Family Snippets

This winter in Europe the trend for clothing and other accessories is knitting , it is all over in display at the most popular stores in Germany.  This was something we use to see when we were in our teens, the only difference then is, that it was produced by our mothers and grandmothers, today they are made most likely somewhere in a factory in Asia . In a walk downtown Frankfurt, Germany the other day my wife said, "I would like to stop to buy some knitting needles and some wool, I would like to knit a scarf" , with a surprised expression I said, "do you know how to do that?" She replied in a mild tone, "my mom did, and my grandmother as well, and they taught me when I was young" , to which I then somewhat unconvinced I said, "OK... why not!" For next couple of days I saw her knitting at a fast pace and things began quickly to take shape and form, first a base for some plates, next a couple of flowers, then a trendy...

When the box of the oil painting tubes opens and a new canvas is set in the small art studio of our home, we know that there is a moment of artistic inspiration on the way, with each painting mom completes, there is a story to tell, either a story of what is represented or the process of painting it, or both. Our lives are a bit like this, they also tell a story to others, that's why our example is so important, the way we live matters, not only to us but to others also. The other day a couple that we know told us that they see our son in the university campus almost every day, then they added... I don't think he know us but we know him! Our example is not only for those we know, but for those we don't know. So each stroke of paint in our canvas of life defines the final picture!

Back at home for a few days this summer and why not back into the past to medieval times, all the way back to 1148 at one of the iconic castles of Portugal which was conquered by King Afonso Henriques to the Moors. The medieval fair during the month of July in the "Óbidos Castle" is rich in culture and excellent cuisine! Link: Click her to see a few more pictures of this event in Obidos

Our balcony flowers have maintained their vibrancy and color throughout spring and now summer. When I look through the window I find myself captured by their presence and think how much mom loves flowers, almost any type of flowers! As far as I can remember there were always flowers at home. She told me today:  "one reason I like flowers is because they help me gain and retain the sensibility to care... besides just a few flowers and there is a renewed sense of life and color around us ".  As I see her taking care of small things like watering, removing the old leaves, etc, I also see the effects, the flowers grow and keep their beauty.  Isn't life like that too? Not much different! ... small acts of genuine care and life becomes more full of color as well.

During Easter time in this part of the world we enjoy the fullness of the season of Spring and its abundant signs of life with beautiful tulips and many other variety of flowers, greens pastures and blossoming trees; it is indeed a marvelous season of the year, which we had the opportunity to see again in our recent trip to Austria .  What a wonderful time this is to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what He did for us, a recent production of the Church about the Savior is now available in YouTube , it is worth to watch! Happy Easter

Today as Filomena and I were walking in downtown Frankfurt we saw a Mercedes Benz of the same color and and style of the Mercedes Benz that my father-in-law bought in 1969 in the factory of Stuttgart, Germany . He traveled from Luanda, Angola in Africa to Germany to buy it as he was a fan of German cars because of their quality and reliability. As an Engineer himself he had a taste for quality and durability. This car has an history that is worth telling. In 1975 when the civil war of Angola forced thousands Portuguese families to return to Portugal, my father in law was not an exception, he sent his family first to Portugal for safety reasons and stayed longer to protect the interests of the customers of the bank he worked with, then the Banco de Fomento e Exterior and now part of the Banco BPI. Prior to his departure he gave is Mercedes Benz to a dear friend from the old days of primary school to help him take his mother to South Africa to receive needed and urgen...

Today Filomena and I attended a branch in a retirement home complex to wish all a happy mother's day, while in their a flood of thoughts come about our own mothers and their role in our lives. So to my Dear Wife, My daughter, My Mother, My Grand Mother, My Mother in Law and Avó Maria... Happy Mother's Day!

At the Planetarium in Salt Lake City we went to see the night vision of the sky is this part of the world, it is always impressive to be reminded of the immense creations around us!

Snow is part of day to day living in Utah in the winter season, it is part of the culture and it's beautiful. In Frankfurt, Germany where we lived we expected snow as well in the winter months much like here in Utah. However here snow is a resource for the extraordinary winter sports facilities available in the valley, and an important water supply for the summer season! They say that here is the "Best Snow on Earth" .

Filomena next the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City!

Photo taken in Salt Lake City during a visit to the Johansens

A romântica Casa de Guimarães em Cascais e sua enseada privada do mar, nesta noite a iluminação estava fantástica , passeamos pelas encantadas ruas e travessas desta cidade aonde passamos uma importante parte de nossas vidas e claro ... passeamos junto ao mar. The romantic Casa de Gimarães in Cascais and it's small private ocean bay. At night with the lights it was fantastic. We walked in the enchanted streets and corners of the city where we spend such an important part of our lives and of course walked by the sea!

Bad Homburg é um dos nossos lugares favoritos nesta terra, passamos aqui importants momentos de nossas vidas como família Bad Homburg is one of our favorite places on earth, we have spend here many important moments of our lives as a family.

Mothers Day - Dia das Mães

Dia ensolarado de inverno no Litoral Norte de São Paulo, a praia está completamente vazia, serena e acolhedora, as dunas criadas pelas marés mais fortes do inverno são uma nova paisagem e a Mena caminha numa delas à minha frente e eu registo este momento de contato com a natureza. Sunny day in the north coast of São Paulo, the beach is completed empty, serene and warm, the dunes created by the winter tides are a new landscape and Mena walks in one of them just head of me and I recorded thsi moment of fusion with nature.

Velho carro que faz passeios no zoo de São Paulo. O Zoo é um enorme espaço verde na cidade de São Paulo, relativamente bem cuidado e com várias espécies de animais. An old car that provides a tour in the zoo of São Paulo, a large green area in the city which is relatively well maintained and with many species of animals.

A banda da Escola Internacional em São Paulo foi fazer uma apresentação no parque Hopi Hari, a família acompanhou a Ana para assistir aos concertos e porque não se divertir um pouco!