xoxo, sylvia

Egg Bread Bowls {recipe}

2011-12-31T16:20:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a quick and easy breakfast idea for New Year's Day, (because who really feels like cooking that morning?) these egg bread bowls are perfect! They look so lovely and literally require just a few minutes.

Ingredients:

pack of 8 Chicago hard rolls (or any dinner rolls with a hard crust)
8 eggs
heavy whipping cream
salt
pepper
oregano
grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut top off and pull out entire center of each roll.
Crack and pour one egg in each one.
Pour a small amount of heavy whipping cream on the side of each egg.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano and cheese.
Place on ungreased, rimmed cookie sheet.
Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until egg yolk is set, not runny at all.

a quiet resolution

2011-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

this year's vasilopita's are baking in the oven and the boys are all outside enjoying the gorgeous florida winter weather, so this seemed like the perfect time to pull out my diary and scribble out my resolutions for the new year that is already knocking quietly at our doors. i say it every year and every year i mean it; i can't believe an entire year has passed so quickly.

two thousand and eleven was full of memories, though not all good ones. our family lost some pretty amazing people this year. it also welcomed some pretty amazing ones though, and two thousand and twelve will bring a couple more little babes into our fold and already looks full of some pretty exciting promises.

last year, dh bought me the one line a day journal. i wasn't sure how i'd like it because i usually write pages at a time, so the thought of condensing an entire day into one line made me a little wary but i ended up only missing two or three days and i'm now looking forward to starting a new year in it (it's a five year journal) and looking back on where i was each day of the past year.

resolutions are sort of like the people who write them. all different and unique. some are loud and get shouted from the rooftops, others, like mine, are quietly written down and tucked away in a drawer. my list is usually a variation of the same promises, like this one from last year. to love more, give more, pray more, are always at the top. new things are added too, making the list a bit longer and hopefully wiser each year. i never do all the things i resolve to, many of them, to do well, i know will take well over a year, but as long as i progress accordingly i am satisfied. writing it all down just somehow makes me feel better. lighter. happier.

new year's is sort of like thanksgiving in the sense that many people take a moment to reflect upon their many blessings. it's important to remember, especially after a trying year, that someone always has it worse than we do. there are so many people who truly suffer, that i have no room to complain about anything. no one's life is perfect, and it's up to us to dwell on the imperfections or enjoy the bliss of a perfectly im-perfect life. i choose the latter.

i pray you all have a happy, healthy and blessed new year! cheers!

for more on the tradition of the vasilopita, click here.

Misty Moscato Recipe and Giveaway

2011-12-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I gave you some incredible recipes for cocktails and mocktails using Sierra Mist Natural soft drink.

This week, I'm going to give you my own original recipe for what I've dubbed the Misty Moscato. It's light. It's delicious. And it's pink. What more can you ask for?

Ingredients:

3 oz. Sierra Mist Natural
2 oz. Pink Moscato
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. cherry juice
fresh blueberries and mint to garnish

Directions:
1. In a shaker filled with ice, mix fresh lime juice and cherry juice (from Maraschino cherry jar).
2. Add Moscato.
3. Shake all ingredients well and strain into a large glass filled with ice.
4. Top with Sierra Mist Natural.
5. Garnish with fresh blueberries and mint for a holiday twist (optional).

To help you with your next soiree, Sierra Mist is giving away a gift pack that includes:

one shaker
drink garnishes and sugars
four party glasses
$50 American Express gift card

Stop by and enter over at Blissfully Domestic! While you're there, check out some delicious and unique recipes from some of my favorite foodie bloggers.

From Our Family to Yours...

2011-12-25T08:23:00.001-08:00

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Wishing your family a blessed and joyous Christmas and New Year!

Snowman Doughnuts

2011-12-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

This is another fun and easy recipe that the kids can help with. They're so cute, and hey, the carrot is healthy!

Ingredients:

Bag of powdered sugar doughnuts
Bag of mini chocolate chips
Baby carrots, cut in half

Directions:

Add the chips for eyes and mouth
Stick carrots in the center for the nose

How's THAT for easy?

Melted {Florida} Snowmen Cookie Recipe

2011-12-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

Last week, I made these melted snowmen, I dubbed them Florida snowmen, for Ace's school Christmas party. They were such a hit!

