On Sunday, my sweet friend, Maria, and her lovely family,
came to visit all the way from West Sussex, England.
At our first meeting, my dear friend surprised me with a stay
at a five star luxury hotel, for some serious girlfriend tête-à-tête time,
which included cocktails by the pool, a soothing spa treatment,
al fresco dining, live jazz, and loads of laughs.
Days later, I joined Maria and family for an excursion
to Archanes, while Sunday was spent here, in the village,
for our annual BBQ lunch, now a family tradition.
to Archanes, while Sunday was spent here, in the village,
for our annual BBQ lunch, now a family tradition.
Among the usual fired up fare and summery sides, the meal
always includes my coconut cream pie -her only request!
always includes my coconut cream pie -her only request!
My only request was that she not bring a thing.
Is that too much to ask for,
especially after spoiling me with that gorgeous getaway?!
But no... she had to cater to her friend's sweet tooth,
and showed up with an assortment of petite pastries, too pretty to eat,
along with some other precious parcels,
to be presented in an upcoming post!
to be presented in an upcoming post!
What can I say? She's a kind and generous gal.
I love her dearly; she is my soul sister and I will miss her terribly!
In a snap (!) - her short, but sweet visit came to a close.
Back in Britain, she is revitalized and ready for her English routine.
And so, in between cooking, cleaning and car pooling,
she can be found ringing up yours truly,
ready to rampantly reminisce for hours!
Back in Britain, she is revitalized and ready for her English routine.
And so, in between cooking, cleaning and car pooling,
she can be found ringing up yours truly,
ready to rampantly reminisce for hours!
Poppy
All images: www.poppyview.blogspot.com
Sharing at:
The Inspiration Gallery,
Artsy Corner, Create It Thursday, What's It Wednesday,
Worthwhile Wednesdays, The Art of Home-Making Mondays,
Friendship Friday, Inspiration Monday, Say G'Day Saturday,
Inspire Me Tuesday, Tea Time Tuesday, Friday's Five Features,
Fresh Cut Friday, Open House Party, Sweet and Simple Fridays,
Tuesdays At Our Home, Brag About It, bebesty.com, Saturday Sparks,
Tweak It Tuesday, Make it Pretty Monday, A Return to Loveliness,
Inspire Me Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Memories by the Mile,
The Sunday Showcase, Mosaic Monday, Seasonal Sundays,
The Creative Home and Garden Hop, A Favorite Thing,
Anything Blue Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Flaunt It Friday,
Feathered Nest Friday, Home Sweet Home, Be Inspired,
Home and Garden Thursday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Home,
Sharing at:
The Inspiration Gallery,
Artsy Corner, Create It Thursday, What's It Wednesday,
Worthwhile Wednesdays, The Art of Home-Making Mondays,
Friendship Friday, Inspiration Monday, Say G'Day Saturday,
Inspire Me Tuesday, Tea Time Tuesday, Friday's Five Features,
Fresh Cut Friday, Open House Party, Sweet and Simple Fridays,
Tuesdays At Our Home, Brag About It, bebesty.com, Saturday Sparks,
Tweak It Tuesday, Make it Pretty Monday, A Return to Loveliness,
Inspire Me Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Memories by the Mile,
The Sunday Showcase, Mosaic Monday, Seasonal Sundays,
The Creative Home and Garden Hop, A Favorite Thing,
Anything Blue Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Flaunt It Friday,
Feathered Nest Friday, Home Sweet Home, Be Inspired,
Home and Garden Thursday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Home,
What fun! What wonderful memories!!!
ReplyDeletexo Kris
If I ever get to Greece, I too will bring goodies if I can just walk through your lovely home and see all your pretties in person.
ReplyDeleteI agree it sounded like a wonderful visit. I just love all the pictures in the post too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely visit with your friend! She sounds like such a loving and generous person. I hope we get to see some of your coconut cream pie in the future!!
ReplyDeleteJust lovely! Brenda sent me over - nice to meet you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing friendship is! I'm so happy you both had this beautiful time together with lots of memories to treasure. Your pictures, as always, are like something out of a pop-up storybook come to life. Is it that clarity of light in Crete? Or is it just Poppy? !!
ReplyDeleteI spent last night exploring every single post under "Our House" label. If any readers haven't tried that you're missing much more beauty and much more Poppy.
It's so wonderful to have such a good friend who you can share everything with. I'm glad you shared such a nice time together.
ReplyDeleteI love coconut in anything. I know your pie is out-of-this-world. I like to make coconut cake for Christmas.. My Mom used to get the whole coconut in the shell and grate it for her cake.. It was scrumptious.
