Priorities

I must admit, I am a bit 'over' blogging right now. I don't know that it is as simple as loosing interest, I just feel that right now I have far more important things going on in 'real life' that need more attention and are more important than my blog. Although over the past 11 months of blogging I have met many lovely genuine people, there are many aspects of blogging I just can't be bothered with and sometimes blogging is not as fun as it should be.

Before anyone asks, this is not a goodbye, you can't get rid of me that easily. This is just a post to say I will be back in a week or so... it is all about priorities, and spending time with my girls is far more important than spending time in front of the computer....plus, I have some other work to do at the moment too.

So until then, see you later.



.... Just another day ....

JPix Is Up At Life In Israel!

JPix is up over at Life In Israel with loads of great photos to go have a look at, so make sure you pop over and take a look. While on the topic of JPix, Mottel from Letters Of Thought will be hosting the next edition in a fortnight so if you have any photo posts be sure to submit them to be included in JPix.

If you are interested in hosting an edition of JPix you can contact Aaron here.

The photos I have posted today are of one of the towns near where I live. I took them on Wednesday while I was out...don't you love the colour of the pub?? I guess the paint must have been cheap!

Well, it looks like it is going to be a beautiful day here today - sure my feet are freezing to the floor, even with my great big thick pink explorer socks on, but outside, the fog is clearing, the dew is melting away and the birds are singing in the beautiful sunshine.... and I have work to do for Shabbat...

Have a great weekend!
Shabbat Shalom!

.... Just another day ....

JBlog Bunch - Week 2 up Over At BagelBlogger

Week 2 of the JBlog Bunch series is up over at BagelBlogger.

This week is a little harder than last week, seems Mr Bagel has 9 JBlogger photos but has 12 JBlogger links - guess you will just have to try to work out who is there... and who isn't there!

Here is a little sneak peek at the latest JBlog Bunch....

Who do you recognise in the photos? Is there anyone there that stands out?... Just remember, just because their name/blog is listed doesn't necessarily mean their photo is there!

So anyway, pop over to BagelBlogger and have your say! And while you are there don't forget to check out last weeks answers to these photos...

.... Just another day ....

Busy! Busy! Busy!

The Barber Shop...drop in and get your mullet trimmed...

I haven't written a post since last Friday, I have been working on another (creative) project that has taken any spare time I have had.

I have been out and about quite a bit over the past couple of days, I took the photo of the Barber shop on the weekend. There has been a few things going on in the blogging world too...

Of course there is the JBlog Bunch contest over at BagelBlogger that I spoke of in my last post. If you haven't been and had a look/guess pop over as the answers will be reveled sometime Monday US (Tuesday Australia & Israel) time and a new JBlog Bunch will be posted ready for linking with the correct blogs.

Kosher Cooking Carnivals 18th edition is up over at Me-Ander. As usual the lovely Batya has done a marvellous job in putting it all together. There are loads of great links, so make sure you go take a look if you haven't already! Also I will be hosting next month so start thinking about any food posts/recipes that you can submit.

Rafi over at Life In Israel is hosting this weeks JPix due out this Thursday 24th. If you have any photo posts that you would like to included please submit them straight away so they can be included! Time is running out!

To all the people who always leave me comments, thankyou and I am sorry I haven't been able to visit so many blogs over the past few days - hopefully I will be able to catch up on everyone in the next few days. Same goes for the emails I still haven't got around to answering - hopefully I will have time to reply real soon.

Last but not least, congratulations to all the people that won a JIB... honestly... and fairly...

.... Just another day ....

The JBlog Bunch - Week One... Who Do you Know??

Do you know who the JBloggers are in the pictures above??

9 JBloggers Reveal a Photo of themselves!
The Mystery Blogger Series No #1

Bagel Blogger has created a really fun game for JBloggers to see just how well they think they know each other. Week one is already up, so make sure you pop over and have a go... All you have to do is match the 9 JBlogger photos to 9 of the 10 JBlogger blog links. Now that doesn't sound too hard, does it? A few people have already stepped up to the task.

Who can you see there? Can you see Rafi G? Muse? What about Yid With Lid? Or A Simple Jew? Hmmm...

