Huff Puff "Can't blow this house down"

We are obsessed 😍 Front Door 

  Trades have been hard at work, some working seven days a week.

    Time is of essence, feeling of urgency is palpable.  House must be buttoned up, before cold rainy season hits Ikaria with its full force.

 

  Winds on Island can be ferocious during the winter. Rainy season can start early as October, bringing with it torrential downpours, continuing through March. Making it extremely challenging to work outside. 

  Thanks to our Albanian stone mason's, who are here faithfully all week,  first floor fully enclosed, minus doors, windows. If the weather holds they plan to button up 2nd floor. We have our fingers crossed. If anyone can do it these guys can. 

A TEAM

  We had hoped our carpenter Petros  & brother Vasilis would have doors & windows installed by now, but that was wishful thinking on our part. After all this is Ikaria. Ikarians work at their own pace. So our plan is to cover them with plywood for winter to keep element's out. 

  In all fairness most Ikarians not only have their primary jobs, they also have their gardens, vineyards, olive trees to tend to. Fall is harvest time for them.

Teddy  helping harvest 🍇 

We have hired Ari &Panagiotis, two locals to raise roof. Teddy has been told, they are best on Island, from what we have seen so far, we tend agree.

Panagiotis & Ari
Roof Maestro 

  Teddy ordered a crane to lift heavy center beam onto 2nd floor. Joist is 13cmX30cm, is carefully guided, put in place by Ari & Panagiotis. 

  If I were to be honest, I couldn't watch, or take photos, as huge, heavy, center beam was hoisted up, swinging freely too and fro, with only two guys on staging high up in air to receive it.

 After that hair raising experience. Rafters are  carved out to fit perfectly.  Carefully positioned into notched openings, allowing them to nest securely in place. 

Nesting rafters into notches

  Rafters are 3 meters long, weigh approximately 100 kilo, 220 pounds.

 One by one rafters raised up, put in place by Ari & Panagiotis, whilst standing on staging high in air. A feat not for faint-hearted.  To our amazement, trepidation, at no time, harness or any other safety equipment were worn. Icing on roof will be beautiful red Terracota tiles.

Studio apartment 
1bedroom with balcony-sleeping loft, kitchen,bathroom
Large terrace  alfresco dining
Views Island Chios & Turkey 🇹🇷 

 Teddy and I continue to be awestruck, witnessing lost arts, trades. Jaw dropping accomplishments with simple, rustic techniques, tools,ingenuity.

Rustic ladder

  While Teddy continues to manage, mason's, electricians, plumbers, roofers.

 Master Bath well under way, beginning to take its form. We hired Albanian named Christo, his specialty Morrocon style bathrooms. We are impressed with his ingenius, unique methods, we hope end results will be beautiful. 

  I will take you  from my crude sketch too his finished work, in my next blog. 

The beginning of 💡 Idea
Morrocon  bathroom

  This weeks glitch, one of many, involved an ordinary white ceiling light for master bath. 

  We have a small electric store that carries light fixtures. We stop by, only to find store owner wife who runs it wasn't there. Please check back later, husband says.  Later that afternoon we swing by only to find shop closed.  It's customary shops to close for afternoon naps 😴but never with a set schedule.

  Following day, store is open. I'm sorry, wife still not here. He offers us a manual to take home, maybe as a consellation prize.

  We find a fixture to our liking in catalog. Following day we return to order light fixture, eureka I see wife outside shop. Pull in, pull in, I excitedly say, afraid Teddy might not see her drive by.

  Upon parking, existing car she yells, don't come any closer, our son has covid I must quarantine for 5 days. Come back next week. We let out a joint Sigh 😕 drive away. 🚗 

  We look at each other to say, now famous saying.

                                  "ONLY  in IKARIA "

Chestnuts Galore 

 

   

Up Up and Away

 Happy place under 
 Beautiful Moria Tree

  We now officially have electricity, we're able too disconnect extension cord from our sweetheart of neighbors Dimitri & Kiki.  I never thought I would feel so excited to plug in our new full sized German made Liebherr refrigerator.  Geez I sound like I am  doing a commercial for them, but I am over moon when  I open its door, it's like heaven,  bright light comes on, and ohhh all that space inside. What a pleasure to reach inside grab a frosty cold drink on these hot, balmy, Mediterranean summers days &nights. 

