Greek Goodness

Despite crazy gas prices, we threw caution to the wind and took a trip to the Birmingham Greek Festival. We left our city filled with crazy Alabama football fans and headed to the food fest.

Since Alabama and Auburn were playing night games, we thought the festival might be less crowded. Not! I think everybody and their Greek brother thought the same thing. So we waited in line to purchase our food tickets. But let me tell you it was well worth the wait. Because one thing Greek folks know how to do is COOK some food.

The hubby went with the Souvlaki (shish kabob lamb), I had the Pastichio (Greek style macaroni/cheese/beef ), and the kids both had the basic Greek chicken and rice pilaf. Each plate was served with a Greek salad and roll. The food was soooooo good.

While enjoying our meal, we were entertained by children doing traditional Greek dancing. My kids were highly disappointed that no plates were broken during the dancing. The hubby put that idea into their head. I had to inform Mr. Smarty Pants that I have not once seen a plate broken at any Greek function in my entire life, that I remember.

There was a shopping area with several Greek items. The Princess chose a Greek hip scarf, which is a LOUD scarf:

Lego-Man chose a Greek flag to hang in his room.

My husband was quite pleased when he found a T-shirt with this logo:

It completely verified the existence of a secret society that he firmly believes my family and I belong to.

Now he thinks just because he can throw a Greek fisherman’s hat on he can become a full fledged member.

Sorry, dear, I’m not teaching you the secret handshake or knock. Nor will I reveal the location of my secret decoder ring. I took an oath during Greek school and I’m a Greek woman of my word.

No Greek festival is complete without the goodness of traditional pastries. Unfortunately they were out of my favorite cookie, kourambethes, which is also known as a Greek wedding cookie. So, we all settled for my other favorite pastry, baklava.

Here’s where I have a little beef with my sisters in Greekness. Not only did they offer traditional baklava, they had chocolate dipped baklava. WHAT?! Even though I’m quite the chocolate lover, traditional baklava should NOT be dipped in it. No how. No way. Was there a vote taken or did somebody slip this past the Greek pope? I am almost sure that my Yaya, who was the queen of baklava, would not approve.

Before we took our traditional and not so traditional baklava home we toured the beautiful church.

The entire GRITS clan enjoyed getting in touch with their Greek side, except the hubby, he has no Greek side. He just married into it, mafia and all.

"There are two kinds of people - Greeks, and everyone else who wish they was Greek." --Gus Portokalas in My Big Fat Greek Wedding

OPA!