Portugal, My Mother: A Creative Soul’s Thanksgiving November 27, 2024 – Posted in: Blog

There’s a place in the world that feels like an embrace, warm and all-encompassing. For me, since I was five years old, that place is Portugal—a country that isn’t just a destination but always feels like home.

Portugal is my mother, a creative muse that nourishes my soul and refills my cup every time I visit.

The last two months have felt like two lifetimes. First, our home flooded from Hurricane Helene. Then, right after, Hurricane Milton swept through. Between trying to rebuild and trying to maintain a sense of normalcy (which is the furthest thing from normal), Portugal lovingly, as always, awaited us with open arms.

The Golden Hour Glow

If Portugal could be summed up in a moment, it would be its golden hour. As the sun dips low, casting a honeyed light over winding streets and terracotta rooftops, time slows. That light isn’t just warmth; it’s magic—a gentle nudge reminding me to pause, breathe, and soak it all in. Whether I’m chasing my son along the golden-dripped alleyways or sipping a glass of vinho verde by the ocean, there’s something grounding about that fleeting glow. It feels like gratitude personified.

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving


This year, my Thanksgiving doesn’t include a traditional turkey or cranberry sauce. It has been a year of wildcards and unforeseen events.

Instead, it’s filled with azulejos, the sound of fado singers pouring their hearts out in cobblestone squares, and the scent of pastéis de nata wafting through the air. Thanksgiving, for me, is sitting at a family-style table in Portugal, holding my loved ones close as we make memories we’ll carry forever.

I’m grateful for so many things here:

  • For the winding alleyways that invite exploration.
  • For the language that dances off tongues like poetry.
  • For the international melting pot of energy that Portugal offers—a space where every soul seems to find what it’s searching for, whether it’s purpose, adventure, or simply rest.

A Place for Everyone


Portugal isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a kaleidoscope of experiences. For families, it’s endless coastline and castles that seem straight out of a storybook. For solo travelers, it’s a meditative escape into nature or history. And for creatives like me, it’s pure inspiration—light, texture, rhythm, and life, all served on a silver platter.

Forever Grateful

Portugal teaches me something new each time I visit. Maybe it’s how to appreciate the simplicity of a slow meal. Maybe it’s how to embrace the unpredictable beauty of the sea. Or maybe it’s how to find myself in its quiet moments and bustling markets alike.

To Portugal, I say thank you—for being my mother, my teacher, my muse. For wrapping me in your golden light and reminding me of life’s simple joys. For giving me a place where I feel both at home and free to dream.

So whether you’re planning a family vacation, a solo escape, or a journey to rediscover yourself, start with Portugal. Trust me, it has something special waiting just for you.

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If you’re in Lisbon, check out Flytographer: Rita Q.

Wherever you may be in the world and however you may be celebrating it (or even if you aren’t), Happy Thanksgiving!

PS. JEWELRY/OUTFIT LINKS:

Earrings: PORTOFINO Earrings | Necklaces: HYDRA Necklace, WATERPROOF Necklace (by inquiry), Custom Diamond Heart Necklace / Dress: Ann Taylor / Boots: SEASIDE Praça da Figueira