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Friday, May 29, 2015

Greetings from Greece: Where We are Making a House a Home

The sun at 6 pm is far from setting over the mountains of Greece's Messina Mani.  It doesn't happen this time of year until 8:30 p.m. or so. We know, because watching it set is one of the treats we give ourselves each day.


We've been back in The Stone House on the Hill  for ten days now. It was our destination after an incredible month-long magic carpet ride through exotic places with wonderful new friends in our floating community aboard Oceania's Nautica. Already it is serving its purpose as a great European home-base for travel as our flight from Rhodes to Athens was only 40 minutes long - much better than that long haul back to Seattle!


Nautica in Alanya Turkey
As I wrote earlier, it was difficult to say goodbye to so many new friends and to close the chapter on that marvelous cruising adventure through the Far and Middle East. (Because the blogging programs are still not cooperating, I'll save the photos and tales of those Arabian Nights for future posts.)


The Stone House (far right top row)
For now we are settling into life in our Greek daydream-turned-reality. Much like I reported last winter, within hours of our arrival, the two 'neighborhood cats' greeted us.  One seems to be well cared for and has been scarce but "Tom"who is appearing regularly, is showing a bit of wear and tear. We've started doctoring his wounds and bug bites (and feeding him to fatten him up). Yes, such is life on 'the hill'.


Lemon tree wine patio taking shape



We are focused for the next few weeks on more projects -- those smaller dreams of 'what could be', now that the daydream of owning a home in Greece has been realized. It hasn't all been smooth sailing, but with each new challenge there has been a sense of accomplishment as well.  One big accomplishment was installing internet at the house - it took only about 40 minutes after an internet provider was found. I am writing this without angling myself and computer to hook into someone else's signal -- a major milestone!


This year's olive crop is making an appearance
On this Friday morning the skies are blue and butterflies of rainbow hues flitter between the blooms in the garden.  We've spent our time in the garden today while waiting for electricians, plumbers, and contractors - and an appliance delivery van from Kalamata. Projects, projects, projects - making a list and checking it more than twice. Our 'to do' list seems to shrink by one item and then grow by two items each time we look at it.

This rose is outside the guestroom entryway
We are taking time to smell the roses - literally and figuratively. Tonight we are joining our neighbors for dinner at a café in a neighboring village - our welcome has been warm in this small 'hood on the hill.'

I'll try to touch base a bit more regularly without becoming a nuisance for those of you who are kind enough to receive our writings in your inbox.
 http://www.travelnwrite.com (if you haven't signed up; just follow that link and do so on our homepage - it is free and not a subscription.  As always thanks for the time you've spent with us ~ happy and safe travels to you~

Linking with:
Travel Photo Thursday
Weekend Travel Inspirations

44 comments:

  1. Keep the posts coming. We love them.

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    1. Glad to hear you are enjoying them! Thanks for writing.

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  2. Keep the posts coming. We love them.

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  3. Loved reading about your settling in phase at the 'hood on the hill. Your photos of the roses and olives add such a touch of home as well as your descriptions of checking off the list and watching it grow, too!

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    1. Hi Anita, As I wrote, we've been without the internet so I will now get back to reading other's blogs. Thanks so much for the comment and I'll check to see what you've been up to soon!

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  4. Just the words "Greek Isles" fill me with joy.

    I can relate to that To Do list, but I hope you are enjoying the process while you chip away at it.

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    1. Even the grubbiest of jobs are fun here. Of course we have had a couple of moments when things seemed not to be going as planned, but then that is the way of all home projects, right??? Thanks for the visit!

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  5. Welcome back to the land of the Internet! :) Looks and sounds like you are settling in nicely. Glad to hear that your furry friends have returned. Aren't they amazing? The didn't forget you two! I think you'll look back on this year and last as two years of real life changing adventure! Glad to have you back at Travel Photo Thursday :) #TPthursday PS...let's Skype again one of these days!

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    1. We are getting settled in and even gave ourselves a couple days off. Kinda nice getting up without a 'to do' list facing us. And yes, let's try Skype again - I have no idea what the time difference is between you and Greece might be. . .

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  6. Can I have your life? It sounds fabulous (except for all the chores). How long are you in Greece this time?

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    1. We have had 'our moments' like the day we painted and then found no water in the house for showers or now that we have no hot water as the immersion system corroded out BUT overall, it is pretty fantastic. . .if this is the 'final fling' as we've labeled it, we chose well! Thanks for the visit. We will be here until June 20th.

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  7. I'd spend more time in the beautiful gardens than doing projects.

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    1. Luckily the overgrown and neglected gardens are a big part of the projects list so on bad days we work inside and good days, outside. Thankfully most of the heavy duty projects are behind us! Thanks for the visit Gaelyn. I am loving your AZ reports.

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  8. It all sounds bliss...internet problems and all! After our month on the islands last year, I can say that you really are living the dream!

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    1. Yes Jenny this trip has definitely made us realize we caught that daydream and we are so glad we did! Thanks for stopping by!!!

