Bringing Out The Beauty in a Rose

The latest 52 Frames Theme/Challenge was to use two different ones from this year for/on one photo. When I took a picture of this lovely shy rose I thought I'd combine Nature with Macro, and the raindrops would be the Macro. Of course I'd crop it well. 

Then on the 52Frames facebook discussion page, someone offered to edit a photo -which was also a theme/challenge, and I just jumped at the idea of sending the rose to more capable hands. So, I sent her off to Bridget Mayfield. She came up with a few interesting and gorgeous works of art.

Take a look.

 And I chose.....

"Power Flower"
This photo combines the two challenges of Nature and Another's Editing. I must thank Bridget Mayfield for turning my shy rose, a true "wallflower" into this Power Flower. 

This photo qualifies for the "Extra Credit" challenge: "No B+W, Odds, or Lines"

Inexpensive Meal Near Mamilla Mall

Since none of the restaurants in the Mamilla Mall can be called "inexpensive," you may be interested in one just outside of it and across the street on Shlomzion Hamalka Street.

Ajamir may be the name. I couldn't find it on the internet. Next time, I'll take a card, but it does have a Kashrut certificate, and there are always people there eating happily. It's  a simple meat place, grill, kosher, with the usual salads, felafel, kabob, shwarma, chicken breast, schnitzel etc.

I've eaten there a few times, and service is good, too. Not only did the guy fill my pita high with salads, but he gave me a small bowl with more the last time I was there. There is a nice variety of salads. Service is friendly. I'll get more information when I pass by next, Gd willing.

And the Tremping Saga Tremps on...

It's hard to believe that all these siyate d'Shmaya rides and tremps were all in one day...

Newly redecorated trempiada, hitchhiking post
just outside of Ofra going to Shiloh and further
north or west

I've frequently described my mode of travel as siyate d'Shmaya caful X2 ( the Hand of Gd doubled.) First of all we must remember that all safe traveling is due to Gd's help,  siyate d'Shmaya. And all safe traveling is a gift from Gd, which is why I call it "doubled."

Yesterday was a busy day for me. No, I didn't go to work. I had errands in Jerusalem and then babysitting for the young grandkids in Ofra and visiting the older ones. So I had to squeeze in my Jerusalem shopping within the rather late opening times and still manage to get to Ofra in time to pick up my young granddaughter from Kindergarten. I also wanted to get in as much walking/exercise as possible.

After walking down the hill to the main Shiloh bus stop, I saw a lot of people waiting to get out. OK, not everybody goes towards Jerusalem.  And the large number of young girls from the 8th Grade were waiting for a bus to take them for entrance exams in a nearby high school. But still, even after taking all that into account, I wasn't quite sure how I'd travel. Nobody seemed to know if the 8:29 bus had come or not, even though I did get down there at 8:30. So we waited. After a bit, one of the young home-grown Shiloh men, who now has children attending the local school said he was off to Ofra, so I got in. We had a great talk catching up and I told him a lot about the history of the school, things little kids don't notice or quickly forget. Due to our talk he discovered that one of his students is the daughter of an old friend. He dropped me off by the Ofra bus stop, and within a couple of minutes, who should drive by but my very own daughter... Now, that was an unplanned treat. We had a nice visit while going to her Jerusalem office.

In Jerusalem I managed to walk to all of my planned destinations and got almost everything accomplished. The only foul-ups were when I discovered that my water bottle had probably fallen out into one of the cars, and my lunch (apple and almonds) had either done the same or had been inadvertently left at home. Minor snafus.

I took the lightrail to the Ammunition Hill stop and then walked down (Ramat) Eshkol Blvd to a bus stop at which I caught a bus to the "cityline," since I didn't know if there was a bus to Ofra. While waiting there a bus (461) to (Shiloh and) sped by and almost didn't stop. A couple of us had to run to catch it when he finally stopped a good 20 meters after the proper place. His driving was so crazy, we were halfway to Ofra before I could maneuver myself to a seat barely 90cm (about a yard) from where I was hanging on for dear life. The young man sitting there had kept motioning for me to sit down, but every time I tried to move I felt the bus careening in the wrong direction. Thinking back, I guess there were no passengers waiting in Sha'ar Binyamin or Ma'avar Michmas, so he never stopped.

