Veni. Vidi. Vici. Vino. Let’s conquer wine. Why are we passionate about wine? Let’s count all the ways: (and discuss our favorites, below)

1. It gets better with age. Fine wines and aged cheddars, etc.
2. Wine o’clock –it gives everyone permission to stop and relax.
3. Tapas were invented because the Spaniards allegedly wanted to keep flies out of their wine glasses; hence, tapas were the small plates that they set on top of their goblets. Brilliance!
4. Antioxidants. Flavanoids. Retinol….and …the buzz. 🙂
5. Wine tasting parties. Another good excuse to get together.
6. Perfect gifts for hosts, housewarmings and holidays. Triple H!
7. Napa Valley and Sonoma. Wineries. Vineyards.
8. Wine Spectator magazine is beautiful. You will become more interested in wine when you read it.
9. The wine bottle labels. Admit it—you sometimes choose the bottle based on the pizzazz of the labels.
10. You paint better at Pinot’s Palette because the wine loosens you up.
11. Those cute little wine fridges. Or the shelves in your basement that you can call your wine cellar.

Here are a few of my favorite wines:

• Earthquake Red Zinfandel
• Predator
• St. Supery
• Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc
• Pascual Toso Malbec
• Seven Falls Cabernet Sauvignon
• Coppola Claret
• everything  Coppola
• Saldo
• Caymus

Sangria –wine with a twist….requires its own blog. (on link below).

Sangria! Salud!

photos by Gina

For regular wine reviews, it’s free to subscribe to gypsyfamilytravel.com

‘Tis the Season for Christmas gift shopping! Teacher gifts, neighbors, relatives, etc…..Here are some ideas you can get from local Tulsa artisans and vendors. We’ll be at CHOCS: Coffee House on Cherry Street on Dec. 8, Thurs. 5-8 p.m. but you can also contact greekmuse@cox.net to get in touch with any of the vendors or host a trunk show. We can gift wrap, too. For a break from scented candles and wine gifts….we’ll have a variety of items for a range of ages. Bring your friends and daughters….

Jewelry……

Organic soaps and gift sets…..

Travel book with international  recipes included:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/069271393X/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Custom made suede clothing……

Stationery and adult coloring book….

Enjoy music, artisan coffee and decadent desserts…. while you get your holiday shopping done and enjoy mingling with friends. See you at CHOCS on Dec. 8th, Thurs. 5-8 p.m.

 

 

A darling and charismatic daughter of a lovely friend of mine  has the most unique hobby of being focused on all things Christmas. She is known as the “Christmas Girl” because of her passion for Christmas and her Deck the Halls Instagram account.  If the eyes are the window to the soul….her twinkling eyes reflect the sparkle of the Christmas spirit. In getting to know her, I was intrigued by her Christmas passion and decorating hobby so I asked if I could interview her for my blog. At such a young age, I was impressed to find her so detailed about her Christmas logistics and planning methods!

How did all this get started?

Ever since I was little, I liked it because my family came to town and we all got to be together. I started to like the decor of it and the different outfits and the lights outside.  Then, I learned to love different aspects of it.

How old were you when you started to focus on it?

Around ten years old,….but I started to understand it around eight years old. It was about family.

What was your first project with Christmas planning?

When I was eight years old, I went upstairs and started labeling boxes and organizing everything and then I liked it and thought this would be fun to do all the time! I watched Christmas videos and DIY’s (do it yourselfs)  through the year and I have alot of things I made before. Those were the projects I started with….

Does this delve into Christmas baking, too?

Yes. My dad taught me a recipe with corn flakes where you melt marshmallows and add green food coloring. We put cloves and red hots on it.

Do you entertain at your home for Christmas or go to  relatives’ houses?

We switch off sometimes. Mostly, it’s at my grandparents house. (Her mother and her showed me their Christmas Keepsake book full of recipes, photos of grandmothers, etc…and other Christmas details.)

You kind of come by this genetically! 

(Her mother responded here) : The reason for the season. She loves God and Christ.

What ‘s in the file folder?

Each year is a different theme. I plan what’s it is going to be and I take photos of a sketch of where I want everything to be in the whole house. I know exactly what everything is and I label it with a number.  The frosted Christmas tree there, garland on the mantle, etc, numbered and labeled  —all done by summer.

