So, you’ve noticed someone move into the neighborhood and you just feel it would be great to do something to make them feel … welcome.
What a lovely idea!
You can’t just go knocking on their door and say … hi!
So, what do you do?
You “accidentally” bump into each other and say, “welcome! I’m Jane. I live just across the street. If you need anything, just give me a shout.”
It won’t be long till you exchange more than just a hello.
In Greece, people are known for their warm hospitality.
They go out of their way to help out and … to find out everything there is to know about a newcomer.
Years ago, that would have been called ‘curiosity’ – now, it’s … ‘security’.
You’ve just got to know who lives in your street…
The day will arrive when you are invited to the newcomer’s house for a coffee.
What do you take as a housewarming gift?
Flowers and flower pots are a great idea but I’ve come up with an amazing gift that everyone just loves. In fact, it has become a … tradition.
I make a large dish of Rice Pudding!!!
Not just any old rice pudding – it’s a rice pudding with meaning.
I attach a card saying: (very important!!! Do not forget the card!!!)
Welcome to your new home!
Please accept this housewarming gift of my special rice pudding.
The rice = abundance of health, wealth, joy and all goodness.
The milk = purity and life
Sugar = sweetness in your new home
Flavorings = for a spicy life.
Believe me, this rice pudding is always appreciated and strangely enough, it indeed does bring all those factors into their lives.
HOW DID I COME UP WITH THIS IDEA?
Good question!
Once, many years ago, I was invited to a housewarming party and there was no way I could have refused the invitation.
They were a lovely couple living right next door to us.
The problem was that I was …. Broke!!!
I could’ve got them a cheap ornament but that was not my style.
I prefer putting some extra effort and offering a gift from … the heart!!!
I just came up with this idea and after having seen their reaction, I made a tradition of it.
Anything we do that comes from the heart and not just because … you have to, is always special and appreciated.
So, George and Yiota moved away after a few years and went to their own home and are doing amazingly well.
The significance of all the ingredients used to make the rice pudding really surfaced.
RECIPE FOR CHRYSTALL’S RICE PUDDING
Ingredients:
1 liter of full fat milk
200gr rice (I prefer the sticky type)
100 gr. Sugar
1 heaped tablespoon corn flour
Zest of one orange / 1 teaspoon of crushed mastic
Cinnamon stick
Ground cinnamon
METHOD:
Boil the rice and strain.
Put the milk, sugar, cinnamon stick and orange zest into a saucepan and put the boiled rice in as well.
Stir all ingredients well and allow the mixture to boil.
Lower heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
In a cup, put about 2 tablespoons of cold water and the corn flour and mix together
Add the corn flour mixture to the simmering rice pudding mixture and stir so that it thickens slightly without burning.
Pour into separate bowls or one large one.
Sprinkle with the ground cinnamon.
Allow it to cool at room temperature before putting it into the refrigerator.
Bon Appetite!