Emma's fabulous eggs, cucumber and salad

I love them!!!

Our little garden

Here in north of Athens house, we are lucky enough to have a small garden. Although at first it was a challenge; you need to set up the watering right and plant things in the right places for the right amount of sun or shade and I had no idea about any of this - I am now really enjoying having it. 

I like breathing in the flowery or onion-y wiffs I get as I walk by. I like feeling the grass under my feet in the mornings or evenings when I go and have a look at what has developed, dried or grown, been nibbled on or bloomed. I love seeing small bees come and pollinate my flowers and hearing them and other insects whizz by totally reminds me of my childhood when I was lucky enough to have garden owning grandparents on both sides. 

I love having my own rosemary, chives, mint and parsley - and hopefully basil - on my little balcony to add to drinks or salads. 

It's sometimes hard work and frustrating when things die on me or don't grow as expected - and conversely immensely satisfying when things grow unexpectedly fast or blossom into something magnificent and colourful. Nowadays, I find it really relaxing having all this nature around us and am really glad the kids can enjoy it too. 

 There is a tiny bee in there can you see it?

 our flowery corner includes some plants Emma and William brought 

back as sprouts form school and we don't yet know what they will become

 shared roses with the neighbour and the kids trampoline 

I can't remember the name of the white flowers

 no idea what these orange beauties are called but aren't they pretty!?

 In Greek I think these are Gallia or something. 

I love their bright pink colour and the fact that they 

reach out to the sun so high

 the purple ones are something solaris and are 

usually found on islands but I saw them in someone else's garden 

and asked our gardener to find us some.

 our kitchen balcony with coloured flowers 

as well as rosemary, mint, parsley and chives

and a place to have coffee or an aperitif and chips

Happy Mother's Day to me!

A card with a mummy swallow hugging a baby swallow and "Mama I love you" (in Greek) on Emma's hands and cookies and a yellow "I love my Mommy" tulip card from William. ;-)) I am definitely a happy Mummy.

Grand-papa & Pata's visit

Well, we are back from Rhodes (more on that in a later post) and we thoroughly enjoyed Grand-papa & Pata's visit. Let's hope next time we manage to combine the two; a holiday trip and their visit!!!

Here are some pics:

William banging away on one of his birthday presents

 Stopping in the shade during a walk in Varibombi

 visiting the Acropolis

 Emma and Grand-papa cooling down in the pool

 Pata and the kids chilling in front of some cartoons...

 at the park, trying out the see-saw

William's birthday cake 2

First cake of the day, a cupcake for breakfast    

 

then a strawberry mousse and chocolate biscuit cake 

for 25 at school (enough for the 2 classes and teachers)

William wanted another piece!

And then another one with Grand-papa and Pata

Can you see how happy he is? 

Happy 3rd Birthday William!

"Now all sing happy birthday!" "That my cake, my mummy bought it (in the) bakery shop...yummy yummy in my tummy"

Emma & Will never tire of picnics

Enjoying Greek Tyropita

I'm hiding!!!!

William in his laundry basket