WORDLESS WEDENSDAY #5

ROOTED

  

 Two trees fall in love but unfortunately they can't hold each other.

Call me softie but this video made me cry! LOL! So sweet and touching!

This film is Featured in http://www.Sketchozine.com Volume 4 and 8 Interactive & Collectible Books. Please visit the website to see a full Digital Magazine preview.Produced at Utrecht School of the Arts (www.hku.nl)  CREDITS: Edwin Schaap (Animation, Editing, Art, Compositing), Jeroen Hoolmans (Character Rigging, Programming, Compositing), Pim Reinders (Environments, Animation, Effects, Compositing), Floyd Angenent (Layout, Modeling, Rigging, Compositing), Vidjay Beerepoot (Music), Ronnie van Overveld (Sound Design & Final Mix)


 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!



glitter-graphics.com

          Happy Halloween and Happy Trick or Treating to all of you who celebrate it in your country! Have a blast! (Don't overdo it with those candies!....Oh! OK,  overdo it! It's once a year, right?!)

      Unfortunately, we don't have Halloween in Greece even though all the kids seem to at least know something about it,  thanks to Nickelodeon and other cartoon channels and movies.

      In Greece we have the Carnival which is somewhat similar even though the emphasis is not on scary stuff and there's no trick or treating. If you want to find out more about it check out an old post of mine here!

OXI DAY!

This Sunday (October 28th) we celebrate OXI Day!

    

      OXI, (oh-hee) means NO!  It is a national Greek holiday that is celebrated every year throughout Greece, Cyprus and the Greek communities around the world, to commemorate the rejection by Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940. The ultimatum demanded that Greece allow enemy forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain "strategic locations" or otherwise face war. It was answered with a single word: OXI!!! (NO!)

 

      This  marked the date in 1940 when Greece entered WWII. After the World War II it became a national holiday in Greece and Cyprus.

     

      The novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin (which became a movie in 2001 wth Nicolas Cage, Penélope Cruz and John Hurt) features a fictionalized account of the meeting between Metaxas and Grazzi, written from Grazzi's point of view.

      The anniversary of 28th October 1940 is for all Greeks, one of the most important and glorious moments of our modern history. It is commemorated every year in every city, town or village with an official service held at the church, the laying of wreaths at statues/monuments dedicated to the WW2 war heroes and with  student parades. On this anniversary, most public buildings and residences are decorated with Greek flags. 

      In Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, celebrations of Oxi Day culminate in a large, lavish military parade down the main boulevard, during which military airplanes fly over the city in proud formations.

 

 

 

All photos are courtesy of Google images.

 

GREEK TRIVIAL PURSUIT

RANDOM GREEK FACT #2

 

      Feta is a type of Greek salted curd cheese traditionally made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's and goats' milk. The defining characteristic of feta cheese is that it is brined or pickled. The brining process (from a week to several months) gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. It is stored in its own water brine.

     

 

What you should know about feta cheese:

          

1. It dries out and sours quickly when removed from its brine; for that reason, blocks of packaged feta cheese are covered with brine, and should be stored, refrigerated, in the brine until used. Feta is available in most supermarkets as a solid block packed in brine, or crumbled. So you better buy in large quantities (it's  also cheaper that way) in/with its brine.

2. If the feta is too salty for your taste, take the piece you want to use and soak in a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 fresh milk for an hour.

3. Feta is not a "melting" cheese. It is widely used in cooked dishes and, while it softens, it retains much of its original shape.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY # 4

TRENCH WARFARE



My son's bedroom became a battlefield!
(Nerf weapons in use!) 



Improvised barricades - Fiiiiiiire!!!



INCOMIIIIIING!!!!!



FACEBOOK: IT'S HERE!!!!

 

I do!

                                         

                                I do!

                     I do!

                      I do!

        Hooray, I did it! Yap! Got me a Facebook account for the blog!!!!!

        I have been contemplating about it for quite some time now as blogging itself is time consuming enough. But then Mark (Zuckenberg) called me and begged me to. I wasn't playing hard to get I just hadn't decided but he was so persistent. Then he started crying and I just had to hang up.  A few days later I heard that he joined AA as my refusal had led him to drinking. So, okay, what am I to do - I did it! As long as he got back on the sober path of life! LOL! The things I have to do!

 

      Well, it didn't happen exactly like that, maybe sort of - minus Mark Zuckenberg, (well he suggested it to me....Oh! okay, not even that!). The point is... that I now have Facebook!

 

      So everybody please go to my Facebook Fan Page and become my friend and Like, Like, Like!!! (Mark's orders!)
 

 

 

 

My FB is brand new and empty. It's a 'virgin'! Which one of you, my beloved followers/readers, is going to be 'my first' ????!!!!

 

 

All photos are courtesy of Google images.

THREE MORE AWARDS

                    

      YES! I received not one, not two but THREE more awards. WOW!!! Excited? Thrilled? Going bananas? These words don't begin to describe the ecstatic condition that I'm in! It's unbelievable! I love it!