I got to Ofra early and went to my daughter's house where I quickly took something to eat, relaxed, and then went to pick up my granddaughter. Eventually all of the Ofra grandkids got home, and I had a nice visit and was very impressed by their English comprehension and other talents. Finally it was time to go home.

Just as I got to the Ofra bus stop, I saw a 461, which goes up to my neighborhood coming in. I greeted the driver and a neighbor, and just as I was taking out my money to pay, the bus "died." The driver, well experienced as he is, couldn't get it to start, so I said goodbye and went off to the trempiada just outside. Within a couple of minutes or less, a neighbor who lives nearby stopped to give me a ride home.

B"H another wonderful example of siyate d'Shmaya caful X2 ( the Hand of Gd doubled.)

Visiting Maale Adumim

Now that my son's American tackle football team, the Jerusalem "Big Blue" Lions has been having its home games in Mishor Adumim, I've been staying with friends in Maale Adumim after the games. It's not that it's impossible to get home, since I've done it. I can get dropped off at the "cityline" aka the "hizme machsom" and tremp. But since I do have friends who'd like to host me, and I love to socialize, even if it's just over a quick breakfast and a few words before going to sleep...

And now I'm getting to know a bit of a beautiful city very close to Jerusalem, Maale Adumim. Here are some photos:

Not only does it look like a lovely place, but considering all of the wonderful friends I have there, it must be a great place to live.

Simple Low Carb* Beef

A few days ago my husband messaged me reminding me that I had some old tomatoes in the fridge that should have been used/eaten a couple of weeks ago. I told him not to worry. I had a plan!

Since they weren't moldy, I knew they'd be perfect for cooking, and there was a nice piece of beef in the freezer waiting for them. On Thursday they "married."

Here's the recipe, and unlike many beef recipes, there's no sugary jam or wine or juice involved. That's why I call it "Low Carb*."

Ingredients:

• beef (I always buy the least expensive and look for a piece that has little fat on it.)
• a bunch of halved overripe tomatoes or any tomatoes, as long as they're juicy and red.
• a large onion cut in large pieces
• a few pieces of fresh garlic
• a few peppercorns 
• a spoon or two of oil; honestly, I never measure
• water to prevent burning

Instructions:

1. heat oil, onion and garlic on high flame
2. then add the beef to sear and seal in juices 
3. keep turning over the beef until nothing looks raw on the outside
4. add tomatoes and peppercorns 
5. then lower heat and cover
6. cook for at least 90 minutes; add water if necessary to prevent burning

And that's it! This is such an easy and healthy recipe, and it has no extra calories at all and no sugar, too. And it was absolutely delicious. I served it with two types of cooked vegetables, salad and mujadarrah/majadra, which is a rice-lentils dish.

*carb=carbohydrates

For Better and For Worse, A Book Review

An "Only in Israel story" in an "Only in Israel story"...

A few weeks ago, I saw a reference to what looked like an interesting book on facebook. I decided to comment that I'd like to review it. After some fb messages and emails with the author, I discovered that she's a customer of mine in Yafiz, the clothing store where I work. This sort of coincidence is just the type of "only in Israel" story you'll find if you read For Better and For Worse: An Israel Odyssey by Batya Kroopnick.

And I want to make it clear that I would have enjoyed the book a lot, even if I wasn't acquainted with Batya Kroopnick. As far as I understand, this fictionalized story of Kroopnick's life in Israel is fairly close to her actual life. Names of people and some of the places mentioned have been changed, and of course it's not a diary.  But what is most important for the reader are the events, the recent history of the State of Israel and the feelings and reactions of the author.

I like the fact that she calls her life here an "odyssey: a series of experiences that give knowledge or understanding to someone," because life, especially in Israel is certainly that.

Kroopnick begins the book by telling of her main character, Shelly's childhood in America, why she came to Israel and how she became more Torah observant in Israel. When the media likes to publicize books by Jews who left Torah observance aka Orthodox Judaism, it's especially nice to find an interesting and well-written book showing how intelligent and idealistic Jews are attracted to a Torah observant life in Israel.

