Today begins with one of Lara’s least favorite activities — a trip to the groomer. She has the sweetest groomer, someone who always takes such great care of her, but Lara doesn’t love the process itself. The closer we get, the more nervous she becomes. I drive slowly through the winding roads of Madeira, hoping she won’t get car sick.

She starts shaking a little in the car, which always breaks my heart. I try not to fuss too much over her nerves, because she picks up on my energy. If I act too worried, she gets even more unsettled. So instead, I stay calm and reassuring, knowing that once I leave, she usually settles in just fine.

Even though it’s difficult to watch her nervous in these moments, I’m so grateful for the incredible groomer she has. The place is part of a doggy daycare, and I trust them completely. It’s such a gift to know she’s in good hands while I take care of a few errands.

Midweek Grocery Shopping & A Stop at Flying Tiger

While Lara is at the groomer, I take advantage of the time to run a few errands. First stop is Flying Tiger — one of those stores where I can easily get distracted because there’s just so much fun and quirky stuff. Right now, they have a whole mushroom-themed collection, which instantly makes me think of Joen. He loves mushroom décor, so I pick up a few little surprises to add to his Christmas calendar.

The Christmas calendar is a tradition from Denmark that I’ve carried with me. For every day in December leading up to the 24th, Joen gets a small gift. It might seem early to be buying things for it now, but when I see something perfect, I grab it right away. These small traditions make the holiday season feel extra cozy and special.

With that done, I head to Pingo Doce for some grocery shopping. It’s not a huge haul today since we have dinners planned out during the week, but I want to stock up on healthy essentials. My birthday is coming up, which means one big cheat day is inevitable, so I want to make sure the rest of the week is balanced.

Walking through the aisles, I’m always surprised by how much food we go through — but at least we’ve been eating healthier lately. I gather quinoa, wild rice, plenty of veggies, and a few treats for Joen. When I can’t find everything I need here, I make a mental note to stop by the organic market later in the week.

By the time I finish, I’m already excited to pick up Lara again.

Picking Up Lara & Grocery Haul at Home

When I return to the groomer, Lara looks absolutely flawless — clean, fluffy, and clearly proud of herself. Even though she doesn’t enjoy the grooming process, she adores her groomer, and it shows in how comfortable she is once it’s all done. The groomer works as part of a doggy daycare, which makes me feel extra confident leaving Lara there. It’s such a nurturing, safe place.

On the drive back home, Lara is practically glowing with excitement. Every single time, she can’t wait to show off her “new look” to Joen. She races through the apartment, tail wagging, zooming around like she’s on a little runway. Watching her happiness makes me laugh every time.

Once she’s settled, it’s time for a grocery haul. Lara insists on being part of the ritual, sniffing every bag and inspecting what I brought home. I swear she’s searching for her chicken, which is usually part of the haul.

This week, I focus on light, fresh meals — it’s been so hot that salads feel like the perfect solution. I stock up on quinoa, wild rice, and vegetables. It’s not my biggest shopping trip, but enough to prepare a solid week’s worth of healthy meals. All of it comes to about €80 for five days, which feels reasonable considering how much we eat at home.

Now it’s time to wash and prep the veggies. I love watching those trendy restock videos online, but honestly, my process is much more simple. I don’t use fancy glass containers for every single item. Instead, I recently switched to cotton produce bags, which are a sustainable way to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer. It’s not Instagram-perfect, but it works beautifully — and that’s what matters.

Prepping Lunch & A Busy Workday

With the groceries tucked away, it’s time to make Joen’s lunch. Today I keep it super simple: Padrón peppers roasted in olive oil with a sprinkle of garlic powder and salt. It’s such an easy dish, yet it always feels special. I love that in Portuguese cuisine, small, fresh ingredients can become the highlight of a meal when treated with care.

While the peppers are in the oven, I get back to one of my favorite rituals — restocking the fridge. There’s something deeply satisfying about putting everything back in its place, seeing the shelves fill up with healthy options. Even though my system isn’t the kind you see on Pinterest (with labeled jars and color coordination), it still makes me happy.

This week I also bought Joen some all-natural chocolates. He likes taking them with him on his golf days, and I think of it as a little boost for his long hours outside. These small surprises are my way of showing love.

Of course, Lara has her say in the kitchen too. Even after being groomed, she somehow ends up on the table, watching me cook. I know it’s not the most hygienic, but in our family, everyone belongs — and Lara has always claimed her spot.

For the meal itself, I use a store-bought hummus as the base. Normally I love making hummus from scratch, but these days I’m pressed for time. Instead of feeling guilty, I try to focus on making small tweaks that elevate it: a drizzle of truffle oil, some freshly cracked black pepper, and a dusting of parmesan. With the roasted peppers on top, it transforms into a meal that’s quick, satisfying, and full of flavor.

With Joen fed, it’s time for me to shift into work mode. I have a busy schedule to catch up on, so I head to my desk for a few hours.

