A Little Of This, A Little Of That

 It's getting warmer here, and you can tell summer is right around the corner.  It's not too hot, just warm enough to enjoy this season with a pleasant atmosphere.  My brother-in law came for a visit, and I love when I see that little brown bag, cause I know some goodies are in there - two different small cakes, and a big pack of pork ribs with barbecue sauce.  We had a nice conversation with stories of old and new.  I made him a cup of coffee, and while he had the brownies I just made, I enjoyed some of the cake he brought.

Have you ever tried this barbecue sauce?  It's the best.  I'm not sure if it's popular in the south, but it's one of our favs around here.

Remember my neighbor's bush with the single rose that bloomed?

This is what they look like now.

My family are Rocky lovers, and all 9 movies of Rocky and Creed are showing on Netflix right now, and we've been watching some of them.  It's a 50 year celebration, from 1976-2026.

Some summer pretties around the house.

So, I mentioned to you that Jess and Nel are on a fabulous trip, and I'll give you a hint on their destination.  This heritage sparks in my dad's blood....and mine!

You guessed it.....GREECE! 

I'll share a few pics that Jess sent me first.

Athens....You may have heard that there are a lot of Cats in Greece.  This is true, and for many different reasons, one of them is that they don't neuter their cats and just let them roam, believing that altering animals is unnatural and goes against the animal's nature.  They view the strays as "community wildlife."  They are treated very good and fed, even on the streets.

My favorite Pastichio dish.  It tastes a little like lasagne, but different with the unique spices they use in the recipe like cinnamon and Bechamel sauce.

The villas in Greece are so charming and old with flowers and family stories.

I loved this photo because my grandfather's name was Leonidas.  He immigrated from Greece in 1912, and raised his family in the states, in my hometown!

One of my favorite pics is of the dancers with their unique and festive clothes.

Loved the expression on Francesca's face when eating one of the meat skewers haha.

The ruins in the background are the Acropolis, and the Parthenon is part of it.  The Parthenon is one of the most famous and influential structures in the world, and probably the most famous in Greece.

On the Island of Zakynthos....while Nel was making her presentation, Jess wandered around.  They found a church, and Jess lit a candle and said a prayer for me.  I thought that was so very special.

I'll show you more of their Greece trip in the days ahead.  Since Father's Day is approaching, I'd like to share with my new blog friends a little about my own dad.

*I was fortunate to have a terrific dad.  He had a big smile and a twinkle in his eye.  He was always there for his kids if we needed anything, and I was very close to him growing up.  He had a garden across the street from our house, and I would go over there and help him water and pick veggies, and we would sometimes have long meaningful talks.  He was also a hunter, and I accompanied him at times on his hunting trips.  He worked for the phone company, and when I was a little older, I would visit him at the workplace, and he introduced me to many of his co-workers.  He was always out there in the yard sprucing things up, and making his house look nice.  He was a good husband and dad, and since I was the youngest, I had the least time with him before he left this world.  I was only 28, and not at all ready to lose someone so dear to me, but he filled my life with many good things, and I am thankful every day to have had such a great dad.

I'm the wee one on my oldest brother's lap.