This year we spent Christmas on island. Last year was amazing, but a little pricey. We did Disney and relaxed on the beach. Our airfare alone was unmentionable.
We were able to decorate completely, unlike last year with our sad little Charlie Brown tree. We had two trees and lights in all the windows. I thought it looked great!
Then I saw the neighbors' tree. The comparison to ours just made me sad.
The Portuguese on this island have the tradition of decorating under the tree. Most spend a lot of money on a nativity set, and then create the setting. Eddie and Rubin cut moss from the lot next door and covered the area they had prepared.
I don't even know how they did it,
but the ducks had running water. It was amazing!
Everything was under the tree, houses, deer, trees, and of course the baby Jesus.
Christmas Eve is traditionally when Portuguese families get together and we were humbled to be invited to share traditions with the Pacheco's and extended family. A long table was brought in with twenty chairs for us all to sit together. Normally the garage is used for this purpose, it was a big debate(but Edwarda was sticking to american culture on this one).
The dinner was traditional american and portuguese. We had turkey, ham and taters (mashed and sweet). And we had bacalou (a fish casserole), squid, and another fish dish. And of course the giant table covered in sweets! It was an evening we will not forget.
They even decorated the food table!
Maybe next year..........
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