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| Vineyards awakening |
Terracotta pots, along with painted olive oil cans, begin to appear on terraces, balconies, filled with a variety colorful blooms.
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| Olive oil cans |
Taverna owners can be seen repairing their wind damaged thatched roofs. Newly painted cafe tables, chairs, stacked high, waiting to be placed outdoors, in hopes there will be a tourist season.
Newly born baby goats, with wobbly legs follow their moms, leaping from rock to rock. I was lucky enough to cuddle my neighbors one week old baby goat. While holding her I realized Springtime offers a feeling of hope,renewal, better days to come.
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| One week old baby 🐐 |
Much too our surprise & delight, wheels have begun to turn slowly. Architect has told us we can begin work on existing structure while we wait for permitting process. To say we are excited, is an understatement.
Mitsoe, his son, two helpers, possess knowledge, skills, craftsmanship, of the lost art Master Stonemason. Mitsoe for last 30 years has been renovating Stone houses on Ikaria. He learned his trade at a young age, in his homeland of Albania 🇦🇱 .Teddy and I agree we are lucky to have secured Mitsoe, his crew,to restore Frantato Stone house.
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| Mitsoe |
To begin renovations, reqires removing existing Sovas, inside out!
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| Removing Sovas |
It's hard to believe under all that cement is a beautiful stone house waiting to be uncovered. Sovas was done back in day when they thought cement would reinforce a house. Equates to paint being removed from wood, uncovering its natural beauty. I have to admit I am both skeptical, apprehensive this diamond in rough can be transformed into a charming farmhouse.
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Can this really be transformed?
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Mitsoe will pressure wash stone inside and outside, after all plaster is removed, Armoloi is then applied in between stone. Armoloi is a mixture of cement, porcelain,sand. Special bonding porcelain is found only off coast of Santorini. This unique porcelain bonds, strengthens mixture. Electricians will lay his rough wiring then wires are covered with armoloi mixture.
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Before renovation begins
We will update you on our progress.
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Footnote:
I must share this story, as I am so touched by it. Every morning my husband opens door, steps outside, checks weather, admire view, breathe in fresh air. I hear him say, you have flowers out here again.
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| Calla lily |
Almost weekly since Springtime has arrived, we've discovered beautiful bouquets of wild 💐 flowers wrapped in foil, just outside our door. At first, we weren't sure who was leaving them, we had our suspicions. One night we could hear movement on terrace, Teddy peeked through curtains saw Angliki, an Ikarian lady who lives up hill from us, carefully placing exquisite blooms on our stoop. I am so moved by generosity, kindess of Ikarians it inspires me to try to do better, be better.
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| Ikarians hospitality |
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