#5 Zazzle Stores: Mariana Ewa's Zazzle Store

Hello readers and friends! Today's Sunday and it's pretty cold for my likings. Mariana Ewa would laugh about it because yesterday she was facing -21º celsius outside her house. For me, anything below 10º is very cold! No kidding, nights here are terrible, terrible meaning -1º to -3º. I live by the sea where everything is warmer and my body really doesn't react well to low temperatures. My body and mind. I get restless, I can't think straight, I feel sick. I long for 20º up so I can go to the beach and be happy! Brrrr!

Mariana Ewa was born in Sweden. She has a daughter called Emmy and lives on a farm with her boyfriend. She's fortunate to have horses and cats around, I would like that for me too. She suffered an accident and as a result of it, she's disabled. I 'm sorry to read about that. She gave me some advice on the MAC computer. I am more convinced than ever that's what I need. But for now, I just have half the money for it. Zazzle keeps launching new products and I can't create any because my old PC isn't exporting big files anymore. I must be patient and wait a little longer. Mariana creates on her computer and also paints for family and friends.

Mariana Ewa has a great Zazzle store. Click on the flash panel and take a look around. I like what she does with national flags. Some countries have flags with little design appeal. Mariana found a way to deal with that. She plays with the design and offers you a great final product. I also find her use of fractals interesting. But the store has much more. She wrote: "Here you can find beautiful products for the wedding, for the birthday, for all the holidays. Products like business cards, posters, cards, shoes, invitations, and much more."

One thing that really stroke me is the way she presents her Zazzle products. Just look at the example above. She placed her new Valentine's products on a table. I found this awesome. Then I found more great products presentations on her Facebook page. You should visit and learn from her. Get inspired and find new ways of showing your stuff! I am convinced that to post a link with the product isn't enough anymore. You have to stand out from the crowd. We have to reach the client using other more appealing strategies. Of course, not everyone can do it. You need to master graphic software.*But, let me tell you one thing - if you want really hard you can learn it. I did. Till 2004 I knew nothing about graphics computer software. Today I use Corel Draw, Freehand, Illustrator, Photoshop and more. If you don't have the time or the interest on it or feel you'll never learn, you can ask someone to create the banners for you. There's always a way. Thank you Mariana Ewa for your inspiration! I hope you like this postage!


* But you can explore online tools like Photofunia! Check my previous posts here and here on it to see what I mean!

Valentine's Day on the street with Photofunia

Can you imagine your Valentine's Day Zazzle designs glued on streets and building walls? Photofunia helps us to picture it! Yes, I've been playing a bit more with this online tool. No, I am not earning anything from this promotion, I'm not in any affiliate program or anything like that! I am just wasting time PLAYING! Sometimes we need to unwind!

For several times I had advertising posters I made on the street but it has been a while since I had those moments of glory! Now I do mostly small formats. It was lots of fun to wake up and get on the streets and discover it glued, some in very big format.

Have fun editing your photos online!

Hello! Today I bring you a site where you can have some fun with your photos! It's PHOTOFUNIA. With this online tool, you just upload your file and easily play with it. You add cool photo effects and create funny face photo montages.You can put your face on a billboard, a stamp, or in a Warhol-like work of pop-art. Become the Mona Lisa or a bodybuilder. You get over 150 scenes to play with. You're not cutting and pasting; instead, the app "finds" the face in your photo and integrates it with the scene of your choice. Photofunia its lots of fun! I just tried to change one of my photos into a pencil drawing. Not bad and without any Photoshop, even kids can do it! Plus, you can save with resolution enough to print!

Then I uploaded one of my Zazzle drawings on to a mug full of steaming coffee! You can use it to advertise your Zazzle mugs. Unfortunately, there's only one background available...This is a .gif but it isn't working unless you double click the photo.

Featured product on Zazzle - A big heart!

Hello Zazzlers and friends! I think Zazzle gave me a birthday gift! This magnet is one of the 6 Valentine's Day featured magnets! Hurray! I think this is the first time for me. I really don't know if it has happened before because I don't check Zazzle that much.
There are so many cute Valentine's Day magnets on display. It's difficult to pick one, really. This magnet - A big heart photo magnet - is for Valentine's Day celebration or any other day you'll feel like celebrating love with a partner or family any time of the year. A daughter can give it to Mom on Mother's Day too. It's quite simple. But not so simple - the hearts around the big heart where you can upload your photo are made from tiny white hearts. So, lots of L-O-V-E to give! Thank you, Zazzle for picking this magnet! (This product is not available anymore.)

Today it's my birthday!

Aquarius Zodiac for kids by aportugueselove

Yeah! Today it's my birthday and I had this silly idea of looking for famous people that are having a birthday celebration today also. I have a friend that is also having his birthday today. Yesterday I sent him some oldfashioned snail mail. I hope that someone remembers to send me some postcard too! I really like it! I just found some folks from movie and TV's universe. Two are already dead! So I guess the party will be complete with just this (famous) person and Michael!

