Signs of Spring

Spring has officially begun and even if it arrived with cold temperatures and rain, it's a welcome sight after a long winter.  And, although the calendar tells us it's spring I still love to rely on nature's cues. I love all of the spring flowers and blossoming trees. I try to get outside as much as possible to take in the awakening of my surroundings. 

Here are a few photos that I've taken recently that capture some signs of spring...

Tiny daisies blanket the landscape at a park...

These are my zoumboulies. They smell amazing!

Almond blossoms 

Almond tree

 Apricot blossoms

And finally, my littlest blossom loves to pick spring flowers for me. 

***

Happy Spring! 

Snow Day

Freezing temperatures and snow on Thursday meant school was closed. I wasn't aware of it until I attempted to drop the kids off, a lot of us parents were surprised. Given that I grew up in the state of Wisconsin, this wasn't a lot of snow in my opinion. But, it doesn't snow here very often and the roads were very icy so I understand why things had to be shut down. Before going home I took the kids for a scenic drive in our warm & toasty car because I had to take photos, you know. 

Enjoy. 

~~~

Have a nice weekend.

Καλό Σαββατοκύριακο!

Alexandra's 4th Birthday & Name Day

Today is our little Alexandra's 4th birthday and Name Day.  We celebrated her birthday at home on Saturday  night, she had a wonderful time. 

Alexandra chose this cake. Originally, she wanted something with unicorns & monkeys...and grass on it. I'm really glad she took the time to look through the catalog and settle for the Dalmatians. 

When came time to blow out the candles she went for the challenge and tried to blow out the sparklers! 

What was on the table this year?

Tiropita

Spanikopita

Loukanopita

Olives

Melanzanosalata

Greek Potato Salad 

Tomato-Basil Bruschetta

Feta cheese squares...

Peanut butter & Jelly minis for the kids...

Sausage, crackers, Kalamata olive tampanade

and my favorite this year-tomato/basil/mozzarella  hor d'oeuvres. I couldn't stop eating these! 

We had a lot of leftovers so I didn't have to cook on Sunday which was fantastic since we were away all morning having coffee with very special visitors. 

It was a wonderful weekend full of celebration that we shared with our very special friends and family. 

Happy Birthday & Happy Name Day my sweet Alexandra! 

χρόνια πολλά!

Early Summer...

Early summer images...

Silly smiles

Quiet beaches

My pink flowers

Sailboats full of swimmers

Pomegranate blossoms

Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January. 

~Hal Borland~ 

Flamouri Harvest

Flamouri Flowers 

The flamouri (φλαμούρι) trees have blossomed and are passed their peak. For nearly two weeks we've enjoyed the sweet and  light floral fragrance breezing through the air. The scent of our trees was enjoyed throughout the property as well as inside our home, given that we've had our windows open for nearly a month now. I anticipate the blooming of these trees and this year they were just a little late due to cooler temperatures and a string of  rainy days.

 One day last week I was talking to myself, which is fairly normal. I mentioned that I didn't know when I would have time to harvest any given the horrible weather and our social commitments. Funny enough, Izabella was actually listening. When she came home from school the next day she went to outside to play with Foti and  a while later they came in and asked for two large bowls. I asked them what their intent was...how what they needed them for and they told me that I've been so busy that they would help me pick flamouri. I melted...just melted. Does this mean my children are finally old enough to really help me outside? And on their own? I see things getting a bit easier around the garden. 

So, they set out to pick the flowers. When I went out to show them how they should be picked I was pleasantly surprised that Izabella remembered from last year. See? They're getting so self sufficient! 

Izabella removes the larger leaves not used for making tea. 

Alexandra concentrates on her task. 

Foti presenting me with  his bowl of flowers & leaves. I was on the balcony lifted it up for me to see. Nice work! 

~

Flamouri tea is also known as Tilio ( Τίλιο )

in Greek and Linden in English.  Flamouri tea has many health benefits and has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries. 

Some of the common uses for flamouri tea include treating a cold or a cough and other related symptoms.  I find it helpful because it helps clear up my nasal passages whenever I have a stuffy nose and provides relief when I have a sore throat. The tea has a calming effect and it is often suggested that one should drink a cup to relieve any stress & anxiety that's affecting the body. 