There are a few things I changed from the original recipe, and I couple of things I will change next time I make them. Because we will be making these again. They were that much fun.

What you need:

One recipe of sugar cookies (Can make from scratch of use a pre-made mix)
1 bag regular sized marshmallows
mini chocolate chips, optional for buttons
food coloring
Crisco (for greasing)
pastry bag and no. 1 or 2 tip

Icing:

One recipe of Royal Icing
1 lb. powdered sugar
3 Tbs. meringue powder
water

I made the sugar cookies first. The original recipe used Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix, but I used my high school Home Ec teacher's recipe. It's my favorite, I'll be posting it soon and will link back to this post. {I'd make the cookies slightly larger than I did here. They were a bit small when I went to add the arms, buttons, etc.}

When cookies are completely cool, place on parchment paper. *Give enough room for the icing to run off without running into each other.

Next, make a batch of Royal Icing. I used this recipe from Wilton. Take a tablespoon and carefully pour the icing into the center of each cookie. Using the back of the spoon, spread the icing, letting it run off the edge in a few places to give it the 'melted' affect.

Before the icing sets completely, rub Crisco all over a microwave-safe dish and place about 10 marshmallows on it. Microwave just until they begin puffing up, usually about 10 seconds on high. You DO NOT want them to double in size or get too big.

Grease your fingers well and smoosh the marshmallows a bit before placing them on the cookies.

You can pipe buttons with colored royal icing, or do what I did and use mini chocolate chips. I did this because it gave the boys something else to help with.

Separate your leftover icing into different bowls and color. Be sure to have black and orange for arms and noses! I used a #2 tip to do the details.

I made some with scarves, earmuffs, bows and hearts, and bowties. The boys wanted to make silly faces on some of them, so we did that too. :) It was so much fun!

Place on a fun wintery dish and serve with a smile!! Merry Christmas!

Nutella Hot Chocolate {recipe}

2011-12-16T18:08:00.000-08:00

I. Love. Nutella. If I was still in high school I would write it all over my notebook and dream of it during Physics class.

It's the perfect treat on a cold morning and only takes about five minutes to make.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups milk
3 tsp. Nutella
Whip Cream
Cinnamon

Directions:

Place 1/2 cup milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add Nutella and whisk until completely melted.
When begins to bubble slightly, add remaining milk and continue to whisk.
Heat until hot and frothy.
Add whip cream and sprinkle cinnamon.

Tip: If you're interested in a non-dairy version of Nutella, Mary over at One Perfect Bite has a great recipe!

Enjoy!!

Holiday Parties and Sierra Mist Mocktails/Cocktails

2011-12-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

This holiday season has already been packed with parties. Whether it's a Cookie Exchange, Ugly Sweater party or Holiday Brunch, I'm always on the lookout for fun and delicious recipes. I recently attended a party and brought my mini spinach and cream cheese quiche (recipe coming soon). I also made Sierra Mist Natural mocktails.

Sierra Mist has recently partnered with bloggers to promote their cocktail/mocktail recipes for holiday entertaining. I love Sierra Mist, so I was really happy to get an opportunity to try them out.

My favorite thing about the mocktails, other than the fact that they're delicious, is that they're made with real sugar, not artificial ingredients, 100% natural flavoring. That's a big deal to me. I didn't even know Sierra Mist sold an all natural version of their pop!

The mocktails are so light and elegant and I love that they have non-alcoholic recipe options. They were so easy to make that I'll be making them again for our Christmas breakfast. They will be the perfect addition to our table that morning.

Here are two great Sierra Mist mocktail and cocktail recipes for you to try:

Frost Bite (Mocktail)

Ingredients:

3 oz. Sierra Mist Natural
2 oz. of White grape juice
Fresh blueberries
Fresh mint
1 oz. Pineapple juice
1 oz. Lime juice

Directions:

1. In a shaker filled with ice, mix fresh lime juice and pineapple juice
2. Add white grape juice, mint and blueberries
3. Shake all ingredients well and strain into a large glass filled with ice
4. Top with Sierra Mist Natural
5. Garnish with fresh blueberries for a holiday twist (optional)

Frost Bite (Cocktail)

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Sierra Mist Natural
• 1 oz. Blue Curacao
• 1 oz. Coconut Vodka
• Fresh mint
• 1 oz. Pineapple juice
• Fresh blueberries (optional)