The first famous person I found is Michael C. Hall who was born in 1971. He's a TV actor. He had a role at TV show Six Feet Under, which I liked. But where I think that he's really excellent is as the serial-killer and police blood analyst Dexter. Dexter is one of my favorite TV shows. I get bored easily with TV series. But so far Dexter has been keeping me wanting for more! Michael C.Hall won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for his role as Dexter. I can't agree more with those decisions. But the show itself is just wonderful. I started watching with many issues being the central character a serial killer. I ended up a real fan, in a good sense as I am not much into fan behavior. That said I watched all the seasons and I am waiting for the next one!

Found another actor that was born on 1st February, in 1901. He's already dead. He had the leading man role as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. His last movie was The Misfits. I liked The Misfits. Of, you've guessed already - it's Clark Gable. I never enjoyed his presence on the screen and he was leading role in so many movies - It happened one night, Mutiny on the Bounty, Mogambo! I saw Mogambo when I was very young (in my teens) and found it rather exotic. Ava Gardner was incredible and Grace Kelly very pretty...but I had to watch Gable doing his thing too, damn!

And found a director of classic westerns and war stories movies that was born on February 1st, his name was John Ford. He's also dead, of course. I watched maybe all of his movies - How Green was my Valley, The man who shot Liberty Valance, The grapes of wrath and many others, The quiet man...

The new Messenger Bags by Zazzle

One for all and all for love Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
View more courier bags.

Yesterday  I was very excited about the prospect of creating new products on Zazzle. But I discovered that my old computer can not export large files anymore. I can not create Messenger Bags or the biggest of the new Sleeves available. But I really wanted to try to make some Messenger bags. The only file I could use to do it was the Portuguese Water Dog one. But it’s quite as they say - necessity is the mother of invention. I decided to use Zazzle fonts only. Just using that and Zazzle Edit Tool I created a series of bags without using my software. These bags have all been designed very quickly. For me, it was a discovery as I never use it that way. Initially, I even made all products lettering in my software!! Later I discovered that customizable option was the way to go. But it took me some time to adapt! I really like some of the Messenger Bags I created. I might even buy one! I can say it was very fun to create all the bags. Also, I got to know all the Zazzle Fonts available and I think that will help me in creating other products... Here I leave the suggestion to you. I think it is worth exploring! 

Plan B Urban Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
Browse Zazzle for a different messenger bag.

I'm on a CMYK mood Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
Browse Zazzle for a different messenger bag.

Not Donuts Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
View other Rickshaw zero Rickshaw Messenger Bags

Gone fishing Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
View more messenger bags.

I have to agree with Zazzle:

The Rickshaw Zero Messenger Bag is perfect as a workday commuter, overnight attaché, or travel bag! Vibrantly printed with custom artwork or text on rugged polyester and designed with a unique accessories system, this bag is as customizable inside as it is outside. Handmade for you with a focus on environmental sustainability, this bag combines beautiful form, function, and a small ecological footprint. It’s Water resistant, extra durable (machine-washable); large main compartment and 2 front pockets; lightweight and forms to your bod; quick-adjust cam shoulder strap;velcro strips accessory system; holds a 13” laptop w/optional sleeve.

Woman that keeps 80 stray dogs needs help

Newspaper cover Correio da Manhã watch it here.

Television cover RTP1 watch it here.

People call her Mother Theresa of the Dogs but her name is Maria José. This lady is 67 years old and she is retired now. She lives at Pinhal Novo and she keeps 80 dogs and 20 cats. Some can be adopted, others do not because they are sick or too old for that. The lady and the animals are facing eviction from the house they inhabit, for nonpayment of rent. The landlord threatened to pull the gates of the land where they are and cut water and electricity to Maria José. She feared that if things come to that animals will escape and eventually die or be injured. No one wants these animals in the streets again or dead by city hall services. A group was born on Facebook to help the lady and the animals. She has already a place for herself. The group focus is on the animals she has been helping for some years now. 

How can you help?
PROMOTING this postage to your Facebook, Twitter, email friends. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
PROVIDING to Maria José´s needs:

- Send money for tools and construction materials;

- Send construction materials to build fences and shelter for dogs;
- Send food for cats and dogs (as the money is being channeled to the new site)
- Send money to pay the vet bills that are now of 3000 euros! (the money is being channeled to the new site)
- Adopt one of her dogs or cats!
- She also needs people to work at a voluntary level in the construction;

If you would like to make a money transfer, check the following:

Account name - Maria José Cautela

Bank name - Banco Montepio
NIB:0036 0027 9910 0121 5760 4
IBAN: PT50 0036 0027 9910 0121 5760 4
BIC: MPIO PTPL

If you sent any money, please scan and send proof to suzyccf@hotmail.com with Os amigos da Teti for message title so she can mention you on donations listing.

