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.

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #2

Actually I lit the candles last night after attending the begining of the Annual  Menachem and Aliza Begin Prize Ceremony in Jerusalem.

I left it early, because I have to get back to Jerusalem today. I have so much to do and have a very long day.  Yes, I should have slept in Jerusalem last night...

One good thing I did accomplish yesterday was taking well over 10,000 steps. I rarely get to such numbers. Since I didn't work, I managed to do two circuits around my neighborhood in the morning and then walked a lot in Jerusalem on my way to the Begin Center, early evening. Since the walking wasn't all at once I felt fine.

Tomorrow, Gd willing I'll give you the lowdown...

Chanukah, 5776, 2015, Day #1

First we  lit candles at home, and then we went down to the main bus stop cum trempiada to wait for a ride or bus, where the view was stupendous. Even though we had timed things for a bus, we ended up with a ride to Ofra, which was perfectly fine.

That's where the Family Chanukah Party took place. And of course, many more chanukiyot were lit, since our custom is that absolutely everyone old enough to hold a candle, even with a little help, lights. And the Israeli preschool curriculum includes making a new chanukiah (that's Hebrew for a Chanukah menorah) every single year.

And we feasted. My daughter prides herself on her innumerable and creative latkes, which can be best described as vegetable patties, rather than potato pancakes, since she makes all sorts from the classic potato, to beets, carrots, sweet potato, dill-garlic, apple and so many more. There were also two soups, baked veggies, coleslaw, a big cut salad and salmon. One never knows what type of latke she'll come up with next.

Chanukah, Chag Urim Sameach!

Sometimes it's hard to decide on which blog to blog...

At first I figured I'd blog about this hasbara/public relations workshop on this blog, but in the end I blogged it on Shiloh Musings. Yes, it's times like these when one blog would easily suffice. So, please read the post there and comment, thanks.

What do you think? I'm curious; please comment, thanks.

Branding "Life in Shiloh/Binyamin" to Sell in Tel Aviv 

http://shilohmusings.blogspot.co.il/2015/12/branding-life-in-shilohbinyamin-to-sell.html

Win for "Jerusalem Big Blue Lions" Opening Game!

 האריות מנצחים את הפתח תקוה טרופרס 46-10

 Lions beat the Petach Tikva Troopers 46-10

We (two of my kids and I-after meeting in Pisgat Zeev) schlepped out to Mishor Adumim for the opening game of the Israeli Tackle Football Season. We went to cheer for the Jerusalem Big Blue Lions

I can't believe I'm still going to games even though my son no longer suits up to play. He is now the Head Coach, so the games no longer cause the stress in the kishkes that they used to. I just enjoy getting out and watching the people, the players as people. After all the years I've been going, I've gotten to know many of them. I know their parents, too. Some I knew before our kids knew each other via football, and others I know from the game. It's also a very nice way to see my kids.

When I first got to the game I almost freaked out, because I saw that my son's shirt (number and name) was on a player. I knew that he wasn't playing, and then I realized that the body in that shirt wasn't his. He had lent the shirt to a player whose shirt hadn't yet arrived. There was also another player's shirt on someone much bigger than the shirt's owner. Sometimes things aren't ready for the season's opening.

After the game, I slept over at friends in Maale Adumim. I just didn't feel like having to tremp home after midnight, especially when my friends were so eager to have me as a guest.

During Chanuka there will be another game. The Lions will be playing their archrivals, the Rebels. The game starts at 9pm, Thursday night, December 10,  in Mishor Adumim. The field is near the SuperSol. Come and cheer the Lions!!

First Flu Shot

For years I've avoided/refused taking/getting one of those flu vaccines. I can't give a reason that makes any real sense, but Baruch Hashem, thank Gd I've always survived the flu season without one. I don't know why I suddenly agreed this Tuesday when I was in the clinic, but I did. I've heard both good and bad things about them, like all of us. Some people get awful reactions, the flu, and others are in awful pain. As I write this, a few days after getting the shot and having passed the "danger days," I still have no idea if I'll have a healthier winter.

Time will tell. Do you get them?

Abandoned, 52Frames

This week's theme/challenge in the photography group I'm in, 52Frames, was "Abandoned." I took a few photos and chose this bench, from which I then took out the color, making it black and white.

