Jake’s back! And with beautiful Simplicity this week. No animated graphics, proving that simple can still be very beautiful. Simplicity is “easy to explain; not complicated”. Sounds good to me.
When I think of simplicity, my thoughts turn to the good things in life: crusty bread with cheese and tomatoes, stong coffee and, maybe, a glass of wine; strawberries fresh from the market stall, so nice you have to eat them out of the paper bag before you even get home; the smell of barbecueing fish as you stroll along the beach.
Do you agree with my definition in these photos? Click on any of them to start the slide show.
The simplicity of life in the Algarve is what calls me back, again and again. Thank you Jake for giving me the opportunity to share so much of what is beautiful in my world.
Please do join in Jakesprinter’s challenge by clicking on the flying dragon logo or the links. Jake has many friends and I know there will be lots of great entries.

I’m more relaxed just reading this post!
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Oh great- I’ll put the kettle on. We’ll have a cuppa!
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No joke, I will look you up when I’m in Portugal! 🙂
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All just so beautifully simple Jo! Hard to choose, but the one of Mike and Robin is particularly sweet 🙂
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I love that shot, Madhu. I’m watching Australian Open tennis while waiting for the sun to come out. (???) Lazy person …
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Is it around 6AM? I haven’t seen that part of the day in ages 🙂
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Oops…there is a discrepancy in the time shown on your comment and the actual time here. Should be around 11.40 there right?
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Yes, it was. Disorienting, isn’t it? The sun arrived for 30 seconds and we went out to buy an overcoat and shirt for the wedding, but it’s snowing again now (wetly).
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Excellent post for this week theme Jo , Thanks for sharing my friend I love it 🙂
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I loved doing it, Jake. Many thanks.
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A beautiful series of priceless images. Simplicity is beauty!
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Priceless- that’s a wonderful word. Thank you so much for your visit today.
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Makes me long for the summer months that seem so far away
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Yes, nothing but mizzle and mush here in the north east at present.
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Hard to pick a favourite there, Jo
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Thanks, Dallas. Quite sad you’re not going to Alaska.
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Lots of people would like to send me there!
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The photos are all superb. My favourites are the ‘perfect’ beach and you beach-combing on that perfect beach! What a simple, fun and relaxing way to be!
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Thanks Madoqua. My beachcombing efforts were on “Shell beach”, our worst, but nearest local beach. It’s a river beach so no miles of golden sand, but it’s nice to relax there sometimes and just watch the ferries to and fro.
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Wunderschöne Bilder.Ich wünsche eine schöne glückliche Woche.Grüße lieb Gislinde.
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Danke Gisel.
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Sorry- Gislinde!
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Very well captured… 🙂
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Thank you, sir! I’m reaching out to the warmth…
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I agree with your pictures and especially love the blowing of bubbles and the paper flowers. Beachcombing is also a wonderful simple pleasure. I feel refreshed for looking at that photo of the warm empty beach with the waves gently lapping….ah!
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We love Robin to bits, though we haven’t seen him for a few years now. They’re back in Holland, but his mum keeps us updated with photos and progress reports.
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perfect jo! those paper flowers are gorgeous, and biodegradeable, your photos are all just gorgeous, love the first one too 🙂
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I couldn’t believe how much they use paper flowers in their festivals when we first started going to the Algarve, Christine. So much care and attention goes into them. I guess with the climate it’s more viable than here.
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Simple can be beautiful! Well said, Jo!
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Thanks, Amy. At this beautiful moment in time, the rain is pounding against the windows, mixed with a flurry of snow. I’m reaching out to the Algarve.
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I agree. And the simple things in life always seem to be the best things to experience 🙂
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I, too, smile now whenever I see your name, and think of those Simplicity patterns, Colline.
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🙂 I cannot believe the response I had to that post. Some good memories have surfaced.
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Love the simplicity shown in these photos.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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I loved yours too, Francine.
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Jo, this is a beautiful selection of photos. Each one is perfect–and I love the simple words you paired with each photo.
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Thanks, Naomi. My personal favourite is Michael and Robin. We had the loveliest evening with him and his mom. He has Down’s Syndrome and keeping him engaged was a challenge.
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Oceans, flowers, fresh fruit…
All of the above are simple pleasures.
Nice post, Jo.
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Thanks, Gem. One day I’ll have my very own fig tree!
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Oh to escape to a warmer climate, it looks beautiful 🙂
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Saturday teatime, Vicky, but only for a week. The wedding is the weekend after.
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Lucky you 🙂
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I love watching the sunset on the sea 😉 There’s are beautiful pics for the challenge, Jo.
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Thanks Dianne. I’ll be there again soon. Sunsets on Ponte Romana, here I come!
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Barbecued sardines, the epitome of Portugal – simple but delicious!
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Families often bring their fold-up barbies down to the beach, Rich. It’s an education. And torture if you’re hungry!
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Sounds delicious!
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