Popping the Clouds

Cyber Cat

2011-08-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

My cat likes to interact with the adults world ... Sometimes she likes to chat a bit with her friends, so everytime that she thinks that I am not around she jumps to the laptop and decides do socialize with others around the world ... A cat's world? ... My cat's world indeed :)

Cromelech

2011-07-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

I went to Alentejo - south Portugal - and decided to visit some peculiar stones left here by our ancestors ... it's called cromelech and is the most important megalithic site in Portugal, consisted by 96 standing stones arranged in an oval. It is said that it was used for sacred rituals. I find this things trully amazing ...
There are so many beauties out there, spread over, among us, and it seems that sometimes people don't care for its existence.

Frog

2011-07-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry about my absence ... my internet was not working for a while. I had problems uploading pictures, I really hope that everything is settled now ...

I decided to spent a few days in Alentejo. It's kind of a small paradise, but among trees, animals, no noise from the city, no horns from the cars, no traffic lights, no ... just something to fill in ... Some pure air to breath, great food from the region, marvellous weather at the swimming pool ... That's how I spent a great weekend:)

I chose this picture, because it really moved me ... I'm not a frog fan ... but this one was so tinny, that I felt the urge to take a picture and post it. I was seated in this chair, but then I realized that I was not alone, and when I looked down, I found that this cute animal was sharing the same spot. I moved out, of course, the chair was taken, and the frog arrived there first ... so I just let it rest ...

Arrival Home

2011-05-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

To be able to have a wooden roof supported by weak colourful walls that feed me in the inertia. Surrounded by a perpetual garden, one where the dream does not remain in vain. To feel the breeze, and the air that fills in my lungs where I am able to feel safe. Walk along the pathway, enjoying the brief moments along the way, to sustain a breath or two just to contemplate the surroundings. Reaching for the moment, to embrace the feelings kept for someone special. Open a window, close a door, climb the staircase that takes me in the return to my comfort, light the fireplace and wait in the beginning of the twilight your arrival at home...

By: PopCloud

Can you tell me a story?

2011-04-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

Can you tell me a story? – He asked. How could I refuse to a child looking at me with those bright eyes. Well, I begun, When I was travelling along the country I used to climb the highest mountains trying to find out what was in the other side. One day, I was surprised by a beautiful woman that came across me and started asking me questions. What kind of questions? Questions about human nature, and dreams that fade away before someone has the strength to catch them and live them as their own. But this woman, I continued, She was different from the others that I’m used to see, therefore I kept on talking to her even though I was curious enough to start making my own questions as well, but she was so avid in her speech that it stopped me from inquiring her. She was pale, but in the softest kind, her hair was long and the wind was spreading her enormous curls between the trees that I couldn’t see where it ended. Was she a fairy? I guess she was. Her long transparent dress was covering the entire floor full of old leaves in such a crystal way that I thought it was a shining lake. I talked to her for a while. She put her arms around me and embraced me so hard that I felt like I was going to suffocate with such energy, but I felt safe, and I let her arms around my shoulders. The path where she had come through became soft and warm. I closed my eyes and rested for a while. When I woke up she was no longer there. Then I realized that she had never been there. I was the mysterious lady. I had that power inside me. So I continued my journey, and from that day on, I never stopped chasing my dreams. Even thought they seem awkwardly impossible to some people’s eyes …

By: PopCloud

Vintage Store

2011-04-17T14:36:00.001-07:00

My favourite vintage store in town :)

It feels great to walk around the store and recognize most of the things that were a part of our childhood. This is my favourite one in Lisbon. It's not only the marvelous concoction of products spread along the tables and cupboads, the beauty of the colours mingled along the way, but also the encouraging smell that we can feel into the air as soon as we walk through the entrance.

Black Hearts

2011-04-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

A bracelet for a friend...

She loves hearts, so I created this bracelet especially for her. She chose the beads, and I decided to put some hearts around her wrist :)

Red and Blue

2011-04-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine asked me to do a necklace to her mother's birthday.
I decided to go for something simple and yet creative. She wanted red and blue material to go on with her mother's new dress. The butterfly shape seemed a good decision once she loves butterflies, and the transparent beads make the necklace a little bit shinning.

Her mother liked it a lot, and asked me to do a pair of earings and other necklace with new colours. I will post it when it's done ;)

Something to snack?

