green is the colour

I've been meaning to tell you and show you what I've been up to lately,

but I have been too busy - and lazy- and I also seem to have become used to

silently enjoying your posts ; it's much easier to read than write, right?

Anyway, it was Fiona from Raindrops and Daisies with her wonderful idea of 'Green Day'

that got me out of my hiding place and into the world.

So here's (part of) how I spend my days, now that schools are closed for the summer.

For more green love pop over at Fiona's.

Have a great weekend.

Back soon. I promise!

xxx

honesty

me: do you like my new haircut?

son: yes, it's nice.

a few hours later...

me: i don't think i like my hair like this.

son: it looks like a helmet.

i used to be proud...

... for being greek;

now i have to turn to history

and past achievements

to ease the feeling of disappointment.

have moved down under

It's been so unbelievably cold these days,

it feels like October!

I had to take my tomato seedlings inside

 to protect them from the cold and the wind.

I started dreaming of dryers again.

I have so much  laundry to do and no idea where to dry it!

Just when you think you don't need socks anymore...

Anyway, it's Friday afternoon and we have the whole weekend ahead;

the weatherman said that we 'll get our spring back soon

so it's all good.

I'm making some cupcakes with my super fast cupcake maker

as soon as I go offline;

Friday afternoon = coffee + cake + crochet. Nice!

Weather permitting, I'm planning to spend some happy time

surrounded by pots, compost, flower seedlings and, of course,

my precious helper tomorrow!

I'm leaving you today

with my beautiful amaryllis, which is exactly as old as my son;

it is now two plants since I separated the two bulbs that were formed

and planted them again in autumn. Clever me!

Have a great weekend!

xxx

wishing you...

...

a fabulous weekend

and a wonderful Mother's Day with your kids.

xxx

till next year

Did you know I love asparagus?

A simple dish of boiled asparagus with olive oil and lemon

is heaven on earth for me.

Together with gridled mushrooms, it's one thing that hardly ever makes it to the table.

So I thought I'd make them last a little longer, by making this great asparagus tart, the 'Jamie way'.

They did last longer... a little longer ... a whole day.

Yes, I ate almost all of it on my own in just one day!

Why is the asparagus season so short?

words on a simple life

Are you familiar with this book?

I bought it a few days ago and was very glad to see

that the first quote of the collection was by a Greek writer.

How simple and frugal a thing is happiness:

a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier,

the sound of the sea....

All that is required to feel

that here and now is happiness

is a simple, frugal heart.

Nikos Kazantzakis

(1885-1957)

This hasn't been an easy day for me. A stomach-ache kept me up late

and woke me up several times during the night

and, at work... this day counts in my book as a very bad one; patience? what is that?

Then this amazing shower came and washed all the negativity away!

So invigorating!

I'm much better now -and so are my plants, which had a good wash from the city dust.

Happiness is indeed a simple thing!

Then I opened this book and a thought crossed my mind:

at these challenging times for my country,

it's good to remember that there have been people, Greeks, who led the way to many others. Who were inspiring; leaders in their own way,

who made my country famous.

I'm sure there will be more in the future.