IN THE KITCHEN...

Today is Big Wednesday, and to be honest i don't think much is happening....just church services in the evening, and possibly cleaning and baking in the day for most of us 'women' here in Greece!!!

There are Greek Easter Biscuits to make.....'koulouria', which the children enjoy making snail like shapes, better than play-doh as they get to eat them after!!! Cheese pies, which are so lovely, (thin pastry with feta cheese inside, and sometimes a touch of cinnamon) but i never seem to get round to making my own, and Greek sweet bread, 'tsourekia'. I decided to go for Hot Cross Buns instead though, as you can't buy them here.

So that's about it folks!!! For today. Tomorrow is Red Egg Day, so we will be up early to do those, before heading into town to buy NEW shoes for my children!!!

Finally finished baking, the biscuits turned out lovely, (see the photo), and all the beautiful art and craftwork that the girls have been busy making.

CANDLES & KARDAMENA BY THE SEA!!!

This morning was spent in Toyshops looking at Lampadas (beautifully decorated candles), which are given to your Godchildren to take to Church to light when the Priest announces 'Christos Anesti', (Christ has risen) and the bells ring out (and the dynamite sticks deafen you!!!) at midnight on Easter Saturday. The symbol of light (the flame) has returned to the world, and is carried carefully home. The fire-crackers also frighten evil spirits away and remind us, out of darkness comes light and that Jesus is seen as the eternal light.

The ones that I managed to picture are for young children, however there are soo many different types for all ages of children, men and women. Some are plain, others are over embellished and elaborate. Others hold gifts such as a compact mirror, a photograph frame, hair clips, teddies. Traditional Lambadas are white, but now a days any colour goes and often they accompany a toy/giftset. As with all traditions they get modernised and commercialised a long the way.

Shoes are often bought for Godchildren, as at Easter everything should look clean and new, not just the houses!!!

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The afternoon was spent down at the beach, in Kardamena. A village about 30 mins from our house. Glorious!!! The children played in the sunshine and on the sandy shores with their friends. Whilst we sipped frappes (cold coffee) enjoying the almost summer skies, and listening to the sound of the ocean. The bucket and spades were out, aswell as the picnic hamper (and my new tupperware!!!).

CLEANING & A WALK IN THE FOREST (AGAIN!!!)

Most of the morning was spent with mop, broom, or swiffer in hand. In order to get the house ship-shape for Easter. Today is BIG MONDAY....count down to Easter!!!

Easter is a huge celebration in Greece/Orthodox Church. The week before the Ressurection of Christ is spent fasting and praying. There is also much preparation to be done for the feasting, after Christ has risen.

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After lunch we are lucky enough to have a woodland walking area close to us. There is a beautiful church centred in the middle of the forest. Panagia (Maria the name of the church), they were cleaning and painting it ready for the Name Day of the Church on the 9th of April. Flags will be hung out and many people will visit the church for holy communion and to light candles, as an offering of faith and to remember loved ones that have passed.

Today, after the rain last night, the streams were over flowing down the mountainside, the sun was shining, and as usual the views were breathtaking. Bees were buzzing and there was an abundance of hives....nectar was the food of the Ancient Gods. Greek Honey, is of course very famous, especially dripped over thick Greek yoghurt with nuts, delish!

and now I'm hungry....(again!!!)

PLAKA AND PEACOCKS...

What a beautiful day (again). We drove to Plaka (with everything apart from the kitchen sink in the car) a forest about 30 mins from our house. (A little bit further on from Kos Airport in Antimachia, and way before Kefalos).

We met up with our good friends that had already lit BBQ's in the picnic area,(we were late as usual...)and then left the men to cook (they come in useful sometimes), and wondered off into the mass of sweet smelling pine trees, across bridges and streams. The weather was perfect, not too hot, not to cold.

The only noises were of the peacocks that surrounded us with there loud caw-caws, and the sound of our laughter. A perfect day. Food galore, salads of every kind, (greek, chickpea, potato, pasta, prawn....) and grilled souvlaki (chicken and pork, marinated on sticks with peppers & onions, country sausages, chops and ....

The children were busy collecting pinecones, feathers and looking for frogs and tortoises that roamed freely around us. It kind of spoils the whole picture if I now tell you they later sat on the picnic blanket and watched a DVD doesn't it?

But Oh what a perfect day!!!

HERE COMES THE SUN...DA..DA...DA..DA.!!!

Beautiful spring sunshine and a fun filled day with great company. (I'm exhausted...plenty of fresh country air!) We were at Xara in Lambi (bouncy castle/ballpark/inside & outside play area, & paint balling, where a dozen men were playing soldiers!) Quick stop at home for lunch and then off to Pyli pond to feed the ducks (which actually weren't very hungry), swings & slides in the village and a mountainside picnic Bliss! It was so peaceful and the scenery breathtaking, you sometimes forget the beauty of this island.
Not sure who will be in bed first tonight though....except i've just remembered i'm on taxi duty as teenage daughters have a school party at Fashion Nightclub. Now to make Hommous (chickpea & tahini salad) ready for BBQ tomorrow.
Not forgetting to mention 'Tabitha' our family cat and Queen of the area. I'm surprised she hasn't run away as she's always being dressed up, put in a bicycle basket, pram or squashed and carried around, upside down mostly!

BLUE SKIES

A busy morning taking our smelly adopted dog 'Charlie' to the vets, a dog which seems to be allergic to everything. Followed by cleaning out the fridge (it's amazing what you can find at the back!!!). Friday Meeting at The Catholic Church, where some of us Brits on 'the island' get together for a chat over coffee, Avon, Oriflame, books and catching up on the latest news and organising upcoming events.
Followed by the supermarket....where i seem to spend most of my life lately. My children never stop eating!
The afternoon was spent on rollerskates and scooters visiting the gardens of the quaint little church close to our house. (The Church of St George).