Apokoronas Our Home

Apokoronas Our Home: Digging for Victory : Sorry there not been a blog for a couple of days. We were using the good weather to make a start on our vegetable patch Celery root...

Sorry there not been a blog for a couple of days. We were using the good weather to make a start on our vegetable patch Celery roots that survived the winter, along with tomato plants. Courgettes Rocket We hope for the best - but prepare for the worst by growing some staples in the garden Herbs for flavour - coriander seeds planted too Top and roots from veg we used, in water to reshoot, before planting them out. Don't waste anything - you may be glad of it. Todays recipe is a soup made out of the above! Now on Instagram cretan_cornucopia

As we are all being asked to stay at home, apart from urgent shopping or collecting medication, many of you will be spending part of your time reading. What are you reading at the moment? what would you recommend? let me know and I will share your suggestions. At the moment the local shops have no shortages and there does not seem to be any panic buying. I have added a page on the website for shops that offer delivery so if you know of any please let me know their names and contact details (Not tavernas and take aways at the moment) Today's recipe is Onion Stifado

Apokoronas Our Home: At least the weather is fine, rather brisk, but... : At least the weather is fine, rather brisk, but perfect for working in the garden! All those jobs that have been put off are ge...

At least the weather is fine, rather brisk, but perfect for working in the garden! All those jobs that have been put off are getting done In the light of the current situation the veggie patch is being sorted and seeds found in the "garden drawer"  Thinking ahead to what might be a difficult summer, what veggies would be most useful to grow? The herbs are beginning to shoot and grow and we found some self seeded rocket, parsley and celery under the weeds! The flowers are beginning to bloom to lighten the days that could feel rather gloomy Meanwhile the Municipality has helped to obtain a profit building for the Vamos health centre for the purpose of Coronavirus testing and suspected patients For updates on on the current situation in our area please visit the Daily Bulletin Today's recipe is one for using up those over ripe bananas For the recipe please visit Recipes for Lent

Apokoronas Our Home: Staying Home : So now, along with many other people around the world we are staying home. We are only allowed to go out for essentials - groceries, pharm...

So now, along with many other people around the world we are staying home. We are only allowed to go out for essentials - groceries, pharmaceuticals, animal food, post office, bank etc. Yes, we can walk the dog but keep away from other people. The upside of all this is that many jobs are getting done... you know those jobs that have been put off, painting, gardening etc! For those of you who can speak Greek, just for fun, here is the Cretan Peppa Pig with Coronavirus! Why we should stay home! If you don't understand it, the children all recover - the doctor doesn't. I am keeping the Daily Bulletin page up to date as information comes in Today's recipe is Boureki I have also started a page on the website listing grocery shops that are offering a delivery service during the crisis

Apokoronas Our Home: Madness : The government of Greece is encouraging us all to stay at home. Shops, cafes, restaurants are all closed and yet... I am supposed to 1. Go...

The government of Greece is encouraging us all to stay at home. Shops, cafes, restaurants are all closed and yet... I am supposed to 1. Go to town and wait in a queue to get my papers ( work having been terminated due to the closedown of the schools) 2. Go to the National bank and wait in a queue to open a new account as the unemployment office only pays into this one 3. Go and wait in a queue at the unemployment office will all aforementioned papers to register! Where is the sense in this? Could not this all be done on line? A quick link to the recipe. Today Briam As always for updates on our current situation please go to the "Daily Bulletin" page

Apokoronas Our Home: Social distancing - Cretan style : Well the Ides of March dawned bright and sunny. As yet we are not confined to home - recommended not to get in any crowds or too close ...