Are you up to the task? Think you know all nine?

Go and leave your answers in the comments section of Mr Bagels post!

I would also like to point out the nice job Mr Bagel did of creating the JBlog Bunch Cartoon picture above... very cute, nice job!

.... Just another day ....

My Inspiration

Over the past couple of weeks I have had a few people ask me if I am a professional photographer. The answer is quite simple... no... absolutely not.

I do have a passion for photography and have had since I was about 7 or 8 years old. Many members of my family work for the 'Herald-Sun' newspaper in Melbourne. It started with my Grandfather working there, then Dad worked there for almost 30 years holding a rather high position, along with many of my Aunts, Uncles, cousins and even my Mum. There was a joke amongst the workers that the building was really the family mansion because so many of my family worked there and had done so for so long. So, I guess I had an interest in newspapers and photography through family interest for a start. When I was in primary school I had a friend whose Dad was a very well know photographer for 'The Age' newspaper in Melbourne. It was the day that he came and visited my grade 2 class to talk to us about being a photographer for The Age that I became interested in photography myself.

The photo above is a day I clearly remember. It was 1984, John Lamb asked all us kids to sit in a circle and he stood in the middle - spinning around taking photos of us all, showing us how his camera worked and how quickly he could take photos. The photo above is one of those photos (that's me second from the left).

John is one of Melbournes greatest photographers and worked for many, many, years for the Age. He has had a very successful career winning numerous awards. I have found that John no longer works for the Age, apparently he left back in 1998, but, it was only back in March this year he won another award - a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award

The Melbourne Press Club gave a Lifetime Achievement Award to former Age photographers John Lamb and Bruce Postle, described by the club committee as two of the greatest cameramen in the history of Australian press photography." (that's John on the left)

I believe John now owns and runs a Corporate Photography business and a Family Photography business in bayside Melbourne.

It is kind of strange to think that one visit, from a particular person, to my grade 2 class all those years back, has made such an impact on me.

Maybe one of these days I can spend the time, get the training, develop the skills, work damn hard, put in all the blood, sweat and tears I need to be as good and as successful a photographer as what John is. Maybe...


.... Just another day ....

Moussaka - Vegetarian Eggplant and Cheese Recipe

MOUSSAKA
(Vegetarian Eggplant & Cheese)

Ingredients:

4 eggplant, - stems removed
2 tsp Salt
1/4 cup oil
4 Cloves garlic, - chopped fine
1/2 cup Tomato sauce
170g Tomato paste
1.5 cups Water
2 Eggs, beaten
225g Mozzarella cheese, grated

Method:

1. Cut each eggplant lengthwise into 3 equal slices. Sprinkle with the salt and let stand for 20
minutes, dry the slices on paper towels to absorb the liquid that accumulates. Set aside.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a pan and stir-fry the garlic over moderate heat until golden,
about 2 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water and mix well. Simmer the sauce over low heat until it becomes thickened, about 15 minutes.

3. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in askillet. Dip the eggplant slices into the beaten eggs and fry over moderate heat for 2 minutes. Fry all the eggplant slices this way.

4. Put a layer of eggplant in a heatproof casserole dish. Cover with about 1/2 cup of the cooked tomato sauce. Sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons of the grated cheese. Cover this another layer of eggplant, then sauce, then cheese. The last layer (there should be three) ends with the cheese. Bake in a preheated 180C/350F oven for 30mins.

Serve warm. Serves 6 with spaghetti or other dishes.


.... Just another day ....

Life In A Non-Bustling Town...

I just though I would share a few photos of our 'non-bustling' little country town. As you can plainly see it is a hive of activity.... not.

Basically the 'shops' in our town consist of: 2 Timber Slabs shops, both of which are closed unless it is tourist season (1st and 5th photos), A Pub (of course! 2nd photo), a Post Office, 2 Petrol Stations and a Bakery. Plus the Motel, Fire Station and the Primary School. There's not a lot to choose from!

It is not really the most exciting town on the planet, it is kind of cute... if you are passing through, and you pretty much have to drive a long way to see anything exciting. Most of the people that live here have lived here for 30+ years and everyone seems to be related in some way or another...but anyway here are some photos I took this morning after taking the girls to school.