2011-03-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

Is there something more rewarding than creating your own meals?

This it's all about leftovers :) My favourite :) You will need white fish (any kind), stir the fish with olive oil, 1 tomatoe, 1 ognion. After being cooked you can join 3 boiled potatoes (I didn't have them, so I joined some bread). Mix everything and add some flour and form a shape. I decided to form some balls because it's easier ;) 1 egg and some oats are the final touch. Fry them in a pan so they can get crispy. It's not that healthy but it tastes better :)

Weekend with friends

2011-03-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

I spent last weekend with some friends in a very cozy hotel in Oporto.

The weather didn't help because it was raining, and north Portugal it's not known by it's "warm" weather ... Even still we had lots of fun, and we decided to forget the clouds and the lack of sun:)

The most important thing was that we were together - women only! :))

I traveled by car with a friend (from Lisbon) to meet a friend of ours that was spending a few days up north. We decided to join her because she lives in Budapest, so every time that she's able to be in the country me and my friend always try to join her, no matter where she is ...

Do you knit?

2011-01-08T07:50:00.001-08:00

I do. It's to compensate the sad cold days that pop up through my window.

So, knitting is one of my hobbies. And it's refreshing too. At least I spend the gray hours doing something creative, so I don't feel so useless staying at home.
I sell most of my handmade works, but this one it's a gift.

José and Pilar

2011-01-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

Once I am portuguese I might say that I had been touched by this movie ... It's not because the only portuguese that was a Nobel prize, but also because of the human being that Saramago was. If you didn't see it, and if you don't know much about his life, this is a documentary that I trully recomend.

Improving

2011-01-01T11:27:00.000-08:00

Being bored of the convencional, I have decided to change my bedroom a little bit, therefore the transformations begun with the bedside table. I have a "normal" one, but once I have 2 bedrooms, I have decided to let the other one be in the guest bedroom. So, I have made up this new concept of bedside tables :) I love the zebra boxes, and the red one was a birthday present, and once I love pretty boxes I decided to keep this one, just because ...

Tuna Pate

2011-01-01T10:47:00.000-08:00

Mayonnaise
Pickles
Olives
Tuna

I have embraced 2011 with tuna pate :)

Simulate the dream

2010-12-21T06:41:00.001-08:00

To simulate the dream, emotion, sadness, joy, love, passion, hunger, cry, friendship above all … To gather life that tears apart into pieces and get them back together in this world. We wake up by dawn, we say goodbye at sunset, to come back home, send messages, and remembering that at the end of the day our friendship will go stronger and stronger each day … Always together, in any space full of color, in any lost window, at the beginning of a street, at the door, in a far away terrace … what does it matter, if in any place with any form, will be there together …

New look ;)

2010-12-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

After a while me and my friend decided to bring back to life our blog :))

Escape

2009-09-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

E se eu me enganar no tempo é porque fugi de ti.
É porque escapei aos teus braços e neguei o teu amor.
Atirei-me de uma enseada de ondas pulsantes,
E abracei-me às vagas que lambiam o chão de pedras.

Se te recusei é porque não pensei em ti,
É porque recolhi o sentimento no meu intimo,
E isolei-o do resto de um mundo que não me entende,
Que me encurrala de cada vez que o sol passa.

Se te ofendi não foi por querer,
Entende que não estou apta para o sentimento,
Não o sei compreender, não o idolatro, nem o renego,
Apenas não o sei apreciar, porque nunca o vivi.

E se me empurrarem de um balão em movimento,
Deixo-me ir ...
Agarro-me às nuvens que passam,
Aos ramos que bamboleam na minha subida,
E sigo o caminho que me indicam,
Só para te poder arrancar desta minha vida.

Sonho

2009-06-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ao rebuscar o sonho entorpecido
Encontro-te prostrado esperando por mim.
Recolho as tuas dores,
Os teus alentos
Almejo as tuas gotas de suor que escorrem
E tendem a guiar-me as curvas do corpo quente

Elevo a voz para que me ouças no meio de um campo,
Sinto-te fortemente a comandar-me a alma,
A usufruir vezes sem conta do meu desejo,
A pedir sem explicações o que vai dentro de mim,
A evadires-te pelas névoas quando falo

Anseio pelas longas horas de choro pulsante,
Para te arrancar cá de dentro,
Num ápice,
Poder consumir-te aos poucos soprando-me no leito,
Erguendo as mãos másculas como hastes de árvore,
De raízes maduras que não largam o corpo

Usufruo uma vez mais do teu calor,
Do beijo sôfrego que me acalenta os lábios,
Dos dedos que me contornam as mágoas num cheiro,
Das palavras silenciadas por entre os lençóis de cetim,
Enrolados no chão como promessas vãs,
Sem sentido ...

