Succot Musical Slide Show, Shiloh

I finally figured out how to add music to the pictures I took of our succah and at Tel Shiloh.


Enjoy, I hope!





The music is from Eliezer Rosenfeld's cd.

The Fifties Really Died This Week

Both Tony Curtis and Eddie Fisher died in the same week.

Food Cravings

It's almost two years since I unintentionally found myself "dieting."  I blogged quite a bit about it.  I had been hoping that more weight would come off than the fifteen kilo, more than thirty lbs I did lose.  But I can't complain; I'm still getting compliments.

I eat almost no carbohydrates, except fruits and vegetables.  I still eat the skin of the chicken, because if I'd get too extreme I'd end up craving those very things and then eating them.  I'm best off doing what I'm doing.  I take sugar in my morning coffee, less than in the past, but it's a daily necessity.  I don't believe that 0% and skimmed dairy products are healthy, but I don't eat yellow cheeses which have the most fat.  I don't even eat white cheeses besides a very occasionally full-fat cottage cheese.

What's my greatest food craving, besides Hagen Daz Mint which I only eat when visiting America?  Fruit, yes, I shouldn't have so much fruit.  Now I'm craving the totally irresistible no sugar apple compote I made for Simchat Torah.

• sliced apples (unpeeled)
• cinnamon
• natural ginger root, a few slices
• water, not too much

Yes, that's it!  There are worse things to crave.  So, I think I'm going to get the jar and finish it up!

PS I'm hoping to do diet coaching, small groups, individuals, meeting or by phone.

The Clan's Awaiting "Happy Endings"

Our family/clan has a star in "Happy Endings."

At this point, I'll let you guess who.  And no hints. There are only six leads, so please if you're guessing, let us know why you're guessing whomever.  It may not be broadcast yet, but when it is, we'll have to try to see it.

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan at Tel Shiloh

It's hard to believe that in just over a week, it will again be Rosh Chodesh.  Yes, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan:

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Friday, October 8, 2010 at 9:30am
ראש חודש חשון
תפילת נשים בתל שילה
יום ו', 8/10 9:30

כולן מזמנות

Please let people know about it.  There's lots of room for one and all.

Perfect for the End of Succot

I saw this on a cousin's facebook page.  I know there are some people who really try to avoid succot on Succot, and maybe the song explains it.  Enjoy!

Strollers... at Tel Shiloh

One thing for sure, maybe it's just the crowd that shows up at Tel Shiloh for the family-friendly Bible themed festivities, but pushing the babies and toddlers in their strollers seems to be a "daddy's job."  Israeli fathers are very into parenting from what I can see.  Maybe it's also a generation thing.  My father was always at work and didn't get involved in our day to day lives.  Also, I didn't grow up in a religious family, so there wasn't that one day of the week, Shabbat, when daddy couldn't go to work.

While I was with my two older granddaughters in the crafts workshops, I noticed this new-fangled way of taking two on a walk.  Yes, that sure looks like a father wheeling it.

 And here's a twin stroller for two siblings of different ages being wheeled by... that bearded guy sure doesn't look like the mother!

Finally a female with a stroller!  But what is she doing?

I guess I had my kids a generation too early!

Creating, Having Fun!

My granddaughters can spend the whole day on arts & crafts.  My own kids were the same.  After we came back from Tel Shiloh's activities, they did more cutting, pasting and drawing in my house.

There's lots for the whole family to do at Tel Shiloh.  We've been having Succot and Passover activities for a few years already, and it's very popular.  Today it was packed and there was room for more.   Everyone seemed to be having a good time.  Some people brought their own food, but most bought.  There were a few succot up for eating in.

We didn't even do the touring and other activities.  My granddaughters were happy creating all sorts of fun things.

New Improved Succa Decorations

I was very proud of how I had decorated our succa, but the younger generation thought it awfully dull.  They made us a whole bunch of gorgeous new decorations which I finally put up yesterday afternoon.  And, thank G-d, the grandkids approved of how it now looks!

I added a chain to our succah/merpeset (terrace/balcony) door.

There were even enough to add some to the front door!



That's a bonus to being grandparents, having grandchildren to make succah decorations!  Hint, always keep a ready supply of arts and crafts equipment/supplies.

Another Blogger Improvement!

We can now multiload pictures by holding down the Ctrl button and even put them on the post in one click!

Thanks to the blogger people!

Who said:

"you get what you paid for"

Blogger is free and I'm happy with the product tonight.  Now if only I can find a really easy way to transfer all my "stuff" from the old templates to the new ones....

