It is the end of our warm Indian summer and the dogs made the most of soaking up the last rays of the autumn sun. 
Now the fires are lit in the kitchen, lounge and barn during the day and the weather has turned sour for the most part.But we have our own little miss sunshine and the photo of one of Lexa's first smiles brings us warmth every day
The turn in the weather has meant little happening outdoors, although Fraser has valiantly put up a new fence, which in fact is much nicer than what we had and our 4th back garden gate...
post tree-event...
and I have re-planted the fence border with mainly lavender.We have lots of wood in the woodshed and the dogs are happiest in the house now either curled up in front of the fire or on the sofa!
There is still colour out there though
..our pond side Maple has been glorious and the local Medronheiro tree is putting out is new blossom alongside its ripening fruits...
the heather is gloriously in bloom
and our little orange tree has borne fruit for the first time.
Cool!But this type of weather is good for allowing us to work in the barn on our various projects.
Fraser is busy framing his newest paintings for the exhibition in Tábua Library which we are setting up on Friday. It will be open from 6th to 31st December..hopefully in time for some last minute Christmas gift purchases - well maybe!
I spent a really fun day with friends making soaps and lip balms and our hostess, Shelley was an excellent teacher. She makes great home-made organic soaps.
You can see her soaps for sale in the uk at this website Simply Portugal Soaps .I have been making Christmas gifts for some of the family, home-made Christmas crackers (40 so far!!!) and fabric gifts and decorations for the regional expat gardening group Christmas bazaar, taking place at a friends quinta on 22nd December.
We will be taking some of our smaller paintings and fabric hangings too and I am dressing up my jam, jellies and chutneys for sale. Hopefully to make a few euros profit to help towards Christmas expenses.So, we are girding our loins, adding fleecy layers to our daily garb and getting ready for Christmas. Thank goodness for internet shopping and my brilliant sister who is acting as Santa for me in the UK to make sure that everything is ready for the family there.
So although this cold and wintry time of year makes us feel a bit down in the mouth we are also getting into the spirit!!!!!