Have a wonderful day. I enjoy the beautiful colors on your blog.. So invigorating.
Charlotte
Pretty pretty! She sounds like a very special friend who knows what you like. Each time I visit your blog, I just fall in love with the colors.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful time and I am a coconut fan too ;)
ReplyDeleteLove that tablecloth! :)
A good friend is a true treasure.
ReplyDeleteI love when you show photos of your beautiful and colourful home, Poppy. The green hutch is a great backdrop for your lovely dishes and the fresh flowers are fabulous.
-Karen
Your home is so bright and cheery! I love to visit your posts. You and your dear friend are both very sweet indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove that table cloth! This is all so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
What is the name of that cute teapot and cup in the last picture? LOVE IT! Would love to know the maker and name to try and find some here in the US.
ReplyDeleteHi there,
DeleteThere is no name printed on any of the pieces. I also have a larger stove-top teapot, although I've never used it to boil water, just decorative, for now. They were gifts from my mom from a kitchen store in Toronto called 'Kitchens Plus'.
How sweet of her to come with the treats. Always fun to reconnect with a good friend.
ReplyDeleteThe sweets look delicious! What a thoughtful gesture - and what a generous friend! They may have been too pretty to eat, but I hope you did anyway! The good stuff is meant to be enjoyed!! Have a beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious and what a fun visit..
ReplyDeleteThis was a lovely post -- your friendship sounds wonderful and special - what a gift! And the photos to go along with the story were so cheery!
ReplyDeletePoppy, sounds like a delightful visit! And wow, her pastries are so beautiful. I always like your posts because they make me happy.
ReplyDeleteMarie Angelique
What a lovely friendship you have with your friend from England! A friendship like yours is truly a blessing and it sounds like you had a marvelous time together. Those pastries look so good and I agree, almost too pretty to eat! Your post is always upbeat and happy and it's a pleasure to have you join me at my HOME. BTW, I was born in NB and grew up mostly on PEI. So, I'm a Maritime girl. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
What a visit and what a friend! There's nothing like true soulmate girlfriends, is there? Glad you had such a wonderful visit.
ReplyDeleteOh my Poppy, what a fabulous time you two must've had!! I loved seeing all your happy photos of the teapot, mug, flowers and treats. Your hutch is just brimming with wonderful things.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful visit and the photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Precious friendship and such a pleasing, pretty and perfectly appointed Hutch.
ReplyDeleteI always feel refreshed and renewed after my visit with you! Did that rhyme?!!
Happy Hugs to you Dear Poppy!!
xx-
Jemma
There is nothing like the bond between 2 women - our souls connect for a lifetime............
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post - with beautiful images too :)
XOXO
It's always a delight visiting you Poppy! Your friend Maria sounds like a kind and generous soul. How lucky you are to have her in your life.
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Loving all this colour....you have such a pretty home!
ReplyDeleteA lovely time with a dear friend....sounds heavenly, Poppy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in this week.
xo
Claudia
How sweet to have a friend like Maria. It's always fun fun fun to have a girl's day out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those delicate yet scrumptious dainty cakes.
I love looking at your colourful kitchen.
Hope you have a good week my dear friend.
What pretty things and what a sweet friend you have. so happy to have found you through a Favorite Thing. xo Laura
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Your whole blog is so pretty. You have such beautiful things! This sounds like a nice visit with your friend. I'm a new follower from Seasonal Sundays. :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer
http://thistlebearhome.blogspot.com
Poppy, what a fun visit with your friend. The hotel, spa and the visit sounds delightful.You have a lovely home, full of cheery items. The sweets look delicious. Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteOh what a lovely time you had and such memories to savor for some time to come. Those little delicacies are lovely and you have them so well displayed.
ReplyDeleteWat a wonderful friend. Love your photo's
ReplyDeleteYour friend is a treasure! I'm sure you're wonderful too, as friendship works both aways. Your dishes are gorgeous, so full of color and so summery. I love your post! Big hugs,
ReplyDeleteFABBY
What cheery and pretty photo's you have shown us. It looks like you had a lovely visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit, for your lovely comment and you following me, I sure appreciate it! I am also your newest follower! Big hugs,
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Wonderful mosaic photography and delightful photos ~ lovely! ~ Happy Week to you ^_^
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to have found your blog. I visited Greece a few years ago and want to return again soon. I can't help but smile looking at your colorful tea sets! I am a new follower and I look forward to following along in your adventures in Crete!
