Zoey

Have you ever loved an animal so much it hurt? My family is now hurting over our Golden Retriever "Zoey". She passed away on April 1st. We have had her since 1997. She was mine and George's first child. She was the first pet he ever had. She brought such joy to us. She was everything a pet should be. The house is not the same without her in it. Maybe another post I'll share the story of her death. Right now it is just too fresh. All I can say is that her passing has been HARD CORE. Almost so painful that I don't want to have pets. I know it sounds absurd to love a pet so deeply, but she was so much a part of our family. I snapped this photo of her in February. I remember she was being so funny, wanting my attention, backing her rump up on me to scratch her, while I was trying to take photos of the kids. You know, the Greeks say that joys and sorrows come in 3's. After losing both of our Grandmothers within the last 6 months, we are really hoping that Zoey's passing is the last of the sorrows of death for us for a while.

Cinnamon Rolls

For the dough:
3/4 cup milk
1 package active dry yeast (regular or rapid rise will work)
3 TBSP sugar
4 TBSP butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups flour

For the filling:
5/6 TBSP butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

*These can be made a day ahead and refrigerated after they are shaped and in the 9x13 pan.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Remove the next morning and allow to finish rising at room temp. for 1 hour. Uncover and bake as directed. Do this on Christmas morning for a new tradition, and your home will smell warm and everyone will be happy to have a sweet treat after opening gifts. This is what we do after being given the idea by Heidi, our American Aunt who lives in Greece. She told me it is a tradition she does every year, and now I do it to! Jen, now you do them, and think of me. (: Food connects us!!!!

Heat milk in microwave to warm (not hot or it will kill the yeast) Add yeast and sugar to milk. Stir and let stand for 5 mins until yeast is soft. Mix egg and butter together and add to milk mixture. Add 1/2 the flour and mix well. Add remaining flour and salt. Mix. (You will probably have to mix by hand unless you have a heavy duty mixer or food processor with a dough hook)
Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead for 5 mins (or use your dough hook mixer) Place dough in bowl. Cover with clean kitchen towel and let rise until double in size. (1 - 3 hours depending on yeast used) Punch down and let stand for 5 mins. Roll dough into 12x12 square. Spread butter , brown sugar, and cinnamon evenly over dough. Roll into a log. Cut log into 12 equal rolls. Place in greased 9x13 pan. Allow to rise until doubled. Bake in 350* oven for 20 to 25 mins until lightly golden. Served iced or plain.

For Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 TBSP milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Combine icing ingredients and stir until smooth. Drizzle over baked, somewhat cooled rolls.
I double this recipe because we like them sticky sweet!!! YUM!

Valentine's Day Tea

Amanda Lily invited a Kindergarten friend, Gracie, over for a play date. The girls were super excited to spend time together outside of school, and I used Valentine's Day as an excuse to spoil them by setting up a little tea party for two. They were so cute dressing up in proper attire, and sipping tea. They enjoyed chocolate covered strawberries and petit fors I picked up from Publix while grocery shopping. I brewed some raspberry tea, and they were set. I used my special china tea pot to serve them. I was so happy to do it. I feel like these are "the times of my life", and I should take every opportunity to make them special for my young children. Before I know it, they will be grown and gone, and my hope is to not wish I had done things differently. I encourage all of my friends to try and make special moments and memories that you and your children will cherish all their lives. It really does'nt take much effort at all to make a child's day.

Nannie

Well...my Nannie passed away on Feb 1st. I remember driving to the hospital for my final visit with her thinking, "I'm so glad I am an adult now, and this will be easier than when Popa died and I was only 17" Once I got there, she was very much alert and talkative. I sat on the bed beside her holding her hand. She stroked my hand and we talked about the kids. She told me that she was getting ready to leave this world, but that she wanted to see me in heaven one day. Aunt Brenda was in the room with us, when Nannie looked up to the sky and said, "Do you hear them????" I looked over at Aunt Brenda like.....did she just say that? I said, "No Nannie, I don't hear anything, what do you hear?" She said, "They're singing Amazing Grace, sing it with them, baby!" Aunt Brenda and I both started crying, and I tried to compose myself to sing the first verse. Tears just rolled down my face as I sang for her. She tried her best to comfort me by bringing me close to her and saying, "don't cry, baby". I knew she was hearing angels.I told her I knew she was leaving, and that it made me so sad because of how much I would miss her. It was such a precious moment in time. I'll never forget it. She didn't pass away for another couple of days, but she declined rapidly, and I decided not to go back to the hospital, because I didn't want to taint my special memory. It was just as hard as when Popa died. I had not emotionally grown passed being so hurt. I am reassured in my faith that I will see her again, but I do wish I had her here still. I wish I could call her for prayer, or to tell her about the kids accomplishments. I wish I had picked up the phone more times when she called. She used to call me and we would talk for an hour, then she would call back the next day wanting to talk more, and I wish I would have picked up instead of being so busy.