The other thing I wanted to say today is that the Jewish and Israeli Blog Award's voting finishes at 10pm US EDT on the 16th May (which is around 12 lunchtime Thursday 17th for my Aussie readers). I am currently coming 2nd in Best Photo/Graphics Blog - it is really close between 1st, 2nd and 3rd. So with around 18 hours of voting time to go, if you haven't yet voted, now is the time to do it!

If you would like to vote for me in "Best Jewish Photo/Graphics Blog", you can do so here.

.... Just another day ....

JIB Final Round Of Voting

**This is a sticky post and will remain at the top - normal daily posting below**

It is now JIB voting time again. I have made it to the final round of "Best Jewish Photo/Graphics Blog". I am actually quite amazed that so many people voted for me in the last round and before I ask you all to consider voting for me again, I just wanted to say thankyou to you all, I was quite shocked.

I said in the last round I was not expecting to get through to the finals and I have, well, I will say it again, I am not expecting to win either.

I wish everyone that is in the finals in all categories the very best of luck and I really do hope people vote honestly and fairly - and not just for the people you like, but for the people who are deserving.

If you would like to vote for me in "Best Jewish Photo/Graphics Blog", you can do so here.

While you are there please consider also voting for my husband Mr Bagel in his two categories. He puts a hell of a lot of work into his blog and really is deserving of an award for his time and effort.

Vote 'Bagel Blogger' for "Best Designed Jewish Blog" here

Vote 'Bagel Blogger' for "Best Of The Rest Jewish Blog" here

Please also remember anyone can vote and it is quick and easy - no registration is required.

.... Just another day ....

Yummy Baklava!

This months edition of the KCC is due soon over at Me-Ander, so I thought I would post a couple of recipes. The first recipe I am posting is for Baklava, which for those who don't know is a sweet syrup-soaked pastry that is popular in Greece and the Middle East. This version is flavoured with lemon and rose water. You should get about 30 pieces from this recipe.

Ingredients:

200g shelled pistachio nuts
1 tsp caster sugar
2 tsp rose water
270g filo pastry
1/4 cup oil

For the Syrup
3/4 cup water
1.5 cups caster sugar
juice of 1 lemon

Method:

1. Chop nuts in a food processor, don't grind them too finely. Stir in sugar and rose water.

2. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Cut sheets of filo pastry in half. Brush a little oil on the base and sides of a 25cm/10in square baking tin. Put in sheet of pastry, brush with oil and cover with a second sheet. Use up half of the pastry this way.

3. Spread the nut mixture over the pastry and cover with a sheet of filo. Repeat until oil and pastry are used up.

4. Using a sharp knife, cut vertical lines 4cm apart. Cut right through the pastry and nuts, then cut diagonal lines to form diamond shapes. Bake in the centre of the oven for 15 - 20 mins.

5. To make syrup, put the water and sugar in a small pan and heat slowly. Stir once or twice and when it boils add 2 tbsp lemon juice. Boil the syrup for about 6 mins. Stir in remaining lemon juice and leave to cool and thicken slightly.

7. After 20 mins turn the oven to 150C/300F and cook the Baklava for another 20 mins. Cool for about 10 mins.

8. Pour the syrup over the Baklava. Leave for several hours or overnight.

9. Enjoy!


taken from 'The Jewish Cookbook'

.... Just another day ....

My Little Helper

Mondays always feel like such busy days to me. I think it is because I feel a real need to give the house a really good clean up with the girls back at school after the weekend. The girls, like all children I suppose seem to make so much mess, although when they are asked to clean up they always do a great job. There is nothing worse than when they get out something to play with, get bored of it, leave it there and just get something else out. They know they are to pack it up before moving onto the next thing to play with.

With my Monday morning urge to have a good clean up becoming a regular occurrence, this morning when I woke up, little Ruby led me around to her bedroom to proudly show me she was already working on the clean up! Her room was spotless, especially considering she is only 3 years old and had done all the work herself!

Ruby seems to be becoming a real little helper, whether it is cleaning the bedrooms, putting dishes away, sweeping the floor, folding washing or even hanging wet washing, she is always there to help her Mum.