The fragrance is so light and floral, it's also used in making soaps or used in skin care. Last weekend I gifted some of the tea to friends that were visiting from the U.S. and they were impressed by the fragrance that permeated the plastic bag I had packed it in. I'm sure the inside of their luggage probably smelled pleasant once they were home. 

I've been suffering from a sore throat for a few days and I boiled some of my already dried flamouri. It's always so comforting. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend  that you do and hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I do. 

Dried flamouri, just about ready for storage. 

~

References:  About.com: Greek Food - Linden Tea

Health Benefits of Linden Flowers and Linden Flower Tea 

Timing is everything...

 For a few weeks I drove passed this field, admiring the colors each time. Looking forward to passing each morning I kept in mind that I wanted to stop and take a photo one day, so finally,  I did. (obviously)  I'm glad that I didn't wait another day because the morning after I took the photo I noticed that the field was barren, it had been cleared for planting. Timing is everything.

Beautiful Chamomile

The chamomile is growing freely and it smells absolutely wonderful... 

I've been gathering and drying bunches for tea. This year I started earlier because I didn't gather enough last year. Izabella is making sure that I don't pick flowers that have been run over by cars or slept on (or worse)  by dogs. It's so funny. "Don't pick those, dogs walk here!" I wonder where she learns it. 

Have nice weekend!

Poppies Against an Overcast Sky...

Through the dancing poppies stole a breeze most softly lulling to my soul. 

John Keats

First Poppy for Mama

I have to be the luckiest mother on the planet, I'm convinced. Last Sunday my kids took a walk with Kosta to visit neighbors. I have to admit, I almost pushed them out the door, I couldn't wait for some time alone, if only for an hour. I spent a whole hour by myself basking in silence while enjoying a coffee outside and checking my email without little people asking me how long it would be before they could have their turn at my laptop. When they wait for their turn, they hover and count the minutes.

 "Mom, you said five minutes." 

"Mom, you said five minutes ten hours ago!" 

"Mom, you're not being fair, you'll never finish!"

As the hour of my temporary freedom came to a close I could hear the giggles and squeals of my kids running home. The little voices drew near and by the time they reached our gate all I could hear was "Mama, Mama...come here!" My first thought was that they must have found another animal along the way. 

I opened the door, walked down the steps and Izabella was running up the walkway with a small bunch of flowers in her grip. She said, "Mama look! The first red poppy, we found our first red poppy of spring and picked it for you, I know you love poppies mom."  She's right, I do love poppies. 

I immediately put the flowers into a vase and on the coffee table. I looked at the sweet little bunch of flowers and naturally, had to take a picture. Foti watched carefully as I snapped the pictures and then tapped me on the shoulder. "Mama, can I hold the vase? I want to hold it so you can take a picture of me with the flowers...so you can remember that we picked them for you." You know what this does to a mother's heart, don't you? It melts it. My heart just melted. Of course my little monkey can hold the flowers. 

He was so proud to have helped gather flowers for me. After I took a few pictures he wanted to  have a look ( digital photography is the best thing that's happened to me and children's college funds!)  and the one above is the one he has approved for posting. Izabella & Alexandra had already taken the two laptops available while I was busy so they weren't interested in the flowers anymore. It's the little moments like these that remind me of just how lucky I am and also how wonderful my kids are. I am definitely the luckiest mother on the planet. 

Related Post:

 Looking for a Poppy

Spring...My Favorite Season

Spring is my absolute favorite season. It means that my birthday is near, days will be longer, the weather is getting warmer, I spend more time outside and I can start planting my garden. Most of all,  I love how colors- greens, yellows, purples and pinks emerge from beneath the brown and grey hues of winter. 

Even flowers that some may consider weeds are beautiful and vibrant. 

Our property turns into a spring wonderland that our children love exploring. Butterflies, hawk-moths and tadpoles keep them intrigued as they spend hours outside looking for them. 

Even cold, cloud covered days offer rich green views. 

The children love their independence- free of the cold, damp winter and not having to bundle up every day. 

As I look up through the blossoming trees the sky seems much brighter and  a bit more blue. 

Purple is my favorite color...

especially when it blankets the fields near our home. 

Wishing everyone in the northern hemisphere a beautiful Spring!