Maria at the Morning Market

Love the understated way folk do Christmas here - Maria had a few of these berries stuck into her fruit and veggies., which were displayed on spanking new stainless steel counters covering the old marble ones. A crazy EU law that says local, cool, marble isn't hygenic and has to be replaced with expensive imported stainless steel. Maria said they've also had to replace the old wooden crates that produce came in, with plastic ones because the staples in the wood would sometimes go rusty. Unlike Brazilians, the Portuguese appear to submit to rules even if they don't agree with them.

In case you are still looking for an Advent Calendar, here is the Biola Uni one, based on the book of Isaiah this year, with art, poetry, music, and deep thinking - that begins tomorrow, but with a lovely introductory video today.

Gratefuls:
- watching our three grandkids together, unwrapping the matching pyjamas we sent them for Advent
- unexpectedly having coffee and a chat with Stephanie and Irwin at the market café 
- eating our lunch outside, still warm enough if the sun is shining