Just Another Day, Sort Of

Last night, before going to bed, the grandkids took out lots of arts & crafts supplies, because they didn't think that my easy succah decorations were sufficient.  I gave up on making the homemade variety decades ago when my own kids told me that mine were awful. 

So now the livingroom/diningroom floor is littered with gorgeous succah decorations made by the grandchildren.  Now I just need someone to hang them.  I hope that someone isn't me, since I'm the shortest adult around.  And I'm sure the kids know exactly how and where the decorations should be in our succah.  I certainly don't want to  make mistakes.

They did the hard work.  I'll just enjoy!

The Baby Has a Name

Yes, our new granddaughter has a name, but I'm not posting it until more family know.  Fair is fair, and blood is thicker than blogging!

Visiting Shiloh's New Neighborhood

I guess you can call it "pioneering in an established yishuv," (Jewish community in the Land of Israel.)  Ten houses, stage one, are completed, sold and lived in already.  It's a short distance from the entrance to Shiloh.  There's an interesting mix of people living there, mostly but not all young families.  Quite a few of the homeowners grew up in Shiloh.  More and more of our kids are moving back home to raise their children here, which is good news for the future.

Last night the community Simchat Beit Hashoeva Succot event was visiting  a couple of succot in that neighborhood.  It was very enjoyable meeting new neighbors.  Since my own children have long ago graduated from school, I have to make more of an effort to meet people who are out of my neighborhood and synagogue.  I'm glad I went last night.

Sort of Buffalo Wings

Buffalo Wings are a new food for me and my husband.  I understand that they're pretty popular in America, and that's why they're on the menu in HaGov, The Lion's Den, Jerusalem's very popular kosher sports bar and grill. We eat them there.  For those who aren't yet familiar with the dish, they're chicken wings in a hot, spicy tomato sauce.  Recently I've been making something sort of similar.  The biggest difference in my version is that I use turkey wings.  Turkey wings have lots more meat to eat than chicken wings which are mostly skin and bones.

Sorry, but I never measure ingredients:

• turkey wings, yes, of course you can use chicken wings if you want or any poultry parts
• tomato paste/concentrate, I only buy the pure, without additives.  It's worth checking ingredients, even if you need to put on reading glasses in public.
• fresh lemons for juice and even the slices, too, or, yes, you can use the bought lemon juice if you must.  I'm sure it'll taste fine
• light brown sugar, or any sugar or jam you want to get rid of
• pepper, hot chili pepper if you like it
• a cut up onion
• water to add so there will be a sauce and it won't burn

1. Clean the wings if there are the "feather stuff" left.  I pour boiling water over my poultry and then just pull out the guilty parties.
2. Add the tomato paste and boiling water, then the lemon juice, sugar and other flavorings. 
3. Cook in a covered pot until the meat comes off the bone easily.

Yes, that's it!

It's easy, tasty and fun!

This Succah Wall Is No More

A strong wind blew it and its support out.  It didn't even make it to the first meal.  What will be left standing by the end of Succot? 

Kappora!  Better these walls than human health!

Refuah shleimah, a complete and speedy recovery to all those in need.

Chag Sameach!  Have a truly joyous Holiday!

Easy Up Succa Decorations!

It was a great thrill coming home and seeing our succa all constructed.  It was a "bad thrill" watching how some of the work was done, so I hid in the house in fear.  My sons' friends learned the most important English words very young:

"Be careful!"

And here's the succa, almost all ready.  The floor still needs to be cleaned, the light strung and the clotheslines put away.  Most of our decorations are pictures from old Jewish Calendars.  They are the perfect easy and free decorations, especially for those who don't have kids to make all sorts of cute arts & crafts stuff.

As you can see from the bottom picture, there are plenty more, enough "decorations" if our succa was even ten times the size.

Losing Track of the Days

Most of the year we're on a simple seven day schedule, as it says in the Bible.

"work six days and rest on the seventh"

It's easy to keep that routine.

Now with the Jewish holidays it gets more complicated.  Two weeks ago in the middle of the week we started a long three day holiday weekend of two days Rosh Hashannah and then Shabbat.  OK, fine, then we had the full six days, although the first was a fast day, and Shabbat was a fast day, Yom Kippur.  For that we ate our big holiday feast on Friday afternoon.  Some people break the fast on a small dairy meal, but guessed right that my daughter and her Tunisian family would prefer to break it on a meat meal.  So I had cooked double and served the identical meal Saturday night.

