In Portugal, June is devoted to celebrating the popular saints. In Lisbon we celebrate Santo António on the 13th, in Oporto São João on the 24th, and in Sintra São Pedro on the 29th.
There is an old custom of writing a verse and offering it with a “manjerico” (a pot of miniature basil) to our loved one. According to tradition, if we smell the manjerico with our nose, it dies quickly. We should instead pat it gently with our hand and smell the hand. Then, the manjerico will last and, presumably, so will our love.
Salt of Portugal 
this is one to forward to Captain Romance……
We totally agree!
How lovely 🙂
So glad you like it!
Sorry to be pedantic but St Anthony is not Lisbon patron saint, despite being a favourite with all alfacinhas, (and I am one). The official patron saint of Lisbon is St. Vincent. This is why there are two crows in Lisbon’s coat of arms.
Good catch, the post is correct but we slipped on twitter. Thanks for the close reading.