ReplyDeleteKhammany
Those little pastries look so delish! What a lovely friend and sounds like she really went out of her way so that you would have a lovely visit with her!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I thought you found cups that said Poppy View on the inside until I realized you were watermarking your photos!
Now you have just described the sweetest of friendships. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Enjoyed your story and really enjoyed seeing all the colorful kitchen ware. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteLinda at The French Hens Nest
Sounds like a wonderful visit. Valerie
ReplyDeleteI would love to try your coconut cream pie. It is a favorite of mine, too! Beautiful images of a fantastic visit.
ReplyDeleteOh, Poppy, those look yummy! Love the green hutch with all the great dishware, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting you from Cindy's "Dwellings" party. Please drop by for a visit, too. Thanks, Helen
Such fun bright photos Poppy! I loved listening to your sweet story through your pictures~delightful!
ReplyDeleteJenna
beautiful. Makes me want to go shopping
ReplyDeleteJanice
Those do look too pretty to eat!
ReplyDeleteAllison
Now THAT was a girlfriend visit to remember!
ReplyDeleteWhat a colorful post!! I love it and so glad that you had a great friend visit! Stopping by from Mosaic Monday today. CHeers!!
ReplyDeletePoppy, it is such a blessing to have a dear friend, so giving - so delighted you had a marvelous time and delighted you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
How wonderful! everything is just lovely!!
ReplyDeletePoppy,
ReplyDeleteI love your story and your photo's. That is truly Memories by the MILE ;-)
What a sweet friend. Thank you for sharing at Memories by the Mile. I love you china!
Be sure and check back for Friday's features.
Hugs,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Good Evening Poppy, What a wonderful time you had with your lovely friend, it must have been wonderful for you to both catch up with each other.
ReplyDeleteThe sweet treats your friend brought for you look beautiful. I used to visit a bakery in Kiti, Larnaca which made delicious cakes, just like the one's your friend brought for you.....oh I can taste them now.... I am terrible, I have such a sweet tooth.
I hope you have managed to settle down to life again and that you do not miss your friend too much.
Best Wishes to you,
Daphne
Thanks for posting these sumptuous photos - such beautiful light, as another reader already commented - and this sweet message about friendship. The escape to a hotel idea is a fabulous one!
ReplyDeleteWe hope you'll pull up a deckchair, link up your creative home and garden posts and enjoy the sunshine with us every weekend at http://mumtopia.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-creative-home-and-garden-hop-2.html
How nice!!! Those treat look YUMMY. Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday...
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
I love the little saucers that have the cute little flowers with pink rims and the cups with the blue trim. Can you tell me the name of the pattern and/or maker? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Hi Yvonne,
DeleteThe name stamped on the bottom of each saucer is 'CHURCHILL' and they were made in Staffordshire, England.
Poppy
What a sweet friend ship! It is so wonderful to have some you can spoil and they spoil you back! :) LOVE all of your pretty pretty florals!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and linking up for Fresh-Cut Friday!
~Liz
This is a really special friend and one you will always enjoy! The home you have created is beautiful and I love how you have photographed it! This is a beautiful posting and thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeletePam
Sounds like you two have a very special friendship Poppy. The spa treat must have been heavenly and the sweets are perfect to have with a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteJudith
Poppy, thank you for sharing your delightful post with us at Tea Time. A special friend is a blessing and hard to find. Those pastries look mouth-watering!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Wow, what a wonderful time you must have had! Thank you for sharing your lovely display of pastries and pretties on the Art of Home-Making Mondays :) Your friend sounds like a gem!
ReplyDeleteWhat paint colour is that charming china dresser, please...Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi there,
DeleteThanks so much for all your sweet comments! I hope you have come back to read this, as I don't have an email or website for you.
Unfortunately, we had the dresser spray painted by a professional who mixed a few of his own pigments together to match a piece of fabric I had with this particular green appearing in the leaves of the floral design, so I don't have a brand name colour for you, but I guess you could say it's a soft, rich olive-y green. I did some searching around for you and found this colour: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/stemgreen, to be the closest match! Remember, colours can look quite different in various light. For example, if you take a look at this post of mine: http://poppyview.blogspot.gr/2013/05/a-spot-of-tea.html, you'll notice that here, the hue of the dresser is warmer, and that's probably because I snapped the photos a little later on in the day, when the light is not as bright or harsh. Hope I've helped, and good luck with finding your perfect shade! Thanks again, for visiting and hope to see you again, soon!
Poppy