She spent her last Thanksgiving here at my house. The photo above is from that day.She was so happy. I remember sitting on her lap and talking about what we were thankful for. She would always say that she was most thankful for Jesus. I remember hugging her and smelling like her perfume for hours.(She would put on half the bottle, then anyone who came near her would smell like Beautiful) I think I might get myself a bottle of Beautiful just to have and wear every now and then.

I am planting a Gardenia bush in my yard in the Spring. Gardenias were her favorite. I remember my Popa always had them for her. He would go down our little road passing Gardenia's out to all of his daughters, and me, his only granddaughter. And of course, Nannie always had a big bunch on her kitchen table that he had given her. I imagine him meeting her in heaven with a big bunch of them in his hand. I've always thought of him whenever I've smelled a Gardenia. Now I will think of them together.

Nannie's viewing and funeral were wonderful. I got to see so many people who's lives she had touched somehow through her 87 years. She was born in Wildwood, and she lived her entire life in that little town. Most of the people I saw were those I haven't seen in 10 or more years. It was so strange how it seemed as though no one had changed. Everyone was still so warm and even looked the same to me! It was very hard for me to stand over her and see her in that casket. I hated it.

I didn't bring my kids to either service. I didn't feel it was right for them to see her open casket. They are both already taking it hard enough. Steven I think worse than Amanda Lily, although this morning before school, Amanda Lily just started crying. Literally, out of the blue. I asked her why she was crying and she said "I don't know" I said, honey is it because of Nannie? She shook her little head yes with tears falling down her cheeks. It broke my heart all over again. I know how they feel. They have a pretty good grasp on the fact that we won't see her again in this lifetime, but are happy to think of a reunion in heaven one day. One night last week, Steven was very upset, crying. My Dad went up to talk to him about it, and he said, "I know we will see her again, but it's harder for me, because I have many more years than you left on this earth." His little 7 year old self gets it. Then, there was the night that Nannie died, and I told them. They both cried and had lots of questions. Amanda Lily did what she does best....create. She made a beautiful drawing of her and Nannie holding hands next to a cross and wrote on it. "I luv u Nanee, u r a swet hart" (I love you Nannie, you are a sweetheart) Then, that night she put it under her pillow and prayed for Jesus to come and take it to Nannie in heaven. I guess she thinks if the tooth fairy can get teeth, then certainly Jesus can get a special letter. I took it from under her pillow that night and put it away to show her one day. She was so excited that Jesus came and took the note, I know it brought her comfort.

I was so glad to be able to go to Nannie's services, and not have to think twice about if my children were in good hands. I am very blessed to have good friends in my life who are there for me whenever/whatever, and they watched the kids so that I could take part in the services.

Nannie's funeral was a tribute to her legacy. She had her daughter playing the keyboard, grandson on the drums, and her other grandkids made up the ensemble. We sang songs she chose, and read verses she wanted read. We had church. It was just like she would have wanted it. I wondered how people felt about us not being more somber, and singing all those praise and worship songs. We were having a celebration of her home going. It was what she wanted.

Jennifer took a few photos that day, and I'm posting one of us grandkids, so that I can look back on it one day. I have another one like it from our Popa's funeral. We are all happy for Nannie because she is no longer suffering, but still sad because she will be dearly missed here. She was such an inspiration to me. I can only hope to live up to her standard. A woman about her family. She was always making it her business that every one of us was on the right path, and gently steering us when we were not. I'm certain that I'll feel her gentle guidance throughout my life. She has been one of the most infulential people in my life. How blessed was I to have her as a Nannie. Sorry that this post is so long, but I want to be able to look back on this one day and recall all the moments of her last days.