Well the "Ides of March" dawned bright and sunny. As yet we are not confined to home - recommended not to get in any crowds or too close to other - We decided to make the most of it and take a picnic  to the sea at Georgioupolis- expecting to have to sit in the car. The weather was glorious Although there were people around everyone was making sure they were a good distance one from the other, so we went on to the beach. We even had our first paddle of the year Cold but lovely - especially as the temperature was about 25 degrees C Several people were swimming Lovely to see the families playing Flying kites and playing ball games. We may not be able to do this again for a while - both because of the weather, but more importantly it may become necessary to restrict movement due to the Coronavirus. Today 16th it is cold and rainy with a top temperature expected of 11 degrees! Only two people allowed at a time in t...

Apokoronas Our Home: Updating the news : Well the blog is suffering because all my computer time is being taken up with passing on the latest news in our area re COVID-19. You can ...

Well the blog is suffering because all my computer time is being taken up with passing on the latest news in our area re COVID-19. You can find the information - as I receive it on the "Daily Bulletin page of the website - click here I have managed to put up another Lenten recipe today, a French recipe originally Panisses - for the recipe click here

Apokoronas Our Home: Keeping sprits up in Vamos : Yes all the cafe's are closed in Vamos, also hairdressers, tavernas etc and the square was deserted - well almost. it was fun to hear a...

Yes all the cafe's are closed in Vamos, also hairdressers, tavernas etc and the square was deserted - well almost. it was fun to hear a cacophony from up the road. A couple of shopkeepers had taken the time to give their shops a spring clean and had decided to make up a band. Baking tins, saucepans and spoons being bashed along with some singing and dancing in the street! Takes a lot to get the Cretans down for long! Today's recipe Stuffed tomatoes and peppers with a twist Don't forget you can also keep up with the latest information in our area by keeping an eye on the "Daily Bulletin" on the website Meanwhile in the UK (Couldn't resist it!)

Today's recipe is home made Halvas. This is made from semolina rather than the halva made from sesame seeds that you buy in the shops. For the recipe please click here For the latest information from the Municipality about measures being taken to control Coronavirus please check the Daily Bulletin and the Message from the Mayor pages on the website You can find them here

Apokoronas Our Home: Corona Virus precautions : Today the government announced that all schools, colleges, unit etc will be closed for the next two weeks to help to contain the spread o...

Today the government announced that all schools, colleges, unit etc will be closed for the next two weeks to help to contain the spread of the Corona virus. Having been on the school bus yesterday with a load of small children coughing and sputtering without covering their mouths I can see the sense in it! On a happier note todays recipe is Chili bean burgers. Here served with sweet potato chips. For the recipe please visit the recipe page on the Apokoronas our home website. Click here

Apokoronas Our Home: Winds out of Africa : After the last few day's southerly winds, here is an excerpt from my first experience of the "Wind out of Africa" Excerpt...

After the last few day's southerly winds, here is an excerpt from my first experience of the "Wind out of Africa" Excerpt from my diary, Georgioupolis, March 1989 I awoke in the night to the sound of window shutters banging somewhere nearby. The wind had changed direction and was now coming from the south, blowing hard and still increasing in force. I tried to get back to sleep but to no avail. My little travel clock on the bedside table glowed out the time in bright red numerals. It was three o’clock. The intermittent noise of the shutters crashing against the window frames and the winds howling through the trees in the plateia made sleep impossible. I left my bed and looked out of the window. The tall eucalyptus trees were bending in the wind and loose objects such as cardboard boxes were bowling down the road. Suddenly I saw sparks flying from the rear of a building not far away. All thoughts of sleep now gone, I dressed and found my torch in case the electr...

Apokoronas Our Home: A Sweet treat for Lent : It is not all about restrictions over Lent. A little imagination gives you this delicious Chocolate Orange cake. All these recipes, except ...

It is not all about restrictions over Lent. A little imagination gives you this delicious Chocolate Orange cake. All these recipes, except for the ones containing seafood, are also suitable for Vegans. Don't be afraid to experiment with these recipes - the cake below, for example, could be made with spice and orange - or even a lemon cake. For the recipe please go to the recipe section of the Apokoronas Our Home website.