When I was reading For Better and For Worse: An Israel Odyssey I read it as if I wasn't a "neighbor" in a nearby community; I tried to read it as if I was living in New York. In a sense you can say she about an "Israeli Forrest Gump," because the family Kroopnick wrote about had been involved with everything that has been going on here for over a quarter of a century. Her alter ego Shelly, the husband and children have been part of Modern Israeli History from up close. They vacationed in Gush Katif before the expulsion, and she went to help support Sderot when the Gazans were shooting missiles at it. The older daughter was at the terrible Amona destruction that had traumatized my yeshiva high school students. (I was an English Teacher at the time.)

I sincerely recommend For Better and For Worse: An Israel Odyssey no matter where you live and no matter what your religion. It gives a very necessary view into the lives and feelings of real Israelis in Judea-Samaria, especially when the international and even local media paint us so badly. And more than that, it is a wonderful story of how idealistic young Jews cope with the reality of life in a very turbulent world.

At present the book may be purchased through Amazon, click the titles in the review and you'll get to the right page. The book is also currently in the Mintzer book store in Gush Etzion and also in the Pomeranz bookstore.  Click here for the site that has more information on how to purchase the book. You can get more details by emailing Forbetterandforworse.ilodyssey@gmail.com.

Keeping The Salt Away

We live in an oversalted world. One of my late mother's cooking mantras was "no salt," because she came from a family that had/has a genetic tendency towards all sorts of heart problems. So I grew up without a saltshaker on the table and never developed a taste and liking for salty foods and fine able salt. I cook with coarse salt only. Our fine table salt package (a kilo 2.2 lbs) lasts for decades. Many times I just can't eat something because it's over-salted to my taste. And thank Gd, even at my advanced age, I show no signs of the medical problems over-salting can cause, bli eyin haraa.

Sometimes once a week, I need a good (and inexpensive) dinner when at work, so I go to the Rami Levy "burger kiosk" and order chicken breast and salad served on a plate, not in a pita. The pita is on the side to take home...  It costs me only ns15- which is maybe $4 or a drop less. They add some ready-mixed spices (like in all the grill places) plus salt. The first few times I ordered it even after saying "no salt" a number of times I had to make them start all over. Then the guy at the grill got clever and moved the salt to the other side so he wouldn't automatically add it.

It's funny that since then, he greets me by saying "no salt," and he hasn't forgotten, even when he doesn't move the saltshaker.

Body and Behind the Subject for 52Frames

With all my "what I did during Chanukah" series, I didn't post my usual about the 52Frames shot. Last week, we had to make the background stand out, or be even more attractive than the "subject." Or you can say that the background was the subject... But the official name of the challenge was "Behind the Subject."  Here's my photo:

I took this with my cellphone, since I hadn't planned on taking a picture. I just fell in love with the sky.

And for this week, the theme was "Body." I kept thinking more "body parts," which was a mistake on my part. I hope to be more careful in the future.

I got pretty desperate, not finding anything to photograph or if I tried, awful. So, I asked my husband if he'd mind being the model again. Luckily he agreed. 

Nu, so, what do you think of them?

An Important Lesson for Soccer Moms, Football Dads etc

A few weeks ago, when my son's American Tackle Football team, the Jerusalem "Big Blue" Lions, had their first game in the Mishor Adumim field, I noticed a very interesting sign:

PARENTS- PLEASE BEHAVE AS OBSERVERS

1. Cheer in a positive way.
2. Honor the opposing players.
3. Stay in the stands.
4. Make it possible for us to learn the game.
5. Make it possible for the coach to coach.
6. Be positive role models.
7. Value a good/fair game between two teams.

We play for enjoyment, because we love the game.

I promised myself that I'd blog about it, because I think it's important to remember.

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #8, Partying!

Well, we won't be lighting any more chanukiyot until next Chanukah!

Yesterday I had a busy time, since it was Rosh Chodesh. That meant rain or shine we, the intrepid Women of Tel Shiloh went off to pray there.

