Tuesday 22 December 2009

Happy Holidays!

(picture courtesy of Yahoo images)
Tomorrow is the last day at work and the first day of...
Christmas holidays.
We're leaving as soon as I get back from work
and will be back on the 2nd of January.
We'll be spending the holidays on a mountainous village in northern Greece
(details when I get back)
I'm going back to work on the 8th.
I'll be visiting you from hubby's laptop
but there won't be any posts.
So...
I need to tell you all how lucky I feel to have met you;
you've made my (often miserable this year) life brighter.
Many blessings to you all!
Love,
Peace,
Hope
to everyone!

Sunday 20 December 2009

Salt dough ornaments -TA-DAH!

Remember these?
Little one and I did these what seems like ages ago
and just yesterday we found the time to finish them
and put them on the tree!

So what do you think?

Did we do a good job?










For the dough recipe I'm using, see here. (there are many others, though)

Enjoy all the Christmas preparations
and don't forget to pause a moment
and think of Little Jesus.

Take good care of youselves and your loved ones!

xox




Friday 18 December 2009

Let the Party begin!

(Byzantine Nativity 4-5th century CE

courtesy of Yahoo images)



'And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.' Luke 2.7


... and so the greatest story of all begins...

Welcome my dear friends!

Make yourself at home; how about some tea and biscuits? Or maybe some red wine and finger food? Let's turn the radio on; my favourite radio station plays Christmas songs all day long. Ready to share some Christmas joy and warm our hearts with happy thoughts?
Ok then. Let's have some fun!


This year more than ever


I've decided to focus on the true meaning of Christmas;

the one about love... hope... peace

in the world.

This has really warmed my heart

together with ...

...this poem


Letter to Santa

Snowflakes softly falling, upon your window they play
Your blankets snug around you, into sleep you drift away.
I bend to gently kiss you, when I see that on the floor
There's a letter, neatly written, I wonder who it’s for.

I quietly unfold it, making sure you're still asleep,
It's a Christmas list for Santa, one my heart will always keep.
It started just as always with the toys seen on TV,
A new watch for your father and a winter coat for me.

But as my eyes read on
I could see deep inside
there were many things you wished for
that your loving heart would hide.

You asked if your friend Molly could have another Dad;
It seems her father hits her, and it makes you very sad.
Then you asked dear Santa, if the neighbors down the street
Could find a job, that they might have some food, and clothes, and heat.

You saw a family on the news, whose house had blown away,
"Dear Santa, send them just one thing, a place where they can stay."
"And Santa, those four cookies that I left you for a treat,
Could you take them to the children who have nothing else to eat."

"Do you know that little bear I have, the one I love so dear?
I'm leaving it for you to take to Africa this year."
And as you fly your reindeer on this night of Jesus' birth,
Could your magic bring to everyone, Goodwill and Peace on Earth?"

"There's one last thing before you go, so grateful I would be,
If you'd smile at Baby Jesus in the manger by our tree."

I pulled the letter close to me, I felt it melt my heart.
Those tiny hands had written what no other could impart.
"And a little child shall lead them," was whispered in my ear
As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve while Santa Claus was here.

...Christmas children's books scattered all over the place (literally!)

...Christmas cards from and to special friends

...a tiny hand putting an angel at the top of the Christmas tree

...going to church when it's still dark

... kissing my wonderful husband for his name-day

...listening to my lovely son telling me how lucky we are for what we have because there are children in the world who don't even have clean water

...driving to work, listening to Christmas songs while the sun has barely come up

...singing Christmas carols with my hubby and son at home, just the three of us, just because little one wanted to practise for his school play

... teaching my students more meaningful season's greetings than just "Merry Christmas"; they loved it yesterday when I told them about hope and peace and being grateful for all the blessings we have been given.

* * * * *

Thank you all for joining in and visiting;

sing all the beautiful Christmas songs (I love them all; really, I tried to think of a favourite but couldn't)

at the top of your voice

and make sure you make the people you love smile -

giving is so much more heart-warming than receiving!

xox

Yiota


PS. If you want to see who's here, at our little gathering, check my previous post.

Thursday 17 December 2009

Christmas Party - a list of bloggers

( image courtesy of Yahoo images)

Below is a list of bloggers
who accepted the invitation for tomorrow's Christmas party.
Please leave a comment here if you want us to add you to the list.
Last minute visitors are more than welcome!
* * * * *
I'll see you all tomorrow with my cuppa or a glass of red wine
to warm our souls up!
* * * * *

Scattering Lupines



The Curious Cat


Yada Yadah


4-Bushel Farm


Farmhouse Kitchen


May All the Seasons Be Sweet to Thee


Ramblings of a Duchess in Waiting (Maybe?)


