Stone Walls

In a couple of days I’ll be honing my masonry skills. I’ve been frequently teased about my bizarre (to some) affection for rocks. I like to collect them and place them all over the garden, and extra special ones go on window sills and bookshelves. But when my aunt recently published a book about her childhood and growing up in a tiny village of Portugal, there were many stories of the rocky landscape, and of children playing with rocks in lieu of real dolls or toys; for in those days, Portugal was a very poor country. So, maybe my strange affinity for rocks comes from this slightly barren landscape that my eyes have rested on ever since I can remember, and maybe it’s been passed on down through the generations of my family building their homes by hand, one rock at a time. In any case, it will be good to touch these stone walls and imagine the lives of the men and families that built them. And know that in some small way, I am honoring that tradition.

Casa da Nuvea part: v the barn

Ah, I don't even know where to begin here...

 

It has so much potential...I get so inspired....and then...



I see this. And it just takes all the wind out of my sails...haha! I mean where does one even start?



With the rotted wood doors? The mold on the walls? The goat poop on the floor? The fact that there really isn't even a floor, just dirt.



It's all just a little overwhelming.







But then I see those beautiful stone walls. It could be so...charming.

One day.



And upstairs, another sleeping loft.



Eventually.



Because right now, it's just a dark, scary abyss.

Casa da Nuvea: part vii, the future kitchen

It's Saturday morning, and I'm browsing airfares for my upcoming trip to Portugal.

And so the daydreaming of what will be done on my little olive farm begins anew...Which means it's time for another update on the progress of the renovations.

This, dear readers, is what will one day be the kitchen.

 

This is what it looked like before we pulled out all the brambles and weeds.



Ta-Da! Would you just look at the progress?? It will be finished in no time.

Really.



I'm not quite sure what these gigantic rocks will be used for...they look like some sort of sculptural element, so I'd like to build around them but not sure what that will look like... I'm thinking a glass wall of some kind, with shutters to protect during inclement weather, or simple French doors, running the length of the room, to throw open on warm days and let in the scent of  wild rosemary from the garden. And a skylight, perhaps, to brighten the dark, winter days. There will definitely be a long, wooden farm table and a "rustic" chandelier...



The best part was dicovering...this. The beautiful, original bread oven. I can't wait to bake my first loaf of pao caseiro, the traditional country-style bread of Portugal.

Spring Showers

Loved the morning mist in the garden from the spring showers we had…wish it would really rain, though.

Maybe tomorrow.



The sun came out for a minute... making all the silvery green leaves on the olive tree shimmer in the light.

Casa da Nuvea: part vi: the surrounding land

 

Well, after my last post, a reader asked me if I was feeling stressed about the house in Portugal, but the truth is, I'm really looking forward to working with my hands and the immediate gratification of getting some work done after years of planning.



I've shown you photos of the outside of the house, and the interior. But I thought I'd show you what the surrounding land on the property looks like. There is a eucalyptus grove on one side. I know they are an invasive species and have taken over a huge part of the Portuguese landscape, but their familiar scent reminds me of my childhood in Portugal, so I really don't mind them.



The cottage is surrounded by a nature preserve and conveniently located in the middle of nowhere. I can't wait to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Portuguese countryside.



The grass has since been mowed down since it was very obviously a huge fire hazard in the dry season. I hope to keep a couple sheep or goats there in the future to keep it under control.



I really don't have any close neighbors, except this one and this is at back of the property.







I think this would be a great spot to write a book. Or paint. Or nap.



At last count, there were 25 olive trees on the property and I hope to help bring them back to health this year.



The property isn't terribly large, but there is more than enough space to stretch out and it feels very private and secluded.



I. Can't. Wait.