MIDWEEK MUSINGS:SAME DAY CELEBRATION

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: Did you know since 1900 the holiday of Chanuka has fallen on Christmas Day only 4 times? The reason confuses so many but it's because Jews follow a lunar not a solar calendar for their Holidays. 

Many folks wonder what Jewish people do on Christmas. You know basically everything's closed. So how did I spend Christmas this Wednesday the 25th? 

Christmas Day is always a great day for Jewish friends and Family to get together as we don't have to go to work either.  Following tradition we head to the movies. 

 This year it was a fun-filled treat to experience Wicked on the big screen while seated on those comfy movie theater lounge chairs. No way to fall asleep with this outstanding musical with exceptional music, choreography, scenery and performances. The best!  WiCKED

The show ended in time to head over to where else but Chinese, Mr. Hui's and meet up with family. We all shared our dishes so there were leftovers. Of course, there were 3 other Jewish couples dining there we knew too.

After dinner the family joined me back home to light candles and enjoy special moon cake and cookie desserts made by my son's  mother-in- law and do a small gift exchange.

 The on again off again rain didn't dim the holiday at all. All I could think of after all this rain this week is that water could have been a lot of snow if I was up in the Midwest.

TUESDAY TUNES: A WICKED CHANUKAH

TUESDAY TUNES this week is on the cusp of the Holidays. This year Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev which this year actually is the 25th of December, Christmas day.

And appropriately enough as Jews have in my adult lifetime frequented  the movie theaters on Christmas Day since everything else is closed. Seeing WICKED is on the agenda before lighting the candles and having Chinese fried food for dinner this year. 

  

 ENJOY the Chanuka rendition of:  A WICKED CHANUKAH

MONDAY MUSINGS: REDEFINING FRIENDSHIPS

 Due to having to replace a stolen phone at O'Hare Airport there was more of a necessity to send out a 2024 newsletter with my new phone number. In doing so after 35 years, 501 is my area code once again.

It was difficult deciding how many copies to print as we all know many of us don't do holiday mailings anymore. And let's face it, the older we get, the more discerning we tend to be regarding our friendships. Hmmm friends, has your list changed? 

The discovery of 'Cool Retired Women'  online has added a new dimension to my day and believe me when I say, they discuss everything. I recently came across a poignant posting regarding friendships and it was in one of the responses that this gem was posted: 

‘Reason, Season, Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.’

-- Author Unknown 

Oh, Santa...

FOTO FRIDAY: SPINNING

FOTO FRIDAY: The entryway table is bedecked for the upcoming holiday of the festival of lights, Chanukah, with my dreidl collection and my family. 

FYI Chanuka starts on Christmas Day in 2024.

     May your season be filled with light and love. 

               It is up to us to provide both.

TBT: 2013 change in a decade plus?

TBT: Tell it like it is... Ho, ho, ho. My Dad used to dress up as Santa for a Head Start Center in Little Rock so I know Santa can also be Jewish.

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: EARLY GIFTING

 MIDWEEK MUSING this week deals with gift giving. You know 'Tis the season.' Some folks start freaking out as soon as the shopping commercials begin. Unfortunately, there is a lot of emphasis on giving in our society.

Our Moms taught us it's the thought that counts.  Who doesn't like to receive a gift?  Yet there's no diminishing the decision-making as to what the gift should be. 

I received an early gift that keeps giving and requires the receiver to work. You know like a puzzle- and one's satisfaction with its completion. 

Anyhoo' my kids gave me  'Remento.'  It is like a mini Life Scrapbook with photos, script and audio. Only it's the receiver who has to do the work. There are life questions which you record your oral answer and then those responses are incorporated into a narrative (AI).  Too bad I can't do my blog this way! 

Photos can be supplied and loved ones use their phone to activate the recordings of the relayed stories. 

Yesterday's question was "What is your first childhood memory?"  You can record it as many times as you want/ if you don't like the question, request a different one.

Whether others really do listen to this keepsake will be up to them...

Here's Remento 's promise: 

"Not tech savvy? No problem.

We designed Remento with grandparents in mind. Simply speak your story and your automated biographer takes it from there."

NO LOGINS

NO DOWNLOADS

NO PASSWORDS

RECORD FRO

TUESDAY TUNES: BLACK HORSE & THE CHERRY TREE

 TUESDAY TUNES is one of those songs which brings back memories. This song was a favorite request of a Jazzerciser who  exercised next my spot in the old hospital gym in La Crosse. Yes, old timers have 'their' spots and she let me share the front row with her. 

Linda taught Math at UWL and I had this 'dry' stereotype of Math teachers so this song gave me insight into her personality. Linda fell ill and was hospitalized and was back home on the road to recovery when she dropped in the shower and was gone just like that. She had had an aneurysm. 

It was my first funeral to attend in La Crosse and so this song will always remind me of her in addition to the cookbook of her favorite recipes her husband compiled and made sure we Jazzercisers received.

So this here's to this special tune KT Tunstall's

   BLACK HORSE & THE CHERRY TREE 

FOTO FRIDAY: KIDS GROW UP WAY TOO FAST

FOTO FRIDAY is a sign of the times re: kids growing up way too fast. 

Last night a phone call from my daughter had very important news, Ms H, her daughter, now has a beau and he had given her a ring. I didn't even know she had a boyfriend. 

Ms H told me his name is Eli. Since it wasn't a Facetime I asked her to describe how it happened and to tell me what it looked like. She told me it is gold. Oh... I exclaimed.

Then her Mom snapped a pic and sent it to me.