On the way back, after praying, we noticed that there are signs that the ground and plants are reviving due to the Gd given blessed rain. Next Rosh Chodesh, Shevat, will be Monday January 11, and Gd willing by then we'll see lots of green all over.

Later in the day, actually after I had lit my chanukiyah at home, I went to the "senior citizen" Chanukah party. Actually, I had been asked to help translate the talk from Hebrew to English.  It was a lovely party, and Shiloh neighbors of all ages had been invited to join in the festivities as you can see from the pictures.

Young and old, everyone had a wonderful time. And now it's time to diet...

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #7, Now for The Turkey; Chodesh Tov!

I guess my Chanuka series is a bit off, since I blog in the morning and tell about the day before. This post is called "," but it's really more about the Sixth Day of Chanukah, not the Seventh. I hope that slight inaccuracy doesn't really bother anyone.

The 6th and 7th days of Chanukah are both Rosh Chodesh (beginning of the Jewish Month.) That makes all of the prayers much longer than usual, record-breaking long actually. There are extra prayers added for both Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah. There was a rousing Hallel said/sang in our synagogue, but less was done as song than we do at the Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.  Regardless, we ended late enough. In a couple of hours, rain or shine, I'll be going to doven at the site of the Ancient Biblical Mishkan, Tabernacle at Tel Shiloh, Gd willing.

We had a quiet Shabbat, my husband and I, for a change, no guests and no invitations to eat at neighbors. I had started inviting people, but everyone had other plans, so I gave up. That's one of the reasons I decided to go for the turkey I had bought about Thanksgiving time. No, it isn't/wasn't a whole turkey or even a half. I bought four turkey drumsticks. There's a lot of meat on them, so it doesn't pay to serve for guests who frequently don't finish them. Each is a serving as far as I'm concerned. I decided to cook up two of them as a "one pot meal" in a "bake and serve" dish.

Nobody could really call this a traditional Thanksgiving recipe, but it's as close as we got to one. In a large round baking dish I placed:

• 2 turkey drumsticks, (yes, 2 more remain frozen and waiting)
• large carrot cut in big pieces*
• small sweet potato (yam,) cut in big pieces
• a green squash, also cut in big pieces
• a cut orange that had been waiting in the fridge for a special occasion, (an apple would have had been good, too)
• and a couple of large mushrooms, since we like mushrooms, but they're optional
• a bit of oil dribbled on top 

I covered it all with aluminum foil; you can also bake this in a pan that has a cover. And then I baked it at a high heat until I was sure that the turkey was safely cooked. 

This Not Your Thanksgiving Turkey Dish was moist and tasty. I served it with a large salad and some more vegetables, a Cauliflower and Carrot dish. My husband had rice, too. I drank some beer and he had wine; he also started with his chicken soup.

You don't have to use the exact vegetables and fruit that I did. If you're using frozen vegetables, add them when the turkey is almost fully cooked, or they will be an unappetizing and unhealthy mush. Please let me know if you try this recipe and whatever changes you've made, thanks.

*The vegetables are all cut in in big pieces so they won't overcook and become a mush. The turkey takes longer to cook than vegetables.

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #6, My Makeshift Chanukiya

Lighting a chanukiyah (Chanuka Menora) on the sixth night of Chanukah this year proved to be a challenge. I wasn't home the usual lighting time, and I wouldn't be in anyone's home until midnight or later. I had been thinking of at least watching the lighting at work in Sha'ar Binyamin, but there wasn't an announcement, so by the time I realized someone was lighting the giant chanukiyah it was too late for me to ask someone to relieve me in the shoe store and go out to be there.

I did come prepared with seven "tealights," but I didn't really have a plan. I thought about lighting near the official one at the entrance to Rami Levy, but I had a feeling that wouldn't work out, and I ended up leaving in a rush to catch a surprise ride. Thursday night was another football game for the Jerusalem "Big Blue" Lions in Mishor Adumim.

Once I got there I began scouting a suitable place to light and asked the team's coach (my son) if there would be a public lighting. He wasn't sure and had other things on his mind. So I looked around and realized that the bleacher area was all cement and should be safe for my makeshift chanukiyah.