Rebusco nesse sonho o teu coração,
Mas não o encontro ...
Seguiu outros caminhos,
Noutras margens,
Noutros destinos tão longínquos e tão profundos
Que a minha alma não o consegue alcançar...

Flowers in peace

2009-05-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

I agree that the flowers must be left in peace,

That the winds must blow only from time to time,

To let them grow and be generous with life,

Even when the soft breeze penetrates their soul.

I agree that the rains must travel daily,

Open their tears to the world and soak the petals,

Embrace the fields open wide when they are coloured

And ready to bloom among the other nature.

I agree that the thunders must roar every day,

Scream loudly at the top of the endless sky,

Fill in the lungs with air and little pieces of pólen,

So it can inhale peacefuly the soft life bellow.

I agree that the sun must shine proudly,

Spread the rays of light through the branches,

Twisting the heat in delicate flowers that pop around,

Switching their colours into a bright tone,

A very peculiar one that will keep on shinning,

Even when the sun is gone.

Cat moments

2009-05-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am a cat in the world,
One more among the others - you think,
I jump and I walk around the corners,
Lay in a warm day at the top of a counter,
Try to fly and spread my invisible wings
To reach the outside

I am cat in the world,
The one who feels free even inside,
I crawl and beg for hugs,
Lick your fingertips when you give me food,
Capt your attention like a camera
When you are far away in your thoughts.

I am cat in the world,
Feeling love and holding you,
Just treat me well and I'll be your loyal friend,
Embrace me in cold days and
Leave me alone when it's sunny,
I am free but with benefits

I am a cat in the world,
Always by your side no matter what,
I run through the house when I'm happy,
I will guard your shrine when you are not there
And at the end of the day
I wait for your arrival at home
Behind the entrance door

I am cat in the world,
But I am above all
Your cat
In your own world
That you became mine as well ...

D'alma Fashion & Shop

2009-05-02T07:10:00.000-07:00

Popping the Clouds joined a new blog, with a new project. It is called

D'alma Fashion & Shop

Here you can see a very peculiar and special collection where you can buy, see the pictures, share opinions, give ideas ... Join another blog done especially for women, and for men who love women ;). Embrace us in this new path and feel free to let us know what do you think about it :)

Most of our products are handmade, others had a renovation so they can be completly new again. We were inspired by the vintage époque, and mainly in the old portuguese lifestyle. Enjoy our culture and buy something in our virtual shop ... why not?

Drop by and explore :)

Velejar - Sailing

2009-04-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

"Se conseguisse alternar as cores e torná-las mais perto do sonho,

Atingiria uma palete de tons irreversíveis.

Inundaria os oceanos pejados de vida,

E colmataria numa apoteose de lágrimas salgadas espalhadas pelas águas.

Beijaria gota a gota a tristeza que te inunda,

Acalmarte-ia a alma,

Velajaria pelo mundo sem fim,

Com a esperança de te encontrar..."

"If I was able to alternate the colors and to make them close to the dream,

I would reach one paleta of irreversible tones.

It would flood the oceans of life,

And would reach in an apotheosis of salty tears spread by waters.

I would kiss drop by drop the sadness that floods you,

Calm your soul,

I would sail for the endless world,

Hoping to find you... "

If one day

2009-04-17T08:05:00.001-07:00

Se um dia me perder nas horas

No compasso de tempo que me mata a solidão,

Se abraçar o mar e revolver as ondas,

Buscando o meu caminho por entre as vagas.

Se um dia a chuva me devolver o choro
E aguentar as lágrimas que brotam de mim,

Que se semeam no chão que paira à minha volta,

Entorpecidas pela dor.

Se um dia as flores murcharem pelos meus passos,

E a revolta se tornar cada vez mais crescente,
Agarrada aos sonhos que cultivo na almofada,

Envolta em névoas que se esfumam quando acordo.