Today is only Tuesday, but I'm cooking for tomorrow night's holiday, Succot.  Actually I doubled the chicken so it would be enough for Shabbat, too.  I'll have to cook some more food, too, or I can raid the freezer.  It depends on how hectic things get.  Of course I can't complain.  Out of Israel they'll be having two more three day weekends.

It's confusing, because I'm cooking and shopping as if it was Thursday, but it's only Tuesday.

Thank G-d, it's not senility, just the Jewish calendar.  In a couple of weeks, we'll be back to the six-one schedule/routine.

The Good News is...

... that my daughter is B"H feeling great post partum.  And the bad news is that they're back in Ofra quicker and for longer than they originally planned.  They left on Sunday because there were so many scheduling complications with the kids it seemed easier to just grab somethings and planned on returning Monday night.  I left the kids toys etc all over the place.

Last night my son-in-law came over to get all the laundry I had laundered for them plus all their bags etc to go to his mother for the first chag.  So we're on our own and I must make some order out of this mess.  They plan on returning here for Shabbat and most of the rest of the holiday.  OK, let's see.

But honestly, the most important thing is the good news.  Mother and still nameless baby, thank G-d, feel great.

Impressive, But Easy Food Experiment

A few weeks ago, I had one of those kitchen/cooking disasters and had to dump the chopped meat I was going to cook for a fancy meal.  I needed to make something good enough to serve guests.  I ran down to the local grocers, actually a small supermarket, to find some easy to thaw meat.  I found a package of frozen chicken breasts.

I very simply layered the slices alternating with cut vegetables, mostly onions and peppers as you can see.  This was done in a nice ceramic baking dish.  I dribbled a bit of oil on top, covered it with foil and baked it.

For how long?  Sorry, I cook by smell and checked it periodically.

Yes, it was delicious, low carbohydrate, low calorie.  You can vary the vegetables and proportions etc.  If I had a covered ceramic baking dish it would be even better, more impressive and moister.  It just shows how easy it is to make fancy but easy meals.

Dancing in The Streets

Last night was a great celebration in my Shiloh neighborhood.  A new Sefer Torah, Torah Scroll was donated to the community for the Beit Medrash L'Noar which is in memory of Avi Siton, HaY"D, and Shmuel Yerushalmi, HaY"D, best friends who were both murdered by Arab terrorists but in separate terror attacks and also in memory of Avi's mother who died of cancer just over a year ago.

It was a great celebration, dancing, music, food etc, but it was also a very sad occasion.

The Missing Illustration

When I wrote "Bitter Sweet," it  was missing an illustration.  Today I shot these photos of the pool, empty of water, cluttered with forgotten towels and its "curtains" partially removed.  So sad. 

More Space, Less Noise

Our neighborhood Shiloh synagogue was very recently expanded.  We have two new sections to the Ezrat Nashim, Women's Section.  One is an extension of the balcony, and the other is handicapped accessible from the back, curtained off from the main sanctuary.  This is the first year ever when almost no noise disturbed my prayers.  There were lots of young mothers, babies, kids etc.

The only problematic place is the stairway going up.  It's like an echo chamber magnifying the steps "flip-flopping" as people walk and all the talking.  Even worse was the kids' ruckus in the new "social hall."  But we survived it all.  They finally shut the side door when a dog entered and barked up a storm.  Writing about it makes it sound worse, but believe me when I say that it was still much more pleasant than in the past when we were crowded in a tiny room and every little sound could be heard like cymbals banging out of tune.

Our congregation is full of all different ages, from young marrieds to great-grandparents, Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d.

Have a wonderful year!

Food Before the Fast

Tonight, actually more like afternoon, we have to eat before the Yom Kippur fast.  I have a lot of cooking and cleaning to do, and the day shrank also.  We're no longer on daylight savings, so afternoon/eating time will creep up more quickly than I'm used to.  And instead of our usual empty nest of two, we have six more living with us, the new granddaughter, her parents and elder siblings.

My husband already cooked his chicken soup and I cooked a lot of chicken.  I've started a bean and vegetable soup.  I had planned a pea soup, but I managed to burn the peas--don't ask!  I'll make rice as a side dish and lots of impressive but easy baked vegetables, and also sauteed vegetables, which I cook in a large heavy covered pot.  I just put in cut veggies, oil and cover, no water.  Of course I'll serve a salad.  And then the post-fast meal will be pretty much the same.  We're no longer big dairy eaters.  Besides milk in my coffee and goats yogurt, I don't touch dairy.  Remember that dairy, even plain yogurt, has a lot of salt.  So if you're supposed to reduce your salt intake, reduce dairy, especially cheese.  Read the labels.  For that reason don't eat dairy before a fast, especially Tisha B'Av which lasts twenty-five 25 hours.

