From Yaffe Group Tidbits Blog? Hello & Welcome!

If you’ve landed here from a link off the Yaffe Tidbits blogpost… hello and welcome to Kitoula’s Greek Food Journal!!! I’m Greek. This is my journal. It’s mostly about food.

My next post will be about a recent weekend trip to Toronto where Yianni and I had some delicious meals at some fantastic restaurants. We also met a couple of Toronto foodbloggers; Peter Minaki and Paula Costa. It was great meeting them both IRL!

Yianni and I also attended Toronto’s Theatre 20’s production of Sondheim’s musical Company with Greek-Canadian movie star Nia Vardalos; she’s the My Big Fat Greek Wedding gal. She luvs me on Twitter. I have proof…

 

So come back… I plan on posting all about our weekend in Toronto soon. Until then, kali orexi!

Farragut’s Dixie Lee Farmers Market

The Farragut’s Dixie Lee Farmers Market is located just outside Knoxville TN. While visiting Yianni’s brother and his family last weekend, my sister-in-law Rebecca took me to this adorable farmers market.TN Farmers 6It’s amazing how far into Spring they already are in Tennessee.  The flowers are in full bloom.TN Farmers 1Green leafy vegetables are abundant.

TN Farmers 2Just look at this kale!

TN Farmers 4This carpenter made wonderful Adirondack chairs.

TN Farmers 3Another vendor had this kitchen footstool from the 50’s. I think we had one just like this in my childhood home.TN Farmers 5But the vendor that caught my attention and my pocket book was Ophelia’s Charm, with her eco-friendly designs for the home, unique clothing and costumes, and “upcycled” creations. Her “UNPaper Towels” are genius! They’re made from high quality quilter’s cotton and backed with 100% cotton terry.TN Farmers 7Ophelia’s Charm snack bags and sandwich wraps are designed for fun and functionality. Made from 100% quality cotton and lined with food safe, BPA free, water-resistant nylon, these bags and wraps can be used over and over again.

If you’re in Knoxville TN, definitely take time to visit Farragut’s Dixie Lee Farmers Market. And you can also find Ophelia’s Charm on Etsy.

Wedding in Cancun Mexico

Last week Yianni and I went to my nephew’s wedding, Andrew Dallas to Amy Dunayevich, in Cancun Mexico at the Riu Palace Riveira Maya resort. I posted a bunch of photos on Facebook. Here are some highlights.

The Beach at Riu Palace Riviera Maya

The beach felt like Paradise. Or at least how I imagine Paradise to be.

Yianni on our balcony

Here’s a view from our balcony.

Amy and her parents

Amy was a beautiful bride and her parents are adorable.

Beautiful ceremonyIt was a beautiful ceremony and Amy’s gown was gorgeous. It was all lace. Can you find Amy’s Grandmother? So cute.

Married

It’s official! Thumbs up Andrew.

w00t! Married Lady!

We all had so much fun.

Proof I was there

Aren’t smart phones great?

DJ Ready - Time to Partay!

DJ is ready. Time to partay!

Amy and Andrew

Best wishes to the happy couple. So glad Yianni and I could be there to celebrate with you.

Yassou! Festival

Last weekend Yianni and I headed toward Grand Rapids Michigan to attend the Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival. Co-chairs Esther Caruso Koukios and David Darling did a fantastic job coordinating this wonderful weekend event at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

My cousin Becky is featured here in this promo on WoodTV8.

I loved spending the weekend with my cousins Stathi and Georgia.

I’ve been to several Greek festivals but this one is definitely my favorite. The food was delicious. Look at all this souvlakia!
The pastries were incredible. My favorite was the galaktoboureko, a semolina-based milk custard in phyllo.
Music was performed by The Levendes and the Greek dancers were adorable.
You should definitely plan on attending next year. Here’s a slideshow of my photos of Yassou! Enjoy!


Like it says on the Yassou! t-shirt: Eat! Dance! Be Greek!