A Cozy Morning Errand & a Sweet Gift

This Sunday started with something simple but special — a little errand at a big DIY store. I was on a mission to find a frame for one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve received in a long time. For my birthday earlier this week, a sweet friend gave me the most adorable painting of Lara. She loves Lara almost as much as I do, and I could feel that love in the gift.

The painting deserves something colorful and unique, something that does it justice. I picked up a frame that I hope will bring out its charm, though I’ll save the actual project for another day. Just having the frame with me already felt exciting, as if this little piece of art has found its place in our home.

But errands aside, today wasn’t meant for work. It was meant for connection. I was heading to brunch with a dear friend who just moved here from Denmark. There’s something comforting about having people from home nearby. It makes Madeira feel even more like a bridge between past and present — between where I came from and the life I’m building here.

And of course, before any brunch can happen, there’s always Lara. No matter if I’ve been gone for ten minutes or two hours, she greets me like I’ve been away for a lifetime. Her excitement is contagious — the tail wagging, the spark in her eyes, the little jumps. She knows what’s coming next: scooter time. The moment she sees her special scooter bag, she can barely contain herself.

It’s such a small ritual, but one of those that makes life sweet — a morning errand, a thoughtful gift, a wagging tail, and the promise of brunch with a friend.

Dog-Friendly Brunch at Art Corner Café

With Lara happily tucked into her scooter bag, we headed out to brunch. The destination: Art Corner Café, one of my favorite spots on the island. It’s not just about the food or the cozy vibe — it’s the fact that they are wonderfully dog-friendly. That makes all the difference for me. Knowing Lara can come along without any fuss means I get to enjoy myself fully, without worrying if she’s welcome.

The atmosphere here is always relaxed and cheerful. There’s an artistic touch to the space that makes it feel warm and creative, the kind of place you can sit for hours over a coffee. And speaking of coffee — it’s excellent. For me, a good café begins and ends with its coffee, and Art Corner never disappoints. Smooth, rich, and exactly what you need to start a slow Sunday.

Today I was meeting Santa, a friend who recently moved here from Denmark. It feels special to see familiar faces settling into life in Madeira too. She and her husband actually hired me to decorate their new home, which has been such a fun project. Of course, moving to Portugal also comes with its quirks. Here there’s a saying: “If no one is dying, it’s not urgent.” A very different rhythm from Denmark’s efficiency, but somehow charming in its own way.

Santa was shy about being on camera, but I could tell she was excited about this new chapter. For me, it was just lovely to share a meal, a conversation, and the little joys of adjusting to life here — all while Lara quietly soaked up the café’s attention with her usual cuteness.

Playtime in the Park with Lara

After brunch, Lara and I headed to the park. It was a warm day, so finding shade was a priority — somewhere she could run freely without us disturbing anyone else. As soon as her paws hit the grass, her whole body lit up with excitement. Watching her race after her ball, ears bouncing, tail wagging, is honestly one of my favorite sights in the world.

For me, the park is more than just exercise for Lara. It’s a pause button. Sitting in the grass, looking up at the treetops, I feel a kind of calm that’s hard to describe. The simplicity of it — trees, sky, grass — makes you realize how important these little connections to nature are for mental health.

Around us, families and couples enjoyed their Sunday. Some had picnics, others strolled hand in hand. There’s something beautiful about seeing people slow down and spend time outdoors together. And in a way, Lara reminded me of the same — that joy can be as simple as chasing a ball on the grass.

After a couple of hours of running, cuddling, and cooling off in the shade, it was time to move on. We had more of the day ahead of us, and another café date waiting.

Afternoon Coffee with Friends

From the park, Lara and I went straight to meet two of my girlfriends for an afternoon coffee. We picked a café that we don’t usually visit, which made it a nice little change. One of the best things about living in Portugal is how many places are pet friendly — it makes these meetups so much easier and, of course, more fun with Lara around.

The café had outdoor seating, shaded by big umbrellas, which was perfect on such a hot day. We settled in, and my friend surprised us by bringing her homemade baked goods. They looked delicious, but sadly, I couldn’t have one because of my diet. Still, I admired the effort — and the joy on their faces while they enjoyed them was just as sweet.

I love afternoons like this. There’s something about sitting together with friends, sipping coffee, and letting the hours slip by that feels incredibly grounding. Conversations ranged from lighthearted updates to deeper talks about life here in Portugal. It’s these little gatherings that make me feel so grateful for the friendships I’ve built since moving here.