Do you see yourself having a future career as a holiday planner?

I’d do it on the side. I want to be either in medicine, law or a politician but I  also really like design.

You said the kids come up to you and call you the Christmas girl. Is that because you have an Instagram account?

When I started at my new school, everyone came up to me and knew I was obsessed with Christmas. I talk about it all the time. Upper classmen asked me, “Are you the Christmas girl?”

What’s the name of your Instagram?

deck_the_halls_ _     ( 2 underscores at the end)

Will you make business cards to help people plan their holiday?

When I was little, I made a sign that I hung up in the neighborhood to help people start putting up decorations.

Like Christmas Consulting?

Yes, and helping them decorate if they don’t want to do it.

What is the meaning of Christmas to you?

Mostly just a time to spend with my family and experience all these traditions we have and the reason for the season for my religion.

What bugs you about how Christmas has become commercialized?

I’d be fine if there werent’t any presents! It doesn’t make up why I love the season. I love hot chocolate stands, lights and the fact that people are so much nicer during the holiday season.

People think more about philanthropic giving at that time. Do you have a favorite charity?

I have a hot chocolate stand and donate the proceeds go to a kids Cancer foundation or animal shelter.  I asked my whole class to make Christmas get well cards to the cancer foundation. They had cute notes in them.

When is your hot chocolate stand?

Sometime in December on a weekend; maybe the second weekend of December. This year it will be Dec. 17th. I usually have my hot chocolate stand  on the corner of 37th Wheeling.

5,800 people follow my Instagram. Companies send me notifications through direct messaging about sending me products, etc.  so that I’ll cover them on my account but so far I’ve declined.

What foolproof theme would you suggest to a novice Christmas decorator?

I make collages of photos from Pinterest and I put them together to gather my design ideas.

 

What would you instruct someone to do for their first attempt at this?

It depends on what theme you want— like Winter Wonderland, or Candy Cane theme…..I’d stick with the traditional red, green and gold colors  because that’s what you’ll see at most stores. You’ll have the most inspiration with those colors. Stick with garland, centerpieces and what your tree will look like. Stick with one theme; don’t overwhelm with lots of themes in different rooms.

What about the first Christmas feast to try?

A big ham. Ham, turkey, duck, —a traditional meat with different sides like mac and cheese, green beans, etc. and a homemade dessert, like a homemade pie.

What’s your favorite gift to give to people?

Something homemade. The “Open When” cards I showed you—, open when [you’re in a certain mood] and different baskets with stocking stuffers.

Do you have a favorite Christmas candle scent to burn?

I go to Bath and Body Works for all of my candles…Twisted Peppermint or Vanilla Bean Noel are my favorite scents.

Do you have a mulling spice recipe?

We have a pine tree and I’ll combine that with cinnamon. I’ll contrast the two together—the balsam pine scent with pine cones and cinnamon stuff. Put them with boiling water and it scents your whole house.

Do you have a favorite store for Christmas shopping?

For decor mostly, I’ll find little boutiques in places and we’re going to Montreal, Canada where I’m excited to do Christmas shopping. Hobby Lobby is good for Christmas stuff.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

I enjoy watching Hallmark movies. I record several that I watch non-stop. I like Home Alone, too.

What’s your favorite Christmas carol or song?

I like Cold, December Night by Michael Buble.

What’s your favorite book?

The traditional story of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. The cartoon movie. The Grinch and Buddy the Elf.  My favorite story is probably the night that Jesus was born. It’s a traditional thing my family reads so that’s where I get the most traditions from.

What’s the best gift you’ve received?

When I was 3 years old I asked Santa for a guitar with pink poodles painted on it and I got it.

What’s the best place to see Santa Claus?

Utica Square Santa House.

What’s the main thing you want people to enjoy about Christmas?

Christmas is a time that warms your heart and you feel loved by everyone. Everyone is calm and hangs out with their families and watches Christmas movies. It’s a fun time of year. It’s the coziest and most fun time of year. I had a Christmas week with my dad who took me on a Christmas lights helicopter tour and the Polar Express train.