If you would like to send food for the animals, check the following:

Address:

Maria José Cautela
Apartado 11
2955-909 Pinhal Novo

If you would like to speak to her, - I don't know if she knows English - to visit her animals:

Maria José mobile phone number: 914 728 234

This information can be found on Facebook Os amigos da Teté Group

Meet Fudge, my new partner in business!

This is a "Thank you" postage! I want to thank Sue and Fudge. Fudge is a Portuguese Water Dog and Sue owns him. They live at the Missouri state. You can meet Fudge and read about his adventures at his blog called The Portuguese Water Blog. He's not alone in the house as he has more 7 companions of his breed to play. There's a great photo of them right at the blog's heather.

I've been updating some sections of my store since Zazzle launched their new tagging policy. It has been a boring task and I really don't know if there will be positive results for products searching out of it. But now it's almost done. Fortunately, I don't have a big store. Even so I had to re-tag a lot and meanwhile, I decided to update old products that I think to have some selling potential and even to create some new ones.

I wanted a Portuguese Water Dog photo so I could create some more products that buyers could customize uploading their own dog's photo in it. I live in Portugal but I don't know anyone who owns one of these dogs. And I just don't steal photos from the internet. I don't subscribe to that. So I Googled and Fudge's blog showed up. I wrote a comment there asking for help and soon after I got Fudge's photo on my email box. I think Fudge it's perfect. He's beautiful and looks curious. Fudge looks like he's preparing to bark! I'm so fond of animals and due to my current lifestyle, I can't have one. I call it lifestyle but in fact, it hasn't much style. I can't find a steady job and I just don't know where I'll be the next day. So I can't take the responsibility of raising an animal. Animals also need security. So I help animals that need help, stray cats and dogs and people that hold shelters for them. And I do pet sitting for my sister's shar-pei dog. I think that every family should have an animal in the house so children can grow up admiring and respecting animals. Most people live an entire life and the only animals they get to watch are sparrows or pigeons... In a certain way, I envy my grandmother's life. She had a tough life because she worked in the fields for many years. But she had a natural understanding of the true meaning of life and nature and need no campaigns to understand animals rights.

To know more about the Portuguese Water Dog, read this short text and follow the links.

Love Rrring - Today's Best Award at Zazzle's!

Zazzle team liked this proposal of a Valentine's Day necklace. I had a telephone like this one until I went to college. It wasn't white, it was black. I spent hours talking over that phone back in the time when there was no such thing as mobile phones! The Love Telephone Necklace is a cute Valentine gift for those sweethearts who spent hours talking sweet over the phone! You can change the text, of course, with Zazzle edit tool and write your own sweet words of Love!

 (This product is not available anymore.)

Help Inter Care Medical Aid with used stamps!

That's right! My Irish friend Rosetta Jallow just posted an appeal in Facebook for Inter Care Medical Aid initiative of collecting stamps. These are then used to help African people. It was the first time I heard about the reused stamps use for this purpose. Hence most people probably got at least some Christmas and New Year's greeting cards I think it's the ideal time to promote this idea! Inter Care collects used stamps which are then sold online to stamp collectors around the world. All you need to do is to cut stamps out from envelopes you receive. Let some paper around the stamp, at least 1cm ( 0.3937 inches). Then, when you have a few, send them to the address below. It's an inexpensive way to help AFRICA. I will send some Portuguese stamps.


Go to INTER CARE MEDICAL AID to know this organization and their awesome work against poverty in Africa.
Inter Care
46 The Halfcroft
Syston
Leicester
LE7 1LD

What's your New Year Resolution?

Having trouble? Why don't you just click

http://www.whatthefuckismynewyearresolution.com/

and have fun!

Figueira da Foz: 1000 mini fireworks Guiness Record

On New Year's Eve, some minutes before midnight 1000 mini fireworks were lit in order to achieve a Guinness World Record for Figueira da Foz. We made it!

Let's dance on the first day of 2012

Velas e navios sobre as águas  - video

I just wish you could understand the Portuguese language so you could understand and admire the beauty of the lyrics of this record. Not easy to translate, sometimes I do it for you but I don't think I can this time! But you can enjoy the great music. It's called Em busca das montanhas azuis - Searching for the blue mountains - and the name of the singer is Fausto. His inspiration has always been Portuguese history and very much one book called Pilgrimage.

This book was written by Portuguese writer and explorer Fernão Mendes Pinto. Pilgrimage is Pinto's memoir of 20 years of travel back in XVI century. He went as far as the middle and far east, Ethiopia, China, India, and Japan. He claimed to have been among the first group of Europeans to visit Japan. He wasn't an enthusiast of colonialism. He wrote that he was thirteen times made captive and seventeen times sold. It's hard to believe all he wrote! He got famous to be a bit of a liar himself or at least for a vivid imagination! So, Fausto writes and sings about Portuguese travels and discoveries and the bonds between Portuguese and local populations of those regions. Amazing musician and writer, I wish Santa gave this gift to me last Christmas! Enjoy and dance!

