6, Helena was 5 and Luisa was 3, and we all shared a bedroom. We always got up early early in the morning to watch Sesame Street and played with Sandy and Danny all the time.

At this moment, I feel the urge to cross the street, knock on the door of the Canadian embassy, ask for my passport and buy a one way ticket to Pearson International. Just a few minor issues hold me back. 

It's Helena's birthday today. 

cucumbers and coffee

Breakfast is the only moment of the day that is truly mine and partially misunderstood since I enjoy cucumbers with my morning coffee. 

my grandfather

on rare sunny winter days in viana, my grandfather gets out of the house to take in vitamin D.

feliz natal

For all those friends who are far away and those who stay close by, 

for he who is always close to heart, 

for my family on the other side of the Atlantic and my family in the city by the sea,  

I wish you all a very wonderful and warm Christmas.