Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Celebrating Easter


Yesterday, we celebrated Easter Sunday, 
and hosted a picnic lunch, indoors!


Although the weather was perfect for this Canadian 
 expat, my husband's clan, all born and bred Cretans, 
decided it was still too cool to dine al fresco.


Nevertheless, the sun showed up, brilliantly brightening the
 breakfast nook, to cast a sweet light on lemony cookies,  
tasty pastries and traditional, red Easter eggs.


In the dining room, Ms. Betty, our beautiful bunny, 
overlooked all the busyness. Behind her, a famous bunch 
of boating buddies, indulge in their own lovely luncheon.


Taking a little rest, before my guests arrived, I checked 
off the last of my chores, just as the doorbell rang!


 Soon, we were all outside, under the warm, Cretan sun, 
and amid leafy vineyards and thick olive groves, we
 tended to the fire, as we joyfully toasted, 

 ''Χριστός Aνέστη! - Christos Anesti! - Christ is Risen!''


Before long, our indoor picnic lunch was served, and
 just in time, too, as the spring breeze caught wind of
 our festivities, and picked up speed, eager to catch
 a whiff of the delicious aromas floating in the air!


It was a glorious day of good food, leisurely strolls 
in the flowery meadows, and family fun. But most 
importantly, it was a gathering to celebrate 
and honour the Resurrection of God's Son.

Thanks for visiting!
xoxo
Poppy 

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62 comments:

  1. Your countryside is a marvel to look at through your photos, Poppy. I'm glad you had a happy Easter with family - that's what matters. :)
    Rita C at Panoply

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  2. Your home looks very warm and inviting. The food looks delicious too! Sounds like you and your family enjoyed a wonderful Resurrection Sunday. Have a great day! Heather

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  3. Replies
    1. Alithos Anesti!

      So lovely that you stopped by! Tell me, did you ever receive my comment on your 'book of quotes' post? I kept checking for weeks, to see if it got published, but after about a month, I gave up.

      Poppy

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    2. You must mean the one about the Gnome Gnotebook? I didn't get a comment from you on that one....I wonder what happened? I'm glad to know that you also stopped by :-)

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    3. Well, as luck would have it, I saved it in my drafts. I will try again, on that same post. Please look out for it in your spam, too, or in comments 'Awaiting Moderation'.:)

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    4. Okay, just left my comment here; hopefully, it will appear after the last one, which was left by Bethany Carson.

      http://gretchenjoanna.com/2015/01/27/in-this-new-era-quotes-with-gnomes/comment-page-1/#comment-7474

      Delete
  4. It is all so beautiful: family, countryside, table, and Easter.

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  5. looks/sounds like a wonderful He-is-risen celebration, but anything with 'on the island of Crete' attached to its sounds so romantic to an Ontario inlander;-)

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  6. It was a beautiful and festive day. I also had hoped to dine al fresco but it was definitely too cold for it!
    Glad everyone could get outside, if only for part of the day. Wind is no fun. The hutch in your breakfast room is my favorite piece in your home. I love the green color and everything is displayed perfectly!

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  7. Oh I love your fabulous green hutch and gorgeous photos!

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  8. I'm so glad you had nice weather! The food looks amazing and it's nice to see photos of your family. Enjoy your week sweet friend. Hugs, Diane

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  9. Kalo Pascal! (I do hope I said that correctly, if not, you know I am trying anyway!). I've almost learned the days of the week - soon I'll be writing my comments in Greek - ha, ha, ha!!

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful day with family celebrating Easter.

    Judy

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  11. The light is stunning, it's brighter, softer more yellow then here...gorgeous. And it sounds like you had a lovely day.

    Jen

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  12. It looks like a wonderful feast, Poppy! Red eggs! I never heard of that. I always enjoy seeing photos of your beautiful countryside. So happy you had a great Easter, in every sense of the word!

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  13. What a lovely celebration it must have been! Everything looks so beautiful and the food looks delicious! Happy Easter...He is Risen, indeed!

