Here we are standing thigh-deep in glittering red and green–or in my case, the glittering white of the season. It’s not going away for a couple more weeks–it will only intensive. Love or loathe it, Christmas celebration is part of the cultural life-cycle that spins our immediate world. Lights, sparkle, candles, scents, ribbons, baking, colors–all of…
Tag: Tradition
Scary Good!
I just finished the Pioneer Woman’s creamy mashed potatoes, and they are scary good! This is a recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas alone, otherwise put it away. It could be heart attack on a plate–there is so much half and half and butter and cream cheese. Since mashed potatoes are so labor intensive, I like to do them…
Not Your Mama’s
My husband is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, now and will return before Thanksgiving. I am missing him. He has my camera. At the moment, I can’t decide what or whom I am missing more… him or my camera. I hate to be without my camera. It’s like going out without earrings. I feel naked… absolutely naked!…
Focus
These are the candles for our Sabbath meal last evening. They brightened our table and our eyes through the entire evening. Two candles burning against the night are symbolic of Sabbath rest and Jewish tradition.
haiku: sabbath peace
Art by Yoram Raanan sabbath peace settles flecks of gold, copper, and light pierce the dark of night
Finding the Quiet Center
I quell many thoughts competing for my attention as I sit in the temple. I have come to worship, not to mull over the mundane of life. The morning sun reflects pink and gold tones upon the white Jerusalem stone, as the rabbis remove the Scroll from the Ark, their prayer tassels sway as they bend and lift with tender…
Communion of Hearts
Well, I am already preparing for our Shabbat meal this week on Friday evening. The menu will include my signature dish, Tajikistan Wedding Dish. I don’t share the recipe on this one. It is Tajikistani, but with my own twists and embellishments.
Ready, Set, Believe
I wrote this poem after we had spent half a day with Tamara, our Russian guide, in Moscow touring the Kremlin, Red Square, Lenin’s Tomb, and the Russian Crown Jewels.
This Still Cracks Me Up!
Hey, I was one of those kids who got a hula hoop for Christmas and loved it! And the chipmunks’ Christmas song, well, it still cracks me up.
Stuffed Stockings
Since our daughter is 19 now and no longer the little girl that used to sneak around the house to spy Christmas presents, we stuff our stockings early–way before Christmas Eve. They are already stuffed with goodies. Actually, it means everyone of us must use self control not to peak. It’s hardest for me….
Bonnie Saul Wilks 