Green Plums (and almonds)

So, I will explain my title at the end of the blog but since I wanted to talk about green plums I decided to wear green to go with that title. I bought this dress a few years ago from Mango when I was visiting Turkey again. My inspiration came from a style magazine talking about wearing a utility jacket over dresses. I love the idea and have many dresses to apply this concept to. This dress had a seflt bet but instead I used a soft black leather belt with a gold buckle to pick up the gold in the bib necklace. The black sandals look like boots which helps create the rugged look that goes with the utility jacket. This was one of my favorite combo's I packed for the trip. I initially tried wearing the dark grey skinny jeans under them cause the weather was a little chilly and the skirt was a bit too mini but it looked weird so just went with the original thought. Not sure if you noticed but my hair is blown dry professionally. I love that here. It is not really worth the effort to do it yourself. They have a hair dresser pretty much every corner. The pros take less than 10 or 15 minutes to blow dry your hair perfectly straight or wavey and charge as little as 5 TL which is $3.50! I mean who can beat that. Of course the challange is kids. So, I went when the kids were napping and there was someone home.
We visited the suburb town of my city Izmir which is called Karsiyaka. Rode the ferry which was fun for the kids. Met a relative there who took these great photos. Finally got some scenic photos. If only I had the time and someone to help I could take amazing photo shoots here for my outfits but it is a miracle as it is that I get to do take what I take.

Utility Shirt (worn as a jacket) - Gap

Green Jersey dress - Mango

Black leather belt - can't remember from where

Black Sandals - Boutique 9

Bib Gold/Silver bead necklace - Kohl's

Gold bracelet watch - Ed Hardy

Today's Activities: After another horrible night where my daughter woke up at 2 AM and never went back to sleep found the courage somehow to go with the plans already made. Took the ferry to the suburb town. That was interesting. We walked to the pier with the stroller, but to get on the ferry you have to climb 5 iron steps then make a small leap into the boat. Thank goodness there are always plenty of employees for every task and Turkish people are known for their hospitality so two guys immediately litfted my quite heavy double stroller with both kids in them into the ferry. Same thing when we got off. The suburb is not much different than the city just a bit of change of scenery. We did find a playground very close to the pier where my son can at least interact with kids his age and run around. Then we had the classic gyro meat for lunch. The cook lifted my son so he can help cut the meat that turns and cooks in this huge upright skewer in front of the heat. Smells delicious. Our relative met us there. We came up with an idea to do a blog post showcasing her boutique and the amazingly unique items she sells. So that is going to happen in the following months. The afternoon was pretty boring. Went to another Dr's appt for my daughter but that was actually fun for kids cause the Dr's waiting room has a huge carpeted play structure area. Then walked around to a jazz concert on the bay and came home for a quiet dinner, baths and bed. Not meeting the family today since we are all exhausted.

This is where we had lunch. The lady holding Juliet is my aunt's housekeeper she came with me to help out since I wasn't sure how the boat ride would go. Those things we are drinking are called 'ayran' they are made with plain yogurt. My son loves it.

This is right by the pier when we arrived. The vendor behind us is selling 'smit' which are these hard crusted round seasame covered bread things. Again a big hit for my son but unfortunately once he eats half of that he won't eat lunch. :( I am going to remove that stroller bar as I noticed it blocks my daughter's face in every photo!

OK, SO THE TITLE...

We are for once here during the season of green plums and green almonds. You can't find these anywhere I have been to. In U.S. plums are only sold and eaten when they are ripened into a red/purple stage. But, in Turkey we eat them when they are small, green and sour. We pour salt over them and bite into the juicy cruncy sour taste. They are called 'eric'.  My son, who as you have guessed by now has a very adventarous palatte like me love this fruit, but we have to hide salt as he tends to go overboard with it.

So, you know almonds as dry brown tear shaped nuts. So, do we but we also eat them when they are still soft and white and in their furry crunch green outer shells. Again they are eaten with salt. You eat the whole thing, the green part and the soft white almond part in the middle. In a few weeks they will start selling the slightly harder seed part of these almonds on ice cubes. I will be sure to photo and blog about that too.

I opened up one of them so you can see what it looks like inside and the white almond seed in the middle.