Recipes, Tips, and Thoughts



Everyday Possibilities

Beads, Crochet and Puppydogs



Around the Hook

A country mouse writes

The Garden Bell

Gramcracker

Kimbles at Home

Real life in a minute

Good morning Mary Sunshine

Bird's Eye View.....

Monday 14 December 2009

You're Invited to a Christmas Party!




My friend Scattering Lupines and I are hosting

a Christmas Party


this Friday!


Put your brightest smile on,


and share with us


what warms your heart and soul at Christmas!


If you'd like to join the fun,


leave a comment here or at Lupines' blog


so we can make a list of links!


Spread the word!


The more, the merrier!


XXX

Sunday 13 December 2009

Precious Moments

Sunday afternoon...
* daddy sleeping on the big sofa
* mommy drinking coffee,
reading about Elfrida's Christmas preparations (Winter Solstice)
* little one cuddled up with a blanket next to mommy,
watching The Polar Express...
Have a peaceful week!

Friday 11 December 2009

June 11th, 2009


Six months without you.
I miss you, mama.
May God rest your soul.

Thursday 10 December 2009

a LINEAGE of GRACE


"In this compilation of the five books of the best-selling Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers, we meet the five women whom God chose--Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Each was faced with extraordinary--even scandalous--challenges. Each took great personal risk to fulfill her calling. Each was destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. (via: CBD's Product Description) "

A couple of months ago MyStory posted this. (please follow the link before you continue). I thought it would be interesting to join in and she was so sweet as to send me the book. Unfortunately it took quite a while to arrive and found me at a very busy time of the year at work.
Anyway, with Christmas coming up, I decided to read the story of Mary, Mother of Jesus.
Here are some thoughts on this novella.
I'm not much of a religious book reader. I read excerpts from the Bible every once in a while, and occasionally a biography of a Saint or something similar. I've read historical fiction before and enjoyed the way facts and fiction come together to help us understand more of the people's lives in a pleasant way. However, reading the dialogues between the most important historical figures of all time, figures which are holy more than any other, made me a bit uneasy at first; it was strange. After a while though I got used to that, thinking that everything started here on earth. So I relaxed and enjoyed it.
Mary's personality of course stands out as she is the central figure in the book. I knew how brave and devoted she was but reading the book shed some new light to that; a different dimension if you like. She was brave but at the same time dependent on Joseph to make the right decision for them; she was calm and serene once she accepted the fact that she would give birth to the Son of God but also firm and determined to fulfil God's wish; she was a simple, ordinary woman, the grandeur of her faith though was unimaginable. What astonishes me is how young she was when she gave birth to Jesus - a child really yet a woman, mature enough to endure the burden laid upon her. The book helped me picture her life, created mental images, helped me get to know her and her role for humanity better.
One thing I've never considered before is Joseph's character. I know admire his humility and have seen what an important role he played.
Thinking on more technical terms, one thing that stood out to me was the intervention of Satan in the form of a dark voice being heard.
I need to read the rest of the book to have a more substantial opinion of it of course but from what I read I can say it helped me see things more clearly. Still though I'm not sure I want all the mystery revealed; I need some sort of magic -in the good sense- around religious matters. Of course I want to know the truth but in a divine, outlandish kind of way. I hope I'm making sense here.
Thanks MyStory for the chance to read such a well-written book and participate in your discussion.
Take care everyone!

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Dear God...

... please?
(details on the book here)
Take Care!
xxx

Friday 4 December 2009

Lasciatemi Cantare!

While driving to work today
whizzing at 90km when the sign read 60km
(ridiculous for that road but there was a camera pointing at me
so I might find a ticket for speeding in my post box soon)
... what was I saying?
Ah! yes! whizzing because I was late and all stressed -
little one refuses to take his medication
and you know how bad I am when patience is needed-
so while driving
I heard this song on the radio.
(did you make any sense from what I've written so far?
Gosh! I'm so -physically and emotionally- tired!)
So, with the little bit of Italian I remember,
I sang along at the top of my voice
when it hit me!
Why am I feeling so blue?
Or is it that I think I am,
just because my little angel is giving me a hard time
and I yell at him
and then -of course- I feel bad and cry and cry...?
Because, you see,
when I'm really blue
(like a couple of weeks ago)
.
.
.
I CAN'T SING!!!!!!!!!
So there!
'Lasciatemi cantare' (let me sing)
and I'll be fine! (hopefully)
Have a lovely weekend!
xxx

Tuesday 1 December 2009

December!

What do you do when you're on the verge of insanity?
No!
That's not a rhetorical question;
I do want an answer!
Here's what I've found particularly soothing:

a cup of hot chocolate... a good book (or two)...

making Christmas ornaments...
(I'll show you the end product when they're ready)


making Christmas cards...


learning how to crochet

(this could actually make things worse if I allowed myself to be discouraged - but I haven't- and
Yes! Feel free to laugh all you want; I know there are so many mistakes!
So glad if I made you smile! You're welcome!)



watching my favourite film

and dreaming
I could own a little shop like that
one day...



