Snow is synonymous with Christmas.
At least it was for me and my kids, who, until now, only knew a white Christmas in Canada's notoriously cold, and always snow-covered Winnipeg. We love that romantic notion: waking up on December 25 to a scene of white, cuddled up in fleece jammies, and enjoying a magical winter morning...
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| A surprise at the local park: Santa, musicians, animators and candy |
So, when our sunny, green, coastal town here started getting decked out for the holidays (beachside lampposts strung with Christmas tree shaped lights, shop windows stickered with snowflakes and snowmen, palm tree trunks wrapped in tinsel, poinsettas blooming in the town garden), and Catarina's constant serenading of "Let it Snow" in Portuguese while running on the beach (practicing for her Christmas concert), I wasn't convinced we'd feel the
spirit of the season in quite the same way.
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| A typical display at restaurants - pick your ocean dweller meal |
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| Train scene at a mall in Lisbon - complete with white flakes falling from 4 stories up |
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| The entrance to the historic fort in Sesimbra |
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| White Lighted Christmas Trees line the waterfront |
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| A 5 storey high pine tree decorated in the town park, with poinsettias blooming |
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| Our 30cm high tree...lots of love went into decorating it |
Reality: a green Christmas didn't change the kids' excitement or magic of the season. Sure, they miss snow (you can't build a snowman with sand, we tried). But no snow gear to wrangle on the kids, no fights to get outdoors, and the glory of sitting on our balcony soaking up +28C on Dec 28...yup, I could do this again, and again, and again...
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| The sun makes my heart so happy...oh, and this guy too |
We made the most of the kids' three week school break:
1. My sister and her family joined us from Winnipeg. We headed south to a holiday resort in the Algarve. Picking oranges, pomegranates and peppercorns (who knew they grew on trees?), jumping in a chilly pool, playing wide games in the lush grass, making iMovies outside in the dark yet warm evenings, watching the fishing boats, and taking the train to the beach...
Glad the rain finally stopped, ahem, hurricane Elsa...
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| The Temple of Diana in Evora - any Percy Jackson fans out there? |
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| Pretty cool to swim in an outdoor pool in December, right?! |
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| Taking the train to the beach |
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| Picking and eating fruit at our resort--fresh and YUM! |
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| Mamma and her little man at Tavira Island Beach |
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| Take 2 on the train with cousins--the weather was much nicer this time |
2. We joined our extended family (hailing from the UK, Mozambique, Canada and our steadfast Portuguese contingent) for a week in Carcavelos, near Lisbon: food+drink+family+music+sun+fun= everybody happy.
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| Cousins! Three Generations gathered for the week-long fun. |
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The Portuguese eat Bacalhau (cod fish) on Christmas Eve--a tradition my parents have maintained too.
My kids are super fans--whew! |
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| Oranges and pomegranates are in season |
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| Bolo Rei - King's Cake |
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| Rice Pudding |
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| More dessert! Flan pudding, Molotof, Mince Pies, Cake, Coffee, Moscatel liqueur, port wine... |
3. Wrapped up the holidays with house guests in Sesimbra and a visit from the 3 Kings on
real camels (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uj5_m2erzs).
Oh, add a broken foot and 3 sickies; but the sun was always shining, which helped keep mamma sane while tending to them all.
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| On January 6, 3 Kings Day, the municipality gifted each child: a free screening of Frozen 2 during the school day, a stationary set, and a visit from the kings with live music and candy |
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| Catarina is in Mark's arms, screaming to get away from the camel... |
A few highlights:
Christmas Concert: Catarina's daycare held a Christmas concert where 100 kids, ages 2 months-5 years performed on stage, and culminated with an exhilarating visit from Santa. It was total and utter chaos, but oh-so-fun! When's the last time you witnessed a group of 2 years olds carrying out the nativity story? Mary stripped, Joseph used his staff like a lasso narrowly missing every classmate, Jesus escaped his manger and danced like nobody's business, and the sheep kept pulling off the angel's wings, much to her chagrin. OMG--how we laughed!
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Catarina's class sang "Vai Nevar" (Let it Snow) and "Jesus Ama-nos" (Jesus Loves Us).
She is in the candy cane striped pants by the tree. |
"Christmas" is not a taboo word: Being in a Catholic country, Christmas is about Jesus. Yes, Santa still comes, and that tradition is growing in popularity, but wishing everyone a merry and holy Christmas is OK. At the schools, in the town square and at the nursing home, beautiful nativity scenes were on display for all to admire and reflect.
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| The Nativity Scene by the Nursing Home (enroute to school) |
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| Neon Nativity In the Town Park |
Harry Potter Exhibition: The cousins had a great time exploring the props and reliving the magic of Hogwarts.
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| The Screaming Mandrakes - block your ears! |
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| The Nimbus 2000 and the Nimbus 2001 straight from the movie |
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| Hagrid's Chair |
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| Life is good with cousins |
Reveillon: aka New Years. A late dinner of tapas, great company, live music performed by my cousins, fireworks thanks to the neighbour...so special to ring in 2020 with this crowd.
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Everyone gets 12 raisins at midnight--to make 12 wishes for the incoming year.
Dad wished for sleep, 12 times! |
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| Daddy's entourage enroute to the beach for a ceremonial New Year's Day swim. |
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Swimming in the ocean on January 1st, 2020.
A braver person than me...go Mark! |
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas; Dashing Through the Snow; Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful--
we managed this mild winter just fine!
So it was not Mark that the camel was worried about, but Catarina... That explains it. Wow! You guys are really having a unique adventure for Canadians. Your neighbours do this every year and take it in stride.
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