Meet me on Monday

"Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?"  I know them...but yet I don't know them!  I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other". 

1.  What is your favorite kind of pie?

Cheese pie. I like making it and eating it. Want to try it too? Here is the recipe.

2.  Have you ever ran out of gas in the car you were driving?
I am not driving, but we have run out of gas more than once!

3.  How many languages do you speak?
Four: Greek, English, French and Italian~in that order.

4.  Do you take daily vitamins?
Yes. C in the winter, iron and folic acid, and a multivitamin.

5.  What is your worst eating habit?
My favorites! Chocolate and souvlaki!

See you all next week!

My kitchen at Heart of the Home party

Good morning, dear friends,

Although I came across this party only this morning, I thought I'd join in the fun.
The Autumn is to me the season I have always been looking forward to. I always loved school, and being an only child I loved reuniting with my friends and finding new faithful companions, my books.
As a wife and mom I love the return to the nest that Autumn signals.

Come on in!

 "Goodmorning" ~ "Kalimera" 

This blackboard helps us to be organised and know about our family's activities.

I love my tiny kitchen. Thought it is small, we love gathering and eating, cooking and having coffee. I make coffee for my husband first thing in the morning. I like washing the dishes and looking for the kids arriving home from school at noon. And in the evening I shall probably bake a pie or make a soup.

In the kitchen we also wash our veggies, these colourful gifts of the land,

and our dishes,

sometimes with good company!

 and make vegetable based concoctions.

Now to the decor.

I love the Mathew Rice "A Year in the country" calendars. I also enjoy looking at this poster. Whatever I do in the heat of the moment it reminds me to, well, keep calm and carry on with my tasks.

My library of cooking books, including the works of Nigella Lawson (pictured is How To Be A Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking), Jamie Oliver and Tessa Kyros (Falling Cloudberries: A World of Family Recipes) as well as a number of Greek cookbooks.

I recently began organising my containers. I save jars from jams and sauces and I intend to transfer our goodies from their boxes to the jars. It will be thus easier to find teas and spices and also appreciate God's blessings more.

This is our fridge. I like collecting magnets and stick recipes and coupons for easy reach.

On top of my stove there is this little iconostasi, a selection of small icons (compare to the tea infuser on the left). Pictures from left to right, Our Lady of Tinos and Jesus Christ.  St. Kosmas, an exemplary figure for our times (click on link to read).  In the diptych, you may see St. Ipomoni ("Patience") the mother of the last Byzantine Emperor, and St. Patapios. They are both honoured in the same monastery in the southern Greek city of Loutraki. We have been miraculously saved by the Saint's grace when my eldest was a baby, and we honour him ever since.

I hope you enjoyed the tour and that you will stop by again, soon!

Thank you so much Shelia for hosting this party! How very nice and welcoming!
Please stop by Note Songs to visit more Hearts of the Home!

2009 Christmas Tour of Homes

Welcome, Christmas Tour guests!

Green

and Red

and Gold

and white
May All your Christmases be bright.

20 Of My Favorite Things

1. Color-Ecru
2. Dessert-apple pie with vanilla ice-cream
3. Smell-rose
4. Flower-rose
5. Animal-dog
6. Month-December
7. Beverage-green tea
8. Pair of shoes-balerinas
9. Snack-chips
10. Song-"You are my sunshine"
11. Book-The Gospels
12. Fruit-grapes
13. Hairstyle-a bob
14. Piece of clothing-white shirts
15. Store to clothes shop-Lilly Pulitzer
16. Season-Spring
17. Hobby-blogging
18. Thing to collect-stamps and pottery
19. Movie-Something's gotta give
20. Restaurant-Greek seaside

Would you like to join in? Good! I look forwar to reading your answers. Please link here.

The Simple Woman's Daybook-May 4th Edition

For Today...

Outside my window...the afternoon rain has stopped. It feels fresh and new.

I am thinking...of many and lots. A friend who is awaiting some health examination results; whether my daughter Dee does her homework next door; the shop.

From the learning rooms...Fee begins her exams marathon on the 10th. She begins with her final exams in English Foreign Language which will then allow her to get a TEFL degree. She is only 14 and she is under much pressure with both school and English exams. Please say a prayer for her on the 10th!

From the kitchen...tomorrow is my official name day. I'd love to make something special for lunch or dinner. J wants a cake, but he must not eat eggs or dairy yet...Hmmm! I'll have to go vegan again.

I am wearing...my brown velvet pants and hoodie, a printed v-neck in autumn colors and clogs.