Directions:

1. In a shaker filled with ice, mix coconut vodka and pineapple juice
2. Add blue curacao, fresh mint and blueberries (optional)
3. Shake all ingredients well and strain into a large glass filled with ice
4. Top with Sierra Mist Natural
5. Garnish with fresh blueberries for a holiday twist (optional)

*******************************

Meet Me At The Mist-letoe...Martini (Mocktail)

Ingredients:
• 2 oz. Sierra Mist Natural
• 1 ½ oz. Raspberry juice
• 3 Leaves fresh basil
• ½ oz. Fresh lime juice
• 1 oz. Blueberry juice

Directions:
1. In a glass, muddle two basil leaves and lime juice, then add to a shaker
filled with ice
2. Add raspberry and blueberry juice to the shaker; shake well and strain
into a martini glass
3. Top with Sierra Mist Natural
4. Garnish with a basil leaf for decoration (optional)

Meet Me At The Mist-letoe...Martini (Cocktail)

Ingredients:
• 2 oz. Sierra Mist Natural
• 1 ½ oz. Raspberry Vodka
• 3 Leaves fresh basil
• ½ oz. Fresh lime juice
• 1 oz. Blueberry juice

Directions:
1. In a glass, muddle two basil leaves and lime juice, then add to shaker
filled with ice
2. Add raspberry vodka and blueberry juice to the shaker; shake well and
strain into a martini glass
3. Top with Sierra Mist Natural
4. Garnish with a basil leaf for decoration (optional)

Which Sierra Mist Natural Mocktail or Cocktail would you like to try?

Be sure to visit and "like" Sierra Mist on Facebook for more great recipes, and follow their updates on Twitter!

Disclaimer: I have partnered with Sierra Mist for this sponsored post. They've provided me with recipes and compensation. The opinions shared on this page are of my own, as are the photographs.

From Our Family to Yours...

2011-12-12T14:32:00.001-08:00

Heavenly Snowflakes Religious Christmas Card

Create personalized Christmas card designs at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Fig Souvlaki Recipe

2011-11-16T08:00:00.001-08:00

Love this recipe for Fig Souvlakia. Being Greek, figs have always adorned our tables. I recently tried this recipe and loved it. Enjoy!!

Fig Souvlaki Recipe

18 large dried figs (preferably Greek)
18 1/2-inch cubes feta cheese
18 thin slices pastourma, prosciutto, or bresaola
18 large fresh sage leaves
18 large toothpicks
Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

Using small sharp knife, cut stem from top of each fig, then cut straight down from top center to make 3/4-inch-deep, 1/2-inch-long slit in fig. Fill slit in each fig with cube of feta cheese, then press opening closed. Place 1 slice of pastourma on work surface; top with sage leaf. Place stuffed fig at 1 end and roll up to enclose fig. Secure with toothpick. Repeat with remaining pastourma, sage, and figs. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead.

Arrange on plate, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before continuing. Pour enough oil into large skillet to cover bottom. Heat over medium-high heat. Add figs. Cook until pastourma begins to crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to large platter. Serve warm.

recipe and image from Epicurious

Just be the person God made you to be...

2011-10-08T11:25:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again. Yay! There's pumpkin pie in the fridge, apple cake in the stove and acorns all over my house!

Ever since I found the great little tutorial for making acorn necklaces, it has become one of our favorite fall projects. This year, I'm also making them for Ace's class. His teacher will be reading them the book, The Oak Inside the Acorn by Max Lucado. I had never read The Oak Inside the Acorn until his teacher asked me if I made the necklace because of the story. The story is about a tiny acorn who is separated from his mother, who was always telling him, "There is a great oak inside of you. Just be the tree God made you to be." It's a beautiful story about having the patience to follow the path set before us, and accepting God's will in our lives even when we don't understand it. Eventually, if we're quiet and listen, we grow into the person He intended for us to be all along.

I love all of his children's books, but my favorite is probably You Are Special. This series is about a town of wooden people (the Wemmicks), created by a carpenter named Eli (Matthew 27:46), and any time they have questions about life, they visit him. The story of You Are Special, serves as a good reminder, even for adults, to place little (or no) importance on others opinions of us. If you haven't read any of these, check to see if your local library has them. If not, most Christian stores carry them. They are also available on DVD.

