Mamie Moves to Portugal

Meandering Notes About New Adventures in Porto, Portugal

Magical December Lights: Amsterdam, Paris, and Porto

Wishing you joy and peace.

9:15 AM December 25, 2024

It’s a bright, sunny day with a clear blue sky, at 15/59 degrees, forecast to reach 18/64. Christmas music sets a peaceful mood. The coffee is hot and strong, and a cinnamon roll awaits. In early December I traveled to Amsterdam and Pairs, returning home only to get the flu. I’m back up and about, and I want to share a few images with you from my December travels.

Amsterdam creates beautiful and imaginative light displays over the canals.
Vibrant lights of Paris
The lighting of the Porto tree on the Praça General Humberto Delgado is a spectacular celebration involving lasers, fireworks, projections, and concerts. I could see it from my balcony, but chose to experience the excitement in the middle of a packed crowd of locals of all ages.
Porto has a number of popular Christmas markets. There was a long line at this crepe stand.
There is a long tradition in my family of homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Today, my niece, Sarah, uses the 100+ year old baking pan inherited from her great-grandmother to bake the best cinnamon rolls in the world. I procured some from OGI bakery that are second best. Perfect with a good cup of coffee.
Tigo and Uma were overjoyed to see me return home, and they glued themselves to me for several days.

Here’s to a wonderful day and a healthy new year for you and yours. Cheers!

Thanks for your encouragement and feedback. Please keep it coming!

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Mamie Patton

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14 responses to “Magical December Lights: Amsterdam, Paris, and Porto”

  1. Trisha McBride Ferguson Avatar
    Trisha McBride Ferguson

    merry Christmas Mamie!

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    1. Mamie Patton Avatar
      Mamie Patton

      Trisha! It’s great to hear from you. I hope your Christmas was wonderful. Felize anos, Happy New Year!

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  2. Debbi Figueiredo Avatar
    Debbi Figueiredo

    Merry Christmas Mamie! Thanks for sharing your recent travels, hope you are fully recovered now. Of course the gatinhos missed you. Sending best wishes for a happy and healthy 2025. Debbi & Simon xx

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  3. Joanie Frank Avatar
    Joanie Frank

    Your images are gorgeous Mamie and I love seeing the kitties! It was also so nice to see you on Christmas eve and hear more about what you are doing with Porto Kind. I do want to make it to some of the events in 2025. I hope you continue to feel better and better after this scary flu experience!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Mamie Patton Avatar
      Mamie Patton

      Joanie, it was such a fun evening! I hope we get to see each other more in 2025. Cheers!

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  4. Dawn L Milchuck Avatar
    Dawn L Milchuck

    I love following the experiences of our favorite adventurer..Beautiful!

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    1. Mamie Patton Avatar
      Mamie Patton

      Dawn, thanks for the encouragement! I’m thinking of you and Mike, and sending good vibes your way. See you in Porto in 2025!

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  5. Kathy Boyd Avatar
    Kathy Boyd

    I thought of you so often this past month wondering what adventures you’re up to and now I know what a dream and I’m so glad you’re experiencing life as you are. I just wish I could hop over there and be walking down those streets and seeing what you’re seeing with you and trying those cinnamon rolls and sipping that coffee. It feels like I’m there, but I know I’m not

    I sent you all the best for these holidays and ongoing delights as you jump into 2025!!! much love, Kathy

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    1. Mamie Patton Avatar
      Mamie Patton

      Kathy, you are always on my mind, and so many times I’ve wished you were with me. I have rosemary, basil, lavender and parsley on my balcony, and I always think of you when I’m tending them, because you started me on herb gardens. Keep putting dimes and nickels aside for your eventual journey to Portugal!

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  6. jenniehardware Avatar
    jenniehardware

    Tigo and Uma are getting so big! Merry Christmas Mamie xx

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    1. Mamie Patton Avatar
      Mamie Patton

      Merry Christmas to you Jennie! Yes, Tigo and Uma are getting heavy in my lap. 🙂

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      1. Ryan Crosby Avatar
        Ryan Crosby

        Strong coffee and cinnamon rolls sound like a perfect way to start Christmas. I always appreciate your updates and photos…especially your signature one-eye selfies!

        Best wishes in the new year!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Mamie Patton Avatar
        Mamie Patton

        Ryan, you and Eric gifted us with the perfect Christmas Eve! I forgot to take pictures though, so we’ll need a repeat next year.

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      3. Ryan Crosby Avatar
        Ryan Crosby

        Let’s do it!RyanRyan CrosbySent from iPhone. 

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