“Christmas is about doing things with family that celebrates the reason for the season—celebrating Jesus.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My fun and vivacious cousins introduced my relatives and me to a wonderful neighborhood of St. Louis called Soulard! After viewing the famous Arch again, we headed towards Soulard which peaked our curiosity with my cousin’s descriptions.

Located within 2 miles south of downtown St. Louis, we stopped in the enchanting and historic French neighborhood named for Antoine Soulard who developed the area. (read about him in link below).On the way to a brunch at Soulard Coffee Garden,

we passed the historic Anheuser Busch St. Louis Brewery  (which I had toured during my twenties). The smell of  yeast was powerful as we drove passed it to the impressive row houses and apartments.

Historic churches, restaurants, bars and the stately and noble architecture of Soulard conveyed the historic feel of the time period when this attractive area was built. The live music of jazz and blues happens in these bars but Soulard is most famous for its Farmers Market which is reportedly the oldest farmer’s market west of the Mississippi.

It was lovely to slow down on a Saturday morning with out of town relatives having brunch in this alluring area. Highly recommended!

www.explorestlouis.com/things-to-do/neighborhoods/soulard/

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20567

photos by Gina Kingsley

International travel recommendations (lodging, restaurants, excursions, etc) like this can be found in my book, A Magic Carpet Ride. Proceeds from the book are being donated to various charities. (available on Amazon or directly from me.) Link below.

www.amazon.com/dp/069271393X/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

 

Straight down the Main Street of Kansas City, I always get the feeling of a big city without the congested traffic (usually) of a metropolis. The architecture stuns and the signage delights. Immediately, a tourist can sum up the history and nostalgia as well as the modern thrills.Do I look left or right? Or straight ahead? I don’t want to miss a thing! The proportions seem perfect and the culture and international flavor awaits around each corner. Whiskey distilleries, steakhouses, murals, trolleys, specialty grocery stores, boutiques, breweries, museums, live music and art galleries galore…..this is Kansas City.Just to name a few museums you can reach off of Main Street from the Country Club Plaza alone, there’s the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Kemper Museum, the Money Museum, Union Station’s Science City museum (and planetarium inside) and the impressive World War I Museum. This panoramic view of KC reminds me of everything exciting on each side of town.The city pride of the professional sports teams definitely contributes to the spirit here and this lawn was where throngs of KC Royals fans gathered when they won the World Series. Each time I visit, I learn about more of the eclectic districts: Power and Light, Westport, Crossroads Art District, City Market area, Brookside, Waldo, West Bottoms,  etc. Southwest Boulevard is a new favorite pocket for us to explore. On the way there—voila! We found the Boulevard Brewery. We are planning on going there for samples and a brewery tour next time.

Years ago, most tourists associated the Plaza and Crown Center with KC’s highlights, (and they are worth visiting!) but each time I visit, I discover new favorites. I have to do it justice by focusing on one district at a time so I will stop here and just celebrate the skyline.

photos by Gina Kingsley

Whether we were at an opulent setting or the most rustic of fields, saris were a major focal point of our India experience. The celebration of color and femininity was something to admire in the India landscape.

India —a sea of colors. Whether it’s at a simple food stand or the resplendent Taj Mahal, a vibrant sari is around every corner. Is daily dressing a celebration for the Indian female? The combination of colors, the choice of sari, the bangles, the jewelry,…I took a photo of these ladies at the Amber Fort in Jaipur and was lucky enough to get in a photo with them. I wrote about what that moment revealed to me in my travel memoir.

Saris evolved from three piece garments and have changed throughout history.  There have been saris that exposed the navel and covered the navel. I was fascinated to learn that the reason for exposing the navel was because it represents the source of life and creativity. There is so much history and information about the history of the sari and I was impressed to learn that there are more than 80 ways to wear one!

