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Metsovo ~ Ioannina routes

October 1, 2018 · by: Athina Leave a Comment

Metsovo | Kicking Back the Pebbles

Deploying Ioannina as your center of “operations” gives you the ability to launch in a number of different directions around the Epirus region and take daily road-trips to places of interest. Taking the Egnatia/A2 Motorway that’s part of the European E90 Route you’ll need approximately 49 minutes to reach Metsovo after 30.8 miles. This route has tolls so if you choose to avoid them there’s another route [the old Greek National Road 6 (EO6) part of the European E92 Route] that’s actually less miles but will take you more time and some serious gut-work: part of it, is a switchback mountainous road—you’ll say hello to a million hairpin curves!

Ioaninna to Metsovo route

Records, various names, and linguistic origin trivia

Metsovo (Greek: Μέτσοβο) is a town in Epirus, in the mountains of Pindus in northern Greece, between Ioannina to the north and Meteora to the south. From medieval times till well into the 19th century, various sources, cite the town as “Metzovo”. From the end of the 18th century on, the literary form of “Messovon” makes its appearance. The town is known as “Aminciu” in the Aromanian/Vlach language, and as “Miçova” in Ottoman Turkish. The derivation of the name Metsovo—from the words “mitsous” and “mesovounon” or from the unattested Slav word “Mẹčovo”, meaning bear-place—has been proposed by academics and historians, but is not confirmed by linguistic research. On the contrary, there appears to be an etymological relation between the Vlach “Minʤu” and the Greek “Metsovo”, the latter being a combination of the stem word “mets-” and the Slavic ending “-ovo”.

Metsovo | Kicking Back the Pebbles

Metsovo’s special financial status

In the 15th century Metsovo came under Ottoman rule and became part of the sanjak of Ioannina. By the mid-17th century, the residents in the region of Metsovo were relieved from the obligation to pay the regular or ad hoc taxes that were usually paid by Christian residents in other Ottoman regions, on the condition that they would pay a lump sum per year. The Ottoman administration often made such arrangements for groups of its subjects that offered a special service to the state.

The special service provided by the Metsovo residents was the guarding of the local mountain passes and the servicing of travelers. The special tax regime did not mean self-government in theory. In practice, however, the reduction of taxes meant keeping a larger share of the local surplus crop production. In consequence, regardless of the theoretical framework that governed the land ownership and political regime of the Ottoman Empire, the lands of Metsovo were gradually falling under the absolute possession, ownership, and management of its residents, which corresponded to political self-governance. This, of course, didn’t mean that development came without a cost: Every year, the (reduced) corresponding taxes and other contributions had to be pre-paid to the Ottoman landlord of the area, otherwise Metsovo could lose its status and be assimilated to neighboring Ottoman regions.

Metsovite merchants, expats, and benefactors

The impressive socioeconomic growth of Metsovo during the Ottoman occupation is mainly due to the involvement of a large part of its population in the commercial activities of both the Ottoman Empire and of Europe. Substantial information about the commercial development of Metsovo has been found from the mid-17th century onward, with testimonies of the presence of peddlers from Metsovo in Constantinople and Venice. During the 18th century the testimonies reveal the presence of Metsovite merchants to Bucharest and Vienna and in the first decade of the 19th century their activity extends as far as Moscow, Cairo, Malta, Livorno, and Trieste. The love for their birthplace and the social altruism of the Metsovites living abroad resulted in the amassing of significant benefactor funds in Metsovo.

Since the 18th century, the management of bequests left to the community, constituted one of the most important municipal functions. As early as the beginning of the 19th century, there was a special logbook where the wills and testaments of the benefactors were recorded. The logbook was destroyed in 1854 and later redrafted by the patriarchal exarchate of Metsovo but got destroyed again in 1941.

Modern Metsovo

Nowadays the town is famous for its local cheeses—metsovone, a PDO (protected designation of origin) semi-hard smoked pasta filata cheese) and metsovella (a semi-hard cheese from sheep, goat and cow milk)—and for its wine-making industries, including the Katogi Vineyard of the Averoff family. The Evangelos Averoff Gallery is a museum of modern Greek art. It houses paintings, sculptures, drawings, and engravings by famous Greek artists of the 19th and 20th century like Nikiforos Lytras, Nikolaos Gyzis, Ioannis Altamouras, Konstantinos Parthenis, Thalia Flora-Karavia, Nikos Hatzikyriakos-Ghikas, Yiannis Moralis, and Alekos Fassianos. Metsovo is also a popular winter vacation destination and ski resort town. The Metsovo-Anilio Ski Resort is situated not far from the centre of Metsovo.

