poppy view: Snow

Showing posts with label Snow. Show all posts

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Searching for Shepherds in the Snow

The Tavern 'Aetos' (Eagle), with its beautiful wall mural and traditional Cretan decor

Every New Year's Day, we always drive up to the village of Anogeia, to see the snow and enjoy a traditional Cretan meal. Anogeia, (Greek: Ανώγεια, 'high ground'), at an altitude of 738 metres or 2,421 ft,

The Psiloritis Mountains, Rethymno, Crete

sits at the base of the highest mountains on Crete, namely, Psiloritis (Greek: Ψηλορείτης, 'high mountain'), which measure 2,456 metres or 8,057 feet above sea level. Covered in a smooth blanket of snowy white, they are a stunning sight in contrast with the shades of the rugged green and brown landscape below.


The Psiloritis Massif, a reservoir supplying several springs and ponds

We couldn't wait to get there, not for the snow, for we had had our fill of that in Canada, but for the scenic drive, which actually feels more like an airplane ride. Travelling through this rough terrain, a myriad of spectacular caves, deep gorges, small plateaus, oak and pine forests exist in and around tiny villages that are characteristically built on cliffs. The area is home to rare birds of prey, such as bearded vultures, common vultures, golden eagles and red-tailed hawks.

Psiloritis' highest peaks boast snow until late June

With every twist and turn in the road, the ground became

whiter and whiter, and then, as we reached a plateau,

we caught sight of a mitato, (Greek: Μιτάτο, 'shelter or 'lodging') or shepherd's hut. These unique dwellings are constructed solely from local limestone, in this case, the earthy shades of olive green, slate grey, and honey brown stone indigenous to the Psiloriti Mountain region.

Entryway of a mitato or shepherd's hut

Providing shepherds with protection against the elements, mitata also serve as corrals when tending to the sheep. They also function as mini cheese making factories, complete with copper cauldrons, clay pots, wooden utensils, table and chairs, stone beds and stools made out of old tree roots!

An opening at the top of the dome acts as a skylight, air duct and chimney. These conical structures are, indeed, quite impressive in their innovation. All that talk about cheese production, though, was making us hungry.

It was, after all, time for lunch!

An eagle's stern expression covers the menu of the tavern that bears its name

A few minutes later we arrived at the popular Taverna Aetos, our go-to haunt in the village of Anogeia. Decorated in a rustic, mountain style, old farming tools, Cretan crockery, vintage furniture and clothing furnish the large restaurant's space, bestowing extra traditional charm to its patrons.

Fresh, Cretan greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, lentils, pomegranate seeds and goat cheese are tossed
together in an olive oil/honey, balsamic dressing to create the tavern's trademark salad.

Specializing in traditional, Cretan cuisine, the tavern's tasty dishes and breathtaking views of the Psiloritis Mountains were the perfect ending to our adventure in search of snow.

Thanks so much for visiting!
Wishing you a lovely week,
xoxo
Poppy

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Orange: Fruit, Felines and Flames

Bright, orange-y combs and wattles adorning our resident roosters commanded my attention this past week, demanding I put them on top of my very long 'to do' list, and thus, making it a priority to find them their new place on the kitchen's open shelving, as promised. I'm glad they put the pressure on, since it gave me the chance to do something fun and creative after two weeks of tedious cleaning. Orange, from the fresh and flavourful to the furry and flaming, would continue to entertain and delight that day!

On our afternoon walk, Liberty and I spotted a Mackerel Red Tabby taking shelter from a sudden hail storm. Unlike the rowdy roosters, this ginger critter had a modest gentleness about it. Keeping a low profile, kitty hid under a metallic umbrella, while we pretended that its striking stripes went unnoticed and continued on our way, apart from pausing for a few seconds, daring to snap this pic from a distance!

When we arrived at my aunt's house shortly after to pick oranges, thankfully, the hail had stopped. We were pleasantly surprised and grateful that the previous day's gales hadn't succeeded in too much of the sweet citrus fruit falling to the ground, where it risked rapid rotting. Other trees in her garden boast branches of clementines and lemons and we'll be back for them!

Arriving home with our basket of pretty, perfumed produce,

A crackling fire calms the soul and soothes achy bones from days of damp and cold

we scurried to get a fire going, (our first,

since we'd been back), as the house felt cold.

Olive trees huddle together, awaiting confirmation of a rumoured snowfall.