Ice cold drinks

 Last few years we have been using a college dorm sized refrigerator, not self defrosting. If we turned temperature up, froze our eggs, turning it down left everything lukewarm. We could only freeze one thing at a time, that's only after you dug out iceberg.

Things I use to take for granted 🇺🇸 USA.

Ideal for what???

  We had looked online in Greece for light fixtures, we really didn't find any to our tastes. Visiting states, last September, we purchased lighting we loved, had them shipped over with our household items. We held our breath as we uncrated them hoping nothing was broken, we also took  a risk 🙏  that our electrician could convert them from 110 to 220. 

So grateful they all look work beautifully .

Farmhouse Dining room fixture

 I wanted to save you from writing too much, about drudgery and incessant waiting of long process of cement work. It takes 10 long days for cement ceiling in our bathroom to cure, then roughing in of electrical, plumbing . When completed, we can start long awaited finish work in master bathroom. 

Before photo's Master b/r being built

 

 What I am most excited about, besides having a toilet  with a Bidet seat installed,which my daughter Holly convinced me is a must have in our master bath. 

 We will be using a Technique in our bathroom called    (Tadelakt)  otherwise known as Moroccan plaster. It's been around for thousands of years, orginated Africa adopted method in Mediterranean, Middle east. Its a waterproof, decorative  lime plaster, mold, mildew resistant, with no grout lines involved.  Shower, countertop, sink, walls will all be constructed  from this  amazing ancient  technique.

 Looking forward to sharing outcome with you.

  

Studio Suite takes form
1st floor can see completed structure bathroom 

  I wanted to share a project my talented husband has been working on. Teddy built this artistic looking fence, that I fell in  love 🥰  with on pinterest. It adds character, interest to area we are developing  behind terrace.

Future area Ancient Clay pot & cactus 

 

 We cannot  believe how fast this summer has flown by. We hope by next May to open our doors invite family, friends to join us here in Greece  for spring, summer, fall 🇬🇷 😊 2023.

FYI Delta now offers direct flights Boston  ✈  Athens

 

Expect Unexpected

Time to stop smell flowers

Time to take a break from renovations, share lifes moments, storys, photos with you on Island of Ikaria. I hope some will make you smile, even laugh.

Gigantic Stone rightfully
named by Locals 
The Colo

We wanted to share a story that happened just last week. 

Our friend, Stone Mason, Mitsoe, asked for our help. He received a call from someone who wanted work done. Clients spoke only English, could we come along to interpret. I was very happy to oblige, it would  give me a chance to speak in my native tongue. 

Mitsoe hands his flip phone to Teddy to talk, get directions. 🙃 Service was terrible that day. My husband, thought he heard, our house is wooden brown house. Ok, Teddy says, I know right where that is, we will be there in 5 minutes. 

 Just to clarify there are no street names on our Island. Directions are given like this. Drive till you see 👀 a chicken coop on your right, take a left at olive tree then drive up hill till you pass a vineyard, look for a red car parked in driveway!  And thats folks is how GPS works on Ikaria.  

Sorry I got side tracked, back to story.

Three Wheel Truck
Great on ⛽ 

Four of us arrive at wooden brown house, myself, my husband, Mitsoe, his son Elvis. There are no doorbells on Ikaria. You make your arrival known by announcing yourself in a loud voice. Theodoros here, my husband says, they  respond, over here.

We walk around side of house to where they are relaxing on their terrace, sit down they say, can we offer refreshments, cold beer, something to eat. We politely accept drinks, small talk is made. Finally after a long silent pause, my husband finally  speaks up, so what type of stone work do you want Mitsoe to do? Quizzically, they look at each other, we have no need of stone work. Confused we look at each other, didn't you call Mitsoe to do some work? No they said.  

It became abundantly clear at that moment, we are at wrong 🏠 house. We awkwardly got up thanked them for their hospitality, left. 

  You are always offered Coffee, food whatever Ikarians have to share, even if you are at wrong house, you are always made to feel  welcome. We are still laughing about our faux pas.

Another day at office

We were driving through Platea ( Town Square)  

Noticed this sign.

NO CARS
NO MOTORCYCLES 
NO DONKEYS 
I GUESS THEY WANTED
TO BE INCLUSIVE

We hope we brought a little sunshine 🌞  to your day!

