Ten things that make me happy...

 My friend, Christie,  at My Comfy Escape has tagged me to list my Ten things that make me happy. She tagged me well over a month ago, but it seems that everything I do is late these days. Well, let's just say later than my usual late self, I'm always late. I was born almost a month later than my mother's  given due date so I have a great excuse. And then I married a Greek... so any chance of me being on time anywhere was lost. Although, I have to brag about arriving almost 1/2 hour early to a baptism recently. We didn't know what to do with ourselves, we walked at a casual pace and stood around waiting for the baptism to begin, definitely out of our element.

So, let's get to this list. I have just recently listed 10 things that make me happy for an award that I received -  so I'll add photos to this post to make it a bit different.

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1. My friends & family ~~ VITAL to my being and appreciated more than I can express in mere words...the unconditional love and support that I receive daily makes me thrive. The emails... phone messages & texts and blog comments --I'm always eager to see who has checked in.  I'm surrounded by so much love & support, I can only say "Thank YOU"...all of you!! You're always on the top of my list!

One of my favorite photos of Christie & I. Yes, it was really funny...

2. Chocolate.  I think this one is self explanatory if there are chocoholics like myself reading this.

My chocolaty-chocolate birthday cake.

3. Photography. I've been inspired by so many photographers past & present. Some of my favorites include Gordon Parks .

and Ansel Adams.

                                                

4. Music. I love almost all genres of music. Music is life, I can't imagine a day without music.

Music is what feelings sound like. ~Author unknown

5. Coffee. What kind of coffee do I like? Most of it. Although I'd give anything for a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha (grande) I'm very happy with my own cappuccino. My cappuccino maker was away for about a month and I was lost without it. And, I love frappé. I have at least one frappé per day ...shaken not 

blended. Oh and Γλυκό με γάλα παρακαλώ ...(Sweet with milk please...)

(Alexandra sneaks a sip of my cappuccino, the kids already love coffee too...shhhh!) 

6. Art. Having said that I'll introduce you to a budding artist, my Izabella. Not a day passes that she doesn't create.

7. Food/Cooking. I love exploring new cuisine and trying new recipes. I also enjoy letting my kids help me in the kitchen. I find that letting them help prepare a meal ensures that they'll eat what we're making, most of the time. 

                   

Yes...I made everything in these photos...

8. The spa.  Recently spoiled by a whole afternoon at  the spa courtesy of one of my bests friends (wink, wink)-that would be the one who tagged me for this list. 

 

9. Flowers/gardening- I find gardening therapeutic although I'm overwhelmed by the amount of work that it takes to maintain our garden these days. 

 A rose & my garden a month ago...doesn't look so well kept now...

10. Our pets. (well, most of the time...) 

Tarzan & Alexandra

Myself & Gigi

"Torlitza" & Iza

Tarzan again...with Lobo

Thank you for tagging me Christie! 

I miss you!  :)

Meme...

I've been tagged to do a meme by my fellow blogger, Jessica aka truestarr, to share a bit of what I might be reading. If I wasn't reading online so much, I would definitely have more time to finish some of the books that I have sitting around.

The object of this meme:

First, you pick up the book nearest to you...turn to page 161 and copy out the 5th sentence. So, here's what I have to offer...

"I don't think the gap between races is any wider than it's been".

It's from the last book that I toted to the beach - "Race: How Blacks & Whites Think & Feel About the American Obsession" written by Studs Terkel.

So far, I've only read half of this book although I've owned it for several years.(and it's an autographed copy!) I was turned on to Studs Terkel in college when I was asked to perform a monologue based on one of his interviews. I morphed into a middle-aged black woman for my chosen monologue. Was it challenging? Yes. But, I loved it.

Here's a little bit about the book...

"For this book Terkel interviewed a cross-section of Americans about their views on race. Though many interviews center in Chicago, people discuss experiences growing up in various locations, their migration experiences from the southern United States, and how they understood racial changes at different points in their lives. Terkel chose to

interview people who regularly cross racial lines through their work such as physicians, nurses, and social workers; and those who have to lead others in their thinking such as teachers and preachers. He questioned activists in both national civil rights movements and grass roots assistance organizations. He interviewed students in integrated schools, welfare recipients, and homeowners who watched their neighborhoods change. He frequently inquires if their experience is based on issues of class or issues of race". (Recordings from Race)

So there you have it, the book that I'm currently trying to read. Now, I have to choose 5 of my fellow bloggers and ask them if they'll let us in on what book they have on hand.

