Greece 2025

We rented a penthouse with an amazing view of the acropolis from the front and an amazing view of the Temple of Hephaestus from the back deck. We unpacked, enjoyed showers, chilled wine on the deck, and a nap before going out to explore. 

One of my favorite parts about Athens is the constant, warm breeze and dry air. I was able to shower, put on a robe, and go out on the private back deck and dry off in a few minutes while I sat and enjoyed the view. It was lovely. It was also incredibly easy to hang up towels and laundry to dry in just a few hours. 

On our first evening, we shopped as we walked through the city then walked around the Acropolis. Near the top, we saw the prison of Socrates. 

This is a view from the Areopagus Hill over Athens. 

Next morning/ first morning, we stopped at a place near our rental for Turkish/ Greek coffee, koulari, and spanakopita for breakfast. 

We also stopped for yogurt covered in honey and nuts. 

We visited the National Archeological Museum where I saw the death mask of Agamemnon and other artifacts from the Mycenaeans. What an amazing experience connecting real artifacts with my favorite myths and epics. 

Statue of Athena

We stopped for traditional Greek doughnuts at Kinos. 

We walked around the open markets and shopped for olives and halvah.

Later, we visited the Roman forum. There were stray cats all over. I picked some wild lavender near the Tower of the Winds and pressed it in my travel guide. That sprig of lavender scented my bag for days; It was so fragrant! After that, I picked wildflowers from all over Athens and different places in Greece to make a pressed flower art when I got home. 

The view from our apartment at night

 

Christmas Eve 2021

On Christmas Eve, we worked together to make batches of no-bake coco cookies and Rolo turtle candies after breakfast. 

We attended a Christmas Eve service at our church that afternoon. 

We enjoyed Several hours of relaxing reading.

Late in the afternoon, we packaged up the cookies and candies for our neighbors.

 

Then the girls got their their shoes and coats on so they could take the gifts over, but the door bell rang! Our neighbors were already at the door with gifts for us! 

We all shared a laugh and exchanged gifts right on our doorstep. Our neighbors are such a blessing! 

After dinner, we did our Advent readings. 

We've had the same Advent traditions since our oldest was a baby. Here's a picture of her toddling towards the tree to hang one of the Advent ornaments. 

For fun, she restaged the same photo below. 

We have another tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve- new pajamas! Dwayne and I made the dough for homemade cinnamon rolls in the morning. 

Then we all went to bed with our books, reading until we nodded off to awake to the best morning of the year! 

Arcus and Adele

Our pet sun conure, Arcus, loves our youngest daughter best of all.

Here are a collection of images of the two together. 

Adele in a Box

I got a picture of my youngest daughter Adele in a box.  She was just hanging out.  I'm sure if you scroll back far enough into my blog archives you will see pics of all my kids in boxes.  They love boxes at that age and I love them at this stage. 
  

Matching Aprons

 

My sister sent my kids a little care package for Easter that included these adorable matching aprons.

Howdy!

More strawberries from our garden.

"Me wuv my ruff."

Adele, Avril and Norah

The big girls eat chilled watermelon on the deck stairs.

The wagon got it's annual wash this week.

 

The whole family enjoys "Baby-Del's" smiles.

 Counting my blessings: 1, 2, 3.

"Me ready-go, Mom."

Chilled watermelon on the deck stairs.

Big smile!

Grandma Karen and Adele

Adele's first bath. This picture shows how small she really is. It's hard to accurately capture her tininess in photographs.