New Year's Eve Day and The Eve Itself

  

live music was all over the place downtown on the 31st.  heavy on the drumms, clarinet and dancing

this guy has been downtown for the past couple of days.  he writes out the history of the work, in this case the japanese ink block "The Wave", and then recreates it in side-walk chalk.  super cool

full streets.  some were silly enough to think that they could bring cars to the center, a difficult task on a good day.

full tavernas

in the evening we made it to nea silata for a big ol'family dinner.  evagelia cooked and it was absolutely wonderful.  the dinner included a roast with fruits, lamb, tirokafteri (spicy peppers with a feta cheese cream), green salads, eggplant with pork, beet salad, potato salad, profiterol (chocolate pudding with bread and cream), fruit salad, and a sweet bread for the new year. 

the kids table reminded me of grandma's house.  i forget how old i had to be to sit with the adults, but i remember being super excited. 

eleftheria and i were in charge of the green salads:

1. fresh iceberg, lettuce, mango, cashews, and mom's special poppy-seed dressing
2. spinach and arugula, yellow and heritage grape tomatoes, figs, with a honey dressing

they were both very different, and very well received

 

simos and i had the privilege of opening the champagne

xristo had the chance to have a drink, and held his glass like a true gentleman, and ended up polishing off the glasses (with xristina's help) of the two older girls, neither of whom found the drink to their liking

the traditional smashed pomegranate

all together now.

another fun, and family filled holiday. we really had a wonderful time and a fitting introduction to the new year.  we hope that everyone else found a place to celebrate and/or someone to celebrate with.

happy new year
seasons greetings
love luck and lollipops