Apokoronas Our Home: Has spring sprung? : "Spring is sprung The grass is riz I wonder where the birdie is The birdie is upon the wing No, that's absurd The wing is on the l...

"Spring is sprung The grass is riz I wonder where the birdie is The birdie is upon the wing No, that's absurd The wing is on the little bird" Is spring here - or we being lulled? March can be a wet treacherous month! At the moment all the Almond blossom is coming out and looks and smells glorious. The bees are buzzing and the weather is calm. - we will see! Today's recipe is Giant beans with celery For the recipe please go to www.apokoronasourhome.com   and visit the recipe page

I arrived at the school to pick up the children for the home run and discovered what looked like an inflatable black igloo in the middle of the school hall! After a while it began to disgorge children from the exit. Having asked the children what is was  found out that it was a mobile planetarium and all of the children, including the infants, had had turns to see the stars and planets. they were all thrilled - what a good idea! Today's recipe is Fava Go to the website for the recipes

Apokoronas Our Home: Kyria Sarakosti : Yesterday all the infants came home from school with a "Kyria Sarakosti" made of paper. What is this? Well it is a bit like an adv...

Yesterday all the infants came home from school with a "Kyria Sarakosti" made of paper. What is this? Well it is a bit like an advent calendar for lent. Are you fasting - or have you given up something for Lent? You might like to make one! The children usually colour their own and often dried beans or lentils are stuck on for decoration  and pictures of the fasting foods drawn on her apron "Her eyes and mouth are closed to remind us to fast. She has no ears as she will not listen to gossip The cross on her head reminds us to always have Our Saviour in our minds Her hands are folded in prayer and she has seven feet,  one for each week of lent." Each Saturday of lent,  we break off a foot to mark the weeks  until Easter. Often the Kyria Sarakosti is made of bread ( or a salt dough can be used) The last foot is often hidden in a dish of fruit and nuts and whoever finds it receives a special blessing. They would write their name and the year on...

Apokoronas Our Home: "Martis" : With  Apokrias  and Clean Monday falling on 1st and 2nd March you may have missed another tradition. You may have seen children - and some a...

With  Apokrias  and Clean Monday falling on 1st and 2nd March you may have missed another tradition. You may have seen children - and some adults - wearing little bracelets woven in red and white cotton. What is that all about? These bracelets are called "Martis" The white cotton symbolizes purity and the red,  life. The tradition dates back to Ancient Greece and was part of a rite to Demeter and Persephone.  People believed that the bracelet protected those wearing it from disease. These days, the bracelets are made on the last day of February to be worn from the first of March,throughout the month, in order to protect them from sunburn, from the first strong rays of the spring sunshine. Many people still believe in the powers of the “Martis”.  They also tie the bracelets to the branches of a blossoming  tree for a good harvest of fruit, or to a rose bush, after seeing the first swallow, to encourage the bird to build it’s nest there. Καλο Μηνα!...

Apokoronas Our Home: "Carnival Sunday" and Clean Monday :   Sunday 1st March,  Kalo Mina! Today would normally have been Carnival day, but due to the embargo put on all Carnival events in G...

  Sunday 1st March,  Kalo Mina! Today would normally have been Carnival day, but due to the embargo put on all Carnival events in Greece this year - due to fears of the spread of Corona virus - all festivities were put on hold. The day was sunny and bright - with a cool breeze, so we wandered down to Kalyves anyway. The almond blossom is all coming out. Kalyves was calm and quiet  Rather a contrast to it's normal celebrations and what was planned. There were families out enjoying the sun, having coffee and meals with the children dressed in their carnival costumes. It is estimated that the losses to Rethymnon alone, due to the cancellation of the carnival will reach about 15,000,000 euros! Clean Monday Started the day by going to the bakery to collect a Lagana -unleavened bread, yummy with sesame seeds. You can find a recipe for laguna on the Apokoronas our home website ...