Between us

Is it a festive day, a birthday or something?

Not at all. We simply enjoy dining with friends.

It’s even more fun if the meeting is unexpected or unplanned.

This is how it happened on Friday evening.

I’m never anxious with people I receive at home

when I know that my good intentions will be properly

appreciated. So everything was prepared

quickly and unofficially by a cool hostess!

My first concern is a stylish table,

I can never overlook it.



We support slow food, as unadulterated as possible and

it’s always very easy to find fresh local seafood.
I also believe that simple recipes are better.
The solution of “spaghetti or linguine alla marinara”
is decidedly welcomed by the kids. So, here we are!

I don’t know if you share my opinion but, these events
represent a kind of psychotherapy!  I never mind
if the living room or the kitchen looks like a bomb site
at the end of the supper. Who cares after such laughter!!!
This is called daily happiness and I always look forward to
discovering the pleasure hidden behind simple facts and moments.

I’m greeting you and I thank you for being here.
For those who celebrate Easter on 31 May,
best wishes and happy warm days!
A bientôt!
O

 Con questo post partecipo al Linky Party "La Collection du Mardi" by Ma Petite Maison 

Sea fields



This is the landscape I have had in front of me since I was born.

The sea is constantly alive and can take thousands of shapes and colors
 depending on the season or the weather and this tranformation
 fascinates me all the time.

During these sunny fresh days the seascape looks lovely and although I live
a step away from the beach, every year the view of the coastline seems to me

so stunning and surprising…

The sea wildflowers look particularly tender, they have a soft color palette
but they can’t grow too much because of the sea breeze.
There will be a vast variety of these humble little flowers.

I’m showing you those which are encountered by us.

It’s quite early yet for swimming but a lot of peoplego strolling or cycling
along the bright, calm beach.

However, in northern Europe, spring should be ashamed

this year since she comes and goes undecided and whimsical.

Yesterday, the chilly north wind cooled the atmosphere 
and disrupted the Corinthian gulf !

Only for a day!

Many seaside restaurants are open at the week end and if it’s

not so windy, you can enjoy seafood literally on the beach.

And if the weather continues its weirdness and the thermometer

climbs to 21 Celsius as it has already done,

I must confess I feel closer to summer!

Octopus drying in the sun before putting them on the barbecue.

Deep down, I’m keen on mountains and countryside

but I could never imagine my life away from the sea,

its horizon, its sounds, its smell, its joys.

I finish this post with some photos of my shells collection.  

I’m sending you a very warm greeting

for a happy rest of the week.

               

 Hand painted napkin rings from the shop of the Benaki museum.

Hugs

O

        

Update...

Am I lucky to live in a big house which I can never manage to finish?

 Why do I have the obsession to make continuous changes

following seasons or holidays or just my desire?

Are all people tortured like me?

These are the questions I ask each time I go about it.

To be honest, I take great satisfaction when that happens

provided I'm not too busy when I'm in the mood.

So, I’m showing you the latest touches I have make 
in the hall and the kitchen.

No time for the rest of the house at the moment!  

I bought a new clock for the kitchen and with the old one

I created an illusion of a pendulum- trompe l'oeil - in the entry (first photo)

Here is the new clock, an imitation of old French clocks.

New arrangement of kitchen items



Tidying up,I found in a cupboard these ancient scales
  gift of a beloved member of the family.
I took them out.

As you see, my little daisy bouquet comes directly

from the roof garden and it’s the first one !

I don’t know why,but I’m fond of yellow !

 It looks to me more kittenish and vivid .

So, the less “formal” rooms and the pergola on the roof
have all got yellow nuances.I love it!

I must also add that in Greece we still have Carnival

as Easter is on 5 may this year.

That’s why there is no kind of Easter decoration yet.
(The rabbit is always somewhere in the kitchen)

Espresso corner

 I leave you with the smell... of  the freshly cut mint  
that I intend to use in a spring recipe and...

          

a bunch of freesias   

All the best !

Bye!

 O