Tzom Kal, Have an Easy Fast

Bitter Sweet

This morning the local Shiloh swimming pool was full of women during our "women's hour," really two.  The water was glorious, the sun was shining, and we were having a great time.

But pretty soon, by the time we're fasting our Yom Kippur fast tomorrow, it will be as empty as you see here.

We'll just have memories.

G-d willing in a few months it will open again, and G-d willing the season will last more than three short months.  And G-d willing the winter's rain will be plentiful!

Succot at Tel Shiloh

Activities for all the family at Tel Shiloh, Succot, Monday and Tuesday, September 27-28, 10am-5pm.
For transportation from Jerusalem and more information telshilo@gmail.com 02-994-4019.  Entrance fee NS25 per child and NS35 per adult.

Last Pool Day of the Season

Three months go by much too quickly.

Except for my time in Arizona and New York, which included the "nine (actually ten) days" when pleasure swimming is forbidden, I hardly missed a morning's swim.  Even when I only had twenty minutes, they were worth the effort.  This year I didn't go for any of the night sessions.  I always get too chilled when the air is colder than the water.  I have no problems when the water is colder than the air.

Now I'll have to find another way to keep my muscles tight and fit.  So far I don't have much of a schedule.  I'd like to have a neighbor or two come over mornings for exercise.  I used to teach it, so if I had company, I could do it and have fun.  Alone just doesn't work.  I get too bored.

Today, I don't want to be late. After the pool, cooking and cleaning to welcome new granddaughter and family.

Pre-New Years Holiday in Jerusalem

It would be really fun to discover that someone who reads this blog was photographed by me.  So, if you're in one of the pictures, or know someone who is...

Yep, please let me know in the comments.  Thanks

Blessings for a good and healthy year.

Gmar chatima tova

Enjoying...

Yes, I'm enjoying our newly rejuvenated computer and all the fun things it can do, like making a Picasa mosaic of the new baby.

And I'm even enjoying cleaning up the house and readying it for baby's arrival!!

Baruch Hashem!!  Thank G-d!!

Thank G-d! A Baby Girl!!

Yes, we have a new granddaughter to add to the family.

I went to Jerusalem to meet her and stayed much longer in the hospital than planned.  One of the reasons was that my son-in-law was bringing the older kids for a short visit to meet their baby sister, so it seemed rather foolish to leave earlier.

It was one of those mellow days, when I just didn't care about the time.  That's part of the "new me."  For the past few decades I've been working hard at adopting that mindset.  I finally left hours after I had originally planned and over an hour after my "more realistic" plan.  But I didn't care, really.  I had hardly eaten all day and didn't feel hungry either.

As I was finally making my way out of Hadassa Ein Kerem, via their mall, suddenly I heard my name.  I looked around and saw neighbors.

"Are you going back to Shiloh?  Do you want a ride home?"
"Yes, thanks, wonderful!"

So I got a ride home, straight to my door!  Call it the icing on the cake, a fantastic end to a wonderful joyous day!!!

Super Easy: Acorn Squash "Stuffed"

My husband does the "shuk shopping."  That means that he goes to Jerusalem's Machane Yehuda Market and buys pretty much all of our vegetables, salad, fruit etc.  I never quite know what he'll bring home besides the standard carrots, light green Israeli kishuim (squash,) cucumbers, tomatoes etc.  For Rosh Hashannah he surprised me with acorn squash.

There isn't all that much "meat" in these vegetables, so besides cutting them in half and removing the seeds, I was in a quandary about how to deal with it preventing wastage.  "Simple" is my middle name when it comes to cooking.  I needed a filling that wouldn't require work, effort and would be moist and low calorie, too.  Nu, what could be easier than a half of a tomato?

That's right.  I took a tomato half and placed it cut-side down on the acorn squash half.  The only "challenge" was finding a tomato the same size as the empty inside of the squash.  I baked them covered with foil, afraid that uncovered they would dry out.

I probably should have lined the baking dish with "baking paper" for easier cleaning.

They tasted great and looked impressive.  You can certainly add herbs and spices in the crevice before topping with tomatoes.

Rolling Shteibel of Sorts

This morning, my first stage of travel to Matan was the bus to Jerusalem from Shiloh.  I noticed that I wasn't the only woman dovening (praying) on the bus.  No, not because we were frightened, like the "no atheists in fox holes," but because it is our custom (based on Jewish Law) to pray the morning prayers everyday.  And this was the 6:30am bus!  OK, I had been up very early blogging, emailing and drinking my water and half-dose of coffee.  The bus is a perfectly fine and suitable venue in which to pray.  When traveling, I sit when praying, even for the prayers one is supposed to stand.  And I always see other women and some men doing the same.  Safety, of course.