Quando avistaram pela primeira vez
velas e navios sobre as águas
por maravilha imaginaram
que eram brandas
asas brancas
que voavam pelas fráguas
vindas por magia
de estranhos lugares
assim levantadas
muito mais aladas
pelas entranhas das cafrarias
e nascidas de outros mares
de outros ares
e quando arreámos velas
lançámos ferro
e vendo apenas cascos de feitio
cuidaram então que fossem peixes
nunca antes tinham visto
qualquer obra de navio
vão remos ao alto
pára de vogar
e olham-nos de espanto
e nós neste quebranto
acordámos em sobressalto
se andam cafres pelo ar
a rondar
a rondar
e cobrem o ar gafanhotos
mosquitos e moscos
pavões e patolas
libelinhas
zangões
borboletas
tabões
abelhinhas
gralhas
galinholas
e no chão
abertos os gorgomilos
há bichas e crocodilos
muito abundantes
de beiça larga
e papos grandes
e cobrem o ar gafanhotos
mosquitos e moscos
pavões e patolas
libelinhas
zangões
borboletas
tabões
abelhinhas
gralhas
galinholas
e na tapada
andam leões e leopardos
entre muitos ruminantes
mirabolantes
longos focinhos de "alifantes"
também julgavam que os olhos pintados
e pintados mesmo à proa do navio
eram verdadeiros olhos
e por esses olhos
via e andava
o navio pelo rio
pairando no escuro
era aparição
estranha criatura
na negra moldura
e na aflição do esconjuro
atropelam água
céu e chão
os pagãos
os pagãos
e cobrem o ar gafanhotos
mosquitos e moscos
pavões e patolas
libelinhas
zangões
borboletas
tabões
abelhinhas
gralhas
galinholas
e no chão
abertos os gorgomilos
há bichas e crocodilos
muito abundantes
de beiça larga
e papos grandes
os pagãos
os pagãos
e cobrem o ar gafanhotos
mosquitos e moscos
pavões e patolas
libelinhas
zangões
borboletas
tabões
abelhinhas
gralhas
galinholas
e na tapada
andam leões e leopardos
entre muitos ruminantes
mirabolantes
longos focinhos de "alifantes"

A TBA for Blooming Hearts stamp!

«Love handkerchiefs» are a very old Portuguese tradition. Hearts, flowers, birds and small love poems were embroidered in handkerchiefs that girls gave to sweethearts. My hearts and flowers cute stamps are inspired by these traditional Portuguese designs of Lovers Handkerchiefs!It's ideal to celebrate love on every occasion, any time!For a special anniversary or for Valentine's Day. For your girlfriend or boyfriend, for your wife and husband, for your partner. These stamps are just for those who wants to celebrate love the oldfashioned way - writting a letter, sending a card!It's still a romantic aproach and very special way to celebrate love hence everyone is using emails and sms! Thank you Zazzle for this TBA!


(This product is not available anymore.)

Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright.

Beautiful photo from the Iberian Peninsula at night, December 26th! The city lights of Spain and Portugal define the Iberian Peninsula in this photograph from the International Space Station (ISS). Lovely.


Credits to EARTH OBSERVATORY, NASA.

Christmas food! How to prepare Fake Scallops!

One has to be grateful for good food on the table. Yes, food is a great way to celebrate life and not only at Christmas. I am not a good fork but I like to try everything. Fish dishes are what I prefer. I love all kinds of seafood. If I can't afford the real thing I try another option. These aren't the real ones. They are fake scallops ideal for party starters, very easy to do - again, don't come here for sophisticated food, I am not a cook! But if it lives on the sea I will cook it because I will certainly like it! You can prepare these with any kind of fish or seafood. What do you need?


Ingredients for 5 shells

A bag of peeled shrimp - you can buy it fresh and boil it and then remove peels. But it's more work around the kitchen!

1 bag of Delícias do Mar - it's crab assembled in little rectangular pieces. Again you can use fresh crab for better results or any other seafood you like.
1 small can of mushrooms

Garlic, parsley, q.b.
For the béchamel sauce
25 gr of flower
25 gr of butter
300 ml of milk
half onion
2 bay leaves
3 cloves
salt, pepper, nutmeg

How to prepare the béchamel sauce:

Bring the milk to boil in a saucepan. Remove from the eat and drop the onion and cloves and bay leaves. Stick the cloves through the bay leaves into the onion. This way you can remove it easily when it's not needed anymore. Let it cool down for 5 minutes.

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the flower. Stir this for 2 minutes in low heat and then remove it from the flames.

Add the milk. Careful now: it must boil but you must stir all the time or it will burn. Once it boils you low the flames and watch it gets consistent. Keep stirring. Drop the pepper, salt, and nutmeg. Stir a bit more and it is ready.


How to prepare the fake shells:

When the sauce is made, add to it the peeled shrimps, the mushrooms and the crab that you previously have mixed with garlic and parsley and put aside to rest.