Steven's Hot Chocolate Stand / Hot Chocolate Recipe

scroll to bottom of post for ALMOND HOT CHOCOLATE recipe

A couple of weeks ago, we were all watching the news for the weather report. It was back when the kids were excited about possible snow. I usually DO NOT allow my children to watch the news, but this was only for the weather, so we watched. The story that came after the weather was about the Central Florida Railway, our rail line here in Eustis that connects to Mt Dora and Tavares. The report was about how the rail ties were over 30 years old, and it was unsafe for the trains to run with passengers. The current owner of the railway can not afford the $100,000 it will cost to make the repairs, so he was pleading with city officials to help financially. The debate was whether or not it is worth the tax payer dollars to pitch in, or if the railway should just be shut down and stop running completely. Steven did not say a word to me or George, as we sat waiting for his reaction. He went straight up stairs and started crying on his bed. I went up to try and calm him down, and his first question was if we could go and write a $100,000 check to help. Ummmm....no honey, we do not have that kind of money just sitting around. His next idea was for us to sell hot chocolate and collect donations. How could I say no to that? That, we could do. So, he dried his tears, and made a donation bucket. I broke out the old cricut and helped make signs to promote our cause. We set up shop on one of the coldest Friday nights, right outside the restaurant. Steven gladly made hot chocolate for lots and lots of our patrons. George sent them all out to our stand after they checked out. They were all so nice, some even donating without having hot chocolate. We had friends come out to support Steven, and that really meant a lot to us. Even a couple of the ladies from his school came by. He raised over $90.00, and the highlight for him was taking it to the train station the next morning. The folks at the station were very excited that Steven had been moved to action. We are still waiting to hear if they will get the Federal Grant they have applied for that would help pay for the repairs. Steven did ask to go sell hot chocolate again this weekend, but we had a lot planned. All who know him, know he has LOVED trains since he first picked one up at 18 months old. The rail line here in our home town is really special to him, because he has ridden it for several events including his 5th bday party. And, because we have chased it around town for years. Even though he is getting older, the trains are still close to his heart. He is such a sweet kid, and George and I are so proud of his giving nature.

Here is our hot chocolate recipe for a cold night. It's an adaptation of Melissa Lessters.

ALMOND HOT CHOCOLATE

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup white sugar

pinch of salt

1/3 cup boiling water

3 1/2 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 cup half and half

Combine cocoa, sugar, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Add the boiling water and stir over medium heat until the sugar melts, and you acheive a thick liquid. Stir in milk and heat until very hot, but not boiling. Stir in both extracts and half and half, and remove from heat. Divide hot chocolate between 4 mugs and add a dollop of whipped cream. If desired, sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy.

Everyone's Favorite Carrots

Jen, make sure Joey at least tries them. Let me know if he eats them. :)

Garlic Maple Carrots

5 or 6 Whole Carrots, sliced thin
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
course sea salt
pepper
2 TBLS grade A maple syrup

Blend olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic in small bowl. Set aside. Slice carrots and put into a large bowl. Pour olive oil mixture over carrots and blend together with your hands. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Put carrots onto cookie sheet and roast in 375* oven on upper rack .
After 10 mins of roasting, transfer cookie sheet to middle rack. Roast for another 5 mins. Remove from oven, and put back into same large prep bowl. Pour maple syrup over carrots, and mix.

Serve warm.

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Ok girls...this salad is my current obsession! It is so delicious and packed with lots of good for you stuff. Let me know what you think! Honestly, this could not be easier.

1 bag fresh spinach

1 pound fresh strawberries

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

3 chicken strips, grilled or fried, chopped into bite size pieces

*Toss all ingredients together and pour dressing over top just before serving.

For the Dressing:

1/3 cup olive or canola oil

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 TBSP poppy seeds

1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

*Combine all ingredients and shake well until sugar is dissolved

The List

George and I gathered the kids on our bed the other night and made a resolution for this year. Being that they are 7 and 5 years old, our Family resolution is to spend more time together OUTSIDE, as a family. This will be interesting for me because honestly, I'm not really an "outside girl". Don't get me wrong, I like the outdoors, but many times, Amanda Lily and I just go shopping or to a movie while the boys do the outdoor stuff. I do see the benefit in family time spent together outdoors, so I am on board. To be certain that we weren't too vague, we went around our little circle and each gave input on the things we would like to do. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall are all looking like lots of fun.