Stories about India can be found in the book, A Magic Carpet Ride. Profits from the book go to various charities.

all photos by Gina Kingsley

www.amazon.com/dp/069271393X/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:

Travel Lesson Plan: Integrate the Concepts

 

Driving down the streets and highways of India took a Herculean strength of visual patience. Our eyes absorbed so much activity, so many details and so much new comprehension of lifestyles in a new land. The second most populated country in the world presented us with much to see and absorb.  Food stands, shepherding, farming, outdoor barbershops and various other occupations were in co-existence on these hustle-bustle streets of India.The lightweight fabric of mens’ clothing allowed them to spend long days in the heat, doing their rigorous tasks. The delicate, colorful and feminine fabrics of the ladies’ clothing were in juxtaposition to their hard labor. If fascinated me to see this duality.

What irony to find in my photos a picture of a modernly dressed shepherd wearing a t-shirt titled “Highways”…as we drove past him on a highway between Agra and Jaipur.The colors were vibrant and popped out among the debris and pollution. The fields and shacks could never seem “simple” with such imagery.Driving down the highway, we saw tuk-tuks and heard nonstop beeping of horns. I was astonished later to discover the ladies in this photo who were sitting so elegantly in the back of this truck. As I cropped in on the photo, I was desperately curious to know what their thoughts were on this truck ride. Their gaze penetrates me. Their scarves have now become the prettiest green I’ve ever seen…I’ve renamed it India- green and that’s how I’ll always think of that shade.A rusty old truck transporting these elegant ladies in their India-green scarves…..their jobs might be simple in reality but all I see is opulent hues and regal females.By far, my favorite visual memory of India (other than the Indian wedding I attended)  might be this food stand photo. A hot day, a cold shot of espresso (probably) and the succulence of fruits. All the imagery together is how I’ll remember India.  A kaleidoscope….tapestry….. mosaic….right there on the streets of India.

Photos by Gina Kingsley

Different and in-depth stories about India can be found in the book,  A Magic Carpet Ride. Profits from the book go to various charities.

www.amazon.com/dp/069271393X/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_UboHxbXESC34V

Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:

Travel Lesson Plan: Integrate the Concepts

 

Grapes galore. As far as the eye can see…. vineyards, wine-tastings, a soothing landscape in a perfect climate. Napa Valley is the destination for a relaxing getaway, yet, it’s also an  informative and interactive trip experience!

Napa and Sonoma, with their vineyards, resorts and cosmopolitan restaurants are close to the exciting San Francisco. When we went there ten years ago, our itinerary included San Francisco which is always worth revisiting again and again.We stayed in a vineyard bed and breakfast, built in the gorgeous Spanish style architecture perfectly fitting for California. The pool and grounds made it a quiet retreat for us as this was our first trip leaving our three young sons back home with relatives.

 

All in all, I think we toured three wineries and tried to remember the words of others who advised us not to actually drink each swig of wine during a tasting….just sip, taste and spit. This was challenging to do so we were a bit drowsy on our first tasting.

It’s a good idea to visit a range of wineries—from simple to luxurious. Our wine tasting finale was at a luxurious winery  up a winding road to the fabulous estate where our names were listed on a welcome sign at the entrance gate. The private car collection in the garage was like a museum experience with its vintage cars, sports cars and minibus! When you look out onto the rolling hills, you can see why people have their weddings at wineries and vineyards of Napa Valley! It’s all the decor one would need for an elegant event.

We learned so much information about winemaking but also cheese tastings and pairings! We also toured the wine cellars and learned how some wineries blew out their spaces with dynamite to create thousands of square feet for their oak barrels.Oakville Grocery was recommended to us by friends so we went looking for it and happily found it in both Napa but also again in San Francisco! HEAVENLY! A deli, a grocery, a bakery….rolled into one. We bought lunch and ate outside on the back patio of this other-worldly grocery store.

A drive to the neighboring Sonoma was utterly delightful because of the scenic landscape and the change in architecture and ambience. What Santa Fe is to Taos, Napa is to Sonoma (in my opinion). My husband preferred Sonoma. I may just have to go back to decide. The  historic significance of this region is conveyed in its Mexican colonial style. We saw a building in the town square which used to be military barracks. Sonoma is charming and quaint and it’s popular to do bike tours of this fetching area.

www.sonomavalley.com/?utm_source=maddenmedia&utm_medium=googlecpc&utm_content=visit&utm_campaign=dmcasv17

Since we crave mass humanity and can only relax so much, we ventured onto San Francisco, a favorite of ours. We flew in and out of Oakland and it was a perfect, short amount of days away on our first trip sans children. For the expense of flying all that way, you might as well include another big city destination. The rental car we took between cities was a convertible. Driving through the mountains while singing oldies on the radio was a great way to start our first couples vacation. Napa and Sonoma are highly recommended American treasures!

