Countryside Views: Martilongo III

Hi everyone.
Today, I´m posting other pictures S. took in Martilongo and Alcoutim. This two villages are located in Algarve´s mountains and are very near Alentejo. Both places have great countryside views:

Old Windmill: Giões road, on the way to Alcoutim.
Around 2 Km after the windmill you´ll find this small lagoon:




It´s winter here but we still have flowers in the fields.


This is the next spot to visit.
It´s a small place called "Água Santa de Besteiros",
a fountain in Vascão river.


When you reach Besteiros you´re no longer in Algarve.
You entered Alentejo region.


Older people say that this waters have medicinal properties, specially for nervous diseases. Visitors use to come here to bath and camping.
One thing is sure, this is a very relaxing place which has great countryside views. I think it´s a perfect spot to make a pic-nic or just spend some time close to nature. If only you could smell this air...it´s so pure!

My Countryhome: December Top Droppers

Hi.
I´d like to send a big thank you to all Entrecard bloggers that visited My Countryhome in December. As you probably noticed, I feature top droppers in my sidebar with a feed, logos and links.
These were the 10 top droppers:

~ A Simple Life

~ Mommy's Little Corner

~ Life's sweets and spices

~ Online Social Networking

~ moms..... check nyo

~ The Modern Mom

~ Good Life Review

~ Travel Portugal

~ Mariuca's Perfume Gallery

~ Cool Stuff

The first five blogs dropped on My Countryhome every day!
Once again thanks to all.

This Week´s Menu Plan

Hi.
This week, my Menu Plan is:

~ Monday:
Cheeseburgers & Salad
Spaghetti Bolognese

~ Tuesday:
Turkey steak & Pasta
Homemade Pizza

~ Wednesday:
Quiche & Vegs
Seafood & Toasts
Desserts

~ Thursday:
Leftovers
Lamb in the oven with potatoes

~ Friday:
Lamb leftovers & Salad
Fish Soup

~ Saturday:
Chese/Ham Omelette & Corn
Fried Rabbit, potatoes & Lettuce salad

~ Sunday:
Vegetables soup & Hotdogs or Leftovers (if any)
Vegetables Rice and Chamussas

I´m trying hard to stick to my Menu Planning and I think it´s working. If I keep this way, in a few months, I will notice some changes in our supermarket budget.

My goals with menu planning:

~ Lower our supermarket budget
~ Avoid the difficult decisions and "Don´t know what to cook for dinner" excuses to order or eat out.
~ Shop essentials once a month and fresh products on a weekly basis, except bread and other fresh items.
I´m working on two budgets, one for the monthly items and another (limited) to cover weekly expenses. Let´s see if this works for us.
See you soon.

My Countryhome Wishes: Happy New Year!

Pleasureyourpage.com

I´d like to send a big Thanks to all My Countryhome readers, followers, advertisers, visitors and fellow bloggers in my blogroll a very, very Happy New Year!
All the best and see you next year.
Cheers!

Atos Update

For those who wonder what Atos has been up to, check it out:

Playing


Kicking the Furniture


Checking the Christmas Gifts and...
almost fried by the lights, see my eyes...


And then, after all this activity and a snack, I get very, very tired...zzz.

Atos received two Christmas presents: A new blanket for his house and a new cushion for his favorite kitchen chair.
See you.

Weekend Menu Planning

Hi everyone. Hope you all had a good Christmas.
In my home, Christmas was a good time spent in family.
My menu plan for this weekend is:

~ Friday - Lunch out with my mother
Homemade Pizza

~ Saturday - Eggs, sausages & french fries
Chicken in the Oven with corn; Dessert

~ Sunday - Chicken sandwish with salad
- Vegetable mix soup and calamares.

Next week I need to make a menu plan for more days because Thursday is a holiday. All stores and supermarkets will be closed so I have to shop on Tueday or Wednesday. I think this is a good way to start the new year. If I keep doing menu planning maybe I can lower my supermarket budget.
See you soon.

To All My Countryhome Readers: Merry Christmas!

Hi.
I wish all My Countryhome readers a peaceful Christmas!
Peace and love to all.
xxx

Saving Money: Supermarket Budget is Stable

Hi everyone.
As some of you know, I´ve been doing a supermarket budget experience to save money.
This month I didn´t reach my goal but I was very near it. During December I know I will spend more but I´ll try to be careful and avoid credits at all cost.
I´m ready to finish this experience and move to others. The truth is I learned important lessons. Once I took note of everything, I know exactly where we spent our money, where I can save or not. Having conscience where we spend our money is the first step to start saving.
So, now that my supermarket budget is stable, I can focus on other areas such as menu planning, costs with services, insurances and extras. If I reach any of this goals I´ll let you know what I did.
See you soon.