|
|
Post by savtele on Mar 5, 2017 2:06:54 GMT -5
What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.
Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:
Angelika
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy
And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting - you are welcome to do that but you are also welcome to chime in!
|
|
|
|
Post by savtele on Mar 5, 2017 2:44:02 GMT -5
Boker Tov, Shavuah Tov All! We are rapidly heading toward Purim - more on that later in the week. Keeping good thoughts for Peachy.
Frieda, I think, last week asked me about Music Millennium. I didn't get a chance to answer, but I'd love to tell you all about it now. MM in Portland is a music store that opened in 1968, I think. It is in an historic building/neighborhood - so no real changes can be made to the outside of the building, or much of the inside, I'm sure. The store now takes up a full city block of storefronts, all connected, with little stairs between what used to be different buildings. Inside there are many different levels, rickety stairs, odds & ends used as handrails, different types of floors....charming. If it is available, new or used, on vinyl, tape, DVD - they have it. If you call ahead, they will have a stack waiting for you at the desk. But that removes the joy of the search! There's a "listening station" with an antique barber chair (some waiting). All the aging hippies that work there are very knowledgeable & can help find any and everything ever sung or played by anyone!
I'm waiting for Spring! This winter has been brutal in many ways - we "normally" get 1 or 2 winter events (if any) in any given year - this season it has been 1 after another. Children will be going to school until late-June to make up for snow/ice days. Started in November, went well into February (although, to be fair, by Feb, the events were getting shorter & the temps were warming up more between). Downed power lines and fallen trees/branches. A neighbor lost an enormous oak, right behind his barn - missed his barn by inches! And so, ever since the last snow-melt on the valley floors, I've been looking.....looking for pussy willows & blooming Indian Plum (one of the 1st plants to actually bloom here) They are bushes with little "bunny ears" of green leaves that stick up & little "plums" of white blossoms that hang down. Every year, when everything is still dead and brown, they perk up the roadsides - along with bunches of daffodils that grow in sheltered areas by the roads. AND TODAY I SAW THEM! My pussy willow is covered in white, fuzzy catkins, the Indian Plum are blooming, and the yellow daffodils have started! AND the Farmers' Market has asparagus for $2.95/pound! I feel encouraged that spring is on its way!
Oh, and across the street from us, in the wetland, the frogs have set up a ribetting chorus! Chirping all evening & morning. (I hope they are eating mosquito larvae by the ton!) I love the sound of them!
What lets you know that winter is on the way out?
|
|
|
|
Post by savtele on Mar 5, 2017 10:51:35 GMT -5
Annnnd - this AM there is a heavy ice sheet on the ground here. I'm sure at lower levels there is nothing, but the world glistens here! No bullfrogs.
|
|
|
|
Post by happysavta on Mar 5, 2017 14:16:56 GMT -5
Angelika, in San Diego, when the Carlsbad Flower Fields open for visitors, it's officially spring. In honor of the flowers, here are some thoughts.
Sping is here when the ice plant blooms; vast patches turn drab lawns into a Royal Majesty's deep purple.
On the hillsides, surrounding the purple nobility, are the loyal Guards in shocking crimson uniform, muscular ice plants, each holding a curved green sword.
White and yellow daisies dance in step heads high, eager to be chosen ladies-in-waiting to the Queen.
Birds of Paradise bow like courtiers, hoping to be noticed with affection.
Roses hold a beauty pageant, each a princess competing for the title, Most Elegant.
Lantanas cheerfully offer the contestants a bursting bouquet to hold as they descend the runway in their petaled finery.
Marigolds just want to play with the dahlias and peonies, playground friends laughing in the fresh, crisp air, not a care.
Tulips hesitantly pop their heads up to see if it's safe to enter the world, peeping around, fragile as babies.
