Heaven's mirrors

Polaroids by Francisca Ribeiro

Oh salty sea, so much of your salt

Is tears of Portugal!

Because we crossed you, so many mothers wept,

So many sons prayed in vain!

So many brides remained unmarried

That you might be ours, oh sea!

Was it worthwhile? All is worthwhile

When the spirit is not small.

He who wants to go beyond the Cape

Has to go beyond pain.

God to the sea peril and abyss has given

But it was in it that He mirrored heaven.

Fernando Pessoa, "Portuguese Sea", in Message

Matti & Julia

Julia Selin is my sister and Matti Sumari is her boyfriend. They are bouth great artists currently living and creating in Umeå Sweden. This portraits where taken this christmas

By Jens Selin

* Thank you *

Today we celebrate one year of our blog Quinta das Praias and we’re so happy and overwhelmed and grateful for all your visits and kind words. We’ve started this blog to give strength, structure and to share the art work of our residents and visitor, without many expectations. We are still struggling with the present conditions but we had so many visitors from all over the world, almost 10.500 during this year and we take it as a warm and loving sign that something good we are doing in this almost end of the world. Once again, with open hearts we invite you to visit virtually or physically our peaceful land. May the stars be our happy wishes of light and love for this New Year to you! * Thank you all * 

Jens & Francisca

Fundação de Serralves

If you are in Oporto make sure to visit Fundação de Serralves for some good art and architecture.

Photos by Jens Selin

Luís Alçada

Illustrations of another world created by our resident artist and visionary man, Luís Alçada.

Oporto

Here's some photos that I took when Francisca and I went to Oporto to celebrate my 30th birthday :) a lovely city with great atmosphere.

By Jens Selin

Ginger cookies

How to make 300 ginger cookies :)

250 g butter

4 dl sugar

2 dl baking syrup

2 dl water

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cardome spice

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp neilkkc

1 tsp baking soda

13 dl white flour

* In a pan add water, sugar and syrup and when it boils take it out of the heat

* In a bowl cut the butter, add the spices and the content of the pan and wait until 

   everything melts together

* Let it rest and cool until it reaches the temperature of the room around 22ºC

* When is ready add the flour and the baking powder

* Let it in the fridge covered during the night, the dough is going to grow and get stiff

* Next day stretch out the dough until 2-3 mm e cut with a form

* Take it to the oven 200 - 225º during 4-6 min

My first Swedish ginger cookies as a Christmas gift made with lots of love. 

Thank you Johanna * from Francisca