As a Career Counselor, I spend at least 40 hrs/wk talking with clients about what they love and encouraging them to think outside the box about how they can incorporate the things they love into a career. This blog is about what I love…food. It’s a passion because it not only makes me happy; it brings me joy. I love to cook. I love to bake. I love to feed people. But above all…I love to eat. Many memories that I hold most dear to my heart center around food. From my grandmother teaching me to make her homemade pie crust 10 years ago to eating my favorite Greek dessert, Loukoumades, on Olympic Beach in Greece when I was 14.
This blog will document not only my many treasured memories created through food but also the new food adventures I’m excited to take in order to create new ones.
I’m From Baklava and Ouzo ~ Andrea Karapas
I’m from Baklava and Ouzo,
Trees of pomegranates and figs,
Flaming cheese, feta and pita bread
From fried octopus and squid.
The smell of garlic and oregano
Traditional stuffed cabbage and grape leaves,
From olive oil that flows like a river,
Yes, I’m from a family that eats!
I’m from outdoor cafes and strong coffee,
Late dinners that start when others go to bed,
Sappy Retsina wine and belly dancing,
Looking away from the fish still with its head.
Singing along with the Bazouki,
Breaking plates and a kiss on each cheek.
From clapping along with the music,
Opa! and dancing with a handkerchief.
I’m from green-blue clear water,
Live sponges from the sea,
Watching the daring cliff divers
And hanging from branches of olive trees.
From playing paddle ball on the beach,
Being buried in the sand,
Motorcycle rides with Theo Jim
And washing clothes by hand.
I’m from old men with worry beads,
Many cousins, uncles and aunts,
Snapping green beans with Thea,
And sitting in Yia Yia’s lap.
From taking taxis to the village,
To Theo John’s slow donkey rides,
Eating chick peas by the handful,
And watermelon right down to the rind.
You’ve probably heard of the Gods,
Mt. Olympus and famous Zeus,
Apollo and Athena,
The Acropolis, Parthenon and the ruins.
Maybe you’ve read from the Illiad or the Odyssey,
Heard the myth of the Trojan Horse,
Root of democracy and the Olympics
Greece is my cultural identity source.
I'm From Baklava and Ouzo...a love story 
Andrea~
WOW! You are an incredibly talented writer and poet! I LOVE the theme of your blog, and how it is so easy to see what a passion you have for it! Your pictures look very professional, and your baklava looks like it belongs on Food Network. I’m so excited to follow this blog!
Thanks, Christie! You truly are my inspiration. Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
Yay for your new blog. I’ve been waiting patiently, and the wait was well worth it! I am so excited to follow your journeys!
Great job on your blog, Mom! I love you! 🙂
Andrea ~
I’m here because of your joint blog with Kristin; I’ve known her for a little over 6 months now and love her reviews. I am also a writer, tinkering with a blog (i.e. not yet on a consistent posting schedule) and quite rusty on my poetry…among other things.
I’ve always enjoyed eating out, until I discovered my love and natural knack for gourmet cooking – especially Mediterranean. But even more, I love Greece. I’ve often commented that it’s the only other country I had any interest in seeing – for many many years, for many reasons. (My husband had planned a cruise there for my 60th birthday this summer, but it’ll have to wait…maybe my 65th :~)
I am so glad I decided to visit your site – an enriching repertoire of 3 of my most desirous loves. Your poem so aptly makes known you and your culture – *Love* it!
Kathy, Thank you so much for visiting my blog! Your comments are thoughtful. I appreciate the positive feedback. I’m new to the blogging world and it’s so nice to get a little exposure for my writing.
I hope to meet you soon and I hope you get to Greece. It’s my favorite place on earth. Take care.
Yasou, Andrea! I’ve really been enjoying your blog – you have me craving Loukoumades now! I’d really love to connect and see how we may be able to work together. Thanks!
Hi Andrea
Just a quick note to let you know I am fixing the egregious error on my blog where I failed to credit your photo! I am so sorry for the mistake. FYI, I love your 10 weeks/10 pies theme. Gorgeous and mouth-watering pies! My kids are pie crazy so we’re going to pick one and go for it. Happy blogging 🙂 Julia
No problem! I’m still trying to figure out how to protect my writing and photos on the web. Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you checking out my blog. Good luck with the pie.
Have you cooked any Chinese food yet??
Let me correct what I wrote before, you should be a writer, a cook, AND a poet!!!
Ahh…brings back memories of Greece. That ouzo is some toxic stuff!
Hi Andrea! Your blog is great and so your poem,it brings me sweet memories from back home..!