Mama Lisa's Books

Can Anyone Help with a Greek Song that Sounds like, "Ravi to velona sto heraki"?

Chris wrote asking for help with a childhood song from Greece that his father sang.  Here's his email: Hi Lisa, I need some help with this please; I am trying to locate a song my father would sing to my brothers as children.  He's from Lafkos – Pelion, Magnesia, Greece and the [...]

The Symbolism of Jordan Almonds

Jordan Almonds are given out as favors at weddings, bridal showers and baby showers in the US, France, Italy, Greece and the Middle East.  It's believed that the name for Jordan Almonds does not come from Jordan, but is a corruption of the French word "jardin" (garden) because [...]

Greek Holiday Cookies – Kourabiedes Recipe

Kourabiedes are Greek shortbread cookies that are eaten for Christmas, Easter and Christenings.  Sometimes at Christmastime, they're made with a clove in the middle to represent the spices the three magi brought to Jesus as a gift.        There are many variations of [...]

Christmas Traditions in Greece with a Carol

Daria (a children's performer) wrote to me about her husband's experience as a child in Greece at Christmas time.  Here's what she wrote: "My husband grew up in Greece and loves to remember caroling with a triangle during the Christmas season. He and his brothers and sisters would go [...]

Can Anyone Help with Some Greek Songs and Rhymes?

We've been emailed some questions about Greek songs and rhymes.  Here are the emails: 1. O pateras olon... Hello Mama Lisa, I've stumbled upon your site and very happy to do so.  My husband and I are becoming grandparents for the first time and while we await the arrival of our [...]

Can Anyone Help with the Greek Song "Underneath the Apple Tree"?

Katina wrote asking for help with two Greek songs that she'd like to sing to her great-granddaughter.  Here's what she wrote: Hi Mama Lisa, I have two songs that were sung to me by my father and mother, and that I sang to my children and grandchildren. I want to sing them to my [...]

Does Anyone Know of a Greek Rhyme that's Said to End a Fight?

Kitte asked me an interesting question about a Greek rhyme she heard at the Acropolis that helped to end a fight between two men.  Here's what she wrote about it... Hi Lisa, I have a question that is about something I experienced in Athens in the mid 90's and have wondered about ever since. [...]

Greek Easter Egg Game

Here's how you play the Greek Easter Egg Game... 1. Hard boil eggs and dye them red.  In Greece, it's traditional to dye eggs red for Easter. 2. Two players pick an egg.  Player one clacks (taps) her egg on the top of player two's egg.  3.  Both players turn over their [...]

The Mystery Ship at Ground Zero and the Tradition of Coins being Good Luck

Last month a ship from the 1700's was found in the Ground Zero construction site in New York. The ship was probably sunk at the site in an effort to extend the land in Manhattan in the early 19th century. It's called The Mystery Ship and it's now being studied at a lab in Maryland.

The [...]