I had long finished the required prayers when a man got up and went to the back stairs of the bus, which just happened to be right in front of me.  He stood for the standing prayers.

Nu, obviously, I had to take his picture.  No, I don't know who he is, and he's not very recognizable from this shot.  That's fine with me.  I didn't want to risk disturbing him, so I only shot him once.  It's hard to see in the picture, but he is wearing his T'fillin, not only the Tallit.  Just in case you were wondering.

Two Jerusalem Views

I always go around with my camera strapped to my waist (next to my "money-plus" pouch.)  My kids think that I do it just to embarrass them, of course.  But the truth is that there is always something worth shooting, and just like a cowboy sharpshooter of old, time is of the essence.

OK, I admit that these photos weren't rushed.  Nothing's really moving here, but why waste time pulling a camera out of a bag when I can just unzip it on the run barely stopping to shoot?

Finally Post-Fast

Today was a wasted day, except for KCC, the previous post.

I feel so childish saying that I hate fasting.  This (Tzom Gedalia) was just a day fast.  Yom Kippur, this coming Shabbat, is a 25 hour fast.  That's an early dinner, then praying in shul, then sleeping, then up again and most of the day in shul, unless...

We're all waiting... yes, waiting...

It's hard to make plans when you're waiting...

Back to today...
I broke the fast on water and a fish and vegetable meal.  Since then I took a walk and then ate apples, yogurt and drank more water.

Tomorrow:

COFFEE!!

Kosher Cooking Carnival for the Hungry

I'm posting this fifty-eighth 58th edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival on Tzom Gedalia, and I am hungry!

If you'd like to host one, please contact me.  Posts can be sent via blog carnival.  KCC isn't just a kosher recipe carnival. 

• It includes posts about Jewish Law, concerning kosher food of course.
• Jewish food traditions
• History of Kosher food
• Restaurant and cookbook reviews
• and recipes, kosher only

Please publicize KCC on your blog, site or just pass around the link.


Here's a listing of the previous editions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, KCC Meta Carnival, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,  53,  54, 55, 56 and 57.  Click on the numbers to check them out.


And here's the latest edition...


Anything Kosher!


Try Angela's chicken recipe.  It looks both easy and special.

Sharon's pictures of the Jerusalem Machane Yehuda shuk on a Friday make you feel like you're there with her.
Leora's potato salad looks so good I'm tempted to break my low-carbohydrate diet!
My drink of choice at HaGov, Jerusalem's Kosher Sports Bar and Grill, is beer, so I'm happy to see that Neil posted a list of kosher beers.
Here in Shiloh, we plan healthy and diet-friendly menus at joyous events like the party celebrating the expansion of our synagogue.
Some people depend on Trader Joe's kosher list. Is that one of the secrets to its success?


Dessert


Mara's no-bake chocolate pudding pie looks nice and easy.

This parfait is in Miriyummy's post which you must read!  I'd have no self control if let near such a treat.
Even though the Bima Ima is still in the baby business, she's making plans for being a bubbie.  Why not?
The simplest summer dessert is frozen mango!


Every day meals

jay3fer posted a very tempting bread and a pizza.  Try them out.
There's something special about Miriyummy's camping treats.


Diet Food


Keeping the weight off when traveling, the key is in the planning.
Iced Coffee doesn't have to be sweet, even when bought.  Check the menu.


Jewish Shabbat and Holiday Food


David Levy's Stuffed Acorn Squash looks very special.
Here's jay3fer's Grama’s Neapolitan Cake, perfect for a festive dairy meal.

Restaurant or Cookbook Reviews


We had a delicious and fun jblog f2f.
Here are three more New York kosher restaurants to check out.


Traditional Food


jay3fer tells about her Auntie Sally's Challah.
Mrs. S. makes a very tempting chopped liver.
For my son-in-law, the traditional Jewish Holiday meal is freshly cooked over an outdoor fire.  I cook everything in advance like for Shabbat.  Those are the two extremes.  What do you do?


Please blog about this edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival.  Thanks

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of kosher cooking carnival-kcc
using the carnival submission form.  Only kosher recipes will be included.  If the post has nothing to do with kosher, Jewish or Israeli food or blogs, it won't be included.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.  Share  Technorati tags: kosher cooking carnival-kcc, blog carnival.