Evangelos Averoff statue in Metsovo | Kicking Back the Pebbles

4 λόγοι για να πας στο Μέτσοβο

1. Τα προϊόντα του Τυροκομείου του Ιδρύματος Τοσίτσα

Το Τυροκομείο Ιδρύματος Τοσίτσα λειτουργεί από το 1955 και παράγει ετησίως 170 τόνους τυριά από πρόβειο, κατσικίσιο και αγελαδινό γάλα, αξιοποιώντας συνολικά 1.700 τόνους γάλακτος, που ξεχωρίζουν για την ποιότητά τους. Τα πιο γνωστά από τα τυριά είναι το Μετσοβόνε και η Μετσοβέλα ενώ η λιγότερο γνωστή Γκράνα ή Παρμεζάνα φτιάχνεται σε λίγα κεφάλια και γι’ αυτό το λόγο είναι δυσεύρετη. Τέλος το Ίδρυμα βγάζει περιορισμένη ποσότητα εξαιρετικού αγελαδινού βουτύρου.

• Μετσοβόνε: ΠΟΠ ημίσκληρο, τυρί το οποίο παρασκευάζεται κυρίως από αγελαδινό γάλα ή μείγμα αγελαδινού με πρόβειο ή κατσικίσιο –όχι πάνω από 20%– με τη μέθοδο που είναι γνωστή ως pasta filata (το τυρόπηγμα κόβεται σε φλούδες και αναθερµαίνεται σε καυτό νερό στους 700-800 °C. Στη συνέχεια το λιωµένο το τυρί ζυµώνεται µε το χέρι, µέχρι να γίνει µια λεία, οµοιογενής και ελαστική µάζα). Καπνίζεται κρεμασμένο, τυλιγμένο σε σχοινί, ενώ ωριμάζει επί διάστημα περίπου τριών μηνών.
• Μετσοβέλα: επίσης ημίσκληρη, με υποκίτρινο χρώμα και αποτελείται απο 80% πρόβειο γάλα, 10% αγελαδινό και 10% κατσικίσιο. Στην αρχή τοποθετείται για δύο μέρες στην άλμη και μετά προστίθεται εξωτερικά χοντρό αλάτι. Η ωρίμανση ολοκληρώνεται στους 3 μήνες. Χρησιμοποιείται σε κρύα πιάτα αλλά και για σαγανάκι.

2. Το ξενοδοχείο και το οινοποιείο Κατώγι Αβέρωφ

Στα κελάρια του οινοποιείου φιλοξενούνται πάνω από 1200 δρύινα βαρέλια όπου ωριμάζουν κόκκινα κρασιά, ενώ στην κάβα του υπάρχουν σπάνιες συλλεκτικές φιάλες. Πέρα όμως από την παραγωγική διαδικασία, το οινοποιείο είναι ανοικτό για το κοινό (επισκέψιμο καθημερινά από τις 10:00 έως τις 16:00) προσφέροντας μία πρωτότυπη ξενάγηση στον κόσμου του κρασιού η οποία εμπεριέχει ποικίλες καλλιτεχνικές παρεμβάσεις και χρήση οπτικοακουστικών μέσων για να γνωρίσει ο επισκέπτης την ιστορία του οινοποιείου και τη διαδικασία παραγωγής του κρασιού.

3. Η Πινακοθήκη Αβέρωφ

Η Πινακοθήκη Ε. Αβέρωφ περιέχει έργα Ελλήνων ζωγράφων, χαρακτών και γλυπτών του 19ου και 20ου αιώνα. Η συλλογή έργων τέχνης του μουσείου θεωρείται μια από τις πληρέστερες και σημαντικότερες αυτής της περιόδου. Τα περισσότερα από τα έργα της μόνιμης έκθεσης της πινακοθήκης προέρχονται από την προσωπική συλλογή του Ευάγγελου Αβέρωφ.