Tulsa’s oldest ethnic festival is one of our city’s  favorite weekend experiences. What a way to celebrate the culmination of summer while ushering in fall… all in the same weekend! (Sept. 19-22) Church tours, cuisine, shopping, and entertainment information is on our website (see link below).  While our festival traditions are always the cornerstone of our brand, we also bring new features to introduce to our Tulsans and visitors from all over the state.

New Additions to the Tulsa Greek Festival…

Get Your Kicks at Greek 66-  Best Lil Stop in OPAHOMA- Tulsa’s Greek Festival is located on Route 66 under our big tent and on our church and community center’s grounds. As the oldest ethnic festival in Tulsa, how nostalgic is it that our festival is located on such a historic route! Our marketing team likes to freshen up our brand with iconic state themes as a nod to our loyal Oklahoma customers who attend from far and wide within the state. Get your dance kicks at Greek 66!

In 2019, we are featuring a new Temple of Fire which is our Saganaki (Fried Cheese) booth. Like our Squid Shack, we now have a Saganaki Shack.

Every food area will have drinks and we’ll also have a stand alone frozen drinks area.

Another new feature in 2019 is our pre-packaged cheese, meatball and loukaniko for purchase at the Marketa. Loukaniko (sausage), keftedes (meatballs) and saganaki (fried cheese) are new food items since 2018.

Admission is $5 for adults after 6 p.m. on Thurs. and Fri, all day on Sat. and Sun. and kids are free all weekend.

Corporate lunches and catered lunches – information on website.

The “new-ish” logo ,“OPAHOMA”,  combines Greek pride with state pride. “OPA!” is a term which expresses passionate spirit, similar to “yahoo!” The term “opahoma” is designed in the shape of our state. It’s also a way to thank Oklahomans for the half-century of support for our festival.

“We’re bringing KEFI back!”- the street party vibe of decades past—we’re bringing it back this year and want you to help us! Plan to stay late or arrive late for this night party atmosphere : 8:00 p.m. on. We have adult dancers again this year who will perform and then invite the customers to join us in easy Greek dances.

History…

In the beginning there was no marketa, no loukoumathes, no formal entertainment….just dinner and baklava.  Eventually, through the years, Tulsa’s Greek Festival added special touches. Wine tricks, honey puffs, church tours, non-stop dancing on stage, bakery items, delicious Greek food and much more can all be found every September at 12th Guthrie in Tulsa. Tulsa’s oldest ethnic festival originated in 1961.  Ideas evolved from several parishioners with an innovative spirt.

Reportedly, in 1960, parishioners discussed a dinner idea with a fellow Greek who was the  manager of Tulsa Hotel.  Giving the church members a room in the hotel and use of the kitchen was the opportunity that became the first Greek Festival (in 1961, approximately). It was a one-night dinner and the customers were Greeks and their close friends. The committee was made up of chairmen, cooks, assistants and volunteers and they gave parishioners ten tickets each to sell.  Everything grew from there!

The original menu was lamb, rice, pastichio, Greek salad, dolmathes…..Pictured here are the original tickets.

The original ticket price was $2 . The outcome was a good start for the church members. At that time, the community was building a new church hall. They had two festivals a year with about 1,000 customers attending. They gauged this from the 1,000 kabobs (souvlakia) they served. The original festival was accomplished on one refrigerator, one sink, and one oven. The neophyte team was strong and full of energy and they continued to hold the festival  every year after 1962.

At that time, several female volunteers dressed up like Greek goddesses and served the dinners. Years later, some volunteers wore regional Greek costumes and accessories as their attire.  Two young boys, dressed as Greek Evzone soldiers, were the entertainers, dancing every hour.  The sight of the cooks in their aprons coming out to dance for the crowd is a favorite memory for many. This has remained a tradition  through the years, usually on the last night of the festival weekend.

