A Portugal Christmas! ... Christmas Eve.

Knowing that this will most likely be my one and only Christmas in Lisbon Portugal, I have been trying very hard not to dwell in past Christmas memories or spend too much time missing what I don't have.  Instead, Ric and I have been looking forward to learning some new Christmas traditions with the friends we have made here.  We were so fortunate to be included in celebrations at two different homes for both Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinners.  I've been reminded that the food, the decorations and the location don't matter as much as the people you are with.  Luckily we have come to care about and enjoy being with these people....SO for a family away from FAMILY they were great substitutes!

 Well this is it!!!  This is Bachalou Conatas...the traditional Christmas Eve dish.  I have heard so much about it, both good and bad that I was excited to try it. The flavor is really pretty good, not anything like the terrible smell I am hit with everytime I enter a grocery store!  This version is made with mashed potatoes, mayonnaise and cheese and drizzled with olive oil.  The problem for me was that the skin and some of the fish bones were in the dish, which I had a hard time picking out as I ate.  We ate another version on Christmas day that tasted the same but with a little less fish, no bones or skin and more mashed potatoes...Ceu called it her Americanized version and I really liked it! 

 Along with Cod Fish...Christmas Eve always includes this green cabbage, boiled and of course drizzled with olive oil.

Made only at Christmas ..fried pumpkin cake balls rolled in sugar & cinnamon

These are like fried cinnamon crisps but homemade.

This is Christmas tradition...something like fruitcake in USA - it's a Queen Cake or could be a King cake with dried fruit.  And like fruitcake...no one seems to ever eat it!

This is Maria...She is 10 and so excited for Christmas...she was filled with that crazy anticipation that only a child can bring.  The tradition is to open presents at midnight on Christmas Eve.  Antonio and his family can't wait that long anymore and start much earlier in the night.

Maria, Sarah & Diana

A rousing version of 12 days of Christmas (in English) complete with actions...lots of fun!   Think I will try to incorporate this into my own family traditions next year.

This Grandma & Grandpa Paulo.  They have worked all day preparing the meal...she wouldn't let me help in the kitchen at all.  They are very sweet people- Antonio is there only living son and they are lifetime Catholics who support and love their son and his family.  Antonio's daughter Diana was just called to serve in the Portugal North Mission which is where they live...maybe she will be an influence on them as a missionary!?

This Joanna- she has opened up her heart, home and family to us

Dinner on Christmas day was spent at the home of another one of our 'bosses' -  This is Ceu (meaning Heaven).  She along with Miguel are over the PEF program in all of Europe.  She is so very sweet and kind to us and we loved being in her home with her husband and 2 handsome sons.  Ceu and her husband are also directors over  FSY (for the strength of youth) program in Portugal.  It is exactly like the EFY program run by BYU.  I just can't say enough about the amazing, hardworking, spiritually superhuman people we work with here...hopefully, some of it rubs off on us!

She also makes the BEST chocolate mouse in all of Portugal...We have tasted it and it is true!!

What could have been 2 very difficult days felt warm, welcoming and fun thanks to these two wonderful families!