Then fill the shells, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and get the shells on the oven so it gets some color. It's done and it's always a success!

These are porc lamb chops with roasted potatoes with peel in the oven. Wash the potatoes very well. Use a brush. Dry it and then make some tiny holes in it with a fork. Put a drop of olive oil on top of each one. (You can skip these two details if you want.) Put it in the oven for 45 minutes at 200º. Turn it after 20 minutes. With a wooden spoon pressure on top of one potato to check if it's already roasted because it depends on potato size, temperature, etc. The lamb chops were cooked in a saucepan, slowly, before going into the oven for some strong heat on the top of the roasted potatoes. No secrets to it.

And this is one of my favorite rice recipes - it has pinenuts and raisins. Also very easy to prepare. Just pay attention that raisins should go into the saucepan just when you add the rice to the water and not at the beginning, with the onion.

Red and White wine from the Setúbal region. Really, folks, I never enjoyed Coca-Cola or any kind of soda drinks. Natural fruit juices and wine and beer for me, please.

More about these Portuguese wines - Quinta da Bacalhôa Winery

King Cake or Bolo Rei is our Christmas traditional cake. It's a wreath like fruit cake laced with crystallized fruits and pinenuts. When I was a child there was a tiny present inside the cake and a broad bean. Now there's just a broad bean. The person who finds the broadband in one slice will pay the next "King Cake"!! (This one I did not make!)

Sweet Rice and Christmas trees!

Just finished some Sweet Rice and took a photo to show you. There it is with a big cup of black coffee! The rice isn't that yellow but I guess my mobile phone camera can't do better than that! Couldn't wait for dinner because I like to eat it while it's still hot! It's very sweet and has a lemon flavor. I posted the recipe below if you're curious and ever want to cook it one of these days! Very easy to prepare, see, I do not like the kitchen space very much...!

Yesterday I went to the local mall to buy the rice to make the Sweet Rice - and the last minute gift, that's right, there was on still missing - and there was this display of Christmas Trees decorated by local kindergarten children. Very cute!

How to prepare Sweet Rice? Check it righ here!

Pablo Alborán e Carminho sing the hit Perdóname

Video

Instead of a Christmas song, I am sharing a beautiful and romantic song by Pablo Alborán and Carminho. Carminho is a Portuguese fado singer. Pablo is a young Spanish singer only 22 years old and he's the voice of the moment in Madrid. This duet is climbing music tops in Spain and in Portugal we're enjoying it too. It's not fado but the video was shot in Lisbon.

"Fado" was also the name of the first work of Carminho released in 2009 in Portugal. It was considered by the British magazine "Songlines" one of the ten best albums released this year. Fado has now been published in the British market. Check this song and video from Carminho if you want to listen to some more of this incredible Portuguese voice and also watch a bit more of typical Lisbon.

Si alguna vez preguntas el por que

No sabré decirte la razón

Yo no la sé

Por eso y más

Perdóname


Ni una sola palabra más

No más besos al alba

Ni una sola caricia habrá

Esto se acaba aquí

No hay manera ni forma

De decir que sí


Ni una sola palabra más

No mas besos al alba

Ni una sola caricia habrá

Esto se acaba aquí

No hay manera ni forma

De decir que sí


Si alguna vez

Creíste que por ti

O por tu culpa me marché

No fuiste tú

Por eso y más

Perdóname


Si alguna vez te hice sonreír

Creístes poco a poco en mi

Fui yo lo sé

Por eso y más

Perdóname


Ni una sola palabra más

No más besos al alba

Ni una sola caricia habrá

Esto se acaba aquí

No hay manera ni forma

De decir que sí


Ni una sola palabra más

No más besos al alba

Ni una sola caricia habrá

Esto se acaba aquí

No hay manera ni forma

De decir que sí


Siento volverte loca

Darte el veneno de mi boca

Siento tener que irme así

Sin decirte adiós


Siento volverte loca

Darte el veneno de mi boca

Siento tener que irme así

Sin decirte adiós


Laralalalaralalarala

Laralaalala

Lalalalara


Ni una sola palabra más

No mas besos al alba

Ni una sola caricia habrá

Esto se acaba aquí

No hay manera ni forma

De decir que sí


Ni una sola palabra más

No mas besos al alba

Ni una sola caricia habrá

Esto se acaba aquí

No hay manera ni forma

De decir que sí

Are you ready to celebrate the New Year?

Gold Stripe Happy New Year Paper Plate
by DesignsActual

How do you celebrate the arrival of the New Year? Today I went to the post office to send my Christmas mail. I bought all the gifts already. Everything is done. Now I start to think about New Year's Eve. I've tried several things to celebrate the arrival of the new year along the years. Several times I went away to a visit a new place and mix with total strangers; on several occasions I met with friends for dinner at a local restaurant and then we went to pubs and then roam the streets waiting for the fireworks; when I was younger I also went dancing all night but it's not a good choice as houses are often too full. I went also to small private parties; I went to friend's houses and stay up all night eating and talking about memories shared! I stayed home alone watching movies! I went to bed, sick with fever...and more! Everyone has a way to spend the last hours of the year and welcome the new one. The important thing is to enjoy that time.

