Clean Monday Rain

It's raining right now. It has been since last night. Again. Non stop. You can't see the rain in this photo, but you can see the swallows sheltering from the water pouring down. I counted 43 birds, and they didn't move in the slightest even though they saw me. Yep, it's raining that much.

I guess noone flew a kite today. I felt bad for the gypsy boys who were selling them along the road. Hopefully next year.

Kites on Trees

Clean Monday

Today it's Clean Monday in Greece. It's the first day of Lent that leads up to Easter, and of course a movable feast.

Kyra Sarakosti, by Olympias

The term for this day, Clean Monday, refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. The widespread Greek custom of flying a kite on Clean Monday symbolizes the beginning of Lent with a clean conscience, with forgiveness, and with renewed Christian love. It is common for children to make kites and fly them especially on this day -well, with a little help from mum and dad...

Metal kite embellishment, by fastrunningfox

Long sleeved onesie, by BHBKidstyle

This day is a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus and people often have picnics. Eating meat, eggs and dairy products is traditionally forbidden to Christians throughout Lent, with fish being eaten only on major feast days, but shellfish is permitted, and so it is a custom to consume shrimps, calamari, taramasalata (a dip made with fish roe), clams and shells. We also make or buy the traditional lagana, which is a kind of bread (if you speak Greek you can read the recipe there too, but you can see the pictures of it anyway). Other delicacies include tahini halva, revythokeftedes (chick pea balls), tomatokeftedes (tomato balls) and dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice).

Frutti di Mare Pizza, by PetitPlat

Sushi pincushion ring, by swiedebie

Picnic bag, by oneperfectday

Vine leaves, by FoxInTheBox

Apple cozy, by woolicious

Picnic blanket, by SewnNatural