      Thank you so, SO much for the awards! The love and support I have received from the blogging community is really overwhelming! Receiving an award really boosts up the blogger's morale and vindicates the effort s/he has put on creating his/her blog. It is an appreciation and recognition by the followers/readers. I wouldn't be here now if it weren't for you!!! Therefore, I thank you ALL!!!

      More specifically though, I need to thank my fabulous bloggy friends  http://heymommychocolatemilk.blogspot.gr/, 

Menopausal Mother and The (Not so) Fascinating Life of Tabitha for honoring me with the 'Liebster Award', the 'Sunshine Blogger Award' and the 'Laine Blogger Award'! Three awesome blogs that if you haven't already checked out, you should do it right now!  You will love them!

      I am also thrilled to share the love and honor of these awards with other well-deserving bloggers, so keep on reading to find out who they are! 
 

So, let's see these awards: 
 

Award 1

                

 

 

Thank you Menopausal Mother for this award. The rules are as follows:

RULES:

-Include award logo in blog post and site and thank the blogger who 

 gave it to you & include a link back.

-Answer 10 questions about yourself that you have made up yourself

 or simply list 10 facts about you.

-Nominate 10-12 bloggers for the award and contact them at their

 blog site to inform them.

 

 

10 Facts about me:

1. I can't stand cockroaches. Even typing the word makes me shudder!
2. My favorite TV show when I was little (we're talking preschool) was Bonanza (don't laugh!) I was in love with Little John - I think that was his name - played by a really young Micheal Landon. He played (much later) at another favorite TV show I'm sure you all know 'The little house on the prairie'!!!
3. I love pizza!

  4. I don't have a favorite colour. I like them all.

  5. I love roses!

  6. I love the Christmas season!

  7. I don't play any musical instruments even though I would have
      liked to play the piano.
  8. I make a very good frappe coffee! (Don't know what it is?  Find
      out here)
  9.  I love music!!! I listen to almost everything depending on
      my mood.

10. I used to exercise, some centuries ago, and been

      meaning to get started again, but for now I see  
      this is going to be a new year's resolution!

 

 

My nominees are:

http://bakinginatornado.blogspot.gr/

http://dawnsdisaster.blogspot.gr/

http://followmehome.shellybean.com/

http://lifeoftab.blogspot.gr/

http://www.thatsuburbanmomma.com/

http://www.michellespixiedust.com/

http://abooksandmore.blogspot.gr/

http://takingachanceinlife.blogspot.gr/

http://tastefullyfaith.blogspot.gr/

http://mrsmelissabaker.blogspot.gr/

http://kiddilemma.blogspot.gr/

--------------------------------------------------------------

Award 2

                              
 

Thank you Hey Mommy Chocolate Milk for this one.
 

The rules for this one are:

-Include award logo in blog post and site.

-List 11 facts about yourself.

-Answer 11 questions given to you.

-Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the

 award.

-Choose 11 bloggers for the award.

-Go to the blogger's page and inform them of the award.

-Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

-Only tag bloggers who have 200 or less followers.

 

 

11 Facts about me:

 

 

1.  Look
2.        at
3.          this
4.              picture
5.                    and

  you can guess at least 5 things 
               about me!
   (No, I'm not cheating!!!) 

6.   Moody? Ya! that's me!

7.  As a teenager I was fanatically watching "Fame" the TV series 
     and wishing I could go to a school like that and becoming a
     famous  star - great actress, singer dancer, all in one.

8.  I bake my own bread! Don't rush to say WOW! I have a 

     bread maker! Hahaha! But I buy the flour at a mill and I

     know that my bread hasn't the preservatives the ones at the 

     stores and bakeries have!

 

8. I can't stand anything coconut!

9. This past year I lost 12 kilos! (about 26 pounds). Yeah!!!

11. I'm allergic to housework and have a rash every day!!!

The 11 Questions I have to answer:

1. Who is your favorite superhero of all time?
It's between Superman and Wolverine.

2. What is your favorite book?
Hard to pick just one. Well, one of my favorites is "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follet.
3. Which book have/did you read to your kiddos so many times you know it by heart?
'Where's Spot' and 'The Grimm Brothers Fairy Tales'

4. If you won an all expenses trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Tough one. So many places! Italy, Spain, Egypt, India, the Amazon, Scotland...Oh! I'm not sure!

5. Favorite outdoor activity?
Hiking!

6. What is your most valued possession?
My children aren't exactly possession, are they? Well, little objects of loved ones who have passed away and my photos!

7. Favorite family tradition?
Saturday nights are movie and junk food nights!

8. Do you still have your wedding dress?
No, because I rented it! It's not very common in Greece to buy it! What am I going to with it afterwards?

9. Favorite Bible story.
The story of the Prodigal Son and  The Good Samaritan.

10. What is your earliest memory?
Going to the hospital to see my newborn brother when I was 4 years old.

11. What was your first car?
Chevrolet Citation (1981 model). I bought it used of course, when in college, and it was the time of the first Batman movie so my vehicle was called the "Greekmobile"!!!