The menu developed through the years, as well.  Kalamari (squid) and souvlakia  (kabobs) became favorite additions and one of the  most progressive developments to the festival was lamb. The cooks presented the idea and eventually it became accepted. It has been a tradition now for ten years or so. In 2016, a new item was introduced: “Greek fries” which is an appetizer topped with a  special seasoning, feta cheese and oregano.

The Greek dance groups are enjoyed not only  by the parishioners but also by the spectators who appreciate that the tradition of regional dancing is being preserved and passed down to the church youth. Lately, a live band and emcee have become worthwhile and engaging additions.

VIP NIGHT- The theme of “Santorini Night” beckons the customer to wear casual or dressy white attire and enjoy gourmet food, auctions and entertainment. Reservations must be made in advance for this event. – information also on website. (This event takes place on alternate years so check the website from year to year..)

Greek week–For the first time ever, in 2016, we offered almost an entire week of events with the festival itself being the finale.

Tulsans ask every year “when is the Greek Festival?”, “Did I miss it?”, etc.. so we came up with a poem to help you memorize the date….(except for the year of 2017)…

“Never forget; always remember, it’s the third week of every September.”

www.tulsagreekfestival.com 

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Corfu is so lush because of the rainfall this island gets. Most Greek islands are rocky and barren but Corfu is green, lush and colorful with its florals. Being on the Ionian Sea side, the landscape was different from the Aegean Sea side and the influence was Italianate and Venetian in some areas. This decorative jewel of the Ionian islands was full of astounding beauty, delectable cuisine and its own special fruit- the kumquat.In Corfu, no matter where we sat to dine and take in the view, we were surrounded by beauty. The landscaping of any restaurant garden was resplendent. One particular town we drove to, at the recommendation of the villa proprietor, was called Perouales. We drove up to Perouales to have lunch there and we were stunned by what we found when we arrived.

Our restaurant was on the cliff’s edge overlooking the sea. There was a ledge you could walk out onto, with a railing around it, to “become” a part of the view. I am not a fan of heights so I let my husband take our sons out onto the ledge. As many times as we’ve been to Greece, we had not observed a view of the sea quite at this angle. It felt like a 180 degree view. Every Greek island has a vibe to it of ultimate relaxation. Corfu had this vibe, of course. We dined for a long time, enjoying each other, laughing, savoring the meal and cherishing the vacation pace. 

The truth is, however, that the locals appear to dine this way, too! They were not on vacation like we were, yet, they treat mealtime as if they are. That’s one of the things people love about Greece—leisure is an art! Coffee breaks last for hours in the town squares. People converse, debate, and discuss politics passionately.

Village people sit in silence peering out onto the mountain landscapes. This baffled my husband at first—how people could sit in silence but be together? I pointed out to him that with a view like that, how could someone NOT sit in silence, relishing the moment? What is there possibly more important to talk about that just observing the beauty of a Greek island? We, too, would be distracted by such beauty in our hustle-bustle pace of a life if we lived on a Greek island.

Lunchtime was a good time to test out Greek words and phrases on the boys to see if they were hearing, learning and applying the vocabulary. Although they hear Greek language spoken back home, the pace of the language is much quicker in Greece.

Another nice aspect about lunchtime was that it was the natural break in our day of sightseeing. We used the mornings to visit museums, churches, monuments, etc and we used the afternoons to hit the beach and do beach excursions. Lunch was time to recharge from all the walking and sightseeing.

Kassiopi, a village up north in Corfu, had a colorful, scenic port and offered day trips to the neighboring country of Albania. You need to have your passport on you, though, and if you have them locked up in the hotel or villa safe, then it’s not too convenient to go back and get them. We had driven all over Corfu in our rental car so this was the case for us that day. Corfu was a kaleidoscope of florals, vistas, textiles, marina boats and landscape.

If you plan to see Corfu which is on the Ionian Sea side, you will also enjoy seeing the other four islands: Lefkada, Kephalonia and Zakinthos all below Corfu.

More information about islands and places in Greece like this are in the book A Magic Carpet Ride.

www.amazon.com/dp/069271393X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Follow this lesson plan to build itineraries with your family:

Travel Lesson Plan: Integrate the Concepts

© Gina Michalopulos Kingsley