Now, before you congratulate me you need to know Ms H is only 7. Eli had just asked her to be his boyfriend and he had bought the ring at the school store. Now that's modern romance for you.

These kids nowadays just grow up way too fast. 

As her Bubbe my wish is "May she have many more boys in her life that will appreciate how special she is until she finds the right one. "

TBT: COMPETITION THIS YEAR BEWEEN CHANUKA HARRY AND LARRY AND THE ELF ON A SHELF

 TBT: Almost a decade ago Chanuka Harry and Larry came into my life at the same time as childhood buddy Kaye knew I had spoken of Little Rock artist Jane Hankins taking on the endeavor to create some special figures for this winter Jewish holiday. Unbeknownst to Kaye, I had ordered one for myself and she had decided to gift me one too.  They have been blessing my home with silly shenanigans ever since.

Usually they don't have to complete with the Christmas Elf on a Shelf but due to the holidays coinciding on dates this year, they will. 

If you have any ideas for the guys you can submit your suggestions and we will see if they are game...  

You know these two love new ideas.

                         We always look forward to Chanuka !

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: COLD PRESS

MIDWEEK MUSINGS find me in back to Bubbe status and intro-ducing my young grand to new foods. This week is carrots and pumpkin. 

In addition to the little being a guinea pig, I also made a couple new recipes. One, an olive oil almond cake reminded me that I wanted to share a unique possibility to enjoy Tuscan organic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from the olives picked during my stay. 

 B&B owners were hit hard due to COVID so here's our chance to help one particular cottage industry.

Poggio Etrusco's price list is updated on the website.  Note they no longer have the 750ml bottles due to not being able to find a supplier, So... they are only selling ½ litre tins this year. 

Here is a lovely description of Poggio Etrusco from their website.

"Poggio Etrusco is Pamela and Johnny’s 15-acre organic olive farm near Montepulciano in the southern Tuscan province of Siena. We completed our organic certification with ICEA in 2005. Our small artisanal production with 800 trees has five varieties of traditional Tuscan olives: moraiolo, leccino, correggiolo, frantoiana, and pendolino.

In October, and sometimes into early November, nets are spread under the trees,  olives are quickly and carefully picked and taken to the frantoio (olive mill) within 24-48 hours. The olives are washed, leaves removed, then put into the continuous system that macerates, extracts, and centrifuges the sparkling fresh oil. The result is an oil with extremely low acidity and lots of polyphenols...super fresh and healthy! 

The label was designed by Johnny Johns and expresses our desire for a clean, sustainable, peaceful world.

We are very proud of our oil and pleased to offer you the opportunity to try it."

 If interested, here's the link to their Order Form. 

TUESDAY TUNES: OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES

 TUESDAY TUNES is inspired by my days sharing music with my 5 month old granddaughter. She loves to squeal and share her vocal cords in response with the most beautiful smiles. I don't know what she will end up doing with her life but I have a feeling music will be part of it.

Today's tune is composed by a 10 year old with a lovely story... Take a listen. Olive's Score. 

Or to hear it FB's :  ABC's NEWS Muir 

FOTO FRIDAY: Gettin' Rid of PORN

FOTO FRIDAY: Can't disappoint with my last Texan treat... 

Mighty artistic altho' Gauguin didn't paint it.

 

I was a magician, I made this ' food porn' disappear...

Lemon tart via Leonelli...

TBT: 2016 I TRUST YOU

 TBT: I wish things were better in today's world.

 May we all remember we are each other's keeper... 

Perhaps you'd like to grab a kleenex.

I TRUST YOU-  KARIM SULAYMAN

TUESDAY TUNES: DON'T SAY DON'T GO

TUESDAY TUNES:  Is one of the Swifter's ... At least that's what I have nicknamed her... 

Here's a new favorite tune for this Jazzerciser... 

DONT SAY DON'T GO

MONDAY MUSINGS: BYE BYE BIRDIE

MONDAY MUSINGS have me reflecting on the past holiday week which passed undocumented as both you and I were busy with the holiday of Thanksgiving.

My Georgia clan was headed to Florida, the California crew was entertaining their LA fam and I enjoyed a family dinner the Sunday before since my nephew and to-be niece were in early. 

One of my favorite Canadian couchsurfers was on his return trip north and stopped en route for a couple of nights. 

We did squeeze in an Old Mill visit amidst some unforeseen house projects. I was hoping he'd help me organize the workbench, but that will have to wait for another visit and it obviously can wait as it's been 3 years since it's been on my to-do list.

Wednesday we both headed to our respective Turkey dinners. Houston was my destination and the airports really were so much quieter than expected. Apparently many travellers chose to travel on Tuesday. Go figure and I was able to change a long Dallas layover to an earlier flight which had 50 open seats!

 Homemade pizza awaited me. YUM.

Thursday's holiday table was filled with much thankfulness for the bounty, those who helped prepare it and for all those seated around the two tables. All the traditional fare was in the kitchen buffet line including salmon for the nonmeat eaters and an Irish family recipe of stuffed tomatoes... See below.

Couldn't capture it all: Turkey, gravy, oven potatoes, bread stuffing, cranberry salad, casseroles of sweet potato, corn pudding and green beans in addition to a pomegranate salad and rolls. Apple pie, brownies and pumpkin bread for dessert. I'm sure I left something out... 

Leftovers would be plentiful to devour during the week... And as my holiday shirt stated: we gobbled til we wobbled.

May this holiday season continue to be filled with the important things in life: good food, good friends and family...  Best wishes to you all.

And to my nail art I say Bye, Bye Birdie...