Here's our list:
Tennis (boys vs girls)
Nature Hike (in the nature preserve that is less than 5 mins up the road!)
Football
Ice Skating
Bike Riding
Neighborhood Walk
Cannoeing and Picnic (at the Spring up the road)
Surfing (I'm hoping cheering the family on from the beach counts for me)
Basketball
Roller Skating
Swimming in the pool (of course)
Playing in the community park

Now, I had the kids put "The list" on the refrigerator, but I'm actually thinking of framing it.
It has the potential of being very useful. George has 3 afternoons/nights a week off. So, when we are sitting around looking for something to do at the last minute, we can just go to the list, and choose an activity. The kids have already gone to it, and we chose Football in our community park area as our activity for that evening.
I am asking for a bicycle for my birthday, and George and I are investing in some tennis rackets.
When you really think about it, there are lots of places to go and things to do around Florida. I'm not sure about you all, but it seems I don't take advantage of the outdoors enough. I am looking forward to this New Year and all the family time I'll get, I hope you all get to spend lots of quality family time too!

New Year

Happy New Year everyone! We stayed up until midnight here at the Kountanis house...kids too! This is the first year we've done it, but Steven and Amanda Lily sure felt it was special. I overheard Amanda Lily telling Yia Yia on the phone today "I got to watch the ball drop!" Which I recall her little 5 year old mind working overtime trying to figure out what it meant that 2009 is over and it is now a new decade. She asked me every question in the book. Her biggest concern however was if the ball got broken when it "dropped." LOL. Such innocence. I wish I could just freeze time.
George set off fireworks again this year. Yall, I'm not kidding when I say they were spectacular! Thank goodness we have good neighbors! They were soooooo loud!
Anyways, I want to leave you with a poem. One of our good friends sent us a beautiful Christmas card this year that included many of her poems. I asked if she minded if I post it, and she was very shy about it, but eventually said yes. I hope we all take the time to reflect on words like these in this coming New Year. Blessings to you all.

Ring Out the Old Year

Ring out the old year...
Ring in the new...
With a silver bell chosen
Especially for you.
Just as a bell rings
With sounds that are clear...
So may a brightness
Shine throughout this year.
May you leave behind
Any worry and fear,
And take only gladness
Into the New Year.
May God bless each day
From morning's first light,
And continue His peaceful
Care through the night.
May He guide you with wisdom
As you look above,
And receive His Grace,
His Power, and His Love.
By Patricia Byrd Shamrock

Christmas Photos

Steven with his new Golf Clubs!

Steven and Me in his classroom, beside the tree.

George and the kids at Disney's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Mom and Dad with the kids Christmas Eve.

I am only posting a few "key moments" from Christmas this year. It has been so busy, but I do want to remember some of the festivities when I look back.

I brought a griddle into Steven's class and make pancakes for the kids. Of course, I had all the parents send in breakfast items to go along with them. We had "Christmas Breakfast". It was a big hit.

We went to Disneys Christmas Party again this year. Lots of fun, but we did have a little rain that kind of slowed us down. It was a nice relaxing time for us.

Steven got his first set of golf clubs as a gift from Uncle Pete and Aunt Heather. Pete plans to take him out for his first "lesson" when in warms up a bit. George has no interest in golf, but it is in Steven's blood. Both my brother and George's brother really enjoy golf, so we will see how he does.

I love the photo of Nana and Papa Bear with there little grands. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve. First, we went to Christmas Eve service at our church where I sang in the Ensemble, and we had a candle light service. Then, home for Christmas Dinner and opening gifts from Nana and Papa. The kids were so good in church bc they knew they were coming home to presents! Ha!

We had a wonderful Christmas Season.