I am reading...no books right now, only some e-mails and blogs. I'm in a 'doing' phase.

I am hoping...things will get better at work, C gets up on time and in a good mood.

I am creating...space. We are finishing the essentials on the garden. Now we must sand and paint the outdoor furniture we have gathered over the years and make new covers and pillows to unify the look.

I am praying...for my dear friends, and for Jesus to be inside us and lead our lives.

Around the house...things are beginning to take shape, although there is still lots to be done.

One of my favorite things...our new bed. I honestly believe it's going to help us sleep better and help my back. So many years in the business, we couldn't afford one of our own medicine. We made it a priority this year, and it's here!

A few plans for the rest of the week...J is going to the doctor on Wednesday to check the progress of his chickenpox, F sits her first exam next Sunday, we need to move the treadmill from the shop storehouse to the basement. I need to exercise!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Our May 1st wreath as promised here. Many thanks to The Simple Woman for hosting. I've really missed doing this! Have a lovely week!

20 Little Things to Celebrate, and a giveaway

Melissa of The Inspired Room hosts a $100 giveaway of DaySpring Blessings Life to the Full collection of kitchen and tableware. There are three different ways to join, so by all means, do.
If you don't win and still want one of those dishes with a meaningful Christian quote on the inside, the Dayspring website has a 20% off.

Melissa has also compiled a list of 20 Little Things to Celebrate in Life. Why not create my own list, I thought, and why don't you? Here we go:

1.Blogging
2.My babies
3.Our home
(Ok, no little so far)
4.C
(now, that's not little at all)
5. Our loving, merciful God Jesus Christ.
6.The weekend
7.Our shop
8.New books
9.Our garden
10.Bulbs, seeds and plants
11.Working the land
12.Plans to renovate the shop.
13.Relatives who love us
14. My childhood French friend's new CD
15. Korpi sparkling water (better than cola)
16.Staying up late to post and visit my blogging friends
17.A cold chocolate drink on the loungers in the garden (this one counts as two; loved it!)
18.Planning to move the dining room table to the veranda. What next?Summer?
19. Rain, clouds, sunshine, fresh and fragrant air all in one day.
20.Our new bed, we are so looking forward to relieving our backs!

Wishing all the blessings and joys of Life.

Annie's Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper. I love tying bows. And untying them, too!

2. Real tree or artificial?
As a child, real. When I turned ecolo, fake. I said to C though, that God permitting, next year I want a real one. I love the smell of fir.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Beginning of December, in time for J's birthday.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Mid-January, just after F's birthday.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I don't remember.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A red toy pram.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
I could aspire to a career as a private shopper. (Well, not in Greece). The truth is , I can find the perfect gift for everyone.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My husband. I love his tastes.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A bag, when I was hoping for a Barbie doll.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail to friends. E-mail for work.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Black and white oldies.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year. When I find something I believe someone will love, I save for Christmas.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I moderately like everything. My favorite treat in New Year's pie. (Note to self: remember to post recipe!)

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear. But I must say I look for a set of colored ones that I remember from my childhood. They came as lanterns. Cute.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh Holy Night...

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
This year we are staying at home, praying to enjoy the first Christmas in our own house.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Let me google this:

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
A star. Although I like traditional "crowns" that are no longer available.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
New Year's eve. Santa comes on New Year's eve, in this part of the world.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Relatives pouting.

23. What I love most about Christmas?
Christ. Morning service. Red and Green.

If you like this, consider yourselves tagged. Thank you Annie, I loved doing this!

Happy new week!

I can't get myself to concentrate and write. It is getting quite obvious. I do think it is a theme that runs in the blogosphere. A feeling of tiredness, of what is the point of it all. Some people I used to read are off reach and I don't blame them. Others simply disappeared.

As far as I am concerned my blogging has to do with linking to people who make me feel we belong to each other, with whom I share quests and interests.

It is about fun and the beauty of our every day lives.

It is about connecting.

It is about strengthening my new found faith in Christ, amidst the storm of clutter that surrounds us.

About being myself, without the restraints of a work, family or social circle that is to a great extend forced upon me.

Now about something nice that I found today:

Faith Prints is a lovely little site I mostly view through Plaxo. Tania posted this and I decided to play along:
"At this moment, use the alphabet and write down the first thing that comes to your mind for each letter. Don’t ponder or try to think of something that will be impressive. Just do it! This says a lot about you and may surprise you as well. Go ahead… you know you want to!”