.... Just another day ....

Some Like It Hot

It just keeps getting colder and colder here at the moment and it is not even officially winter yet. It was only a few days ago that I posted the photos of the incredible sunset we had recently (bottom photo).

Forget the sunsets now, it has been cold and overcast ever since! Thankfully we have our trusty fire place (top two photos) to keep us warm and a big wood pile. This morning was so cold, I went out onto our back verandah at about 10am to take some photos of the clouds still hanging in the valley and the cows eating the wet grass (middle two photos).

Anyway, things haven't really warmed up today, it has been cold all day, but, even still it has been a lovely Mothers Day! When I got up this morning, Jade had already made breakfast for her and her sisters and she also made them lunch, she is a very helpful girl! I also recieved some beautiful presents from Aaron and the girls. The girls made beautiful Mothers Day cards at school and little presents and I also got a new microwave, some new shoes, some biscuits in a beautiful tin (which I will add to my collection!) and some chocolates. So I am feeling very lucky!

Tonight I am looking forward to curling up in front of the fire to to keep warm!

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mum's out there!


.... Just another day ....

The Love Of A Child

The greatest love of all is be able to have a child’s love

To love your child and to have your child love you back

Waking each morning with your child’s eyes on you.

A child’s love keeps you believing in brighter days

Believing that dreams do come true

Giving you hope for a brighter future

Bring happiness to your heart

Bringing rainbows to every gray sky

Having the love and comfort of a child is the greatest gift in life

A child’s love is forever lasting

No matter how far you travel

No matter how many miles away,

You will always have your child’s love in your heart

It will never go away

You can always feel your child’s presence in your heart

Your child’s home is in your heart

Their love is always here to comfort you.

poem by Stacey Chillemi


.... Just another day ....

'JIB Chatter' - New Discussion Site

This is a bit of a mixed up post tonight, there are a few things going on, so here goes....

Firstly, I would like to let everyone know that there is a new blog open 'JIB Chatter'. If you have something you would like to say about the JIBs feel free to pop over and take a look - it will also be a good place to check out the opinions of others on the JIBs.

Some people may feel uncomfortable talking about what they really think of the JIB's on their own blog, so this is a great place to go and say what you think. Another great benefit of this site is that you can catch up on the latest voting results in real time and also the latest JIB articles in the Jblogosphere. Click here to go and have a say. JIB Chatter is also accessible via BagelBlogger (JIB Chatter button in top menu of Bagels home page).

Certainly worth checking out...


-----------------------

The other thing is JPix. Jpix is up over at Temunot, David has done a wonderful job, it is a enormous and it is certainly a must see. So if you haven't already had a look, go over and check it out! Well done David!




Now for some more normal everyday news... Later this month Jade's class is travelling almost 3 hours away to one of the major regional centres for a poetry competition. Her year 2 class has made it to the state final with a poem they wrote. She is very excited about the whole thing so hopefully they will do really well. The poem they wrote is about a moth being caught by a Willy Wagtail - hence today's moth photos.

The photos of the moth were taken from my kitchen window, the moth was stuck on the window glass - the first photo was taken from inside the house and the second was from outside.


.... Just another day ....

Life In The Days of The Old Schoolhouse

Back around the time of the 1850's this block of land we live on was actually the site of the old local school house. Around 150 years ago, this little town of ours was a hive of activity - believe it or not. Apparently there was heaps of people that lived here, many more than the dwindling 300 people we have now. Our town was so busy and populated because it was a gold mining town.

About 50 meters from our front door is the remnants of the old school house that stood on top of this hill we now live on. Unfortunately, over the years the school house has crumbled away and today there is not much left of it at all - in fact there is only the chimney left - barely standing.

As you can see by the photos, every so often more bricks fall off of it, and soon enough it will probably be gone altogether, which I think our landlord will be happy about - then he can build there.

It is quite sad actually, to imagine that 150 years ago children ran around and happily played here and went to school in the old school house which now barley exists and will one day be completely gone.

We have two huge, very old pine trees out the front of our house which would have been here back in those days - I can imagine the children playing, chasing each other around the trees - I suppose one day they will be gone too.