And I look around in wonder that these ordinary blooms have banished powerful winter storms. They boldly call for new beginnings, a new page, a new chapter and I follow.
|
|
lee058
This space for rent
Posts: 23,289 
|
Post by lee058 on Mar 5, 2017 14:55:39 GMT -5
Hi everybody. I've been having a busy day, so this is the first chance I've had to use the computer. I baked cornbread with DS helping to carry things and also do the mixing of the batter (I didn't want to put any strain on my arm), and it turned out really well. I also did the laundry, using my good arm as much as possible, with DS carrying baskets. Now, I am finally getting a chance to relax. I might take a nap, but the computer is so tempting to use!
It is currently in the 20's outside, although the sky is bright blue and the sun is shining brilliantly. There are daffodils everywhere, plus budding and blossoming trees. I hope they won't be hurt by the cold temperatures. It's supposed to warm up in a day or so, and I hope that the plants will be all right. This is the earliest spring I have ever seen here. We've had some unbelievably warm weather; this cold snap is more typical.
I don't have much else to say, so I will end for now. Have a good rest of the day, Lee
|
|
|
|
Post by peachymom1 on Mar 5, 2017 15:52:19 GMT -5
Hello everyone, and happy Sunday! It's sunny here, with a few sprinkles, but it's in the low 50s and we still don't have a working heater. The oven is usable now, though, so we're using it for cooking and it helps heat the place up too. This winter has been very rainy, much more so that is usual for SoCal, and I welcome every drop of it. The coming week is supposed to be sunny and even get into the 90s by the end of the week, but I'll believe it when I see it.
For our anniversary on Friday we did do some chores -- we got the laundry, menu planning for the week and grocery shopping done, went out for lunch, took naps, and I still had time to work out before going to our friends' house for Shabbat dinner. The whole weekend has been very relaxing, and I plan to have a nice nap today too. A little laziness is a wonderful thing!
Oh, and thank you, Holly, for mentioning the post last week from Patty. I did go back and post a reply. But if you happen to see this, Patty, thank you for thinking of me!
Everyone have a marvelous day!
Mu
|
|
|
|
Post by hollygail on Mar 5, 2017 17:27:07 GMT -5
My shul does what's publicized as the largest hamentashen bake in San Diego County (and I think it's true). They ran out of dough around 11:00 (it was scheduled to go until at least noon). I bought a half dozen chocolate chip/chocolate chip (there were chocolate chips IN THE DOUGH as well as in the filling), a half dozen Nutella-filled, and a half dozen poppy (for DH). And I was near the table where they put the "broken" and over-baked ones, so I also had a bite of lemon curd hamentashen (Oh My! SSSOOOO very lemony! SSSOOOOO delish!) as well as two chocolate chip/chocolate chip (one broken, one over-baked) hamentashen while I was there... (I don't bake 'em; I teach and bring my class during our designated helping time, which was 9:15 to 9:45, and some of my students didn't show up in class until well past 10:00...) And surprisingly enough, I haven't wanted anything else in the sugar family since!
|
|
|
|
Post by louise on Mar 5, 2017 23:21:41 GMT -5
Crazy weather week here. It was in the high 60's and maybe even 70 last week - in the teens last night. Still cold today. I did see the tips of some crocuses peeking out as I was walking around yesterday - I hope they can last through that sudden drop!
|
|
|
|
Post by happysavta on Mar 6, 2017 1:41:09 GMT -5
Goodness, I've chopped and cooked all day. Wanted to use up the veggies I bought last Wednesday. I still need to get to the eggplant and do something with the celery tomorrow. This food is all for me to use during the week. As I've said before, I like to cook ahead and have food ready to eat in the refrigerator.
Asparagus with garlic
Baby Bok Choy with Curry Sauce (Trader Joe).
Brussel Sprouts with lemon and honey.
Red Cabbage with Granny Smith Apples.
Whole Wheat Cous-Cous
Sauteed red and green peppers with onions & garlic (great with eggs)
Cabbage Soup
Israeli Salad
Pan Fried Tilapia
Veggie burgers
|
|