Oh, and just a helpful hint: If you're planning on doing any acorn crafts this year, be sure to stick them in a really warm spot outside for a few days before bringing them in. Apparently, a tiny worm lives in each one and when they feel the warmth of your house, or in my case, my purse, they think it's time to come out. :/ That's why if you look closely at them, there is a tiny hole in each one where they burrowed out. I, of course, HAD NO IDEA about this until my dad told me last year while he was visiting. Unfortunately for me, or my dad actually since he cleaned it out, by the time I knew this I had a purse full of worms... I'm not a worm-y kinda gal, so...yeah.

i'm ready for...

2011-10-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

image via Pinterest

My Anniversary

Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Cool Whip

Apple Picking

Flannel Sheets

Hot Apple Cider with a Cinnamon Stick

Apple Crisp

Scent of Autumn

Cool Mornings on my Front Porch Swing

Pumpkin Patches

Fall Festivals

Reading a Good Book by the Fireplace

Snuggling with a Soft Blanket

Smell of Apples, Cinnamon and Cloves

Opening the Windows

Colorful Leaves

Sweet Potatoes and Turkey

Fall Fashion

Smell of the Wood Burning in the Fireplace

Hayrides

Bonfires with S'mores

What are YOU ready for?

mr & mrs

2011-08-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

The highlight of our trip to Ohio this summer was my little brother's wedding. His fiance is such a doll and I am so extremely happy that he found such a gem.

I had the honor of being their koumbara (sponsor) and Ace and Lucky were delighted to carry the rings and stefana tray. Their special day was even more special because Svetlana's brother was married in Russia the weekend before (she was born and raised there) and was in the States with his new wife on their honeymoon.

I love the Orthodox wedding service. Like all of the mysteries of our Church, it is so rich in symbolism and the prayers touch your innermost being.

After the wedding, some of our non-Orthodox family (most of my father's side is Byzantine Catholic), asked why we wear our wedding bands on the right hand. I thought that might be a good thing to mention on this blog in case some of you may wonder the same thing. The reason I've been told is because of the symbolism of the right. Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, He blesses with His right hand (as does the priest who is the image of Christ), Moses parted the sea with his right hand, the portion of the saved will stand on the right, etc.

The happy couple after the ceremony. Yes, that's me running down the stairs in the background, lol. I wanted grab her train because I was afraid she was going to trip over it! :)

I love this photo of them. The bridal party met at a local park for pictures before heading to the reception. The bride's sister-in-law is a photographer and took all the photos.

This is one of my favorites...

photos copyright of Anna Granik

It was such a great day. The reception was a total blast. It had been a long time since I was there for a function that included the w h o l e family. It was awesome.

I even bought a tux for my brother's childhood friend Henry the monkey. I kept teasing him before the wedding, telling him that someone he used to be very close with was coming to surprise him. He kept trying to ask questions like where is he from and where does he live now? I told him he was from Ohio originally but he hasn't been seen much lately and he's just sort of hanging around. I know, I have a strange sense of humor, I get in from my father. But we amuse each other so it works out just fine.

Here's they are after their reunion:

After everyone ate and we did the traditional Greek bridal dance, the newlyweds played Russian wedding games. They were so much fun! In the photo below, the bride was blindfolded and had to feel the ears of all the men sitting in a row. The object of the game was to guess which one was her groom.

At the end of the night the young kids (man, that makes me feel old) went out for breakfast and we old folks went home with our kiddos. And complained about our aching feet.

Another "Imperfectly Perfect" Moment

2011-08-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

When we returned home from vacation last week, we were greeted by a nasty stomach flu. Lucky got it shortly after I did. I hadn't had a full night's sleep in over a week by this point and so of course, it would hit him on a night that not only did I go to bed late but the baby had woken up twice since. As soon as I seemed to doze off, I heard Lucky crying and running to my room. When I asked him what was wrong he told me his belly hurt and we went into the living room to lay on the couch. No sooner did I start to doze off for the second time, I heard his belly convulsing and before I could carry him into the bathroom he started to vomit.

This went on for more hours than I can coherently recall. After the second time, when I had started to clean it all up, he started crying and telling me he was sorry. When I asked what he was sorry for, he told me "for throwing up all over. Cause it's not your fault and you have to clean it all up." I don't think I ever hugged him so tight. I told him he never had to apologize for being sick, that it's never anyone's fault, it just happens sometimes.