"Benched Bench"
I don't live in Jerusalem and have no idea of how this uncomfortable crooked bench ended up in my neighborhood. It looks pitiful and is certainly abandoned. I've never seen anyone sit in it either. It has obviously been rejected, sent off the field, benched, the Benched Bench.

The Maccabeats Cook/Sing Up a Latke Recipe

Here's the latest from the Maccabeats

The Maccabeats - Latke Recipe - Hanukkah

Published on Nov 23, 2015 Music video for "Latke Recipe," a parody of "Shut Up And Dance" originally performed by Walk the Moon
Video by Uri Westrich

Grrr... More Internet Woes

You may have noticed that this posting is a bit later than my usual. Until a few minutes ago, just as I was reporting that there was no internet in the house, just as I was about to bang, tap, type our phone's "identity number" into my smartphone, the red light on top of the router (or whatever it's called) turned a healthy green.

This is the logo, which ironically says:
"Bezeq- The Best at Home"

So now my morning schedule is fokokt, but at least it's on now.  Spoke too soon, at this point all the upper lights are off... but when they're back I'll post this, Gd willing.

Chanuka-Rosh Chodesh Tevet, Women's Prayers

Suddenly I've noticed that Chanukah is very, very soon, and I'm not ready at all for it!!! There's one thing I can do from here in the den and that's announce that the next Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma aka Tel Shiloh will be:

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh Rosh Chodesh Tevet

Sunday December 13, 2015

1st of Tevet, 5776, 9:30am*

Hallel and Musaf for Rosh Chodesh

Tour of Tel Shiloh

Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים ראש חודש טבת בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה

יום א' 13-12  א' טבת, תשע"ו *9:30

הלל ומוסף לראש חודש

יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל

כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Please save the date and let others know. Join our facebook group for more updates. And remember that there are many other things to do at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. It's open to visitors six days a week. For more information call  02-994-4019.

*We're making it later 9:30am* than it has been for the past few years to make it easier for women to come from further than the Gush Shiloh area. 
התפילה תהיה יותר מאוחר מרגיל כדי לאפשר לנשים שגרות מחוץ לגוש שילה להגיע.  ב9:30* 

Cooking From Cookbooks? Passé?

I've been married forty-four and a half (44 1/2) years, and I have quite a collection of cookbooks, diet books and healthfood books. My mother and other relatives used to get me all of the kosher cookbooks they could find mostly during the 1970's. I have a full collection of Adelle Davis books and the then popular Italian, French and Chinese Kosher series that had the crazy Yiddish type food names.

When I planned my kitchen over thirty years ago, I made sure I'd have book shelves for them:

Do you recognize any of the titles there?

I also used to have a small box for index cards on which I copied my favorite recipes or recipes I had gotten from now forgotten sources and people. That was a trick I learned from a friend to keep my cookbooks clean and also kosher for Passover.  But a number of years ago, I threw that out. It was disgustingly dirty and not used much, except for the Hamantasch cookie dough.

In the old pre-internet days, if I was looking for a recipe, I'd pull out a number of cookbooks that could possible contain the sort of recipe I needed. I'd open the index and search and then go page by page sticking little pieces of paper to hold the place, and then I'd read all the options, choosing which to follow or combine.

Now, since I'm a food blogger, I've blogged most of my recipes, so it's just easiest to check my own blog with the help of google. And if I'm looking for a new recipe, or something I haven't blogged, I just "google" with some key words, compare the recipes and cook. I've never been very OCD about following an exact recipe. If you look up things like chocolate cake, meatballs or challah, you'll find such a variety of recipes and instructions...

• Nu, what do you do?
• Do you cook from cookbooks?
• Do you still have your own recipe files?
• Ot do you just buy ready-made or what?

Latest Blog News, HH and KCC

I just posted a new one on Shiloh Musings!
Jewish and Israeli Blog Posts, aka Havel Havelim
So, please check it out. There are also some Kosher food posts aka Kosher Cooking Carnival.

You know what they say about branding. Try to keep a recognizable name, so I'll just keep calling my blog "round ups" Havel Havelim. There's a facebook page, on which there are updates about when I'm posting one. Join it! This time I really didn't give much notice, sorry. You can always email me (shilohmuse@gmail.com) links with HH as subject, and I'll file them away until the mood strikes.