4. Το Χιονοδρομικό Κέντρο Ανηλίου Μετσόβου

Το νεότερο χιονοδρομικό της χώρας διαθέτει πίστες για όλα τα επίπεδα σκι και snowboard αλλά και δυνατότητα για καταβάσεις σε απάτητο χιόνι. Η κοντινότερη και υψηλότερη κορυφή του Ανήλιου ονομάζεται Γκιουζέλ Τεπέ, δηλαδή όμορφη κορυφή, και βρίσκεται σε υψόμετρο 1900 μ. Το κέντρο διαθέτει πέντε αναβατήρες στους οποίους συγκαταλέγονται και δύο baby lift, μήκους ογδόντα και εκατόν είκοσι μέτρων. Το σαλέ είναι ένα πετρόχτιστο κτήριο, που αναπτύσσεται σε δύο επίπεδα, με δύο τζάκια και θέα στις πίστες και το Μέτσοβο. Στο εστιατόριό του θα δοκιμάσετε τοπικούς μεζέδες, συνοδευμένους από τσίπουρο. Υπάρχει κατάστημα ενοικίασης εξοπλισμού σκι και snowboard, σχολή εκμάθησης σκι –ενώ γίνονται και μαθήματα snowkite– και φυσικά, χώρος στάθμευσης. Η πρόσβαση στο Ανήλιο είναι πολύ εύκολη και γίνεται με ασφάλεια μέσω της Εγνατίας Οδού. Ακόμη και με δύσκολες καιρικές συνθήκες, ο δρόμος είναι καθαρός, καθώς αποχιονίζεται 24/7.

Metsovo - Anilio | Kicking Back the Pebbles

*images by Athina D. Pantazatou for Kicking Back the Pebbles

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About Me

A stalwart bookworm ever since I can remember myself. I studied English & American Literature and became an EFL/ESOL Teacher. I successfully(!) combined teaching and working as an executive secretary, in a big advertising company and a law firm, for several years. I'm a freelance writer, line editor, and blogger as of lately. Also, a bit ironic by nature but, all in all, quite easy-going. Partner to 1 & mother to 2 cats. I once tried to give up coffee and then swore to never make that mistake again... Read More…