All night, he clung to me and kept telling me "I love you with all my life, Mommy."

It never ceases to amaze me how many ways a child can make you fall in love with them. We talked about how I would always be there when he gets sick or needs me. I even promised to be there when he got bigger and didn't really want me there. Though, he promised he would never not want me there. (I'll have to remember to get that in writing for when that time inevitably arrives.)

As I watched him fall asleep, with his little head snuggled on my chest, I thought about how lucky I am. Knee deep in vomit and yet I was blissfully happy. Kids do that to you, you know? No matter how ugly the situation, their beautiful and innocent little hearts always present another perspective on life. We just have to choose to see it.

I've mentioned before on this blog, that I don't believe my life is perfect. But I do believe it's imperfectly perfect. Who can ask for more than that? And that night was yet another "imperfectly perfect" moment for me. It will remain in my heart as one of the most special nights of my life.

Writing this post reminded me of a campaign Hallmark began earlier this year called Life is a Special Occasion. They asked readers to complete the sentence "________ is My Special Occasion." Some of my fellow Blissfully Domestic writers video blogged their answers here. You should stop by and check it out.

So. What's your special occasion?

Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Muffin Tin {Recipe}

2011-07-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today we made a batch of these yummy chocolate chip cookies! You make them in a mini muffin pan and so they are thick and soft and simply irresistible! We made these a few times last year, but I can't remember what site I found the recipe. I only have my scribbled down version, so I'll share that with you. If anyone knows the original site, please post it in the comments!

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup almond meal (also known as almond flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Chop the coconut either by hand or with a food processor until it is fine.
In a medium bowl whisk together coconut, flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugars in the electric mixer until fluffy.
Add vanilla and eggs one at a time and continue to beat.
Add the flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time and beat until blended.
Stir in chocolate chips and refrigerate while preheating the oven to 375 degrees.
Grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
Scoop batter into prepared tin until each cup is 3/4 full. (Don’t over do it or the cookies will sink in the middle.) Gently push cookies down into the tin and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan.
Once cooled, use a butter knife to lift each bite sizer from the pan.

Yields approximately 4 dozen bite sized cookies.

NOTE: You can make almond flour yourself by chopping almonds in the food processor until they have a flour like consistency.

My Summer Reading List

2011-07-30T14:11:00.001-07:00

One of the things I love most about summer is catching up on my reading. These books are still on my list:

(currently reading) Letters to Saint Lydia by Melinda Johnson
The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee
Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans

and I can't forget my middle-grade/young adult reads:

Eggs Over Evie by Alison Jackson
The Candymaker by Wendy Mass
Cum Laude by Cecily von Ziegesar

*Be sure to check out my latest book posts on Blissfully Domestic!

Klutz Fabulous Flowers Kit Giveaway

2011-06-27T09:27:00.001-07:00

Let your creativity bloom with this can't-go-wrong book of detailed instructions for life-size, dimensional, paper blossoms inspired by our favorite flowers: roses, daffodils, hibiscus, zinnias, cosmos, poppies and larkspur. Sparkly embellishments, fresh paper colors, whimsical design variations and a custom shaping tool give these blossoms a twist that's pure Klutz-and quite possibly prettier than the real thing!

As always, Klutz has packaged the book with everything you need to get started: 20 pages of ready to punch out paper petals, sparkly flower centers. wrapped wire stems, glue, and of course, the custom winding tool-enough stuff to make bunches of flowers.

Ages 8+
$19.99

Two lucky readers will win a Fabulous Flowers making kit from Klutz! Simply leave a comment to enter.

For extra entries:

1. Follow this blog.
2. Tweet or facebook the contest (leave links!)

3. Subscribe to the RSS feed.

Good luck! Winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 6!

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!!

Fork + Spoon = Spork

2011-06-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

Love this letterpress print from Sapling Press. It gave me a good chuckle. :)

LaRue Across America Book + Backpack Giveaway!

2011-05-02T13:33:00.001-07:00

By now, it's no secret that I love a good book, especially children's books. Which is why I am so excited to offer this great new title published by Scholastic!