Se um dia este ar que me corrói abruptamente

E me impede de elevar a alma
Sucumbe.

Não sei que será de mim

Se um dia acordar para o mundo

E não me reconhecer ...

If one day I loose myself in time,
In the beating that kills loneliness,
If I embrace the sea and defeat the water,
Searching my way through the waves.

If one day the rain gives me back the cry
And holds the tears that run away from my eyes,
That cultivate the ground around me
Fading away by the pain.

If one day the flowers die by my steps,
And the anger pulsates even stroger,
Holding to the dreams that I raise in my pillow,
Surrounded by clouds that vanish when I wake up.

If one day this air that kills me inside
And keeps me from elevating my soul
Dies.
I don't know what to become of me
If one day I wake up to the world
And do not recognise myself ...

Written by : PopCloud

Dolmens and Menhirs - North Alentejo - Portugal

2009-04-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my road trip to North Alentejo.

Headbands in Bloom

2009-03-29T18:05:00.001-07:00

Once the weather doesn't help to be outside, I had to stay at home and decided to create something.

More information about this work can be find here.

Paris

2009-03-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

My sister went to Paris last month.
Here are some beatiful pictures that she sent me.

Clouds

2009-03-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

Oregon, Olympic Peninsula

Flowers in crochet

2009-03-03T18:36:00.000-08:00

Midday. A corner of the deserted beach.

The huge, deep, open sun on high

Has chased all the gods from the sky.

The harsh light falls like a punishment.

There are no ghosts and no souls,

And the vast, ancient, solitary sea

Loudly claps its hands.

Sophia de Mello Breyner Andersen, portuguese poet (1919 - 2004 )

Handmade by : PopCloud

Painted Moutains

2009-02-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

Do you know Central Oregon?
That's where I spent one of these sunny days.

London Pics

2009-02-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

This is one of my best friends on vacations in London, wearing one of the hats that I've knitted for her. This is the same hat that you can see in the post "Gray and Pink".

She has also being having fun photographing London

More pictures are avalailable in her blog.

Pictures taken by Li

Love Inspiration

2009-02-13T23:52:00.000-08:00

Here

are some good tips for Valentine's day.

You can find several ideas about love, but I must say that my favourite one is "Around the world" article, it's kind of something that I do too, but my "Around the world" is mainly Portugal :)

"This week's date night idea takes you and your partner on a romantic escape to virtually any destination in the world, even locations that only exist in your imagination. LYC readers have given their ideas for their favorite romantic destination adventures at home, including all the extra details to make it a night neither of you will soon forget. When you're ready for an intimate night for two, grab your virtual ticket ... "

And you can also find some movie quotes :

"I would rather have tasted her lips just once, touched her skin, one time, and made love to her for one night, than spend the rest of my life without ever knowing that."

From the movie "City of Angels"

Enjoy :)

Amar Perdidamente

2009-02-13T23:21:00.000-08:00

To love!

I want to love, love desperately!
Love just for love: here ... there ...
Plus this and that, the other and everyone
Love! Love! And do not love anyone!

Remember? Forget? Indifferent ...
Arrest or loosen? Is wrong is right?
Who says you can love someone
During the entire life is because is lying!

There is a spring in every life:
We must sing it in bloom
If God gave us voice, it was to sing!

And if one day I will be dust, ash and nothing
That my night should be a dawn,
That will know how to loose me ... in order to find me ...

Written by Florbela Espanca, portuguese poet

Love ... Amor

2009-02-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

Valentine is almost here ...

In several languages ...

Pictures taken by Neil Noland via Flickr

London by night

2009-02-11T19:16:00.000-08:00

One of my best friends is travelling this weekend to London. Go Li!

I am posting some pictures of the city, so she could be inspired ...

These picures were taken by the photographer Jason Hawkes

After a While

2009-02-08T23:37:00.000-08:00

After a while you learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman
Not the grief of a child

And you learn

To build all your roads on today

Because tomorrow's ground is

Too uncertain for plans

And futures have a way

Of falling down in mid flight

After a while you learn

That even sunshine burns if you get too much

So you plant your own garden

And decorate your own soul

Instead of waiting

For someone to bring you flowers

And you learn

That you really can endure

That you are really strong

And you really do have worth

And you learn and you learn

With every good bye you learn.