I choose:

Angela from The F.A.B. Files

One of my very best friends-Linda- at Whatever is on my mind today

Liz from The Making of cupcakes.gr

Maria at Organically Cooked (that is...if you're not writing a book!)

and finally,

My friend Christie at Casu Consulto

I won't be offended if you don't participate...no pressure! :)

References / Links: Chicago History Museum

Chicago History Museum-Studs Terkel

Six Random Things

There's no better way to get back online than with a meme. Mimi tagged me for this meme a few weeks ago and I've finally got a minute to do it...that's because it's something like 1:30 am and the kids are sleeping. So here we go...

The rules-

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.


My Six Random Things-

1. I usually don't sleep through the night. I sleep in intervals. I usually fall asleep with the kids and wake up one or two hours later to take care of things that I wanted to do before I fell asleep with them. I'd say that there are about 2 days a week that I actually sleep through the night. That's why I'm doing this meme in the middle of the night. I'm so glad that school is over-hopefully I'll get to "sleep in" this morning!

2. I am the second of six children.

3. I am one of 70-something grandchildren from my Father's side of the family. I have probably met about 30-something of my cousins. We're spread out throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico...and now Europe. I'll have to sit down and figure it out some time. And yes, my Grandmother is still alive and kicking! She's in her late 90's. I can only hope for such a long life.

4. I gave up caffeine when I was pregnant with Izabella. I used to drink about 4 cups of coffee a day before that, I love coffee. I've been through caffeine withdrawal twice in my life and never want to go through it again. Since moving here, I've started to drink coffee again...and little by little I think that I'm working back to caffeine dependency.

5. I was almost kicked out of a Cher concert because I used the men's room. The line for the ladies room was out of control-like it always is at concerts- and I was with men so I chose the faster route. Girls...what the heck are you doing in there that takes so long? Yeesh!

6. I knew my husband a little less than a month before I married him. It's been 18 years...


I'm tagging-

Kat, Ado, Christie, Mel, Lulu and Linda. Linda has already beat me to the punch though...she has a list of 100 things about herself. So, Linda, I guess that I'm not really tagging you... but if you have 6 more things to add- knock yourself out!

April Meme: 7 Quirks

Well, I knew that it was only a matter of time before I'd be tagged for a meme. I was tagged by both Kat and Mel for this, my first meme. Since I've been double tagged I'm more than happy to participate.


These are the rules:

1. When tagged, place the name and URL of the tagger on your post
2. Post the rules
3. Write 7 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Name 7 of your favorite blogs
5. Send an email/comment on their blog letting them know they have been tagged


7 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself

1. I don't like to eat off of plastic/plates cups. (like kid stuff) I will, but I just don't like it. Can't explain it & it drives my husband nuts. I'll ask him to get me a drink and if he brings it in a plastic cup I cringe. I think that he does it just to annoy me. (btw-he pointed this quirk out for me)
2. I love kitchen gadgets, can't have enough of them. Currently, I'm looking for a new lemon zester & also a garlic press.
3. I'm very particular about my kitchen utensils/gadgets. For instance, a bread knife is for cutting bread-please don't cut meat or tomatoes with it. I especially don't like when people take it out in the yard to cut horta!
4. I talk a lot and I talk fast. I know it, I try to control it- but I can't.
5. I could eat rice & beans every day.
6. I love Prince. I think that he's a genius.
7. I can't leave the house without wearing lipstick.

Name 7 of your favorite blogs

1. An American in Athens (tagged me)
2. Mel's Diner (tagged me)
3. Whatever is on my mind today
4. Exotic/Mundane
5. Tastes like Home-Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska
6. Mimi on the Breach
7. Livin' La Vida Pedraza

Just a few of my regular stops in the blogosphere. If I tagged you-don't feel obligated to participate. I'll still love your stuff!