So, while the Lions warmed up, and some local kids practiced soccer --the field is enormous!-- I set up my little chanukiyah. First I found a nice flat stone, or was it a piece of flour tile, to raise the shammash, and then I very gingerly said the proper blessings and lit them.

I stood close by to protect them from the breeze for about a minute, and then I slowly moved away.

Amazingly, they stayed lit for most of the game.

And I wonder how many people noticed them and could have guessed who lit that Chanukiyah....

And are you wondering which team won?

It was the other team, but it was close and the Lions fought hard.

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #5, Behind the Blogging Scenes

I must admit something. This post does not have a candle-lighting photo, because it's being written in advance ans set up to post in the morning. That's because the plan is to be at a football game "last night" which is really tonight, since I'm writing this Thursday morning, not Friday morning.

preseason game between the Jerusalem "Big Blue" Lions and the Judean Rebels

This game in Mishor Adumim, I'm going to is between the Jerusalem "Big Blue" Lions and the Judean Rebels. The teams played each other preseason, which is when I took the picture above.

Since I'll probably sleep over at a friend's, I'm writing this in advance and setting it up to post in the morning. This is very easy to do on "blogger." I do the same usually on Shiloh Musings, so now the truth is out. The writing and posting aren't always what they seem, date-wise.

Gd willing the game will be a good game, no injuries and lots of fair-play, sportsmanship. The score should be close, so the losing team isn't embarrassed. And of course I hope and pray that the Jerusalem "Big Blue" Lions win. They should have great, victorious season, Gd willing.

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #4, A Night at The Movies, VIP

The first thing my husband and I did as we rushed back into the house after a night at the movies was to get our chanukiyot ready for lighting.

Yes, we went to the movies! Here's how I summarized our evening on my facebook page:

I hadn't been to a real movie, like in a cinema for years, ever since the Andy Kaufman Man in the Moon played in Israel. (We had been in the same GNN class.) But tonight my husband and I went to see Bridge of Spies, the Tom Hanks movie about Gary Powers etc. And even more, it was in the Cinema City VIP, a birthday gift from his job. It took months to find a movie the right movie, night and time. Coincidentally, someone else from there was also at the same showing and they dropped us off at the "city-line." Within a minute or two a neighbor came by and took us home. B"H!!

Since I had been warned that the seats were extremely comfortable, I have have a history of dozing off at movies, I took a cup of coffee, cappuccino, as part of the complimentary self-service "dinner" before the movie. In all honesty, the food was nothing spectacular, but there was a lot of it and they even had a salad of sorts and roasted vegetables, besides pizza, pasta, lasagna and too many desserts, popcorn, too, of course. And there was also wine and soft drinks. I didn't see any beer, but I didn't ask.

So even though, my feet were very comfortably raised, I stayed awake for the entire movie. The coffee must have helped, and it was good coffee. I only had a couple of sips of wine, which can put me to sleep if I drink a cup of it.

Now, from what we've heard, a large percentage of those who take advantage of that VIP deal got their tickets as gifts, frequently from work like my husband did. Considering that at our age, movie prices are reduced, you can go to a good restaurant for the same and not be rushed to finish on time. There's only a half hour allocated for each showing. For those who love that sort of food and dessert it can be fun. We did have a good time, and it was worth waiting for the movie. Maybe because it was a serious adult history (totally clean, so anyone would feel comfortable viewing it) movie, the audience was quiet and respectful. I have no idea what goes on during other movies.

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #3

Lit the Hanukkah candles a bit late last night. Came home from work late, and put up lunches for tomorrow and a gazillion, ok just a few other things. But I did have a busy day between work and learning in the morning with my Al Haperek group. Believe me Chanukah is not  a restful week for me.

I'm sure I walked well over 10,000 steps today again, but my phone/pedometer kept refusing to count all the steps. It was getting very frustrating marching around the shoe store when there were no customers, and I had already cleaned up. And I did the turning the phone on and off. OK my body knows I did it, but the phone won't give me a gold medal. That's not fair!!

OK, enjoy, there are worse things.