kickingbackthepebbles

If there was ever a time for a black-themed Christ If there was ever a time for a black-themed Christmas tree, I say 2020 is it! 🎄🎄🎄
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I've listed my items, in case you're interested @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). For the items specific to the Greek market, I've listed similar on Amazon and Amazon.co.uk (some are affiliate links).
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P.S.: I realize as I'm posting this that several online shops are swamped with orders during lockdowns and have decided to go on a brief halt. Also, keep in mind that all shipments are susceptible to delays due to Covid-19 restrictions. My post is only meant to inspire you and not to overwhelm you in any way. If you like the look and wish to go for it, you can totally DIY it—or do something similar—with whatever materials you have at hand. To recreate these particular baubles, use matte black spray-paint and give your old ones a coat or two. Use a small paintbrush and mod-podge to draw snowflakes (or any other shape you 🖤), sprinkle with gold glitter, and voilà! Things should get better. Be patient, keep your chin up, and get creative—it helps battle the blues. 
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #christmas #christmas2020🎄🎅🎁#christmastime #christmasiscoming #christmas2020notcancelled #christmasdecor #tistheseason #christmasmood #holidays #festive #seasonsgreetings #christmasshopping #happyholidays #christmascheer #photooftheday #instagood #christmasvibes #countdowntochristmas #countdown #joy #noel #holidayseason #christmassy  #christmas2020doesnthavetosuck #christmas2020loading #lockdownchristmasspecial #lockdownchristmas2020
Final day (7) of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Supe Final day (7) of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood Week. What a marvelous week this has been! 
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I've kept you posted daily, leaving the links to the recipes of my partners in crime below and today is no exception. Copy & paste the link below to Krystina's final weekly post where you can find a roundup of the entire Superfood Week and today's recipe by Foodie and Wine Lover—a direct link will also be available for a while @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I did. Thanks for following along! 😊
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Pear & Blue Cheese Salad 🥗 by @foodieandwinelover @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/2020/11/15/november-superfood-week-day-7/
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➡️➡️ Find the entire Kouzounas Kitchen November Superfood Week @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/
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👩🏻‍🍳 Foodie and Wine Lover @ https://foodiewinelover.com
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #foodblog #bloggerlife #foodie #recipes #kouzounaskitchen #foodiewinelover  #itsfallyall #november #superfoodweek #quarantinelife #quarantinecooking #homemade #makeyourown #fromscratch #instagood #fooddiary #foodgram #yumyum #foodcoma #foodisfuel #foodlover #foodstagram #instafeast #heresmyfood #theartofslowliving
Day 6 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood We Day 6 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood Week. (Take a peek at Monday's post for more deets.)
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I'm keeping you posted daily, leaving the links to the recipes of my partners in crime below (copy & paste), but direct links will also be available for a while @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). Dig in!
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Roasted Pumpkin With Pomegranate and Cream of Feta 🥘 by @eatyourselfgreek @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/2020/11/14/november-superfood-week-day-6/
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➡️➡️ Find the entire @kouzounaskitchen November Superfood Week @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/
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👩🏻‍🍳 Eat Yourself Greek @ https://eatyourselfgreek.com
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #foodblog #bloggerlife #foodie #recipes #kouzounaskitchen #eatyourselfgreek  #itsfallyall #november #superfoodweek #quarantinelife #quarantinecooking #homemade #makeyourown #fromscratch #instagood #fooddiary #foodgram #yumyum #foodcoma #foodisfuel #foodlover #foodstagram #instafeast #heresmyfood #theartofslowliving
Day 5 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood We Day 5 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood Week. (Take a peek at Monday's post for more deets.)
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I'm keeping you posted daily, leaving the links to the recipes of my partners in crime below (copy & paste), but direct links will also be available for a while @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). Dig in!
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Roasted Delicata Squash With Arugula and Aronia Berries 🥗  by Sweet Greek  @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/2020/11/13/november-superfood-week-day-5/
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➡️➡️ Find the entire @kouzounaskitchen November Superfood Week @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/
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👩🏻‍🍳 Sweet Greek @ https://mysweetgreek.com/blog/
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #foodblog #bloggerlife #foodie #recipes #kouzounaskitchen #xtinaxenos #itsfallyall #november #superfoodweek #quarantinelife #quarantinecooking #homemade #makeyourown #fromscratch #instagood #fooddiary #foodgram #yumyum #foodcoma #foodisfuel #foodlover #foodstagram #instafeast #heresmyfood #theartofslowliving
Day 4 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood We Day 4 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood Week, featuring yours truly! (Take a peek at Monday's post for more deets.)
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The recipes are also available on my site, but due to a broken recipe plugin and a chronic procrastinator—yep, referring to me again—they're all messed up and nowhere near shearability. If you do insist on jumping over, you may proceed at your own risk. 😅 For the time being, here's where it's safest:
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Roasted Carrot Saffron Soup & Coriander Chickpea Soup 𝑝𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑖 @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/2020/11/12/november-superfood-week-day-4/
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➡️➡️ Find the entire Kouzounas Kitchen November Superfood Week @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #foodblog #bloggerlife #foodie #recipes #kouzounaskitchen #itsfallyall #november #superfoodweek #quarantinelife #quarantinecooking #homemade #makeyourown #fromscratch #instagood #fooddiary #foodgram #yumyum #foodcoma #foodisfuel #foodlover #foodstagram #instafeast #heresmyfood #theartofslowliving