We wondered if there was more snow on the horizon. Apparently, 20cm of the white, powdery stuff covered the landscape a few days before our arrival, causing chaos, since Cretans are never prepared for such uncharacteristic, wacky weather conditions!

Freshly squeezed orange juice is enjoyed daily, thanks
to these beauties, bursting with a sweet, robust flavour

What the islanders do expect from their typically mild winters is to harvest sweet citrus fruit! Lemons, oranges, clementines, mandarins and grapefruit blossom in the spring, scenting the air with the most intoxicating fragrance, a combination of floral, citrus and freshness - one of my absolute favourite scents. Most varieties are ripe for picking at the start of December, just in time for use in traditional Christmas cookies and other festive treats.

What colour is winter in your world?

Thanks for visiting!

Happy weekend,

xoxo

Poppy

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Strawberry Snow Cake: Bake for Expat Ache!

Hello Everyone,

Before we dig into the decadent delight above, I'd like to thank you all so much for your sweet comments on my previous post. Sharing, whether it's happy news, a delicious meal, or one's precious time, is so gratifying, isn't it? Today, I'd like to share my Strawberry Snow Cake with you, as promised. Won't you stay for tea?

A collection of Christmas crockery was scattered on the table, starting with a festive British teapot, (an adorable gift from Liberty, a few Christmases ago). Then, the cheery, red capped snowmen cups came down from the credenza, while their silver plated cousins, who travelled all the way from Canada, kept the table that Liberty had set, looking neat.

This recent, Cretan, snowy scene above, along with my memories of Toronto snowfalls, long ago, below, were the two inspirations for this cake, since the first was completely unexpected, but a pleasant surprise, especially for me, who was feeling a little nostalgic for the whimsy of those crisp, Canadian winters of my girlhood, wind chill factor, and all!

Evening streetscapes, alight with the glow of snow, silent, but for the whisper of snowflakes in the sky, and serene, are like a dream, where powdery paths lead to intriguing venues, via crystal covered avenues.

Can you understand then,

my craving for such a cake,

whose middle layer,

like a mountain of

sweet snowflakes,

brought back memories

of crazy carpet rides,

on curvy, icy, schoolyard slides?

A beautiful Christmas card I received from my dearest Dewena,
who always seems to know what I'm feeling, even from so far away.

Oh, my snow. I miss it so.

And that, mes amis,
is the story of my snowy sweet,
a red and white, Canuck tied treat,
a cool concoction of whipping cream,
and jam from jewel-like strawberries.

Inspired by different snowfalls:
one, recent and surprising,
and many, relived in my memory,
it was then aptly named by Liberty!
Otherwise, it is more widely known
as the very famous Victoria Sponge,
a British classic, whose recipe
you can find right here, quite readily.

Thanks for joining me for tea.
You're always such great company!

Wishing you a
fun-filled weekend!
Thanks for visiting!

Poppy

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

A Snowy Town Square Up in the Air!

www.facebook.com/lovecrete

This post was written last January, during the holidays,

while I was visiting my family in Toronto, Canada.

Hello Everyone,

	Hard to believe, but there is actually more snow on this Mediterranean island presently, than here in Toronto! Above, is the village square in Anogeia, which can be found at an altitude of 700 metres in the mountains of central Crete. Its name literally means, 'high place' and it is known for its hospitality, as well as its historical relevance for resisting its Turkish and German conquerors.

Today, it has been invaded by heavy, dense snow, something the Cretans are not accustomed to. Thus, they remain indoors, weary of treading through the thickly packed precipitation of cold, colliding crystals. Just the thought of it makes the locals freeze with fear! That's not to say that they don't marvel at the frosty mass. In fact, some actually brave the chilly temps and take to the hills for a day of skiing and snow angels!

When my daughter was a child, my husband, Cretan born and bred, would drive us through the narrowest of risky roads, clinging to cliffs that dropped hundreds of metres down to rocky ground. And all of this, in the hope of making contact with this precious powder!

The promise of snowflakes from the heavens, floating onto expecting tongues, or entangling themselves into a fence of luscious little lashes, only to disappear within seconds of their otherwise, smooth landing, was certainly a sight to see!

But when left untouched, a wonderland of white puffy cakes, 'baked' on the premises, sit still on tiers of chilled iron, in this icy bistro, in a snowy square, high up, in the air.