Coming Soon Renovation updates............

 

Spring has sprung

Spring has arrived Greece

Vagelies crew has finished forms for our foundation. We are excited to join old section to new.

We are ready to pour cement, Vagelies informs us in recent years new building codes have come into play, requiring structures to be inspected, before we can proceed.

Ok we say, when will that happen?

Beauracacy 

We have a problem, on Ikaria, we don't have inspector. 

 😳 Perplexed we ask, then how can we get inspected?

 Vagelies says, we wait for inspector to come from another island, maybe from Samos. If you are lucky they don't come at all, they just ask you to send photo's. We hope for latter

We have come to expect the unexpected on Ikaria.

 After weeks pass, we call to find out where we stand.

Kosta Architect says, regretfully inspectors they are on Strike. This is a frequent, challenging occurrence  in Greece.

Three weeks we are at Standstill 

While Teddy sorts out construction issues of new building.

 

I am working on interior of old section, searching diligently online for appliances, to compliment a rustic kitchen design.

 We have been told by our friend Georgia who has been great resource person,  Italy 🇮🇹 makes most stylish, functional ovens.

  After scouring internet, I whole heartily agree. I have found  Italian made stove, manufactured in Italy, by Franke. I chosen a bronze color, for its rich brown tones that will compliment, stone wall.

 Bronze Italian Oven

Oven arrives via ferry, 

transported to Frantato.

We excitedly un-crate it, cardboard  falls away,

You guessed it!  

Right model, ✅ Right brand

Wrong Color.

Same model, same style
Wrong Color

Its not that I don't like black stove, I actually  like it alot. 

My heart  been set on Bronze color. 

If you notice,  stove top, call it a Hob here in Greece. Comes separate from oven, hob has bronze knobs to match  stove that was ordered. I will have to order a new hob, with stainless steel knobs, if we choose to keep  black oven.

Looking for feedback!

                            

                                 🗳  Vote for :Bronze 

                                         Vote for: Black

Spring poppies

                      

Fruits of Our Labor

 Lemon Tree Very Pretty

Five months have passed since we officially became owners of property in Frantato. Plans have been approved, Gigantic boulders blasted away. Permits are in place, go ahead for new addition. Progress is being made.

Elias Jackhammers dynamite hole

 After dynamite pictures  of Backyard

 

Kalamata Olive 🫒  Lemon 🍋 Orange 🍊Peach tree's have been delivered, waiting for us choose a perfect spot to thrive, grow, bear fruit. We have chosen mature tree's for their ability to produce fruit this summer. So excited to have these beauties as part of our landscape. There is nothing quite like biting  into delicious, juicy, piece of fresh fruit.

I have purchased a beautiful hand woven basket  made here in Ikaria, just for that purpose, hopefully too fill it with fresh fruits.

I would be lying if I didn't say our yard is overwhelming. 

Very few spots where we can dig, plant, flower gardens, tree's, due to rocky terrain. We'll  have to come up with some pretty creative ideas for our landscaping. Most of our plants will be in Terracota  pot's, strategically placed around terraces. 

Planted Citronella/lemon Grass & Lavender 
Mosquito  🦟  repellent properties 

Rustic Herb garden: Thyme, Parsley, Mint

Saltillo Stone Tiles for our kitchen & Dining room have arrived  from 🇮🇹 Italy, are installed. For me this is most exciting stressful part, making decisions on finish work. Kitchen is a blank canvas, we hope to achieve a functional, warm, inviting, rustic kitchen design. 

Looking for Inspiration

Visions locally handmade farm table 
For our Dining room 

The challenge we face living on a remote island of Greece, buying  materials for renovations. Some things are readily available, but are choices very limited.  Example of this, hardware for our cabinets, there may be only three styles to choose from on whole Island. Best option we have, online shopping. Downside, you can't evaluate color, quality till arrives on Island.

Aegean Ferry

 

Imagine we  bought a beautiful heavy weight brass knob for our front door, only for it to be wrong size, we send it back on ferry, it's picked up by vendor at port in Athens, exchanged for smaller size, ferry won't depart from Athens for a few days because its running on winter schedule. Finally arriving back at port of Evdilos, delivered by courier, maybe 5 to 7 days later. I think you get picture. Waiting can be excruciating, slows down progress. Especially when we  already had contractor here to install, now we will have to wait for him to return. Ikarians  cannot and will not be rushed.

