355 : making bread

A little burnt, but still soooo good!

Vasilopita is a traditional Greek bread that is eaten on New Year's Day. With a coin (wrapped in foil), baked somewhere inside, it is said that the person who receives this piece will get good luck in the New Year.

For me, it is a tradition that I look forward to. For the past several years,  I've helped my grandma and great grandma (the supervisor :) ) make the bread. In a huge bowl, with tons of ingredients, we stir and then hand mix the dough. After the dough has risen, one main loaf (with the coin) and several smaller, braided loaves are made.

We made it today...can't wait to eat it. Yum!

348 : koulourakia

When I was younger and before my grandma's Alzheimer's paid it's toll, every year at Christmas we'd get a tin full of greek cookies, called Koulourakia. These ring shaped, slightly sweet cookies are so synonymous with my yiayia and are my most consistent childhood memory of Christmas.

It has been quite a few years since the passing of my grandma, and even longer since she last baked a tin. But last year I had a craving for these little guys and decided to hunt down the recipe...my little attempt at keeping a tradition alive, and hopefully bringing back some happy memories.

This year, I hemmed and hawed over whether to bake my little heart out or not (diets and tons o' butter/sugar don't mix well). But in the end, I decided I needed to. As I get older, I realize the importance of traditions, culture and family memories... of keeping memories of loved ones alive, and never forgetting who you are, where you came from, and the people that have been there and helped you along the way.

So, yiayia, these are for you.

330 : mary

I debated blogging about this (hence the reason I'm a day behind), death isn't something that makes me happy, not even close. But it seems fitting to give some mention, in my tiny corner of the world, to such a remarkably strong woman.

There are so many happy memories I have of Mary throughout the years. Her love and encouragement, and her bold and energetic personality will stay with me for a lifetime.

320 : family time

I love when the family gets together to celebrate birthdays and holidays. There's something so comforting about having everyone together, talking and laughing.

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was full of family, love and laughter.

293 : the office wasn't burned

Today was another hard day...not as traumatizing as yesterday, but still really difficult.

I woke up wondering why I set my alarm and then remembered that this was real. Ugh. That meant today I actually had to face what happened and see the results of the damage. Even as I type this it still doesn't feel real.

There was such a quiet and somber tone that filled the building and the parking lot this morning. Various people surveying their own damages and loss, while others just wanting to see the destruction of the fire. The hallway was worse then I imagined and when I saw the plastic dripping down the wall, the sign that until yesterday, held my business name and suite number, my heart hurt. Thankfully, when I opened my door, I had little damage done to my office. My dad and Jeff helped me put everything worth saving in trash bags and we hauled everything out of there. After walking down the hallway and seeing the other offices, I'm just so grateful to have anything to actually haul out.

The remnants of the sign outside my door

The ceiling outside my office door.

The Hallway. Sadly, the light comes from the fact that the ceiling/roof are completely gone.

My office door

To my fellow suitemates, I've enjoyed (well, mostly enjoyed) my 3 years in suite 211 getting to know you all. Saul, we used to call you our "office dad" since you'd look out for us so much when we first moved in. Thank you. Adam, my heart hurts for your loss and damages. Seeing/hearing you run up and down the stairs became part of my daily life at the office. Thanks for being such a good neighbor. To everyone else, the best of luck to you all.

To my dad and Jeff, you're both my rocks and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me through this. I couldn't have done it without you.

It's hard to fathom that I won't see gizmo looking out the window. Or hear the hum from the dry cleaners below anymore. 2010 has been all about change for me, and as heart heavy and numb as I am right now, I know that this terrible accident will lead to bigger and better things.

291 : tuesday dinner

For the past month (or so) my Tuesday nights have been spent at my dad's house. It's been fun hanging out with him, Betsy and Grant, laughing at the dogs and hanging out. Having a close family (and now a few new members) is such a blessing.

284 : vintage buttons

My mom kept my great grandmas old wooden sewing machine, complete with drawers full of old thread, ribbon, safety pins, and buttons. I love looking at the old packaging on the ribbon and other notions, but I love looking through the drawer full of buttons even more. There's such a variety that she collected through the years; from plastic, to shell, to rhinestone and even crocheted.

281 : greek soup

Growing up, whenever I'd get sick my mom or dad would make me Greek soup (avgolemono). For me, it's kind of synonymous with being sick, as I've never really had or made it when I wasn't (or someone I loved) wasn't sick. Some chicken broth, orzo pasta, a lemon and an egg. So simple, but so comforting. Now that I'm older, the tradition still continues...except now I have to make soup for myself...boo!