A: Alpha-Omega, the beginning and the end of the sanity of mind, body and soul is Jesus Christ.
B:Be happy, don't worry too much!
C:CAN , as in Yes I CAN! attitude.
D:Dare to imagine.
E:Everyday is another day.
F:Faith saves.
G:Greek heaven (in search of).
H:Healing.
I:I can do all things through Christ (Hi Annie!)
J:Join hands in prayer.
K:Keep calm and carry on.
L:Love never fails
M:Mommy, that's who I am.
N:Never give up
O:Oral hugiene is important (as in "I have a dentist's appointment on Wednesday"!)
P:Pray every day.
Q:Question all that happens outside Jesus.
R:Rave in the every day.
S:Seek and it is given.
T:Truth.
U: Unplug, declutter, weed.
V: Vein of gold.
W:Who dares wins.
X: Xs don't count.
Y: You are not alone.
Z: Zip your lips and let your mind fly.

Happy new week!

Picturing me-me

Have you ever visited Bleeding Espresso? It's an Italian-American's blog on life in the South of Italy. Some lovely photos and interesting recipes there, too.
I have found this post in my feed and decided to play along. You may join us and see what you come up with.

Here is how:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name.

My pictures came from the following people. Thank you, great shots.
1. Hagia Irene Kutsal Barıs, 2. Lunch Time, 3. promises, 4. Stripes of colors., 5. Nawang Khechog, 6. Prepared for Christmas - "Husarenkrapfen", 7. Girl from Sri Lanka, 8. Strawberry Ice Cream ;), 9. Praying for Prey - Macro, 10. Shen Nong Boatmen - Power, 11. SWEETIE PIE, 12. Day 168: Happy New Year. Here's alittle about me

Cafe Chat-Mother's Day

Know and Tell Friday has moved address, but our host is now hosting Cafe Chat for the Internet Cafe. Today's question is about moms. Since I tackled this subject that is quite sensitive to me, for my Know and Tell answers, I might as well elaborate a bit more, here.

"What is the greatest lesson you learned from your mother or a mom like figure in your life?"

Not to give up and Fight on for your dreams.

I have written some about my mom in my K&T post, but here I'd like to write about the mom-like figures in my life.

First, I'd like to write about my godmother. She was in her 60s when she became my godmother and she didn't have children of her own. She was one of the first women dentists in Greece, and her husband a military doctor, specialising in tuberculosis which was a major threat in people's lives at the time. She was a strong-willed yet sensitive woman and her husband, my godfather adored her. I had hoped to meet her more after I finished school, but she passed away soon after her beloved husband. I remember them both.

My godmother is the lady figure in my life. An iconic image of a bygone world with long velvet dresses and long pianos. She taught me elegance and grace.

I didn't know my grandmother, but I've heard a lot about her from my mother. She was a handsome, hardworking woman who left her landowning family to follow her man. She lost four of her children and raised my mother the "no-show-love" way. She longed for independence and worked hard for a new future for her family in the new world. She was a priest's wife. People in her Greek Orthodox community asked and valued her opinion. She loved crafts. My grandma was a fighter. May she rest in peace.

In college I met another mom -figure that influenced my life. My French lecturer opened my horizons, saw the potential in me, but also looked below the surface. She showed me that I am not only one in the line of my ancestors, but a person in my own right, an individual. I wish her the very best.

Blogging has opened up a new chapter in my life. I have met ladies who have showed me the way to Jesus. The example of their lives and faith has encouraged me incredibly. I would like here to thank a very special friend for never tiring of mothering me, for offering me a staff of support all along my day, every day. When I'm busy, when I work at home or at the shop, I know that she is praying for me. Dear one, I love you for your sincere, unkonditional love.

To all the moms in my life and yours, we love you. We wouldn't be where we are without you. Thank you.

8 in 2008

I first saw this posted at Iris', followed her link to Extravagant Grace, thought about it for a while (because I no longer want to make promises that I cannot keep, least of all to myself), and decided to join in.
Why?First because I need some structure and focus as I lend God a hand in pulling myself together, and being accountable to likeminded friends is great help, and second because it is something I can do that does not make me anxious when I think about it.
There is a third reason. I love the number 8. When I was 18, I sat exams for a Greek University while I was expecting my results for UCCAS in London. I was accepted, 5th in rank, at the School of Interpretation and Translation in Corfu. I opted for Archaeology in London instead, but meanwhile I got a student's number from Corfu: It was 888. Jesus' number. Only I did not believe then and did not let myself accept to do what I now know was best suited for me. Still this number follows me in a comforting way.That is the story of my inner love for number 8.

