Coimbra daytrip

I accompanied my hubbie to a meeting he had in Coimbra, Portugal on Saturday morning. While he was in his meeting, I walked around the city all morning. It was my first  time and I was charmed. Everything is walking distance, although it's Portugal's third largest city, and it's packed with history. Around every corner is something that looks OLD. Like as in 12th century old... see churches below!

And here you can see not only the traditional "tuna" (student choir) singing with their black capes in the backround... but you can also see the traditional selling of chestnuts out on the street... yummy!

“SAME LOVE”?

Julie Machado | 11-21-(AD)2013 | [4]

I hate the fact that I have to change the radio stations that keep playing the song “Same Love” by Macklemore. What bothers me most is that these seemingly natural lines are sung along to by people bopping their heads in their cars… as if they were universal and obvious truths:

Keep reading at CatholicStand

Are You Scared of the Synod?

1 Comment November 13, (AD) 2013 | Julie Machado

At least in Portugal, news of the preparatory document for the Synod of Bishops in October 2014 on the topic family arrived on mainstream radio stations as:

 “The Pope is asking Catholics what they think of topics such as homosexuality and divorce.”

“The Church will have a Synod to reevaluate its position on topics such as birth control.”

Keep reading at IgnitumToday:
http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2013/11/13/are-you-scared-of-the-synod/

St. Martin's Day

Happy St. Martin's Day!

Here in Portugal people usually eat roasted chestnuts on this day. We were lucky enough to be invited to a "fall snack" this weekend, which included chestnuts, marmelade and fall fruits at our marriage godparents' house...

Candlelit dinners

I've decided that all dinners should be important and, quite possibly, all fall/winter dinners should be candlelit. It's the end of the day, an opportunity to share about what happened, your hopes, your dreams, share food and feel warm, full and cozy. Or at least tired and not feel like washing dishes, like me. 

But if you take the time to make something like black bean and sweet potato enchiladas and salad with tomato, apples and walnuts, it deserves candlelight and it will make any dinner special.