This year I'll stay at home. I am going to decorate the house a little with streamers and balloons as my nephew will be here. And the dog too, Davis, the shar-pei, he usually eats the confetti !! We'll have an end-of-the-year meal. Maybe my nephew will bring one of his favorite animation movies and we'll watch it together. At midnight we'll open and pour champagne. We'll eat the 12 raisins, make 12 wishes and have a toast to a better year. Quite simple. If the fog does not show we will be able to watch the fireworks from the window. I checked meteo and it will be very cold over the last week of the year. So I guess we'll stay home all night.

Inspired by the festive thought of New Year's Eve I made a small search on Zazzle for some New Year's paper plates. Here it is! Enjoy it!

Happy New Year with Champagne & Confetti Melamine Plate
by daisylin712

Happy New Year Plate
by CsAndJsDesigns

"Happy New Year!" Paper Plate
by _HappyNewYear

Happy New Year wishes party Paper Plate
by DoodlesHolidayGifts

Gold Confetti New Year's Paper Plates
by SparkleandGlitter

Happy New Year Paper Plate
by NatureTales

Portuguese Christmas desserts I like

By José Conçalves (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 

(www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

MEXIDOS RECIPE that I learned from my mother

(A typical recipe from the north of the country, it's also called FORMIGOS.)

Ingredients:


3 small common breads (two days old or more)
1,4 L water
200 gr sugar
50 gr of butter
1 small glass of Port Wine
1 small glass of honey - you can had more if you like
Half a lemon peel
1 cinnamon stick
a pinch of salt
100 g pinenuts
150 g walnuts
100 g raisins ( you can use almonds too)


How to prepare it:

Cut the bread in fine slices.
In a small bowl add the Port wine and the raisins.
In a pan put the water to boil.
When the water is boiling add put the bread and cover. Let it rest for some minutes. Then use the blender.
Now you have a paste. Add the pinenuts, the walnuts, the sugar, the lemon peel and the cinnamon stick to this paste and let it boil always stirring. Fire must be slow so the water evaporates slowly.
When this paste is smooth add the honey and keep stirring. The paste must be consistent till the end, sometimes it takes more than half an hour to get there.
At last you add the raisins and the Port Wine. This must be done in the very end so they keep in shape. Keep stirring for more 5 minutes.
Add the salt and taste the paste to see if it needs sme more.
Put in a plate. Eat cold.

Some people make decorations with cinnamon.I don't do that.

Bom apetite!

By Carlos Botelho (Susana Monteiro) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) 

or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

RABANADAS (It's like French toast)


Ingredients:


1baguette (a loaf of bread)

1 egg

200 ml (3/4 cup) milk

Olive oil

Sugar and cinnamon


How to prepare it:

Cut a baguette into 1 cm (1/2") thick rounds; remove the crusts;

Dip into an egg beaten with milk - 1 egg to approximately 200 ml (3/4 c.) milk;

Fry in hot olive oil in a skillet for a few seconds on each side;

Drain it and then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon;

Eat a lot, forget about diet and wish Christmas never ends!

ARROZ DOCE - Sweet Rice

You can learn how to prepare it in my previous post!

Online Christmas shopping for sea lovers!

The Beach is my Happy Place Flip Flops Mug by BeachBlissLiving

Design your own photo mugs with text at Zazzle

This will be my final Christmas Zazzle gifts showcase. This time I dedicated my search to sea lovers like myself. I live in a small seaside city for the moment and I like that. I know that I would feel miserable if I had to move to some interior spot of my country. I love the fact that we have a big coastline to the west and south. I like ocean's proximity, the color and smell of it and the sound of it. At night I can year it sometimes when the wind blows in my house's direction. Once I actually could watch a small bit of the sea from my window but some buildings ruined my view!

Here it is! Find bellow a big selection of Zazzle products with marvelous beaches photos, mugs with transatlantics memory, several creatures from the sea, nautical designs, sea glass, inspirational quotes and more.

From cute illustrations to serious photography, here's my suggestion for a sea lover's gifts! Hope you like it! Zazzlers are just fantastic, don't they?

Hey! Have you missed my previous Christmas gifts showcases?



My kingdom for a book! - For all those who loves books!

A bunch of cuteness! - For all those who cant't resist pretty things!

For computer lovers! - For all those who say computer is their best friend!

This post was refreshed in 2015.

Sea glass, beach glass art mug by SunshineSeaglass
Customize mugs online at Zazzle.