Both of my boys just loved this story. Lucky laughed at the colorful and fun illustrations depicting LaRue's adventures and Ace loved reading each "letter" written by Ike the dog, and learning fun facts about different cities across the country. I was happy to see that instead of using well known cities and landmarks, the author chose to highlight places most people have never heard of. We certainly made note of a few to check out on our next road trip!

Two lucky winners will receive a copy of LaRue Across America and a LaRue branded backpack!

About the book:

Ike’s plan for a peaceful cruise with Mrs. LaRue are thwarted when their neighbor, Mrs. Hibbins, falls suddenly ill. Mrs. LaRue suggests that she and Ike care for her cats while Mrs. Hibbins is in the hospital, inviting them along on the cruise. But cats aren't allowed, and Mrs. LaRue decides to take them all on a week's vacation of road-tripping. Ike is beside himself and quickly takes up his pen to tell us why!

Join award-winner Mark Teague on this romping road trip across America. Readers can follow along on the maps of the U.S. that span the endpapers. Teague drives us to the story’s satisfying conclusion, and we are left with one profound question: Can cats and dogs really be friends?

Watch the trailer:

How to Enter:

Simply leave a comment telling me the title of your favorite children's book!

Earn extra entries by:

Follow me on Twitter

Tweet this contest (be sure to include @theprude and @scholastic to get credit)

Subscribe to this blog

Become a follower of this blog

Good luck! Two winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 10! Can't wait? Order LaRue Across America here.

This contest is sponsored by SCHOLASTIC and is open to US mailing addresses only.

Congratulations to Ingvlld of Storytime Superheroes and Edie!! Pleas email your shipping details to Sylvia{at}ChasingCheerios{dot}com! :)

This Is How We Do It: "Greek" Easter

2011-04-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

This year, I thought I would write a post answering some of the questions I get about how we celebrate "Greek" Easter. I've always sort of cringed at the words "Greek Easter" for the simple fact that it's not "Greek" Easter, it's "Orthodox Easter". It is celebrated the exact same way (save cultural traditions), and has been for thousands of years, in not only Greece but Russia, Serbia, Armenia, Syria and in every other Orthodox church around the world.

I was recently sent this article by actress Rita Wilson (wife of Tom Hanks) and thought she did a great job explaining some of the things that happen during holy week in our faith. Though it barely scratches the surfaces, the reality is much, much deeper than this, it is a wonderful introduction to the beauty and richness of our ancient faith and I wanted to share it with all of you.

I've added some of our personal photos below, to give you a better idea of some of the things mentioned in the article. Regardless of how you celebrate, I wish you a blessed Easter.

Why Easter is Greek to Me: Xristos Anesti!
by Rita Wilson

From the Washington Post.com

(Actress Rita Wilson, whose mother and father both were born in Greece, is widely credited with landing Nia Vardalos a movie deal for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Wilson and her actor husband Tom Hanks had their own "Big Fat Greek Wedding" in 1988. They have two children.)

Why Easter is Greek to Me: Xristos Anesti!

Once every few years, Greek Easter falls the same week as “American Easter,” as it was called when I was growing up.

In order for “Greek Easter” to be celebrated the same week as “American Easter,” Passover has to have been celebrated already. We Greeks don’t do Easter until after Passover, because how can you have Easter BEFORE Passover? Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, after all. Unless it is one of the years when the two holidays align. Like this year.

Here are some of the things that non-Greeks may not know about Greek Easter: We don’t do bunnies. We don’t do chocolate. We don’t do pastels.

We do lamb, sweet cookies, and deep red. The lamb is roasted and not chocolate, the sweet cookies are called Koulorakia and are twisted like a braid, and our Easter eggs are dyed one color only: blood red. There is no Easter Egg hunt. There is a game in which you crack your red egg against someone else’s red egg hoping to have the strongest egg, which would indicate you getting a lot of good luck.

Holy Week, for a Greek Orthodox, means you clear your calendar, you don’t make plans for that week at all because you will be in church every day, and you fast. Last year, in addition to not eating meat and dairy before communion, my family also gave up sodas for the 40-day Lenten period. (Editor's Note: Read why our eggs are dyed red here.)

During one particularly stressful moment, there were many phone calls amongst our kids as to whether or not a canned drink called TING, made with grapefruit juice and carbonated water was, in fact, a soda and not a juice, which our then 10-year-old decided it was, so we had a Ting-less Lent.