So, I shall post my 8 in 2008 on January 8th. Do drop by Extravagant Grace and join in if you like.It is easy to play along. Just pick out 8 things you'd like to see, do, feel, or experience in 2008! Your list can be spiritual, physical, or emotional, but hopefully not too material! If the Lord leads you, dream big as you share your heart's desires with Him along with a willingness to see His work accomplished in you and through you in 2008.

My name meme

Annie has posted this meme. It is about finding who else famous or not so famous yet exciting by your standards, carries your name.
Here are the rules:
1)Go to Google (or any search engine for that matter).
2)Click on images.
3)Type your name and search.
4)Post the photo of the oldest, craziest, strangest, and in anyway interesting person that shares your name.
5)Pass on the tag.

Interesting, isn't it? I hadn't realized how many extremely interesting and important people share my name (or I share theirs). So, here is the top of the crops of what I found:

In Ancient Greek religion, Irene (Eirene, meaning Peace), is one of the goddesses of orderly life, the Horae.

In this statue by the Ancient Greek sculptor Kephisodotos, found in the Agora (marketplace) of Athens, she is depicted carrying the baby Plutos (Wealth), son of Demeter, the goddess of the earth, whom she raised. The symbolism is quite obvious: peace supports the blessings of wealth that come from the land.
In the Greek Orthodox Church when people are christened, they receive the name of a Saint whose life is ment to inspire them. There are several Saints with the name of Irene, including St. Irene of Thessaloniki, Empress Irene of Byzantium,
seen here from an old children's magazine cover,
St.Irene Chrysovalantou, whose name I carry
and the infant St.Irene of Lesvos. In the Catholic Church there is the virgin Santa Iria of Portugal.
I love this photo of the church of St.Irene on the island of Tilos in the Aegean Sea.
Several artists by the name of Irene are famous or were famous in their day. These include an Ancient Greek painter, actress Irene Dunne, and modern time actress Irene Papas.
there is also a hurricane by the name of Irene,
as well as a lush bush, Irene Paterson "Kohuhu".

Amazing!
Everyone reading this, consider yourselves tagged. And do drop me a note. I'd love to come and see what you've found. You will be amazed, too!

I am a Rockin' Girl Blogger!

I am soooo thankful! I am so thankful you come by, read about my ups and downs, and look at my pictures. I am thankful that you stop long enough to read my ramblings and offer me the cup of your kind comments. I am thankful because you encourage me in my efforts to bloom where I am planted. You gently guide me in the fog of my quest for a new, spiritual life AND you are telling me you like me!
Thank you, Annie!
Time to pass on the torch, then. Here we go:
Emma, because she is so brave, so sweet and so mindful. And a Brit, of course!
Maggie, because she creates templates and headers second to none, but you get to donate the price to her chosen charities. Rockin' (he)art!
Alycia because she has such a beautiful way of believing, that it is contagious.
To all of you, a big Thank You. You rock!

Time Travel Tuesday

Dear Annie has initiated Time Travel Tuesday which she graciously hosts. I haven't been able to contribute in the past couple of weeks, but do I think this is a lovely idea, so I am posting today about my first post and about how I got into blogging.

I began blogging in April 2006. That is a little over a year ago. And here is my very first post. It reads:

Getting started

The idea has been with me quite some time , now. I wanted to open a lifestyle shop. An on-line shop that would give people the opportunity to taste and feel some of the things that I love; the images, the books, the ideas, the foods, the views... So, here I am, documenting my way to my dream spot. Promising to myself to take a tiny step every day. Tiny, if needed, yes, but, still a step forward, to the direction of my dream. Keeping my blog posted on my encounters, thoughts, travels, in search of the beautiful, the useful, the unique, the humble, the comforting, the exciting. Ahoy!

Wow, what an ambitious statement! It sounds quite romantic to me, too.
Well, at the time it looked such a natural thing to do. I wanted to post for posterity. I had just received a grant from the Greek state, encouraging women under 40 to get acquainted with the Internet and open an on-line business. C wasn't for it at all. He thought that an e-shop would take much of my time and he was afraid I wouldn't be able to help as much.

I thought that would be a great opportunity to get to know the place better, feel positive and independent in our new life and do something for the peasant people and the little local businesses I got to meet while travelling in the still very virgin and unspoilt Greek countryside. There are so many little businesses here and there. They definitively make delicious foodstuff like preserves and sweets from the purest ingredients, and unique handicrafts. Many go through the severe EU regulations and certification system for Bio and Eco-friendly products and they are worth every support they can get to get their products known.