I often wonder what life was like back then. I went to our little cemetery the other day and was shocked to see how many graves were there of such small children. Here I am today, complaining of how far away we live from things and how long it takes to go anywhere, but I now realise how much harder it would have been then, especially if a child became ill - there would be no 40 min drive in the car to the hospital. Help would have been much slower then, and I suppose that is why so many small children died.


.... Just another day ....

Show Some Respect Jack

I obviously need to make this crystal clear as Jack doesn't seem to be getting the message.

Jack left a comment on my post "A Piece Of My Mind - JIB Finalists" yesterday, part of which said this:

"It is the equivalent of two 14 year-old boys fighting about who has the bigger winky.

I have seen more impressive work from monkeys flinging crap at the wall. Go ahead and keep up the little circle jerk, this mutual masturbation is ever so impressive.

Better yet keep taking time out of running big impressive companies to argue on message boards about who craps bigger."

I am highly offended by this comment. In response and for the second time I politely ask him to to keep his negative talk on his own blog:

"Jack,
it is obvious we don't see eye to eye on the topic of Ploni - and that is fine.

But, to come here and talk in the manner you have on my personal blog using the language you have and the discriptors you have shows a lack of judgement you are becoming famous for.

I don't care that we disagree on points, but keep your sewer talk on your own blog.

Baleboosteh"

Instead of realising his mistake in speaking in the disgusting and disrespectful manner he did on my blog (keeping in mind I am a woman not one of the boys) and doing the right thing about it and apologising he chose to respond with this:

"Actually I suspect that the reason you are upset is because it is an entirely accurate portrayal of the immature behavior of some regarding the JIBs."

No, Jack, that is not it at all. As I said I don't like the language you have used, the attitude you have displayed or the total and utter disrespect you have shown me on my blog.

I am offended by you, your language and the fact you couldn't even bring yourself to apologise. My husband would never ever speak in the manner you have around me so why should I put up with it from you. How would you would feel Jack, if your wife had a blog and some guy who you don't even know was leaving comments like yours? I suspect you wouldn't be very happy.

The whole thing makes me feel quite ill and very uncomfortable, especially now that I know Jack is not who he says he is.

I am now asking you Jack, publicly, to stay away from me and my blog. You are not welcome here anymore, any comment you leave will be removed.

For anyone who would like to read the article and comments in full - it was quite a 'discussion', go here.

------------------------------------

To my regular readers, I hope to be back to normal postings tomorrow, but for now, I just don't feel in the mood for blogging, sorry. I have also had to turn comment moderation on again, I know it is annoying so I am sorry about that, but I am sick of the filth comments being left.



.... Just another day ....

Amber's Progress 5 Months On

As many of you are aware, our middle daughter Amber had rather radical open hear surgery late December last year. It has been 5 months since her surgery now, she is 5.5 years old and we have been very lucky in that she has had a very good recovery.

The photo above is of Amber eating her breakfast a couple of weeks ago. She is looking so good now, she is healthy, happy and really enjoying school. She is now able to run around just like all the other kids without getting really puffed out and tired.

The photos below are of amber in hospital. The quality of the photos aren't to great as they were taken with my film camera and then scanned, so the colour is a little bit funny, but anyway it gives an insight into what she has been through recently. Why am I posting them now? Because it has taken me 5 months to finally get the camera film processed!!

Above and below: Approx 1 hour after surgery in ICU. It is quite scary at first walking in to a room and seeing your child rigged up to so many machines.

Below: 1 day after surgery, still in ICU of course. The actual incision was not the worst part from my point of view - the four big thick drainage tubes sticking out of her chest was worse by far. It is hard to tell from the photos, but the tubes were about a centimeter thick.

Below: 2 days after surgery and slowly loosing bits and pieces of machinery! Hooray!
She was also feeling happier at this point as long as the nurse stayed away from her.

Below: approx 10 days after surgery. Only 2 drainage tubes remaining. Even after a sedative, getting those last tubes out was a nightmare. The fight she put up was incredible, she was so physically strong it took 5 of us to hold her down while the nurse removed the tubes - I have never seen her so upset before or since that day.

They say that they forget most of it as they get older, but I don't know about that....

.... Just another day ....