Classic Ship Antique Vintage Naval Sea Adventurer Flask by BCVintageLove
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Sea Life Cotton Pillow by UniquelyUnusual
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Sea Urchin Fridge Magnet - Round by bendoodlyn
Create unique customizable magnets at Zazzle

Nautical Collection Shark Deep Sea Blue Pillows by AnyTownArt
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Vintage Harp Seashell Antique Shells Template Rectangular Cheeseboard by SilverSpiral
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In the Sea Dinner Plates by DiramsWares
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Vintage Red and Green Haida Spirit Sea Turtle 2 Inch Round Magnet by SpiritAnimals
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under the sea mug by dennisthebadger
See more Whale Mugs at zazzle.com

The wanderer above the sea of fog by Caspar David Dinner Plate by KoolMedia
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Salmon Cheese Board Round Cheese Board by HipHab
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Nautical Rope in Natural with Deep Sea Blue Pillows by AnyTownArt
View more throw pillows.

Aqua Blue Seahorse Love Personal Flask by holiday_store
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Call Me Ishmael Classic White Coffee Mug by SenecaCreative
Make logo mugs online.

Initials and Anchor on Stripes Pattern Round Cheese Board by BestPatterns4u
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TAKE ME TO THE SEA PILLOW by OCEANBEACHQUOTES
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Creatures of the Sea Short Table Runner by Home_Sweet_Home
Check out more Fish Table Runners at Zazzle

Mermaid with Pearls and Seahorse Ringer Coffee Mug by thehouseofprosepine
View other Mermaids Mugs at Zazzle.com

PixDezines coral+seahorse/DIY background color! Plate by custom_plates
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Beach Happy Place Blue Aqua Old Wood Sea Pillow by 13MoonshineDesigns
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Watercolor Sea Quote Notebook by RedwoodAndVine
Create a notebook online at zazzle.com

Shark Attack - Blue and White Hip Flask by AntiqueImages
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Monsters on the Beach Ringer Coffee Mug by colonelle
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Coral Tree in Cream on Dark Navy Blue 2 Throw Pillows by AnyTownArt
Look at Zazzle Pillows

The Sea Turtle Pattern Party Plate by haidishabrina
Shop now for plates

Sea Captain Blue and White Stripe Melamine Plate by Peacock_Cards
Browse more Stripes Plates at Zazzle

Take Me to the Beach Ocean Summer Blue Sky Sand 2 Inch Square Magnet by BeverlyClaire
Make your own personal fridge magnets at zazzle.com

Vintage Flying Fish & Sea Bird Engraving Customize Party Plate by silvervintage
Check out more Flying Plates at Zazzle

shrimp in the sea party plates by eterietten
Check out Fish Plates online at zazzle

Summer Flip-Flops Chart 2 Inch Square Magnet by 5fingerdiscount
Find additional refrigerator magnets at zazzle.com

Sea Life Plate by UniquelyUnusual
Check out these Platesat Zazzle

Welcome to the Ocean Pillow by toddlersplace
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Sea Horse Captain Plates by Gnoppoletta
Shop now for plates

Cold Wave Plate by Margaret Juul by MargaretJuulArtist
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Classic Polka Dot Nautical Love Pillows by OrganicSaturation
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Under The Sea Fish Accent Pillow by mishmoshmarkings
View Mishmoshmarkings Accent Pillows online at zazzle

Under The Sea Fish Makeup Bags by mishmoshmarkings
See another Cosmetic Bagat Zazzle

Octopus; Aqua Green Chevron Bath Sets by doozydoodles
See more Bath Sets at Zazzle

Puffer Fish Melamine Plate by littleandthegirl
Find more Puffer Plates at Zazzle

Girl having fun diving and swimming pillow by noboringwhite
Find another Zazzle Pillow

Beach Coral Reef Pattern Nautical White Blue Soap Dispensers by FancyCelebration
Browse Beach coral reef Toothbrush Holder and Soap Dispenser Set online at Zazzle.com

Navy Blue Stripes and Sea Horses Bath Sets by DancingPelican
Find more Sea horses Toothbrush Holder and Soap Dispenser Set at Zazzle

Nautical shells dinner plate by peacefuldreams
See other party plates

Sea Turtle Love Wristwatch by aftermyart
View more Turtles May28th Watch

Watercolor Sea Quote Journal by RedwoodAndVine
Browse more journals at Zazzle

compass/wind rose wristwatches by mixedworld
Check out Bússula Watches online at zazzle

Morning mist along Oregon coast near Nesika, 2 Inch Square Magnet by DanitaDelimont
Shop for another vinyl magnet

fisherman crab plate by Gnoppoletta
Look at other Crab Plates at zazzle.com

Under the Sea in Turquoise Table Lamp by McLeroys
Browse more Turquoise Lamp-In-A-Box Lamp at Zazzle

Set Sail Ocean Travel Nautical Journals by DancingPelican
Look at other Nautical Journals at zazzle.com

Under The Sea Fish Premium Jewelry Boxes by mishmoshmarkings
Shop for other gifts.