Watering a Friend’s Garden & Connecting with Nature

After finishing my work tasks, Lara and I get back on the road. Some friends of ours are traveling, and I promised to water their garden while they’re away. Their home is higher up in the mountains, so the drive is both beautiful and a little intense — the kind with narrow roads where you sometimes need to squeeze past a bus. It can be tricky, but the views make it worth it.

Lara sits happily in the car, her ears flapping in the wind. I think she loves speed as much as Joen and I do. There’s something about her joy during these drives that makes even the tightest mountain roads feel lighter.

Once I arrive, I take my time watering each plant. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about this small act of care. It feels like I’m not just giving them water, but attention, love, and a little blessing for them to thrive until their owners return.

A memory comes to me while I’m moving from plant to plant. I once spoke with a shaman, who told me that if you spend enough time barefoot in your garden, the plants and herbs that grow there will naturally align with your body’s needs. The idea that nature itself responds to us — offering exactly what we require — has stayed with me. And in moments like this, watering my friends’ plants, I can’t help but wonder if there’s truth in it.

This garden time is a reminder to slow down, to notice the small details, and to feel the connection between ourselves and the earth. Even when it’s just a chore, it feels like a meditation.

Dinner Out & Navigating Food Choices on a Diet

With the garden cared for, Lara and I make our way back down the mountain. Tonight is special because we have dinner plans with friends at an Italian restaurant in the city. I’m looking forward to it, but eating out has become a bit more complicated for me since starting my diet.

Italian restaurants are filled with temptations — warm bread baskets, handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas. And trust me, they looked amazing. There’s still a part of me that would love to dive into a big plate of spaghetti or share a pizza with Joen. But I’ve learned that staying committed to my goals feels even better than that first bite of bread.

So instead, I choose something that perfectly fits my diet: carpaccio bresaola. It’s a simple dish of thinly sliced cured beef, usually topped with arugula, parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil. It might not be the star attraction on the menu, but it’s flavorful, refreshing, and packed with protein — exactly what I need right now.

I always remind myself that eating out doesn’t have to mean breaking my rhythm. It’s all about making smart choices while still enjoying the atmosphere and the company. And honestly, I love carpaccio, so it didn’t feel like a sacrifice at all.

By the time we finish, everyone’s full and happy. My friends enjoyed their pizzas and pasta, and I felt proud of myself for sticking to what works for me. It’s nice when you can go out, enjoy the evening, and still stay aligned with your lifestyle.

A Quick Work Stop Before Golden Hour

Before heading to our friends’ house, there’s one last little detour I need to make. As some of you know, I still take on interior design projects here in Madeira, and one of my clients is expecting me to check on the painter’s progress.

We stop by the house just as the afternoon light begins to shift. Honestly, even though I love our own place, I’m constantly amazed by the views I get to experience while working. Here, the golden sun spills across the ocean and mountains, bathing everything in a soft glow. It makes even a quick site visit feel like something special.

Walking through the house, I check the painter’s work carefully. My goal is always to make sure every little detail feels right so that, when my clients move in, they can experience the same sense of calm and joy I feel in my own home. To me, interior design isn’t just about furniture and colors — it’s about creating a space that feels safe, sacred, and deeply personal.

But tonight isn’t about work. The check-in is quick, and soon enough, I’m ready to leave my creative hat behind and step into a different kind of joy: spending time with people I love.

We park a little further away from our friends’ home, which gives us the gift of a short walk during golden hour. The light is soft, warm, and magical — one of those simple moments where you pause and think, this is why I love living here. The sound of the waves in the background only makes it better. Lara is practically bouncing with excitement — she adores this place, and I can tell she already knows where we’re headed.

Cozy Evening with Friends & Homemade Chai

When we finally arrive, it feels like stepping into Lara’s second home. She immediately makes herself comfortable, wagging her tail and exploring as if she owns the place. Our friends’ house has such a warm, inviting energy — the kind of home where you instantly relax the moment you walk through the door.

They’re originally from India, and they moved here around the same time as us. From the very beginning, it felt like fate brought us together. Over the years, we’ve become inseparable, and now they truly feel like family.

Their home is filled with little touches of their lifestyle. Both practice Ashtanga yoga almost every day, so the house is full of yoga props and tools for stretching. It gives the whole space a calm, grounded energy — like you’re surrounded by reminders to breathe a little deeper.

Tonight, Deepika is making us her famous homemade chai. She’s the one who taught me how to make it, and I still think hers is the best. The blend of spices, milk, and sugar fills the kitchen with the coziest smell. I haven’t had chai in six weeks because of my diet, but since I didn’t have any carbs today, I decide to spend them on this moment. And oh, it’s worth it. Every sip feels like comfort in a cup.

As we sit together with our chai, chatting and laughing, I can’t help but feel blessed. Blessed to live here in Portugal, blessed to share life with friends who feel like family, and blessed to enjoy these simple but meaningful evenings.

It wasn’t a day filled with grand adventures or big plans. Just chores, errands, work, and time with loved ones. But to me, those are the days that make life feel the most whole.