No matter where I find myself in the world I never miss Easter, or as we call it, Pascha. I have celebrated in Paris, London, New York City, Los Angeles, and in Salinas, California at a small humble church that was pure and simple.

When we were kids, our parents would take us, and now as parents ourselves we take our children to many of the Holy Week services including the Good Friday service where you mourn the death of Jesus by walking up to the Epitaphio, which represents the tomb and the crucified body of Christ, make your cross, kiss the Epitaphio, and marvel at how it was decorated, on Friday afternoon by all the women and children, with a thousand glorious flowers, rose petals and smells like incense.

Some very pious people will crawl under the Epitaphio. I have always been so moved to see this. There is no self-consciousness in this utter act of faith and love. There is no embarrassment to show symbolic sorrow at the death of our Savior.

At a certain point in the Good Friday service, the Epitaphio is carried outside by the deacons of the church, as if they are pall bearers, followed by worshippers carrying lit candles protected from dripping on your clothes and on others by having a red plastic cup that sits below the flame to catch the wax drippings. Every Greek person knows all too well the smell of burning hair.

One time, in London, I smelled something and turned to look at where the smell might be coming from, only to be horrified that it was coming from me and my head was on fire. But I digress.

It is somber and quiet as we follow the Epitaphio, in candlelight, from the altar to the outdoors, in order for it to circle the church before it returns back to the altar. We sing beautiful lamentations that make your heart break with their pure expression of sadness and hope.

One of my favorite services during Easter is Holy Unction. This happens on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Holy Unction is a sacrament. It is for the healing of our ills, physical and spiritual. It is preparing us for confession and communion. This sacrament has always been so humbling to me.

When you approach the priest for Holy Unction, you bow your head and as he says a prayer and asks for your Christian name, he takes a swab of blessed oil and makes the sign of the cross on your forehead, cheeks, chin, backs of your hands and palms. It is a powerful reminder of how, with faith, we can be healed in many ways.

The holy oil is then carefully dabbed with cotton balls provided by the church so you don’t leave there looking as if you’re ready to fry chicken with your face, and before you exit the church, you leave your cotton balls in a basket being held by altar boys, so as not to dispose of the holy oil in a less than holy place. The church burns the used cotton balls.

There have been times when I have left church with my cotton ball and have panicked when I am driving away. At home I take care of it. Imagine a grown woman burning cotton balls in her sink. But that is what I do.

Midnight Liturgy on Saturday night, going into Sunday morning is the Anastasi (Resurrection) service. We will arrive at church at around 11 p.m., when it starts, and listen to the chanter as he chants in preparation for the service. My kids, dressed in their suits and having been awakened from a deep sleep to come to church, groggily sit and wait holding their candles with plastic cup wax catchers.

As the service progresses, the moment we have all been waiting for approaches. All the lights in the church are all turned off. It is pitch black. It is dead quiet. The priest takes one candle and lights his one candle from the one remaining lit altar candle, which represents the light of Christ’s love (I believe).

From this one candle, the priest approaches the congregation and using his one candle he shares his light with a few people in the front pews. They in turn share their light with the people next to them and behind them. In quiet solemnity, we wait until the entire church is lit with only the light of candles; the light that has been created by one small flame has now created a room of shared light. (Editor's Note: See Miracle of the Holy Light that takes place in Jerusalem at the tomb of Christ every year.)

And at a moment that can only be described as glorious, the priest cries out, “Xristos Anesti!” “Christ is Risen!” We respond with “Alithos Anesti!” “Truly, He is Risen!” We sing our glorious Xristos Anesti song with the choir. That moment, which happens about an hour, to an hour and half into the service and seems as if the service is over, actually marks the beginning of the service. The service then continues for another hour and a half.

When I was a kid, after the service was over, we would go to the Anastasi Dinner that the church would throw in the church hall, where we would break our fast, drink Cokes at 2:30 in the morning, dance to a raucous Greek band and not go home until our stomachs were full of lamb, eggs, Koulouraki, and we saw the sun rise. Or was it the Son rise?

But usually now, after Midnight Liturgy, we drive home with our still-lit candles. I always love seeing the looks on people’s faces as they pull up to our car seeing a family with lit candles calmly moving at 65 m.p.h. down the highway. When we get home, we crack eggs, eat cookies, drink hot chocolate (so not Greek) and I burn a cross into our doorways with the carbon from the candle smoke to bless our house for the year. (Editor's Note: This tradition is in remembrance of the mark made on top of the Israelites doors during Passover.)