261 : my great grandma

This little lady is one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Never saying a mean word about anyone and always with a smile on her face, she has been inspirational beyond words. I have been so fortunate to have her in my life all these years.

Happy 100th Birthday Gram. I love you more than words can say.

247 : yiayia's religious icons

I got my very first car after my YiaYia (grandma, in Greek) was no longer able to drive. In it, I found various religious icons in things like the glove box and arm rest. I even found a secret compartment in the trunk with a bag of religious jewelry inside (crosses, icons, a "piece" of the cross). While I had the car, I never took the items out, even though I don't necessarily consider myself a religious person.

When I got car #2, the religious icons followed, but I decided to tuck her secret stash away in my jewelry box. I never really gave the items in the car a second thought until today. While clearing out car #2 and deciding what to transfer to the new car, I knew the icons were sure to follow. It may seem silly, but I highly doubt I'll ever own a car without those things being in it. Afterall, it's a little piece of her that's still with me, and that my friends, makes me happy.

244 : my new car

After a crazy long day of car shopping, negotiating, nervousness and signatures galore, I finally left the lot in this beauty. A big thanks to my Dad & Betsy who went through and helped me during this journey. I absolutely love her.

231 : family heirlooms

When I was young, my great grandma always wore this ring. Always. When I see it, just like the milk pitcher turned water can turned vase it instantly screams happy memories. So I was more than thrilled when several years ago, my great grandma gave her signature ring to me.

226 : my "new vase"

When I was super little and I'd go to my great grandma's house, I'd spend most of my time in her tiny little enclosed patio. There were potted plants galore, and even a grape vine growing in the corner. To water her massive plant collection, she had a bucket she'd fill with water, and then dip this little metal pitcher in to fill it and proceed to water the plants. Naturally, whenever I was over there, I'd do this as well.

Maybe about 10 years ago, my great grandma fell and broke her hip, and went to live with my grandma (She lived alone until she was 90!). Shortly after, while the family cleaned out her house and prepped for an estate sale, my mom asked if I wanted anything. My answer...that little metal watering pitcher. She laughed and told me that when she was little that was their milk pitcher. Boy had that thing been around a long time even then.

So, what to many would be a piece of junk, to me is a little piece of treasure. And after sitting for years in my mom's garage, that little metal milk pitcher/watering can now adorns my office as my not-so-new vase.

223 : twig pencils

Finally broke away from my computer to check the mail and saw a package on top of the mailboxes. As always, whenever I see a box up there I hope it's for me (who doesn't like getting stuff in the mail? yeah, that's what I thought!). This time was no exception. As I neared closer, I saw that it was for me! The all caps lettering...unmistakably my dad. In true Jen fashion, I tried to rip it open before I even got back to the office.

Inside? A card that made my heart happy and these cool twig colored pencils. Such a lucky girl to have such an a amazing dad.

Thanks Dad & Betsy! I love you guys.

(And since I'm told you sometimes read this, a hi to Grant. Hopefully we'll meet one of these days)

162 : my dad

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. I'm very fortunate to have an amazing one.

Illustration by Daisy

161 : tamales

Today was a long day of crock potting, chicken shredding, masa spreading and corn husk soaking. Yup, the bf and I spent the day making chicken (with green chili and cheese) tamales for my dad for father's day. It was quite a chore, even with my new "shortcuts"...prepared green sauce and masa (made without lard...hooray!!). I used to do it all from scratch, but it's such a ginormously huge job.

But, it's all worth it. 10 pounds of masa, 6.5 pounds of chicken, a block of jack, and 18 hours later, there are 44 super yummy tamales.

Love you dad!

138 : friends & family

This week has been an emotional roller coaster for me. With everything that has been happening, it's been nice to have the loving support of family and friends. It makes me feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. I love you all, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

120 : moms

It's already the second Sunday in May... Mother's Day. It's no doubt that our moms make us happy. After all, where would we be without them? Words pale in comparison to what they mean to us. Cheers to all the mothers out there, this is your day.

A Wikipedia tidbit..."The proverbial "first word" of an infant often sounds like "ma" or "mama". This strong association of that sound with "mother" has persisted in nearly every language on earth, countering the natural localization of language."