Written by : Veronica A. Shoffstall

Timeless Love

2009-02-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

Love
Is born
Grows, envolves
Changes
Ebbs and flows like a river.
Complicated,
Simple as breathing
New, gleaming
Laughter, ripples
Shines, shimmers life's waters
Tears sparkle
Joy
Heartache,
Babies ...
No instruction manual!
Unconditional
Shock and wonder
Misunderstood
Sharp words, smoothed over
Forgiven, not forgotten
Effort, always
Growing, necessary
Calm, supportive, blue
Anger, swift, red
Lingering, Fleeting
Days, Years
Comfortable
... or not.
Doubt
Trust
Comunication
Silence
Pain and sorrow
Solace
Constant
Quiet
Plaintive look
Stolen look
Recognition
Hearts beating
Leaving
Grief unberable
Unspoken, Accepted
Peaceful
How it plays out
Gloom or glee
Is all up to you ... and me
No right
No wrong
Days become years
And years pass as days
Goodbye
Yearning
until we meet again
...
Timeless Love

Written by: Sue Noland

What breed of cat are you?

2009-02-06T18:26:00.000-08:00

You Are a Norwegian Forest Cat

You are both athletic and adventurous.
You dream of climbing the highest mountain and surfing the biggest waves.

While you are active and spirited, you are also sweet and cuddly.
You're very family oriented, and you love to be around people.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatbreedofcatareyouquiz/">What Breed of Cat Are You?

Decorating Style

2009-02-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

Take the quiz and find out which is your style.

Mine is this.

Tell me yours.

Have fun :)

Slumdog Milionaire

2009-01-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

Aranjuez mon amour

2009-01-27T19:16:00.001-08:00

Amalia Rodriguez, portuguese singer, fado (1920 - 1999)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2009-01-26T17:51:00.000-08:00

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald

San Francisco

2009-01-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

Picture taken in San Francisco, California

Today someone read me St. Francis of Assisi.

I listened and couldn’t believe my ears.

How could a man who was so fond of things

Never have looked at them or understood what they were?

Why call water my sister if water isn’t my sister?

To feel it better?

I feel it better by drinking it than by calling it something –

Sister, or mother, or daughter.

Water is beautiful because it’s water.

If I call it my sister,

I can see, even as I call it that, that it’s not my sister

And that it’s best to call it water, since that’s what it is,

Or, better yet, not to call it anything

But to drink it, to feel it on my wrists, and to look at it,

Without any names.

Fernado Pessoa, portuguese poet (1888 - 1935)

Changeling

2008-12-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

Salad dressing

2008-12-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

A different way of dressing a salad :

Lettuce
Tomato
Cucumber
Soy sprouts
Cilantro

Wash and prepare everything inside a bowl.

1tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
2tbsp Olive oil
1/2 tbsp Salt
2 tbsp sugar

Mix everything and dress the salad.

Australia

2008-12-04T19:39:00.000-08:00

Nicole Kidman

Hugh Jackman

Thinking small

2008-12-01T15:14:00.000-08:00

The little ones are so special,

wrapped in their small cocoons,

... surrounded by flowers

that spread their scent in the air.

Girls only in this world,

eating candies,

painting the room with small drops of pink.

Girls that walk on the streets, full of dreams,

wishing to touch the sky on a cold day,

trying to stay warm,

... wanting to feel comfortable,

...and beautiful,

all of them, at the end,

searching for a safe place.

Small details make the difference...

The same girls that were thinking small,

will be the ones,

that one day will become marvelous women.

Written/Handmade by: PopCloud

Cumplices

2008-11-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

According to the poll, "What makes you fly", the majority chose "Listen to a song".
Here is one of my favorite portuguese songs. Which one is your favorite?

Mafalda Veiga - Cumplices

Curry chicken

2008-11-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

1 chicken breast (cubed)

1 minced small onion

2 tbsp curry

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/2 tbsp allspice

1/2 tbsp ginger

1/2 tbsp nutmeg

1/2 tbsp paprika

1 chili pepper

1 cup of hot water

5 tbsp coconut milk

1 tbsp sea salt

1 tbsp olive oil

Saute the onion in a large frying pan. When the onion starts to turn color add the curry and stir for 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste for 3 minutes and stir. Add the rest of the spices and stir for 3 minutes.