Gingerbread House Party

This is one of the best ideas for a Christmas party I've seen. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Trish's house last Sunday for her MOM ONLY gingerbread house party. I must say, after spending most of the month of December running around to parties and events for the children, this was a welcome change. She prepared everything in advance, and had all the little candies ready for us to adorn our houses. We had a lite supper and yummy chocolate peppermint martinis to start the evening. The ladies were all so creative, and all the houses turned out adorable. My kids were so impressed when I brought it home. Amanda Lily was upset that she didn't get to join in on the fun, but not to worry. Trish invited her over on Monday to make her very own gingerbread house with Joshie. They used up all the leftover candy from our Mom night. (:
I am posting this mostly to encourage any of you girls who are looking for a fun party to put together for the Christmas season. Trish is so creative in her party planning, and such an inspiration to me.

Pecan Pumpkin Trifle

Here ya go Janet!

Pecan Pumpkin Trifle
Prepare your favorite Pumpkin Bread recipe and add 3/4 cup pecans to the batter, then bake in 3 round cake pans.

Other Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup pecan pumpkin butter (i use Muirhead)

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup Brandy

1/4 cup water

1 cup pecan halves, toasted

Directions

Cut your pumpkin bread into 5 to 7 thin slices. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat together the cream, vanilla and sugar on medium high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a rubber spatula, fold in the pecan pumpkin butter. Refrigerate until ready to use.

In a small saucepan over medium high heat, combine maple syrup, brandy, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 mins. This burns off the alcohol, and leaves the flavor. Set aside to cool.

To assemble the trifle, place 1 slice of the bread in the bottom of a trifle bowl. Using a pastry brush, brush the bread with some of the maple syrup mixture and let it soak in. Using a spatula, spread 3/4 of the whipped cream mixture evenly over the bread. Repeat the layering process, and garnish with the toasted pecans.

The pecan pumpkin butter is key. If you can't find it at Williams Sonoma, you can buy it on the company's website. Or, if you want to substitute it for another pumpkin butter, that would be fine, just be sure to add some finely chopped pecans. This is a special treat that takes some work in the kitchen, but you can make the pumpkin bread and whipped cream mixture the day before, so that all you need to do is assemble. SOOOOOO WORTH the time and effort.

Here's a photo of the one I made tonight for a Christmas party we are attending. Enjoy!

Mrs Fisher's Seussical Surprise

Steven's Teacher recently celebrated her birthday. I decided to surprise her with a party with the class. Her favorite author is Dr. Seuss, and she loves the book Green Eggs and Ham. So, I went with that for a theme. She was genuinely surprised and very happy.

I read the story to the class before serving them green eggs and ham. They were hilarious! Imagine a group of 2nd graders with green eggs in front of them. Ha.

Every one of them were good sports and gave them a try. I actually didn't end up throwing many away! Then for my favorite part of all.....the cupcakes. I made "Thing One" and "Thing Two". Shut Up, they were cute. Super easy, but let me know if you make them, because I have some pointers. Here are the photos from the day. Fun Fun Fun

Giving Thanks

We held Thanksgiving Dinner at our house this year. My sister in law, Heather, and I rotate hosting each year, and this year was my turn. I was so excited doing all the preparation... finding the perfect recipes, setting a great table scape. All who know me, know I love to cook and serve food. There is something creative in the process that I find very gratifying. I was particularly happy when my Father in Law, Stavros, told me how impressed he was with the turkey. He did the honors of carving, and commented on how moist and delicious it was. Coming from him.....that was huge to me! I brined the bird for 24 hours before roasting it in the oven. Williams-Sonoma was a great resource for Turkey how to, and I followed their advice to the "t". I also made a pecan pumpkin trifle that was yummy. Heather made the most beautiful tart I have ever seen in person. It's the one in the photo. It was all just delicious.

My very favorite moment this year was when Steven read his book "My Thanksgiving Prayer", and Amanda Lily read a book she made at school. It was so precious to hear them giving thanks for all they are blessed with. My heart swelled with pride to watch them and hear all they had to say. We had both the Kountanis and Green sides of the family, so I couldn't have been happier. My home was filled with love.

Halloween Night

Here are just a few snaps from Halloween. We did a hayride with Pam and Andrew. The pictures say it all.....lots of fun and candy. My kids were Star Wars characters. They are all about Star Wars these days. Mom made Amanda Lily's costume again this year. She did such an awesome job. I won't ramble bc I have so much to do at home. Just wanted to post these photos before Thanksgiving!