Friday, December 24, 2010

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tuesday through the window

This weekend finally was our bazaar. And it was a great success. Every year we are dreading it and every year we are glad we did it again. This year we had decided not to take part with the crafting side but just concentrate on our"trademark" and successnumbers which are the gluehwein for the adults and the playroom for the children. More than 350 children came and enjoyed the simple but fun games. Face-painting, the balloon figures and the lucky dip were amongst the favorites as every year.



And today it tuesday again. This time a picture from the kitchenwindow where you can see one reindeer (the other one is in the garden) and Santa's sleigh. Santa himself is hanging on the outside wall. These figures were made years ago by a very dear friend. She gave them to me when she decided to move back to Oregon in the States. She probably will never see this picture but I am so happy with them and they are a proud feature every Christmas and a special reminder of a special friend whose company is missed by us.
In the right side of the picture you can see a lemontree but on the ground are the oranges that fall down during the storm we had this weekend with strong southwinds. Today there is no sign of storm and I am glad too because in 2 hours my youngest son and I are off by ship to the mainland where we will be buying his very first suit for the big schoolparty on Christmas day.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Last preparations

Just 2 more days until our Christmas bazaar. As every year we are organizing a whole lot of childrens' games. You know, the old fashioned ones, with throwing rings, and tin cans and such and of course a lucky dip. We had to wrap about 300 little presents. We set up a little production line and with coffee, cakes, walnutliqueur and some chatting we were finished in no time.




Thursday, December 16, 2010

The sailors' prayers

A poetic evening last night, dedicated to the poet Nikos Kavvadias. In memory of his birth year which was 100 years ago a group of our high school students organized an evening with poetry and music.
Nikos Kavvadias was a lover of the sea, worked on the ships and traveled the world like so many Greek seamen. He wrote poetry and short stories about life on board and about mysterious and exotic countries far away.
Some of his poems have been put to music. This wonderful combination of poetry and popular and still traditional music that speaks to and comes straight from the heart.
Difficult to choose just one because I like all the songs. I want to share this one because of the translation in the video.

What I didn’t know was that one of his short stories, published after his death, had been made into a film: “Between the devil and the deep blue sea” with one of my favorite actors Stephen Rea.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Let me introduce.......

A world premiere and exclusive:

The green fox is making his very first appearance right here, right now.

Stay tuned for more, soon

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tuesday through the window


The difference between last weeks picture and this one is about 20 degrees! Last week I was seriously considering a swim (didn't go) and today I was looking for my woolly gloves (couldn't find). Christmas ornaments are out and the tree is up. I dare say we have the most kitsch tree on the island .... but I love it. It is full of the ornaments we collected over the last 20 years. Many of them handmade. No trendy tree in our house. If you think you can handle it.....here is a (again not so clear) picture I just took:

Fireplace and candles are burning, it is a cosy time of the year. Also a very busy time. This weekend we have the annual Christmasbazaar. Our women's club started it more than 20 years ago and now it is a major event which everybody enjoys very much. There will be gluhwein and handmade wreaths and ornaments, cooky baking, crafting and much more.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tuesday through the (not so) winter window


Through Corrie's blog I discovered last week the "tuesday through the window photo hop" organized by Julie at Swedish House. It was too late to join as it already was wednesday. But today I remembered and I thought it would be nice to share the view from my window, which doesn't remind in the least of winter, Christmas, December, candle light, wood fire burning, reindeer, snow, jingle bells, hot chocolate, speculaasjes, Sinterklaas -who unfortunately has never been to this island- or Santa Claus.
But .......I am not complaining.
Might go for a swim instead......
As usual my photo is not so good and doesn't do justice to this beautiful, sunny, clear sky day but you get the idea.

Friday, December 3, 2010

It is time

I am so lucky to live on this beautiful island that I call my home for 26 years now. It is not always easy; living on a small island has its restrictions but we are compensated so much with the beautiful nature and a quality of life that I know a lot of people are dreaming about.

One very important thing though is missing and that is the possiblity of recycling. It hurts me so much to know that we produce so much rubbish and it all ends up in a landfill. And I have to admit I am as active in filling this landfill as any one else. The term recycling comes up all the time, it is used in election speeches and in many more occasions. But nothing happens.

But now
It is time

Our women's group has decided to actually do something about it because it is time.

We will start small but our goals are big.

And it is all happening now.
I am actually quite excited because I know we can make it work. The reason I post it here today is that it feels like a commitment. I just want the world to know that we are going for it. And if there is anybody out there that has any tips or information or whatever....................................we still have a lot to learn.

Our plan is to start with collecting the waterbottles, of which we use thousands. But this is only the beginning.

Yes, it is happening and it is time!