Add the chicken, salt, chili pepper (cracked open) and stir. Pour in a little hot water and stir, until the sauce thickens. Continue this until the water is gone.

When the chicken is cooked add the coconut milk and let it thicken.

I served it with mashed potatoes and peas. (Leftover from thanksgiving)

Enjoy :)

Afternoon Sun

2008-11-26T16:45:00.000-08:00

Picture taken in Algarve, Portugal

The sun consumed the shining yellow skies, spreading the rays of light through the houses of the village illuminating the dark divisions, observing through the trees searching for unprepared couples in the bushes, coloring girls' shy faces that were close to the sin, burnishing the landscapes, transforming them into postcards of strong colors that would be delivered into photographs prepared to fill hearts that would be kept in closed drawers after seeing them. And, right over there, inside of the several drawers of the planet, that afternoon sun would be dead, letting the destination lay it down inside of the dusty furniture next to the forgotten letters and unusable boxes of remedies. Removing all the color of the photographic paper transforming it into dark night without stars, filed in a minimum space with no light and suffocating it without ever shining again.

What flower are you?

2008-11-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

You Are A Lily

You are a nurturer and all around natural therapist.

People see you as their rock. And they are able to depend on you.

You are a soothing influence. You can make people feel better with a few words.

Your caring has more of an impact than even you realize.

What Flower Are You?

I am a Lily, Beeem :)
What are you?

Gray and Pink

2008-11-24T17:46:00.000-08:00

My friend Snow Bunny asked me to knit a hat for her, just like she had seen in a magazine and she sent me the photo. She wanted a gray hat with a pink flower

So I did my best and here it is,

... and I even added some beads to pretend that it is pollen

Do you like it?

Penne with Tomatoes and Walnuts

2008-11-21T21:09:00.000-08:00

I always cook cheap, at least I try to. There are some things that I always have around in my kitchen, and tomatoes are one of them. I use them quite often and mainly in salads, but when they start getting soft I transform them into great dishes, that no one will never know that they are just leftovers. The same thing happens with other vegetables, because I usually don't use frozen vegetables, so, once they won't last that long in the fridge, I have to use my imagination and create another thing. All of these recipes are mainly cooked with leftovers or vegetables that are almost losing their validity, and instead of throwing them out, save them, and cook marvelous dishes, and if you won't say, no one will ever know ;)

Today's recipe was cooked with soft tomatoes, and an almost gone broccoli. All of these quantities are for two people.

********************************************************************************

Penne

Broccoli (leftover, whatever you have in the fridge)
1 tomato (usually I buy the roman tomato, because it's the less expensive in the store)

2 tbsp chopped garlic

4 tbsp olive oil

Salt

Walnuts (I had 4)

Cilantro

Parmesan cheese grated

********************************************************************************

The penne takes around 9m to cook in the medium fire, so it can be "al dente". When the water is boiling add the salt (I use sea salt, it's healthier - 2tbsp), and 1 tbsp of olive oil, and then add the penne. The olive oil will make the penne softer. Cook for two minutes and add the broccoli (I removed the "small trees" that compose a broccoli head one by one, try to make it small). Remove the water after cooked and let it be inside the pot.

In a frying pan heat the three tbsp of olive oil and add the garlic. Stir for one minute and add the tomato (I chopped it in squares, not thinly but not big enough), add the salt (1/2 tbsp). Stir until the garlic is brown, don't let it overcook, the purpose of the tomato with the garlic is just to add both flavors.

Remove the tomato from the fire and add the chopped cilantro and the walnuts. Add this concoction to the penne and broccoli and mix everything. Serve and spread parmesan cheese on top.

Enjoy:)

Church Floor

2008-11-21T00:51:00.000-08:00

Picture taken in "Mosteiro dos Jeronimos", Lisboa, Portugal

"Fear will have everything
legs
ambulances
and the armored luxury
of a few cars

It will have eyes no one sees
cautious little hands
almost innocent schemes
ears not only in the walls
but also in the floor
in the ceiling
in the gurgle of drainpipes
and perhaps even (caution!)
ears in your ears"

Poem written by Alexandre O'Neil, portuguese poet

Time to Play

2008-11-19T16:06:00.000-08:00

Now, that the cold is outside, and the wind blows gently on the streets, it is time to play in the playground with really warm clothes,

and once this time of the year tends to be so dark,

... let's give it a touch of yellow,

... with a small drop of brown...

