Sunday outing

We love to head in to Athens city centre. Usually on Sundays it's not too crowded. We has coffee at Zappion, strolled in Plaka, played with M in a park, chased pigeons, had pancakes at Hip Cafe, checked out an art gallery off Syntagma, discovered a new sushi place and enjoyed the sunny weather. Of course you can do all of the above in Glyfada but

Athens is so nice and has the real 'city feel' .Lovely family time indeed...

Good morning

We Started our sunday 6.30 am. M has a talent to wake up extra early on Sunday mornings ;) So the whole family enjoyed breakfast (Greek yoghurt with fruits,toast and honey, and tea). This is my new favorite tea ; green tea with cup cake flavor. Also equally delicious the new blueberry muffin tea lippon just came out with.

Special cakes

Special Cakes moved and opened an even bigger store down by Goodys. Step into a dream! Cakes, sweets, candy, cookies, cupcakes... M was super excited to look around. They even have a play area with toys for kids and plenty of tables and chairs so sit and enjoy a cup cake. Well worth a visit. Yum!

                      

                      

                      

                      

Hello kitty

M turned one last week. This year has passed in the speed of light. When did my tiny baby grow up so fast?! It is better sweet but at the same time it is absoulety amazing to see her grow, develop and see how her personality forms. 

We celebrated with a big pink hello kitty party. Melina was dancing and running around for four hours. One would think that she would sleep in the next day, but no at 7 am sharp she opened her big eyes and was ready to start the day!

                               

                                

                                         

Poor baby

I went for coffee the other day. My sweet little girl who is always happy to go out was super upset. Crying and crying... Tears with no end.. Her little face was getting red from all the crying. 

I tried everything; the stroller for her to nap, water, the playground, diaper change, walking, some food...but nothing worked! So we packed up and headed home. 

While I tried putting my screaming daugther in the car , a lady came up to me and explained that of course someone had given her the 'bad' eye (also known as the evil eye) and she said some sort of prayer (!) to revoke it.

I don't know if it worked or M feel asleep out of pure exhaustion, but never the less, she had a looong nap and was back to happy and normal again. 
 

Was it the bad eye...?

Sushi, sunset and sake

My parents were visiting and we went to Nobu, the Japanese restaurant . In Greece there is one in Athens and one in Myconos. The food is amazing and so are their fresh and creative cocktails,  And not to forget the stunning environment, located on a cliff on top of the sea with gorgeous views... A recipe for a nice evening...

The pretty sunset

Enjoying dinner outside

Wow

Salmon tatar

Delicous tender meat

Sashimi

Juicy juices

A friend of mine started a juice challenge- the ideas is to simply add one freshly squeezed juice a day for 10 days and see/feel the real difference it can make to our health. It is not a diet or anything, just a way to get more fruits and veggies into your daily meals, and there is need to change what you eat - good for me- because there is no way I can follow diets etc. The benefits of juices are numerous: improved energy and clarity, feeling better, looking better and an overall sense of wellbeing.

And to keep motivated we have group on Facebook where we post pictures, ideas and comments. i am on day 5 so far. Let me share some of my juicy juices here: 

This is made of kiwi, apple, orange

Carrot, apple, orange, celery

Pomegranate. orange, carrot

Date Night in Kolonaki

The other Saturday me and my husband called our trusted babysitter and went for a lovely night out in Athens. We started with dinner and drinks at Paragon, a new, Italian place. Then we went to summer cinema and saw the Bling Ring by Sofia Coppola. Summer cinema is so nice, you sit outside and watch movies under the stars. And there is a bar so you can have drinks, snacks and even pizza or souvlaki if you are in the mood. 

                         

                         

                           

By The pool

The other day me and another mom packed our beach bags and took our little babies to the pool for some swimming. The main holidays are over and we had the pool almost to ourselves . The kids looved playing and splashing around. Plenty of toys and snack kept them busy. After some serious play in the sun they feel asleep and us mothers enjoyed a frappe and catching up . Going

Our with a super active 10 month year old is complicated. Yes they scream, want to walk/run around and in every single  direction, eat anything they see including the flip flops, flowers, car keys.., so you gotta be super alert but it is so nice To go out. Athens is blessed with sun shine and I really dont like staying in, i also find that people are very friendly when you have a baby. Many offer to help,and some even play a little. 