These are my questions to my nominees:

1. Why do you blog?
2. What can't you live without?
3. What's your star sign?
4. If you were stranded at a deserted island who and what (one item) would you like to have with you?
5. What is your favorite pastime?
6. What is the silliest thing you've ever done?
7. What is your most favorite romantic/lovestory movie?
8. Where in the world would you like to travel to? (Pretend money is not an issue)
9. Describe yourself in 3 words.
10. What is your favorite sport? (to play or watch)
11. Which is your all time favorite song?

 

 

 My nominees are:

 

http://www.michellespixiedust.com/

http://abooksandmore.blogspot.gr/
http://summerofmanyhats.blogspot.gr/
http://followmehome.shellybean.com/
http://happy-little-feet.blogspot.gr/
http://mydailyjenn-ism.blogspot.gr/
http://www.theramblingcouchpotato.com/
http://www.thecraftysideofsarcasm.com/

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

Award 3

                        

Thank you The (Not so ) Fascinating Life of Tabitha for this award.

 

 

The Rules:

-Answer 5 questions about yourself (same ones listed here).

-Add award logo in your post and thank the person who gave it to

 you and link back to the person that gave you the award.

-Pass it on to 5 other bloggers and notify them on their blog that

 they won.

 

 

Questions and my answers:

1. What is your current beauty obsession?

I may go out without any make up but at least I'll put a shiny lip balm on my lips. Oh! and earrings!

2. What is the ONE item you wish you owned?

That's easy! Aladdin's lamp!!!

3. What is your favorite topic to read about?

Medieval adventure/love stories

4. What inspired you to become a blogger?

My best friend suggested it as a hobby.

5. What nail polish are you wearing now?

...none...Got to let them rest!

 

My Nominees are:

http://happy-little-feet.blogspot.gr/

http://mrsmelissabaker.blogspot.gr/

http://xcartwright.blogspot.gr/

http://heymommychocolatemilk.blogspot.gr/

 

---------------------------------------------------------
 

Don't forget my dear nominees to let me know when you post your answers to my questions because I am curious to read them.

 

Congratulations to all of my bloggy friends!

 

 

Photos are courtesy of Google images.

GREEK TRIVIAL PURSUIT

      I thought I should do justice to my blog's name 'The Greek Housewife' by honoring the "Greek" part. So I decided I should have regular posts giving my dear readers little bits of information about Greece or being Greek! They will be numbered random Greek facts that I will put under a category (perhaps a page) named 'Greek Trivial Pursuit'! I hope you will like reading them and get to know me better in the process!

So here goes 'Random Greek Fact #1' :

      Knitting, crochet and embroidery are time-honored traditions in Greece. Needlework was always a traditional activity for the women in Greece. The skills are handed down from generation to generation. The women learn the needlework from their mothers and grandmothers. It was a major component of household handicrafts. In the old days since she was young, a girl had to be initiated into the art of needlework in order to sew her dowry (pillows, towels, doilies, tablecloths, aprons, sheets, curtains, and whatever else could adorn her clothes and house. Many of the embroidery images were symbolic, originating in nature, history and legend.             

      Today most women have abandoned this tradition and don't do any needlepoint except for necessary mending of the clothes! I happen to be one of them! Except for really big works of cross-stitching, that I did when I was much younger, I don't know how to do anything else. I didn't learn it from my mom when I was younger and I'm really sceptical about starting now!

      My mom on the other hand is really talented and hasn't given up on it. It's her hobby! Lately she has taken upon it to crochet a queen sized blanket for each of her 4 grandkids! WOW! Mom! What a project!

      I have posted photos of her fascinating work and I have a lot more to show you in the future. Here are some samples:

For more photos of my mom's masterpieces check out my posts Mommy's Doilies Part 1  and  Part 2!!!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY #3



Love thy neighbor "pay-BACK" !!!






Photo is courtesy of Google images.

TZATZIKI (CUCUMBER SAUCE)

      Today I have for you a recipe of the famous, classic and very favorite Greek side dish: Tztatziki. (You might have heard of it as cucumber sauce or yoghurt sauce). It accompanies almost most of our roasted meats, especially the ones you might have heard of the souvlaki and gyros! No meal with roasted meat is complete without it. It is strong tasting and may be an 'acquired taste' for some as it has garlic but that's what makes it spicy!

      It is very easy to make and very nutritious. It also helps reduce high blood pressure as garlic has that effect. One thing it doesn't help with though, is your breath, so make sure you chew some gum afterwards or if it's available chew some fresh parsley. Did you know that parsley helps with bad breath issues?

Well, here goes the recipe:

Ingredients

1 cucumber
2-3 (or more, if you can handle it) cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon medium wine vinegar
300g full-fat strained Greek yoghurt (10.5 oz)
100ml virgin olive oil (1/2 cup)
½ tablespoon finally chopped dill leaves

Preparation

Remove the skin of the cucumber and grate it. (not finely)

Finely grate the garlic.

The cucumber must be drained well, you don't want the tzatziki to turn out watery so you squeeze the grated cucumber with your hands in small portions at a time to remove its juices. Do it twice.

Put it in a bowl with the garlic and the rest of the ingredients. Don't forget to add salt and pepper.

Mix them all well with the help of a fork.

Put the dip in a bowl, and add some dill leaves as decoration if you want.

Eat and Enjoy!

Photos are courtesy of Google images.