On a more personal level I think I wanted to get to know Greece better, acknowledge it, and feel at home. I also wanted to put to practice my skills, show off some of my work and open up to the big wide world.

However, sometime after I received confirmation that my application had been accepted, and had given an advance of 1000 Euros to the people who secured the grant and would create the e-shop for me, there was just nobody to take my phone calls, no mobile, no e-mail, nothing. I was frustrated, but there simply was nothing I could do. In the end, I got on with life, and nearly forgot about it.

At the beginning of the year I was having a discussion with a client, a Greek-American who is about to start building a new Eco-tourism unit in the village his parents came from. He wanted to consult with us, and as we got along, we began talking about publicity etc. and got into the Internet business. I mentioned the person who was involved in my "promotion" and he said he knew him. He had done the exact same thing to many people, taking advance payment and then disappearing. "If that is a consolation, he said, you are not the only amerikanaki around". Developing my skills in the local jargon, I found out that there is apparently this word translated as "little American", to describe someone who is good hearted, even naif, and trusts easily what he is told. I am a Little American alright. I might even change my blog's name into The Little American. What do you think?

One year on, I still don't have my on-line shop. Sometimes I get sad when I come across the files with those addresses, pamphlets and photos of potential business partners and their products, and my notebooks with plans to get people to experience Greece outside the beaten track.

BUT, I am SO grateful to God for getting me into this, even if that meant my losing my little savings. I got to know women of Faith who discretely and without knowing it encouraged me to rediscover my Faith that was weakening with time, as I got away from the nurturing Greek Orthodox community I grew in.
I slowly begin to feel like wanting to become a member of a new community, one that makes me feel welcome and comfortable. I have learnt that despite or because of our differences, we form such an enriching community in the blogosphere.

I now have an (even more!) open heart, feeling that what unites us is stronger than what might set us apart. We are women and mothers, sharing our Christian faith and upbringing, Western civilisation and way of life, our values and concerns about raising our families in an ailing society, holding hands in an unstable world.

And I feel so very grateful!

I got tagged!..

...and I love it!

Dear Annie tagged me. Thank you, Annie. You have a way with waking people up...That is all I can say.

These are the rules of the meme:
1. Link to the name of the person who tagged you.
2. Include the state and country you’re in.
3. List your top 5 favorite places to eat at your location (locally).
4. Tag 5 other people (preferably from other countries/states) and let them know they’ve been tagged.

We currently live in Greece, that tiny peninsula in the SE Mediterranean with lots of islands around! We, however, live in the mountainous North West, but commute to the Ionian Islands for our interior design and home furnishing business.

Favorite place number one is this restaurant which sits amidst a park. There is a playground and a little lake on the grounds, too. It is not Central Park nor is it Green Park. But it is a park with a restaurant and some facilities for children (although the playground could do with some renovation). They are creative with Greek cuisine, and children friendly.



Place number two and a close second is the Greek fast food giant "Goodys". I remember how pleased I was to discover that there was a Wendy's on Athens' Syntagma Square when I first came here! I, a non-meat eater, loved the Bacon Mushroom melt! You get a picture of how lost this soul has been while discovering "home"! Well, the Greek version is lighter, and healthier, dare I say. Lots of salads and adaptations of traditional Greek dishes, especially over the two fasting seasons, before Easter and Christmas.

Place number three is Etrusco, a restaurant in Athens and Corfu, whose chef is Italian and has earned himself a place amongst the best restaurants in Greece. The food portions are small and expensive and they look funny. The last time we went there it was last summer. It was fun trying to guess what is what!

My absolutely favorite restaurant ever, though, is The River Cafe in London. I have been a regular since it opened its doors. Absolutely lovely, the wharf and everything plus the food which is fresh, light and delicious.

As for desert, the best place has to be the Liston cafe in Corfu. Delicious treats and a great place for people watching.
I am tagging:

Merisi in Vienna who always posts about the most romantic places in Vienna.
Maryam in Marakesh, a little piece of heaven on earth from a very special lady.
Sognatrice in the South of Italy, for that unbeatable Italian breeze of la dolce vita.
Emma in the UK who is into feeding baby F. but also makes terrific Yorkshire pudding. Emma, this one is on me!
Corey in France. Chic, discerning, appreciating life's offerings. An inspiration!