Porto eye candy

From my recent trip this October... How I love this light and this ocean!

both sides of me

As I thought about what I could write for the Day of Multilingual Blogging, I came across an excellent article in the Economist on the subject of bilingualism. The article asks if different languages confer different personalities and then goes on to explore the answers brilliantly. 

This question is one I often think about and have mentioned in previous blog posts [1, 2]. My writing style and subject matter are very different in Portuguese and English. In Portuguese, I tend to be nostalgic and let the hand do the writing straight from the soul. In English, I’m happier and determined to focus on all the good in my life. Interestingly, this applies only to my writing and not me. 

What best than to just write in both languages now? Thanks to this year's Day of Multilingual Blogging, I sat in front of a blank screen and wrote. What you can read below is what came out of me in either language, unedited (sort of). In the name of science, the exercise was kept the same - fill an empty screen with a blog post. 

Sou Portuguesa.

Sou nostálgica, é uma característica que me assiste. Tenho em mim toda a nostalgia do mundo (e o drama, ao que parece). De mim saem palavras de outroras que foram e memórias que nunca existiram de dores que senti sem saber como. No silêncio dos dias, há uma angústia que me dilacera a paz de espírito. Se me sentar aqui tempo suficiente, esvaziar-me-ei de lágrimas que não tinha por tudo o que foi e não chegou a ser. Penso, como tantas vezes, no calor feliz da curva de um pescoço que me aqueceu a alma, mais do que outra coisa qualquer. Sempre a curva do pescoço, essa certeza quieta da intimidade... ainda que não certa. Lembro-nos a nós, ou outros como nós éramos, tão novos e quase felizes, que não se é feliz quando se é novo, só depois, quando o mundo não pára e os dias lentos podem ser, por fim, felizes na memória. Quero guardar-nos, ainda e sempre, no lugar fechado das recordações tristes porque tão felizes nos fizeram… um dia. 

I live in England.

There’s tea, always chamomile as it soothes me and helps me focus. My red notebook sits next to the laptop, a list of possible posts I’d like to write half crossed; this business of brainstorming post ideas is great! It’s not Monday yet but I can think of all the things which are making my belly turn with happy butterflies. Our home is one, perpetually happy with the new red cushions. And oh how I love the beautifully crisp morning light that comes in through the living room windows. I could sit here forever in awe of that light; in fact, I could sit here forever thinking of that light. 

As I read above, I realise how great this Day of Multilingual Blog has been for me. It's sometimes painful to write in Portuguese as I seem to go deep into the unknown and bring a gentle sadness with me, but at the same time... it's a part of me, the writing and what I write. Rediscovering that connection felt amazing! It also felt good to know that my happy colourful style can roam free in English. I just love the freedom multilingualism gives me!

Photo credit: Vivacious Mel Photography

Little birds update

Perhaps you’re not on the edge of your seat to find out how my Little Birds red cardi turns out, but I am and want to share my enthusiasm with you!

Knitting is a relaxing hobby for me. I like to take my time with all I do and prefer not to rush to see the final thing. What this means in practice is that real life has more of a chance to get in the way and some projects take me a little while to finish. Cute little birds red cardi is one such project.

This project is particularly dear to me because I had to cut it in half. Yes, you’ve read correctly, I took a pair of scissors to it and just cut it – it’s called steeking and I can assure you that just because there is a proper name for it, it doesn't mean it's not painful to do it! When you spend so much time on a piece, the thought of cutting it can bring tears to your eyes. I thought I’d need vodka to help me through it; turns out all I needed was to lose my patience with not being able to progress until I cut it. So I did. And it was fine!

Whilst I don’t want to rush it, I am determined to wear it (please let it fit me!) this winter! Watch this space.

colour in our home

A home needs colour. It needs a bunch of other things too, especially to be lived in, but colour is an essential thing to me. Happy cheerful colour that makes your heart pop with joy at the sight of it. To me, that home colour is largely red.

I also think that a house should reflect who lives in it and let our personalities shine through the decoration we choose. Our house came with nice furniture, perfect to sit quietly in the background and be brought to life by colourful personal touches.

I already had a red ottoman pillow and wanted something to go with it. I used fabric from my stash and sewed the cushions above in my new (and yet to be organised) studio. I love them. They make our house feel like a home, feel like our home, and I love them for it.

::inspiring Mondays::

Very few things compare to a crisp and clear autumn morning... especially when viewed from my bedroom window. And whilst the photo was taken on Sunday, it reminds me of how lucky I am to live in this house.

The short winter days in the UK are one of the hardest things for me to cope with. Every week from now until the 21st December, I'll cherish the Monday a bit more as it's still not as dark as it will become; today is no exception. For now, I still leave the house in daylight and that is something to enjoy and make the most of.

:: a moving business.
:: being a Fe-line contributor. so very exciting! more here.
:: feeling creative and inspired.
:: pumpkin with goat's cheese. the joys of cold weather.
:: the coolest safety shoes ever - mine!
:: my work colleagues. brilliant!

How's winter and its Mondays were you are? Hope you had a lovely start to the week!

November goals

November is chestnut month in Portugal, or that’s how I think of it anyway. We roast the chestnuts with sea salt and do magustos throughout the month; it’s one of my favourite winter childhood memories and one which warms me in this cold. It's funny how memories have that power, isn't it?

I can't quite believe we're almost through this year. Like never before, I think time just flew me by and yet as I look back, so much has happened during these 11 months. The main thing for me has been my approach to change and what I ask of November is that it gives me some tranquility, in the present and in the future.

:: finish the little birds red cardi.
:: plan a baby quilt for my new cousin.
:: write here at least twice a week.

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

change :: October update

Little brother has turned 30; I have been the luckiest sister for 30 years and really think Mum and Dad gave me the best present ever – my brother!

I have settled into our new home and feel I’ve always lived here. There are still things to do and bits and pieces to add, but it’s a home, our home, and it feels just like it.

I’ve sewn three cushions for the house and have plans for a few more things, little touches of comfy colour.

I’ve knitted four gifts, two of which are with the new owners and the other two are wrapped to be gifted.

October was a good month filled with the beautiful colours of autumn and the amazing Portuguese sunshine.