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

Sushi

I had sushi three times in Sweden . They have such good and super cheap sushi there. Athens doesn't , either it's not very good or it's very $$ (think Nobu). Sushi is very popular and even in suburbs u find small sushi bars. I love the look of sushi on a plate. So colourful!

Sweden

Jag och min Lilla tjej åkte hem till Svergie på besök. Stockholm var fint och soligt. Men kallt! Våren är verkigen sen i år. Hur som helst var det ljust och solen sken från kl 04 på morgonen . Det blev härliga utflykter, shopping (massor av barnkläder of course) , god mat och mys med familjen och vännerna.

Me and little M went to Sweden to see family and friends. It was sunny but cold. Spring is very late this year. The days are long and light which meant M thought that the day started 5 am... I did lots of shopping , mostly for the baby of course. Lovely to see family and close old friends.

Sunset beach

Vi tog en promenad längs Kavouri straden. Vilken fin solnedgång det var! Doppade fötterna i havet också. Det var inte alls kallt. Tror det blir premiär för ett dopp snart.

We took a stroll on the beach and enjoyed this beautiful sunset. Dipped my feet in the water which was surprisingly warm. I think I will go for a swim very soon. May had been super hot with over 30 degrees !

Greek Orthodox baptism

On a sunny Sunday a couple of weeks ago me and my husband baptized our daughter. The Greek Orthodox baptism is a bit different then a Protestant or Catholic one. First of all the baby should be completely naked baby - symbolizing birth, then dipped in water three times, and having a bit of hair cut off. The ceremony finishes with the baby being smeared with olive oil -  a tradition from the ancient Greeks. Our little sunshine was happy for the most part of the ceremony. Afterwards we have a nice lunch with family and friends. The church is located in the beautiful seaside suburb Vouliagmeni and opened just two years ago. The architecture is very special and modern. I think it is one of the most beautiful churches in Greece, very light and bright . Well worth a visit! 

Al Dente Ristorante

A couple of months ago my favorite Indian restaurant in glyfada closed down. Very sad because now there is no place to get a spicy tandori chicken or a sweet korma stew . The space was empty but all of a sudden there was movement and a huge, lovely and very cosy Italian restaurant opened. Italian food can never be wrong. And since the ingredients are pretty much the same as in Greek food it taste just wonderful and you can imagine you are in Italy. Al dente is very tasty and super busy so make sure to book a table. Oh yes sometime else - you can bring your own wine. For just 5 euros you can enjoy your own wine. Haven't seen that anywhere else in Athens yet.

Every day life

What do you do all day with a six month you old baby? well, we wake up around 6-7 (new pattern for the last week). Fresh diaper, bottle of milk and cuddle a bit and then... Go back to bed! For a lovely 1-2 hour snooze. Then around 9 we wake up for good and start the day. Every day we play, read books, listen to music, cook, take a walk with the stroller,eat two meals (fruit around 11 and veggies around 14). We also meet up friends for coffees and lunches i glyfada, athens or golden hall. we also meet other mommies. We go to baby yoga, International mommy-baby group and Swedish mommy-baby group.. It's great to get out of the house and meet other babies and moms.

Surfers paradise?

Det har inte blivit mycket bloggande på sista tiden. Dagarna är fyllada av promenader, fika, shopping, jobb och olika mammagrupps träffar (mer om det i ett annat inlägg). Idag blåste det rejält och beachen i Vouliagmeni var fylld av surfare. De låg på sina surf-brädor och guppade och väntade på den perfekta vågen. Själv testade jag och en kompis att surfa i Varkiza. Det var jättekul! Vill absolut gör det igen. Fast vi kunde inte svänga så vi höll på att hamna i Sunio- som tur var körde instruktören runt i en båt och plockade upp elever som blåst iväg...

Clean Monday

The official 40 day lent kicked off yesterday. So bye bye meat and souvlaki and hello kalamari! No honestly I don't think we will follow it, but just try to cut down on meat and eat more vegetables and fruits. Many restaurants served set menus like this yummy one with squid, octopus, cod, shrimps, marinated little gavros fish and zucchini balls. Super delicious!