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  14. I can almost smell the aromas Poppy, and the flowers, especially those that mimic the painting, are so pretty and festive! Sounds like you were able to cook outside? Whatever it was, sounds like your day was just about perfect. .

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  15. It looks like you had a beautiful celebration, dear Poppy! What a joy to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with precious friends.

    Enjoy your week, my friend! Hugs

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  16. Oh. Poppy, que maravilhoso encontro.

    O amor, a alegria em ter a família junta para comemorar a Páscoa.

    Momentos inesquecíveis!

    Sua decoração linda e delicada!

    beijinhos, uma ótima semana,

    Lígia e =^.^=

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  17. What a wonderful occasion, Poppy! I love these big family-holiday gatherings and everything looks so beautiful.
    Amalia
    xo

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  18. Oh Poppy, looks like a wonderful feast!!! The location is so beautiful and a lovely table setting. Sure everybody was happy!
    All my best
    Elisabeth

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  19. The thrid and last shots are really doing it for me. Absolutely love that decor!

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  20. Χριστός Ανέστη!!!! Και του χρόνου, με υγεία, να περάσετε το ίδιο όμορφα!!!!!
    Φιλάκια!!!!

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  21. Hello Poppy,

    This all sounds to have been the most joyous way to celebrate Easter. The food looks and, we are are sure tasted, absolutely delicious and what more can one ask for but the company of family and friends to enjoy it with. And, all is set in your glorious countryside. Perfect!

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  22. Oh I can't believe us here in Northern Greece did the whole thing outside and you did it inside!The breeze was amazing!Christos Anesti!Great family photos!AriadnefromGreece!

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  23. It's like I was there, so marvellous gathering. Everything looks so bright and happy, hope you have always the blessing chance to celebrate with family and friends. The second photo deserves a special award I think. Wish I could be a paintor, you inspire me, your photos are pieces of art.
    Olympia

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  24. Hello Poppy, I am so glad you and your family had a Happy Easter! The weather looks beautiful to be outdoors.. The food looks yummy and I love the cute Betty the bunny..Love the photos, have a happy day and week ahead!

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  25. It looks as though you had a wonderful day! Happy Easter!! I think that I would have eaten outdoors, even if I was wrapped up, just to enjoy the sunshine!! xx

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  26. Poppy, this all looks delightful! I don't blame you for wanting to be out in the sun. Looks like it was a perfect family gathering. We had our first REALLY warm day yesterday, and kids in the neighbourhood tossed their coats and were mostly just in t-shirts again. I think today will be warm again as I see the sun coming up into a bright spring-blue sky. Wendy

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  27. Poppy,
    I love,love family gatherings, no matter how big, busy or chaotic they can be. Stunning photos of scenery, family and you! Seems as though Easter weather is always challenging and at the same time the sun usually finds a way to peek through for at least a few hours. Growing up, Mother always prepared a gorgeous picnic and we would head to the Mountains for what usually ended up to be a picnic in the car as rain engulfed our blue Pontiac!
    Happy Easter Dear Friend!
    xo
    Jemma

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  28. What an amazing Easter celebration for the family - such scenery and sunny weather helped I'm sure. The floral displays are so pretty. Your table with glorious foods which must have been delicious Poppy - and you should definitely be celebrated for your efforts to make everyone so welcome on that lovely and very special day.

    Hugs - Mary

    P.S. For some reason I haven't been getting your posts in my reader it seems, I was happy when this one popped up. Have a great week dear.

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  29. That must have been a very happy Easter under the Cretan sun, together with family and friends and delicious food inside. This is the perfect celebration!

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  30. Sounds heavenly, Poppy, dreamy storybook day.
    I love the red eggs. Must read about the tradition.
    Glad you enjoyed a lovely Easter.
    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Hi Marcia,

      Have a look at a previous Easter post of mine, here:

      http://poppyview.blogspot.gr/2013/05/greek-orthodox-easter.html

      to read all about the red eggs, and many other fascinating traditions re: Greek Orthodox Easter. Thanks so much for stopping by.