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  9. Lovely post, it all sounds and looks delightful. Greece is on my wish list and I really enjoyed seeing your images. Enjoy your Monday and have a happy week ahead!

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    1. Hi Eileen, thanks so much for stopping by. Hope to get back to Mosaic Monday soon. Live writer is working again so I am half way there. Have a great weekend.

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  10. My sister and I were hoping to get back to Greece this year but it doesn't look like it's going to happen so I'll have to live vicariously through you - bad internet "service' and all!

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    1. Don't let all the headlines put you off, Kay. The Europeans are flocking here and there are travel deals to be had. Hope you two get here soon.

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  11. I always love seeing your photos! I read your comment on mosaic monday today and wanted to let you know that Windows Live Writer is not working for any of us now. I'm having to learn to post in blogger. Enjoy your week! Hugs Diane

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    1. Oh Diane, I am so glad I posted that note to Judith as she alerted me to the fact that it wasn't just me -- I had been blaming our travel itinerary! Just after reading her response I went to the Blogger forum, lodged my two-cents worth of thought and by the next morning got several messages that it had been fixed!!! I was able to use it to do a post this week. Yay!!! Good luck, it should be up and running for you~ Hugs, Jackie

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  12. Looks like you are enjoying your new digs, spring must be awesome there!

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    1. Spring is awesome here, Noel. Not too hot and not too cold - amazing weather especially after the long spell of rain everyone tells us they had earlier this year.

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  13. What great photos...Greece...what a magical place.
    Thanks for following me..I am following you right back. :)
    xo

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    1. Thanks so much, BJ. I promise that when back in the States I will be a regular commenter, follower - just a bit limited here in Greece. Jackie

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  14. I know how much you love this region and it is such a treat to see you in Greece making the house your home. Can't wait to see and hear more.

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    1. So far so good and no regrets. . .I promise more updates now that Live Writer is up and running again. Thanks for stopping by Betsy!

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  15. oh it all sounds like bliss, regardless of the trials and tribulations. I hope you write a book! I love these sorts of stories about setting up house in a far flung destination. Well Greece is far flung for me. Happy home making, and thank you for stopping by my blog today. I look forward to the "women's restrooms" blog post. LOL

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  16. What a dream, living in Greece! (but I have to wonder, with all the 'news in the news' about the economy, are you concerned about the future of your investment/life there?

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    1. Hi there and thanks for the comment and question. . .you probably had the courage to ask what so many others have been wondering so I will do a post soon and answer your question. Thanks for sparking an idea - hope to see you among our commenter's often!

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  17. Looks lovely. I look forward to reading more about your settling into your house in Greece.

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    1. Thanks so much Donna for stopping by. I hopefully won't wear out my welcome with tales of the house!

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  18. Hi Jackie,
    Yey! It's nice to know that you're back at your dream house. (And hurray finally having you own internet connection.) What a perfect destination after your month long magic carpet trip. Good luck and enjoy your little projects. You're lemon tree wine patio looks lovely and relaxing. Enjoy!

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    1. Okay, I am at the dream house, the internet is working, Live Writer fixed its problem with blogger and the wine is cheap! Wish you two were here to help us enjoy the wine patio. . .one day I hope you'll see it in person! Thanks for stopping by~

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  19. How wonderful you have made your dream a reality with a house in Greece. We've been considering a home in Spain for a while but have yet to take the plunge.

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    1. Oh Shelley, you will know when the time is right. I can assure you we looked and pondered locations for several years, but when we found it - we knew this was it. Loving it all~ (you will too when you take the plunge)! Thanks for commenting, hope you'll do so often!

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  20. It's interesting that many bloggers write about the difficulties of leaving a home to travel or assume a more nomadic life but you point out that it also can be difficult to return home!

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    1. It was interesting the way our ship group became a community; I plan to write a post about it because it was so special an experience! Thanks for commenting Irene - see you soon at your blog!

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  21. So glad you have arrived safely back "home" in Greece! Very much looking forward to seeing more photos of your amazing cruise, as well as progress on your projects in the dream house!

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    1. Amy, thanks so much for the visits - I will be back into a regular blogging world soon. We now have internet here and we also are about to wrap up the projects that have filled every waking hour it seems!

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  22. Jackie, I am so very happy for you and Joel, as I know what it is to have found 'the place'. Your routine sounds lovely, chores and all, for without them, your beautiful gardens, flowers, and interiors just wouldn't seem as rewarding. My favourite space is that entrance to the guestroom; heavenly!

    Hugs,
    Poppy

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    1. Poppy, We said several times to each other, "We made the right decision!" and at the most unexpected of times -- digging a hole for a new rose, putting together a bookshelf, sipping a bit of krasi, whatever and whenever. Hopefully one of these days you will be walking through that guestroom door! Hugs, Jackie

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  23. You know me Jackie...I want to see more photos of the house renovation! When you can...please? :)

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