A Sweet Christmas Eve

Last weekend, we have enjoyed a very pleasant Christmas Eve. Let me share with you some of those sweet moments. Specially, how we always try to keep our Portuguese traditions. ;-)

In Portugal we are used to eat cod fish with potatoes and cabbages at Christmas Eve. My mother always offers the cod fish for this special night. However, this time, we decided to eat it "à lagareiro", one of the thousand ways how we eat cod fish in Portugal.

From Natal 2011

Mommy also offered me "línguas de gato" (cat tongues), one of my dearest childhood memories. ;-) So sweet of her! Thank you, mommy!!

My friend A. sent me the chourizos to make "Caldo Verde", our traditional and delicious New Year's Eve soup. Thank you, my dear!

My goddaughter's mother also gave me a very sweet present: homemade decorated cookies. ;-) She knows how I appreciate homemade gifts. :-)

From Natal 2011

A very nice surprise was also my mother's neighbour's gift. She knows me since I was born and she does beautiful and lovely crochet works. M., who is now 87 years, is a very talented lady! Look where I will put the bon bons next time! Several pieces like this one with bon bons make a very special effect on the table.

From Natal 2011

Christmas means traditions and rituals. One is my husband's gift, generally a parfum. This time, I chose Pure White Linen Coral by Estée Lauder.
:-)

From Natal 2011

But, he had a surprise for me: two Occitane facial creams. Very useful now with this cold!

From Natal 2011

My goddaughter also wanted to protect me from the low temperatures. She gave me polar socks.

From Natal 2011

A Christmas present that should never be missed in my sock is a book. I was very glad when I unwrapped my godmother's gift: Agatha Christie's autobiography!!! I love you, Madrinha!

From Natal 2011

Finally, the touch of Dutch of this special evening: poffertjes!!

From Natal 2011

I've enjoyed my Christmas Eve very much!

I hope you have enjoyed yours too!

Thank you all for your sweet Christmas Cards, emails and sms's.

The Lord's Prayer in Dutch

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!!! :-)

From Natal 2011

Let me share with you this special gift from my friend Raquel.

From Natal 2011

She printed in the same paper an image from The Creation of Adam of Michelangelo as well as the Lord's prayer. She placed it then in this frame, so that I would know how to pray "Our Father" in Dutch. Very sweet of her!
A couple of months ago, we met at the Begijnhof in Amsterdam and we decided at the last minute to attend a Mass in Dutch. Generally the priests talk slower, so I wondered if I would be able to understand a Mass in Dutch. Soon, I realized I couldn't. I was not (and I'm still not) aware of the Dutch religious vocabulary. I also realized that I didn't even know the Lord's Prayer ...
A couple of weeks after, in our next outing, Raquel gave me this frame. :-)
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus. I think it's the perfect moment to share the Lord's prayer in Dutch with you. :-)

Onze Vader 

Onze Vader, die in de hemel zijt,
Uw naam worde geheiligd,
Uw Rijk kome,
Uw wil geschiede op aarde zoals in Hemel,
Geef ons heden ons dagelijks brood,
en vergeef ons onze schuld,
zoals ook wij aan anderen hun schuld vergeven,
en leid ons niet in bekoring,
maar verlos ons van het kwade.

Amen.

Listen to the Onze Vader sung in Dutch ....:-) This music is very cheerful! ;-))


 


And in Portuguese... ;-)

From Natal 2011

Pai Nosso

Pai Nosso, que estais no Céu
Santificado seja o Vosso Nome,
Venha a nós o Vosso Reino,
Seja feita a Vossa vontade,
assim na Terra como no Céu,
O Pão Nosso de cada dia nos dai hoje,
Perdoai-nos as nossas ofensas,
assim como nós perdoamos
a Quem nos tem ofendido,
e não nos deixeis cair em tentação,
Mas livrai-nos do Mal.

Amém.

Dutch Christmas Postcards

These are some of the Christmas postcards I've sent to my family and friends.

This one was sent to A. and P. who became parents of a lovely baby girl this year, L.

From Natal 2011

This one was sent to M. and I. This year, they became parents of two adorable boys.

From Natal 2011

This one was to A. who has two cute cats at home ;-))

From Natal 2011

This one was sent to my friend O. and her daughter I. :-)

From Natal 2011

The more traditional ones are also very pretty, I think.

From Coisas Minhas II

There were others, specially from Anton Pieck, like this one.

From Natal 2011

Am I right or not to be in love with Dutch postcards? ;-))

O Meu Presépio/ My Nativity Scene/ Mijn Kerststalletje

O Meu Presépio/ My Nativity Scene/ Mijn Kerststalletje

From Natal 2011

sem vista para o canal ;-) without a view to the canal ;-)

zonder uitzicht op de gracht ;-)

From Natal 2011

We are now living in Tussen de Vaarten, not anymore in Almere Centrum...;-)

From Natal 2011

Feliz Natal!

Merry Christmas!

Prettige Kerstdagen!