December started just perfect to kick off the holiday season. The weather was sunny and comfortable but much cooler with a high of only 13C/55F. Perfect weather for a visit to the Estremoz Saturday market to look for holiday trinkets.…

It’s olive harvesting season here in the Alentejo. It’s a busy time of year as property owners with olive trees (which includes just about everyone around here) scramble to pull all those green and black fruits from the trees. Whether…

Although summer in the Alentejo extends well into September and October, once the hot, dry summer months have ended, it’s time to prepare for the Fall and winter months, which will include lots of rain and some cold, damp nights.…

I typically wake up with a cat tucked into my arm. He’s content to follow the rhythm of my sleep cycle. Although I wake up at 6:00 A.M., we have an understanding that 6:00-7:00 A.M. is my transition period from…

I’ve been getting the house set up with all the necessities and the daily coffee experience is one of them. Starting the day with a great cup of coffee is critical to a successful day. It’s the second thing I…

Monte da Casa Branco is the name of our new home in Portugal. It translates as ‘white house on the hill’. The house is very white but the area it sits on is not much of a hill since this…