Another Letter from Lisbon

Hello, All! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
I am now the owner of my very own yad, which for those of you who don't know is the pointer used to follow the words in the Torah since it is forbidden to touch the pages of the Torah with human hands. I forgot which century this is (still spacey from flying-(18th?) and it is solid silver, beautifully chased, and just wonderful! My family were amazed that I knew what it was when I opened it; they had all seen it in the antique store and not even John knew what it was. I don't think I've ever seen one for sale in an antique store before. There were a couple of others and they were bought to go into a museum in Coimbra (the beautiful University town here in Portugal).
We went to the one star restaurant in Cascais and it was unbelievable! I thought of my friend Jorja almost the entire time. The view was lovely, a grey day, but wet-suited surfers were beyond the windows trying to stay on the Atlantic breakers. We had a Portuguese chardonnay that was heaven. Scallops that melted in the mouth like butter, sea bass with truffles, the others had venison with chestnuts, but I just had the vegetables being vegetarian although the chef just couldn't send it out that way and had the waiter tell me he was going to give me fresh cod - the key word being fresh here. It was the most delicious cod I've ever had, and Portugal is the land of bacalhau. We had a buche de Noel, pot de chocolat that was absolutely one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth, with a cafe ice on the side, and still more. Sorry Jorja, I can't think of the others right now, but I'll write them down when I do so that I won't forget. The meal was truly worthy of the praise John, Son, and DIL had given it.
We drove back home along the coastline so that I could get my fill of the waves splashing on shore (not that I ever could). It was one of the best Christmases I have ever had. Portugal yad cuisine Cluny Grey Jewelry

Letter from Lisbon

Merry Christmas, Everyone! It is Christmas here already in Lisbon (2:00 a.m.) . Christmas Eve has been very busy, and I just got in yesterday. Stepped off the plane at 8:00 a.m., then stayed up all day (and I don't sleep on planes) visiting with John Davis, my son's "adopted" brother, and didn't go to bed until after 11:00 or 12:00. I slept great, even though that Angola airplane that leaves every morning awakened me, but it was the best awakening because I realized I was in Lisbon in a very comfortable bed and I didn't have to get up anytime soon. Bliss!
We saw "Narnia " in the afternoon. The talking animals which could have been cutesy weren't; they were just perfect. Of course, Disney made it a little "Disney-ish" in places where it should have had more a "Lord of the Rings" mood or that sense of realism (the snowy Narnia is beautiful, and no one gets red noses or really cold; I think the snow should have been frightening). Of course I know little children should be able to see this too. But when I remember reading the book in grade school one of the things that I remember is that there was a sense of harshness in the world (which children certainly understand) and indifference (which children definitely understand) that made what went on in Narnia important. But Aslan was right - and they could have done him badly but thankfully didn't.
I need to go to bed. Tomorrow we have first seating at a Michelin Guideone-star restaurant that Son and Daughter-in-law went to 2 days ago and adored. They were with John who carried on a wonderful and knowledgable dialogue with the sommelier so that the wines were absolutely superb! I can't wait! Disney sommelier Lisbon Portugal

Merry Christmas!

My idea of a wonderful Christmas!!!