Cute Sea turtle magnet by LyndasLines
See other Animals Magnets at zazzle

Deep Sea Beauties Tropical Fish Painting Party Plates by greerdesign
Look at another Plate

Vintage Sea Shells Personalized Retro Berge Shell Journals by silvervintage
See other Vintage Journals

Gulls landing plate by fineartbyjen
Browse Birds Plates online at Zazzle.com

Kid surfing big wave and seagulls wallets by noboringwhite
Browse other Surfing Wallets

Sea Sweetheart I Journal by bestartcollection
View more Coastal Journals

Marine Life Bath Accessory Sets by origamiprints
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Hermit crab plate by Gnoppoletta
View more plate designs from Zazzle.

SEA BIRDS White on blue Hanging Lamp by Coastal_decor
Check out another lamp online at zazzle.com

Cute Blue Whales Pattern Ceiling Lamps by ironydesigns
Check out more Cute kid design Lamp-In-A-Box Lamp at Zazzle

The Sponge of the Sea - Naturalist Image 1904 2 Inch Square Magnet by dhibiscusrose
See other Sponges Magnets

Seaside Blue Crab Collage Party Plate by AnyTownArt
Look at more Beach Plates at zazzle

Kids having fun on the beach throw pillows by noboringwhite
Check out other Beach fun Pillows at zazzle.com

Tropical Fish Tank Table Lamps by ArtnDesigns
Browse other Sea life Lamp-In-A-Box Lamp

Seashells - black and white on a white background bath accessory sets by Floridity
Find more Toothbrush Holders at Zazzle

Ranguana Caye, Belize 2 Inch Square Magnet by DanitaDelimont
Make a magnet online at Zazzle.

Beach Island by LifeontheBeach
Make your own card at Zazzle

AQUITANIA CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE SHIP by ANGELHELEN
See other Aquitania Mugs

Cruising Shark 2 Inch Round Magnet by AleenaDesign
View more Shark Magnets at zazzle.com

Shark Attack - Blue and White Pendant Lamp by AntiqueImages
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Boy swimming and diving with tropical fish cinch bags by noboringwhite
Find other Diving boy Drawstring Backpack at zazzle.com

Colorful Sea Life Jelly Fish Pattern Journal by My_Favorite_Things
Browse Jellyfish Journals

Dolphin head in aquamarine water 2 inch round magnet by SusansZooCrew
View other kitchen magnets at zazzle.com

Girl having fun diving and swimming budget tote bag by noboringwhite
Make unique personalized canvas tote bags at Zazzle

Dawn At Karon Beach,Phuket Island by Heartworks
Buy a cheap mousepad at zazzle.com

Bulldog at the Beach by rdviola
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Day at the Beach Mousepad - Stephen Huneck by dog_mountain
Browse Black Mousepads

Epona,Sea Horse Goddess Mug by lynndart
Make Travel mugs online with Zazzle

Surfing by VectorGraphics
make money as an artist using Zazzle.

Vintage Mariner's Compass necklace by Love2Shell
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Nautical Scatter Design by trennea
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FUTURE SURFER CRAWLER by Hang_Ten_Surf_Art
Begin selling my art online at zazzle.

island breeze by atouchofelegance
Browse more Cute Mousepads

Catch Fish by bigspl
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MANDARINFISH Keds Shoes by oceandudes
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Chesapeake Blue Crabs by ElainePlesser
Create custom imprinted coffee mugs at Zazzle

Cats at the Beach by Louis Wain by Aquavel

Diva Mermaid MUG by MeadowPixieArts
Browse 'mermaid Mugs

Carabela Precolombina by Alejandro
Browse Sea Mugs

Scallop Sea Shell Beach Decor Trinket Box by Beachwalker
See other Beach Premium Gift Boxes

heinz beach by lesliezemsky
View other Recreational Mugs

Vintage Anchor necklace (blue) by Love2Shell
Make a personalized photo pendant at Zazzle.

White on Blue ANchor by trendyteeshirts
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Signal Flags by Capn_Larry
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Anchor by packratgraphics
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sea turtle painting print on canvas sealife art by dereklovessheila
See more Sea Posters

Sailor Man by spyderfyngers
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Whale Christmas Happy Holidays Card by zooogle
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Sea Anemones Poster by MyOtherPlanet
sell your art online with zazzle.

Little Mermaid and dolphins by aportugueselove
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Coral Reef Fish by Embroidery4U
View more Fish Embroidered Shirts

Conch Carriage by WinonaCookie
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A Mermaid's Tale Postcard by katerinaart
Browse more Mermaid Postcards

A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skilled Sailor Poster by TypographicToad
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A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skilled Sailor Basic Tank Top by TypographicToad
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Nautical quote A smooth sea never made coaster Stone Coaster by 17Minutes
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Keep Swimming Ocean Motivational Barely There iPhone 6 Case by TxtMsg
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Beyond The Sea Lyrics Anchor Pillow by KnotPaperStitch
See other throw pillows.