... and play days will be much brighter

Caramelized apple and Green beans with meat

2008-11-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

Caramelized apple:
1 big apple
3tbsp of brown sugar (it is healthier)
1 glass of Merlot wine
1tbsp of lemon juice

Prepare the apple: slice them (unpeeled), remove the seeds and add a few drops of lemon.
Melt the sugar in a frying pan for 2 minutes, add the lemon juice and the wine, stir for 1 minute and add the apple. It is done when the apple is golden brown and the sauce is thickened.

Green beans with meat:
Beef
Green Beans
1 tbsp Olive oil
2tbsp minced garlic
1tbsp black pepper
Salt

In a large skillet over medium heat, mix the beans with the olive oil, garlic and pepper. Stir for 5 minutes. Cut the beef in small pieces, like squares and add them to the beans. Cook and stir until the beef is evenly browned. Reduce heat and simmer for 7 or 10 minutes until beans are slightly tender.

Enjoy:)

What kind of chocolate are you? Take the Quiz

2008-11-16T01:39:00.000-08:00

You are Milk Chocolate

A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds.

You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life.

Also nostalgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago.

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

A touch of color

2008-11-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

Once the cold days are arriving I have decided to give them a touch of pink...

... and purple ...

Made by: PopCloud

Kale rice with broccoli stalks

2008-11-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

I always keep the stalks and use them to cook soup, but in this case I have decided to transform them into a very nutritious rice.

Rice
3 Kale leaves
Broccoli Stalks (leftovers)
Salt
1 Onion
1 tbsp Olive oil

First, boil the kale for a few minutes, and keep the water (should be about two cups). Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, and start adding the kale and the broccoli stalks (thinly chopped - both kale and stalks). Add salt and stir. When the rice starts to color pour the water left from the kale and stir. It is ready when the rice is cooked. Goes well with fillets of fish.

Leaves on the bridge

2008-11-12T15:29:00.000-08:00

Picture taken in Kentucky Falls, Oregon

"I dream I am the chosen Poet,
Who knows all there is to know on Earth,
The one whose inspiration’s pure and perfect,
And captures infinity in a verse!

I dream a verse of mine has all the brightness
To light the whole world! And it will please
Even those who long and die of sadness!
And even wise, unhappy souls it will appease. "

Florbela Espanca, portuguese poet

Tear me not

2008-11-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

Tear me not when I’m in pain,
Open your mouth and silence your scream
Holding the words inside your chest

Close your eyes and drag those tears away
Dropping them when I am not around

Hide your hands and grab my fingers
Sliding them into someone else’s body

Stop the sound and listen to me
Pretending that you will hear my sorrows

Tear me not when I’m in pain,
Because I ...
I will never tear you again…

Written by: PopCloud

Rice with things

2008-11-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

This recipe is merely based in leftovers, those that we find so many times in the fridge and don't know what to do with them. So, here are some tips, and feel free to use any other ingredients according to what you have left.

1 cup of rice
1 small onion thickly sliced
1 tbsp curry
olive oil
salt
parsley
leftovers:
I used carrots,peas,chicken(already cooked),shrimp,hot dogs

Heat the olive oil and the onion in a frying pan for five minutes, add the curry and stir occasionally. Add the shrimp, the carrots (I chopped them in small pieces)and the peas. Mix in the rice and let it fry until it gains color, add 1 cup of boiling water and some salt. Add the chicken and the hot dogs at the end. Keep on pouring water and cook it on medium heat. When it's done just add some minced parsley.
Enjoy :)

Are you charming? Take the Quiz

2008-11-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

Are You Charming?

Flying

2008-11-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

The branches were bending forward at the top of the tree. Sam couldn’t reach them, she tried to but she needed to stretch her arms wide open until she could see the sky. Clouds of white were floating by and the inner blue was almost transparent. She stood there beneath the tree, picking from a leaf and choosing the colors randomly just like a painter preparing his work. Clouds were no longer white, she gave them a touch of green, a dark green with brown spots, then she did the same with a red leaf and turned the sky into night. A butterfly stood by a flower watching her, Sam looked down and realized that she was no longer on the ground. She opened her arms, took a deep breath, touched a sparkling star and started flying leaving all her problems behind, and the butterfly never saw her again.

Written by: PopCloud