Casa Do Meu Pai Blog

I write about DIY, language learning and grief. Bem vindo!

[casa-domeupai]

Look who was hanging out at my front door tonight

This fire salamander was clearly loving all the wrinkly olives on the ground

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

10 Signs You've Fully Embraced Portuguese Time

Portugal is a country known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and, of course, the unique concept of time. If you’ve spent enough time in this charming nation, you might notice that your perception of time has shifted. Here are 10 signs that you’ve fully embraced the laid-back rhythm of Portuguese time. 1. You’ve Mastered the Art of the Portuguese Greeting No longer in a rush, you’ve…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

Main bedroom update 2; Parquet Hibernation Tactics

Check out my post on what I've decided to do with the old parquet floor in my house!

Step into my home, where every room tells a story – a story of well, a parquet floor that’s seen better days. Yet another not-so-picture-perfect side of my home improvement saga. Let’s talk about this parquet floor – the one that, at first glance, might seem like a symphony of squares and brightness. But, and this is a big ‘but,’ I’ve got a confession to make. Brace yourself because, despite the…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

General post; Navigating the Tranquil Rhythms: A Journey from Urban Anonymity to Rural Comradeship

Check out this post I've written about Portuguese vs UK life. 1 minute read.

I exchanged a fairly loud UK town next to the M25 for the serene ambience of a Portuguese village, and, well, culture shock hit me like a tonne of bricks. Why, you ask? Because in this quaint setting, chit-chat and familiarity with everyone reigns supreme. It’s an acquired taste, but one that grows on you. Let’s start with the village chatter. As I strolled down the cobbled streets,…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

The 7 Stages of Trying Bacalhau for the First Time

Portugal is renowned for its culinary delights, and at the heart of its gastronomic legacy lies bacalhau, the beloved salted codfish. For foreigners venturing into the world of Portuguese cuisine, the first encounter with bacalhau is a culinary adventure filled with anticipation, skepticism, and perhaps a touch of fear. Here are the seven stages one typically goes through when trying bacalhau for…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

Kitchen Update 1; How ChatGPT and a Dash of Yellow Rescued My Kitchen Dreams

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

Kitchen Update(ish); The Smashed Window Incident

I was over the moon with how my tiles and wall color turned out; the only eyesore left was the hideous brown on every door and window, inside and out (cue the dramatic sob emoji). Picture this: the pre-transformation kitchen, ruled by spiders of all things! Wait, I have an actual picture! Gross, right? My decorating style? Let’s call it chaotic chic. So, when a crash echoed from the kitchen, I…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

General Post; Fumbling into Fun: A Circus Museum Puppet Show and the Art of Late Arrivals

Hey folks, gear up for the wild ride I had over the weekend (this might get weird). Gotta confess, I’m a bit of an anxiety enthusiast—always caught up in the worry whirlwind. But guess what? I did something pretty cool that I kinda want to share. Picture this: a puppet show at a circus museum, the kind of quirky invitation that makes you raise an eyebrow. I was fashionably late, true to my…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

Garden Update 1; Rainy Day Chaos: Navigating Retaining Wall Woes and DIY Solutions in Home Renovation

See all those rocks at the bottom of the photo and the ones just sitting in the soil? They’ve removed themselves from the retaining wall opposite my front doors(yeah, I’ve got two. See this page for why). It’s been raining cats and dogs for the past week and the wall decided enough was enough. As you can tell, it isn’t exactly freshly built but I thought it would last at least until next summer.…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

General Post; Lost in Translation: Embracing the Comedy of Learning Portuguese

Years ago, I shared with my dad my eagerness to learn Portuguese, and during our trip to Lisbon, he gifted me a book. It’s a bit bittersweet that I can’t update him on finally cracking open that book after it spent far too long gathering dust. But let’s not make this a sad post, because I know my dad would beam with pride knowing I’ve embarked on this language-learning journey. I’ve decided to…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

Main Bedroom Update 1; Shelf Saga Chronicles: DIY Triumphs, Wonky Woes, and Froggy Finds

So, I decided to tackle the whole shelf installation thing, expecting it to be this epic struggle. Turns out, it was way easier than the universe led me to believe. But, of course, there’s a twist—why do my shelves look like they’ve had one too many drinks?? Well, I thought I was a genius using a laser level, drilling perfect holes, and getting everything just right. What I forgot to consider is…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

General Post; Frogs, Frogs Everywhere: Embracing the Unpredictable and Slimy Charm of my New Favorite Creatures!

Hey fellow animal enthusiasts! Brace yourselves for a ribbiting tale (see what I did there?) about my newfound love affair with the weirdest, slimiest, and downright unpredictable creatures on the planet – frogs! Move over cats and dogs, there’s a new favourite in town, and it’s hopping straight into my heart. Picture this: I’m minding my own business when, out of nowhere, frogs start making…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

Kitchen Update #3; Building The Kitchen: From Skeletons to Granite Splendor!

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

General Post; How I Went from DIY Pro to Humble Language Learner: Navigating the Chaos of Mastering Portuguese!

Hey there, friends! Guess what? I’ve set two absolutely bonkers life goals for myself, and I’m navigating the challenge with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. It’s less of a brag and more of a humbling experience, but let me take you on a journey through my rollercoaster of self-discovery. For those who’ve just joined the fan club (yes, it’s a thing), I’ve always been secretly proud of…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

General Post; Navigating the Labyrinth of Portuguese Learning Resources: A Tale of BR-PT and PT-PT Adventures

Embarking on the journey of learning Portuguese is like setting sail in uncharted waters, and if there’s one thing you’ll quickly discover, it’s the unmistakable divergence between Brazilian Portuguese (BR-PT) and European Portuguese (PT-PT). Forget subtle nuances – they’re more like distant cousins who occasionally share a word or two. And don’t get me started on the endless hunt for PT-PT…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

Guest Bedroom Update #1; The Reimagining of The Most Boring Bedroom: A Chronicle of Chaos and Color

Embarking on a home improvement journey is like stepping into a realm where chaos and creativity collide. Join me as I recount the adventures and mishaps of transforming what was once deemed The Most Boring Bedroom in the Universe into a vibrant sanctuary, fraught with challenges and triumphs. In a room adorned with just a bed, a lemon tree peeking through one window, and a picturesque village…

View On WordPress

[casa-domeupai]

General Post; Trench Art Discoveries

Some of the things I’ve found whilst searching through all the random boxes at the house are these little fellas: It’s trench art that I’m assuming belonged to my grandad or possibly my great uncle and they somehow made it out to Portugal at the bottom of a box of junk. Two of them were quite easy to figure out: A cute little bottle open that pops out when you press the cap. A little lighter…

View On WordPress