But as time passed quickly, I knew I had to get going. Dinner prep was waiting, and Joen wasn’t feeling well at home. It was time to say goodbye, pack up Lara, and make a quick stop before heading back.

Tidying the Home After a Busy Week

When I got home, the first thing I noticed was the state of the house. It was a mess — and all of it had accumulated in less than 48 hours. Isn’t it wild how quickly things pile up when life gets busy? Even though I usually pride myself on keeping a tidy home, the last two days had definitely slipped away from me.

I don’t mind, though. In fact, I secretly love the process of tidying up. It feels almost therapeutic — like every item I put back in its place restores a little piece of calm inside me. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating order out of chaos, about knowing that everything has a proper spot again.

Joen, meanwhile, has started exercising at home. I think it’s impressive because if I didn’t go to the gym, I’d never get workouts done on my own. I’m proud of him for making it happen. Lara seemed curious too, padding around while I folded laundry, wiped counters, and emptied the dishwasher. If I’m honest, emptying the dishwasher is my least favorite chore. It feels never-ending, like as soon as it’s done, the cycle starts again. Still, I’d much rather deal with that than wash dishes by hand every day.

Once the surfaces were clean, I decided to go a step further with a light energy cleanse. I lit some palo santo, letting the fragrant smoke drift through the rooms. It’s a small ritual I love — not only does it make the house smell wonderful, but it feels like it sweeps away any lingering stress or heaviness from the week. To me, cleaning isn’t just about dust and crumbs. It’s also about the energy you allow into your home.

The house felt fresh again, and my mind felt lighter. Now, it was time to move on to one of my favorite parts of the evening: cooking dinner.

Cooking Dinner: Stir Fry, Fish, and Fresh Salads

By the time I started cooking, it was already quite late — but dinner is something I always enjoy preparing, no matter the hour. Tonight, I wanted to keep things simple yet flavorful.

For Joen, I put together a soft stir fry with a sweet soy glaze. I never really follow recipes for stir fry; it’s one of those dishes where you can just use whatever is at hand and still end up with something delicious. Tonight’s mix included onion, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach. To make the rice a little more special, I added cumin seeds and salt as it cooked. A small tip I love: adding cashews to stir frys. They give the dish a toasty, nutty flavor and add a healthy fat that rounds it all out.

For myself, I went with baked fish — one of my favorites. Normally, I prepare it with lemon zest, dill, and a sprinkle of salt. But this evening, I tried a new spice mix I received as a gift. I love how baking fish keeps it light but still deeply satisfying. Lara, of course, hovered nearby, clearly hoping I’d share a bite. She has great taste — baked fish is one of her favorites too.

To complement our meals, I also made two different cucumber salads. Cucumbers are my go-to healthy snack, so refreshing and crisp. Joen’s version was creamy, made with peanut butter, which coats the cucumbers beautifully. Mine was tangy — lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and olive oil. It’s lighter, but still packed with flavor. Together, the salads balanced everything out perfectly.

When I plated the food, Joen’s stir fry looked almost like a confit — caramelized, glossy, and smelling absolutely divine. Dinner felt nourishing and comforting, and I was so happy Joen had an appetite despite not feeling well earlier. Lara sat by the table, perfectly behaved as always, waiting patiently for her little reward. She knows that good manners pay off.

Winding Down the Evening: Nails, Tea, and Relaxation

After dinner, Joen still wasn’t feeling his best, so he went back to bed to rest. I stayed up for a little while longer, wanting to take care of a few small things before ending the day.

First on my list: my nails. They looked horrible, to be honest. I used to get them done every three weeks without fail, but I stopped. It took too much time, and I’m not convinced it was healthy for my nails in the long run. These days, I usually just leave them natural, only adding polish if there’s a special occasion. Tonight, I decided to give them a little love, even if it was just a quick fix.

Afterward, I started craving something light — a little evening snack. Instead of reaching for anything heavy, I brewed myself a tulsi cleanse tea. I like to add a few drops of essential peppermint oil, which gives it a refreshing kick and makes it feel extra soothing. Alongside the tea, I sliced up some watermelon. Lara is just as much a fan of watermelon as I am, so of course I shared it with her. There’s something about sitting together, enjoying the same snack, that feels incredibly sweet and cozy.

To round off the evening, I put on an episode of The Office US. It’s the perfect show for when I want to empty my head before bed — light, funny, and comforting. Watching it with a cup of tea and sharing watermelon with Lara felt like the coziest way to end a very ordinary Sunday.

As I got ready for bed, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. For Joen, for Lara, and for these little routines that make home life feel so special. Ordinary days like this are what build the life I love.