I must admit

all these cosy, homey, seamingly trivial things
have brightened my days.

The last days of November were stress-loaded.

December is a very comforting month, though.

Thank you all for stopping by. I do appreciate each and every one of you and am excited to get to know you little by little through your blogs and e-mails.

HAVE A WONDERFUL, BLESSED NATIVITY MONTH!

xxx

Saturday 28 November 2009

Christmas inspiration...

crafts...

decoration...


children's books...





a trip...?
If only...

Take Care!
xxx



Tuesday 24 November 2009

View of the sky from my kitchen window


I like looking at the different colours and shapes the sky takes;
it helps me forget I'm in a big city
and dream of open spaces.







What do you see when you look out of the window?

Take Care!
xxx

Sunday 22 November 2009

Sunday Outing...


... to Palios Panteleimonas,
a mountainous, traditional village near Mt Olympus.





















Thank you all so much for your lovely comments!
Have a wonderful week!
xxx

Thursday 19 November 2009

Winter Solstice

Feeling a little blue since yesterday
(I won't get into the 'why' part- at least not now-
as it relates to blogland
and I don't want to get into explaining things)
I decided to start my yearly ritual of reading Piltcher's Winter Solstice
a couple of weeks earlier this year;
something to comfort me and bring me warmth.
I love this book.
I'm looking forward to starting reading it as soon as I post this.
Take Care!
xxx

Wednesday 18 November 2009

And the winner is...

... lovely Lucy!
Lucy is a very talented and sweet young girl and I'm truly honoured that she reads my blog.
Congratulations Lucy!
Hope you enjoy your little presents!
Thank you all so much for participating!
Take Care!
xxx

Monday 16 November 2009

The Simple Things

Joining Christina at Soul Aperture
here is a -short- list of some of the simple things
that make my heart sing...


watching the sunset from the kitchen window...

finding the perfect frame for a picture I love...

(picture won at Lecia's giveaway; see it better here)


a pupil's drawing with the heart-warming words " I love you, Miss"...




the first bloom in spring...

my geraniums which are still in full bloom today...

making my son laugh and laugh and laugh...

a shower of rain in the summer...

precious family breakfast...

reading The Shell Seekers every summer and Winter Solstice every winter....

collecting shells and pebbles in the summer and making crafts with them in winter...

coffee and cake on a quiet afternoon while the flat is still filled with the aroma of baking...

my angel's face while he's sleeping...

a walk in the countryside...

beautiful stationary...

the smell of old books...
girlie pyjamas...

floral bedlinen...

planting bulbs on a sunny November afternoon...

mail - sending and receiving...

laughing...

crying...

being human...
Ooooh! That was a lot of fun!


Visit Christina's blog for more Simple Things.

xxx



PS. The giveaway is still open; see previous post


Thursday 12 November 2009

Interested in a giveaway?


Hey you!
How have you all been this week?
I've been quite busy here and haven't visited many of you but I'm here with you now, as a tiring day is nearly over. I just hope I won't fall asleep with my book in my hands again as I do want to see how The Secret Garden ends.
Anyway, there was a parcel for me in the mail this week.
Well, not for me really but for my friends;
the ones here in my everyday life
and the ones from all over the world: you!
I was so excited to get it and when I opened the box I saw this
rainbow of little packages!!!
Don't they look great?
I just had to take a picture!


Do you want to see what was inside?


A collection of writing paper, envelopes and cards all with the same theme:
nature
and....
these gorgeous notebooks,
each with a unique wildlife theme
...
from...
Starfish and Mermaids...


...to
The Universal Known (my personal favourite)...


...to
Shells and Snails...

...to
Lagoon wildlife


On each page there's a different drawing from animals, plants etc that can be found in Greece
(I don't know about the mermaids though!! :) )
I love them!!!
Well, if you'd like one of them to be yours,
together with some of the stationary you see in the second picture
and...

some surprise 'girlie' things,
all you have to do is tell me which one you like best - simple, right?
I'll draw a name at the beginning of the following week (and send the winner the notebook of your choice).

Edit: the draw will take place on Wednesday as there's something else to blog about on Monday and Tuesday is usually a very busy day.

Hope you like them!

I'll visit you over the weekend.
Take Care!


xxx

ONE LOVELY NOTEBOOK HAS NOW FOUND AN OWNER. THANK YOU.

Monday 9 November 2009

White Chrysanthemums...

... on my kitchen table...

... on my bedside table...

... on my desk.


Thank you all for your wonderful, meaningful comments on my last post. I'm so happy to see that lots of people love reading.
I've been planning a giveaway for a while now but still not ready as I have ordered something for you and it hasn't arrived yet; hope it's here by the end of the week.
Have a lovely week!
xxx