      Poppy

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  31. He is risen, indeed!
    What a joyous celebration you had with family and friends in the warm Cretan sun. The red eggs are striking.

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  32. Your food looks so yummy. Good friends, family and food, what a wonderful way to spend Easter.
    Love the red eggs - how did you make them, just dyed them?
    Your pictures are stunning - thanks so much for sharing this post.
    Mary

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  33. What a wonderful celebration for Easter. The food and sunshine looks so nice and I'm sure was enjoyed by all. Have a wonderful week Poppy! xx Pam

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  34. Happy Easter - it all looked delicious and your home so welcoming and inviting :)

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  35. I enjoyed your Easter celebration..Yes , the mediterranean weather is too cold for April.. I was in Andalucia the week before and it was just too cold for this time of the year... love, love the food served on the table, they all looked so inviting and so scrumptious! :-))))

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  36. The sumptuous food for your Easter picnic looks delicious Poppy, a nice day spent with family.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

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  37. What a lovely Easter you had! Your dining room is so pretty, Poppy I could spend hours in there.

    xo

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  38. Hello Poppy,
    You are very organized and your home looks festive for Easter. What a spread of delicious food too.
    Wishing you the joys of the Easter season.

    Helenxx

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  39. Your luncheon looks delicious and your home is a wonderful setting for a picnic whether inside or out, what a lovely way to spend Easter.

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  40. What a lovely Easter celebration. The food looks delicious and you set the table so nicely. I hope you all had a wonderful time.

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  41. Looks like you had a wonderful celebration, Poppy! We had our Easter meal inside (a bit too warm for our visitors), but then we were able to move outside for our dessert.

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  42. Poppy,
    The food looks so delicious...I hope you had a wonderful time...

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  43. Ooh Poppy, another delight you've shared! I loved the glimpses of your home, the bright and happy colors dabbled throughout, and the beautiful light everywhere, the amazing food, and what a wonderful way to celebrate that Christ is risen. I loved how your yellow flowers matched the flowers in the picture too. And red eggs - are those pickled eggs? I've heard that Scandinavians pickle their eggs with beet juice, but I didn't know it was a Greek tradition? Have a wonderful day my dear Poppy :)

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  44. Happy Easter, Poppy! Glad you had such a wonderful celebration with family. Your food looks delicious.

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  45. Everything was just lovely! I'm a new reader and am enjoying your blog so much.......its festive and colorful and lively!!

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  46. Sounds like a wonderful day! You also have a beautiful home Poppy!

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  47. I love your dining nook, the hutch is charming and the rocking chair is lovely.

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  48. What a lovely looking Easter day! I am glad you were able to enjoy it with family, Poppy! Love the red eggs! Our friends dyed theirs and they were glorious. You know that's my favorite color! ;)

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  49. new follower, and I'm completely intrigued and in love with your blog. :)

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  50. I have always loved Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, and you've displayed it beautifully, Poppy. Your second photo could be a painting, as well. Gorgeous. I'm so glad you had a lovely Easter with family. The food looks amazing, and I adore all your decorations. As always, your home is beautiful. Hugs, Nancy

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  51. What a wonderful Easter celebration! Everything looks so so good, everyone with smiles on their faces! But then what a triumphant reason, ' Christ is risen indeed!'
    Wishing you weekend blessings, dear Poppy!

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  52. What a beautiful Easter table, Poppy, and what a beautiful message celebrating the Resurrection of Christ!

    Wishing you a happy weekend, my dear friend,
    Dewena

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  53. Under the cretan sun...lovely words from you and beautiful pictures!
    Have a wonderful weekend Poppy!
    Warm hug,
    Titti

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  54. Χριστός Ανέστη (αν και καθυστερημένα)! Your blog has beautiful photos and I am a little jealous - over here in New England - for missing out on our Easter feasts. :)

    The pics of the lamb chops and the salads...made me SO hungry now. Oh I envy you. :)

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  55. Your breakfast nook is so beautiful Poppy! Thank you for joining HSH!

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!