There have been many times when painters touching up the house have wondered why there was this strange black cross burned into our doorways.

The next day is usually followed by a late sleep in, then getting up and doing the same thing you just did but in the daytime at the Easter Picnic, usually held at a local park.

I have to say, the Greeks know how to do Easter. Make no mistake. This is the most important holiday in our church. It is a beautiful week. I haven’t even begun to touch on what the week is really like. This is a sampling of a sampling of what it is like. It is so much deeper, so much richer than I have written here.

But one thing is clear. It is a powerful, beautiful, mysterious, humbling, healing and moving week. It is filled with tradition and ritual. It is about renewal and faith. And even though it is still too early to say, Xristos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Boy, Oh Boy!

2011-04-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

Nektarios Evangelos
March 25, 2011
7 lbs. 11 oz.

Well, our little angel couldn't wait until his scheduled appointment and so on March 25 at 2:15 in the morning I began having contractions and at 6:39 a.m. Nektarios was born. We are so blessed to have this beautiful healthy little boy in our family and are humbled for him to have entered our lives on such a special day (The Annunciation).

The boys are amazed and won't stop telling me how cool babies are and how much they love him. It melts my heart to watch them all together. Thank you Lord, for your blessings.

Thank you for the kind emails many of you have sent, your prayers are so appreciated.

Sibling Kits & Classes

2011-03-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I took the boys to the hospital for the Sibling Class. They had such a great time! They watched a funny little video about babies and being a big brother or sister. The instructor let them pick out a baby doll or stuffed animal and then showed them how to properly hold a baby and how they could help Mommy change and swaddle them.

Then they got to choose from oodles of stickers and markers and confetti to make a card for the new baby's bassinet.

Ace made two. The first one he cut into the shape of a goat. The second one, he glued his picture and wrote a longer note, reminding the baby of the benefit of being a boy and playing with GI Joes.

Lucky, who is now rooting for a girl for the first time since the beginning of my pregnancy, glued his picture and gave me very detailed instructions on what to write on the card. He wanted to remind the baby how much fun he and Ace are and how much the baby is going to love them. :)

I finally put together sibling kits for them too. I made little tags that say "Biggest Brother and Big Brother" and filled them with goodies to keep them busy while they are waiting for their new brother or sister. Luckily, my mom is flying in this week and will keep them busy. They love their Yiayia!

I filled them with things like mini coloring/activity books, crayons, a lollipop, coin purses with change for the vending machines, bubbles (they'll be outside feeding the ducks while they wait), flashlights, big brother books, a big brother t-shirt and their cameras. I love the idea of them taking photos of their idea of how the day played out. I'm going to develop them and put them in little albums for their keepsake boxes.

I found these old-fashioned coin purses. I picked them up from a boutique near my house for two bucks each. Of course, I got them in their favorite colors.

I also found some fun Lego kits at TJ Maxx for $4.99. The boys will go home to spend a special night alone with Baba and I figured this will give them something fun to do together. So...now all we're doing is waiting anxiously for the big day to arrive! I'm so excited!

Spring is (sort of) Here

2011-03-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

at least it is here in Florida...and on Kate Spade's redesigned site.

Kate Spade is one of my favorite designers. I love her classic, timeless looks and bold colors. Her ads are always the first ones to catch my eye.

Some of my latest loves are:

01.

02.
(this smells great, i love it so much i just bought the roller ball too)

03.

04.

05.

01. iPhone Case
02. Twirl perfume
03. Pineapple Locket
04. Ivana flats
05. Journal Pouch

Check it out!

A Hat for Sprout

2011-03-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

Along with giggling over tiny socks and breathing in the intoxicating scent of Dreft baby detergent, I've been knitting my little fingers off.

Here's a hat that I thought would be perfect for babe no. 03's blog name. Sprout.

The pattern can be purchased for $1.00 here on Ravelry. Are you a member of Ravelry? Feel free to find me. My username is ThePrude.

Mini Donut Cupcakes {Recipe}

2011-03-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Thinking about whipping up a batch of these for breakfast tomorrow...so yummy! Whatdya think?

Click here for the recipe...