Day 3 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood We Day 3 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood Week—take a peek at my post from two days ago for more deets! 
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You can find the links to the recipes of my partners in crime below (copy & paste), but direct links will also be available for a while @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). As most of the world is in lockdown mode again, I hope we inspire everyone to nourish their bodies and souls. May the warmth and vibrant hustle of our kitchens spread positive vibes, some comfort, and cheer. Dig in! 
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Carrot, Ginger, and Apple Smoothie🧋& Beet Soup 🥣 by @kouzounaskitchen @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/2020/11/11/november-superfood-week-day-3/
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➡️➡️ Find the entire Kouzounas Kitchen November Superfood Week @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #foodblog #bloggerlife #foodie #recipes #kouzounaskitchen #itsfallyall #november #superfoodweek #quarantinelife #quarantinecooking #homemade #makeyourown #fromscratch #instagood #fooddiary #foodgram #yumyum #foodcoma #foodisfuel #foodlover #foodstagram #instafeast #heresmyfood #theartofslowliving
Day 2 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood We Day 2 of Kouzounas Kitchen's November Superfood Week—take a peek at my previous post for more deets! 
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I'll be keeping you posted daily, leaving the links to the recipes of my partners in crime below (copy & paste), but direct links will also be available for a while @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). As most of the world is in lockdown mode again, I hope we inspire everyone to nourish their bodies and souls. May the warmth and vibrant hustle of our kitchens spread positive vibes, some comfort, and cheer. Dig in! 
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Fasolada, Greek White Bean Soup 🥣 & Briam, Greek Style Mixed Oven-Roasted Vegetables 🥘 by Cook Like a Greek @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/2020/11/10/november-superfood-week-day-2/
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➡️➡️ Find the entire Kouzounas Kitchen November Superfood Week @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/
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👩🏻‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳 Cook Like a Greek @ https://cooklikeagreekblog.com/
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #foodblog #bloggerlife #foodie #recipes #kouzounaskitchen #cooklikeagreek #itsfallyall #november #superfoodweek #quarantinelife #quarantinecooking #homemade #makeyourown #fromscratch #instagood #fooddiary #foodgram #yumyum #foodcoma #foodisfuel #foodlover #foodstagram #instafeast #heresmyfood #theartofslowliving
When it comes to superfood antics, some like kale, When it comes to superfood antics, some like kale, pomegranate, green or matcha teas, nuts, and berries, usually get all of the glory. And yet, more research is uncovering the age-defying, disease-fighting, fat-blasting super-powers of commoner foods you've been likely overlooking. Leeks, carrots, beets, chickpeas, beans, squash, pears (to name but a few) are cheap, quick to prep, unexpectedly tasty, and most are probably already in your kitchen. To make it even easier for you to tap into their head-to-toe benefits, @kouzounaskitchen is hosting a superfood week get-together of foodies (myself included), featuring recipes packed with a wide array of the aforementioned age-erasers! 
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I'll be keeping you posted daily, leaving the links to the recipes of my partners in crime below (copy & paste), but direct links will also be available for a while @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). As most of the world is in lockdown mode again, I hope we inspire everyone to nourish their bodies and souls. May the warmth and vibrant hustle of our kitchens spread positive vibes, some comfort, and cheer. Dig in! 
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Mediterranean Roasted-Chickpea Salad 🥗 & Leek, Vegetable & Feta Cheese Puff Pastry Pie 🥧 by Foodzesty @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/2020/11/09/november-superfood-week/
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➡️➡️ Find the entire Kouzounas Kitchen November Superfood Week @ https://kouzounaskitchen.com/
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👩🏻‍🍳 Foodzesty @ https://foodzesty.com/
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #foodblog #bloggerlife #foodie #recipes #kouzounaskitchen #foodzesty #itsfallyall #november #superfoodweek #quarantinelife #quarantinecooking #homemade #makeyourown #fromscratch #instagood #fooddiary #foodgram #yumyum #foodcoma #foodisfuel #foodlover #foodstagram #instafeast #heresmyfood #theartofslowliving
— Lucy Maud Montgomery, 𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠
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 🍂🌰🍄 I'm slowly falling into autumn even though Attica's warm weather doesn't really agree. One of my favorite web and graphic design sites @designerblogs is helping set the mood instead. I've been using their blog planner for years—it's one of the best you'll find out there. Its pages will help you brainstorm post ideas, draft your weekly uploads, set monthly and yearly goals, track monthly and yearly and stats, track affiliate links, social media advertising and posts, newsletter campaigns, finances, usernames & passwords, giveaways—you name it! I'll leave the links for both their classic design and this year's limited edition blush-color planners below (copy & paste on desktop), but direct links will also be available for a while @ my linktr.ee (follow the link in bio). 
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Aaand don't forget to grab your own monthly quote and matching wallpaper for desktop, phone, and tablet from their FREEBIES section and get your boo-game on with their spooktacular Halloween resources (also linked)! 🎃👻
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➡️➡️ Designer Blogs resources:
2021 Blog Planner (2 colors, 4 sizes) @ https://www.designerblogs.com/2021-blog-planner/
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2021 Life Planner (2 colors, 4 sizes) @ https://www.designerblogs.com/2021-my-life-planner/
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Free October wallpaper @ https://www.designerblogs.com/free-october-wallpaper-2020/
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Halloween freebies @ https://www.designerblogs.com/category/seasonal/halloween/
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#kickingbackthepebbles #blog #bloggerlife #organizingblog #travelblog #foodblog #dreamingoftraveling #wanderlust #keepinitreal #quarantinelife #itsfallyal #fallcolors #pumpkinseason #verilymoment  #aquietstyle #momentsofmine #planneraddict #plannernerd #plannerlover #plannergeek #plannerlife #designstudio  #planners #anneofgreengablesquote #anneofgreengables #lucymaudmontgomery
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