Summer holidays in Sweden

So I was looking through my pictures to Sweden to post on the blog, surely I must have taken some shots of geourgous summer Stockholm ? The old houses in Gamla Stan? The brige and sea at Strandvägen ? The classic shot At Slussen? Apparently not! Apart from a zillion photos of my little girl , which I keep private I had photos of food... Food... And more food!

I love Greek and Mediterranean cuisine but being away from Sweden makes me truly miss these dishes:   

                 

     Swedish meatballs with mashed poatatoes and jam.

                 

Toast with Shrimps

                 

Swedish style bouillabaisse

               

Smörgåstårta

     

Big big girl

Everyone says that when you have a baby you understand time and just how fast and precious it is. Only with a little infant constantly growing, developing and learning you understand the passage of time. I have to pinch myself in order to believe that over 10 months passed since darling M joined our family. Today she is 75 cm tall, 9 kilos and just the sweetest, coolest little person I ever met. She can walk , not very sturdy , but on her own. She can say mama, kaka and cookoo. (The last we dont know from Where she picked it up) She loves music and starts dancing as soon as she hers it. Especially when she hears Pharell and Marinakis (Greek good looking pop singer). M loves swimming and playing with water. Chicken with carrots, corn and potatoes is her fav lunch. And banana - avocado her favorite morning snack. M has 6 teeth, super white and sharp. And a smile... A smile that makes my heart melt... And a laughter, from the bottom of her belly, with is the happiest sound I ever heard...

Pretty in pink

                    

Holidays

The blog has taken a looong holiday break. Too much sun, fun, family, baby, travel  and friends.... Computer and blogging just Wasnt on top of my agenda....

The Greek summer has been - no is- fantastic ! This year hasn't been too hot, which meant lots of great days out in the sun. This weekend We visited Hydra, my number one favorite island. im

Biased since we Got married on this magical Island but what not to

Like? Just two hours away from athens you get Great food, cozy boutique hotels , crystal clear waters, beautiful neo classical buildings, amazing views, sunsets, dolphins -if you are lucky... Could It get better ? 

The view from beach bar ' Spilia'

A Swedish flag! Got very excited To meet fellow swedes.

Beach with pebbles and enameled green water.

View from the hotel room.

Tiny, sweet olives and rusk bread- top combo with a drink

Pretty swimmingpool at Bratsera Hotel

At Paul's

A new absoulety Faboulous French (inspired?) boulangerie has finally opened in platia espiridon in the heart of Glyfada. After months of preparations and renovations this gem quickly became the new coffee hot spot. Paul has every sweet you can image from blueberry cake to rhubarb pie. Everything is bake daily and is super fresh . All the delicious treats are line up and you simply don't know what to pick! This concept with such a variety of fresh thing displayed right infront of you is new in Glyfada.  I am sure Paul is here to stay ...

National garden

IWe have had coffee endless times at Zappion, a park in the city centre. But we never paid any attention to the national gardens. Just a few hundred meters away is a beautiful, green park. Okay so it's no Central or regents park by any means but it is very pretty and lush. Filled with tall, old palm trees, water falls , a mini zoo it really makes for a nice Sunday stop. The park is complete with a Greek cafe-neo, a traditional coffee shop. Today there were also free Pilates classes.  (And we got to see the change of guards at the parliament )

                            

                                     

                                

                               

                               

                               

                 (And we got to see the change of guards at the parliament )

Hydra

We spent Greek Easter on the beautiful island Hydra. Just one and a half hour from Athens one finds a total gem. The island has no cars, just gorgeous houses, bright colored flowers and mountains raising above. On every corner you find small shops, art galleries, tavernas and coffee shops. The little town is tiny and after just a day you feel right at home. We stayed right in the harbour with a perfect view