Traveling door knob

A shopping trip to Athens is much needed, alas with covid, seven hour ferry trip back & forth, winter boat schedule, its not something that can be easily done. If I am honest, I'm missing  luxury of dashing over to home depot, with its multitude  of choices. We are blessed in United States to have so many options available to us.

Athens

To curtail some of these issues, we have pared down our usa 🇺🇸 household items, what's left has been sent over on a container ship, to Greece. Vessel left Boston Harbor December 1st 2021, arrived safely Evdilos port of Ikaria, February 14th 2022.

Delivery from States

Included in shipment, a beautiful Teak Steamer Chair  purchased at garage sale for only $25.00. Teddy lovingly refurbished to its original state. It will fit perfectly on our front terrace, underneath shady Moira tree. Perfect for those revered afternoon naps, recommended by Blue Zones lifestyle. On  Ikaria, do not call between hours of 2pm-4pm, this is their siesta time, you'll find  many local shops closed during these time's. 

Cozy corner

 For now I am using lounge chair inside, reading, relaxing, enjoying morning sun, but mostly to escape the pandemonium of construction going on  outside.

Farmhouse light fixture 
Dining room

Included in our shipment, Rustic farmhouse light fixtures, bought while we were at home visiting on our last trip. Fixtures of course  will have to be converted from 110 to 220  Electrician assured us it can be done safely. Surrounding  ourselves sentimental items, family photos ,will make our house into a home

Welcome to our Home

Ancient Ones & Dynamite

Ancient one sits by doorway having Greek coffee
Square of Akamatra

Greek Orthodox Church near our property

Holidays are over so we can turn our full attention back on our property. We have run into some difficult, unusual problems. 

Teddy has just returned from a visit with our Architect Kosta, he explains to me, because our property is near a Greek Orthodox Church, an Ancient one (Priest) must be present during digging of our foundation. He tells me they must be assured there aren't any church artifacts or relics on site. If that did occur, construction would cease, an archeological dig would be necessary.  🙄  Needless to say it would have caused a major delay. Luckily we have not found any artifacts or relics on site so far, except for some old broken beer bottles.

Hammer

Difficult  problem, that we have, they have unearthed  a gigantic granite boulder. We have been told  it starts where addition is to be located, extends all the way to sea. Approximately 650 meters (2132 feet). As shocking, impossible as this sounds Ikarians have solutions for these type of challenges, they have co-existed, overcome, incorporated these giant  boulders into their every day life.

  First  they will try what they call a hammer, its a giant wedge like tool that they attach via back hoe. It applies one ton of pressure into boulder in hopes of splitting it into manageable sizes.  There are two types of granite here, shale granite, which machine can easily slice through, dense granite, which is unfortunately what we have on our property, not easily shattered.

  PLAN B "Dynamite lots of it. Ileas  is our heavy equipment  operator on site. He also is a certified dynamite technician. There are only 3 men on island that perform this type of  service. Luckily we have one working for us. Process  is to use a jackhammer to make holes in rock, big enough to accommodate a stick of dynamite, deep enough approximately 6 feet 10 inches down to fragment the boulder. He prepares 10 strategically placed holes which takes most of day. Then cars, people, heavy equipment are moved down road. He instructs everyone to take cover. Ileas is left alone to light long fuse, we hear him yell "Varda"  (which means run).

  The Boom was deafening, heard for miles around, rattling doors  and  windows. Just like that it was over. It is our first encounter seeing dynamite used. I would be lying if I was to say we weren't concerned about house incurring  damage, but upon inspection all was intact.  Dynamite  has done its job, boulder is split enough for Ileas and Nico to take  it away in large chunks. Some boulders will  be  kept used for septic system. As soon as site is cleared of debris they can begin to dig footings for new addition. 

Boulders removed all is well

 

Afterwards everyone gathers around our table, a fire is lit, men drink Greek coffee in dainty little cups, recapping success of today events, making a plan for tomorrow.

It always flabbergasts me to see these big greek guys with their huge rough hands sipping on these dainty, tiny coffee cup.

American coffee cup vs Greek coffee  cup