It’s Football World Cup season and whether you like football or not, it’s a good opportunity to connect with your culture and to get your kids involved. International competitions like this bring national identity and pride out of people. I usually don’t watch football but international competitions bring the aficionada in me. Just yesterday I found myself …
Ricotta Tart (Tarte de Requeijão) [RECIPE]
Here’s another easy-peasy Portuguese recipe for you. This is so easy, it’s embarrassing! Ingredients Makes 10 1 pack of shortcrust pastry (500gr) 5 eggs 250 gr sugar 100 gr butter at room temperature 1 tablespoon of flour 2 packs of Ricotta cheese (or Requeijões* if you are able to get hold of it from a Portuguese Brazilian shop) …
The joy of popular festivities in Portugal and beyond
June is a much-anticipated event across Portugal, especially in Lisbon and Porto, the two largest cities which are taken over by the Popular Saints (Santos Populares) festivities that make them feel like a big, giant neighborhood party. If you ever visited Lisbon or Porto during the month of June, in particular between 13 to 29 June, it’s unlikely …
Portuguese and Brazilian events in London this Summer
I talk about the allure of the Portuguese Santos Populares and the Brazilian Festa Junina in this post. But what to do if you can’t travel there to experience these fun gatherings? Try the next best thing: organise your own themed party or find one organised by the local immigrant community. If you live in London and you’re …
Celebrating Children on International Children’s Day
Children’s Day, International Children’s Day, Worldwide Children’s Day, Universal Children’s Day. It’s one of those dates, like Mother and Father’s Day that varies from country to country. A few countries, including Portugal, celebrate Children’s Day (Dia da Crianca) on the 1st of June. Others like the UK and Brazil celebrate on other dates. Visit Wikipedia to find …
How to use Playdough for language learning and cultural awareness
Playdough is such a fantastic learning tool. Our 3 and nearly 5-year olds love playing with it. They can be left to play with their playdough while we sit nearby. However, I like to keep an eye on it and get involved as I, too, enjoy the sensorial and creative side of it. More importantly, playdough provides …
The Royal Wedding and our own way of raising happy bilingual children
I was never into princesses and getting married but somehow my 3 and 4-year-old daughters are. The eldest is not just ‘into’ it, she’s obsessed with wedding dresses, rings and getting married with anyone and everyone. This was happening even before the excitement around the Royal Wedding between Harry and Meghan reached fever pitch. I thought I would share …
Mother’s Day Gift Guide for any budget
If you’re a mum, hopefully, you’ll get a lovely gesture from your children, perhaps, breakfast in bed and a homemade card? Or a small gift bought with their pocket money? See more ideas for what to get a ‘certain kind’ of mum in her 30s or 40s. But what to give your own mum on Mother’s day? Whether you’re a son or …
Letter to my Mother on Mother’s day
Feeling of déjà vu? Mother’s day in the UK is in March and at the time I wrote the letter I would like to receive from my daughter. In Portugal, Mother’s day is on the first Sunday of May so now I’m writing a letter for my mum who I love dearly. Ma, I love you so, so …