Matzo Ball Soup

Dried fruit cake recipe

The perfect cake for Tu-Bishvat and any other day.
The first time I had this cake was at my friends' Anat. Her friend made it for her after she had her baby, a perfect energy cake for any nursing mom. Shameless me, I was sitting next to her, slowly slicing the cake away, one sliver slice at a time.
Before we knew it was nearly gone.

I was waiting patiently to share this cake with you for Tu-Bishvat, so here it is - the recipe... via an Israeli site: the good life

The advantages of this cake:

• delicious
• very quick to make
• It lasts for a relatively long time (not that it would…in my house anyways)
• perfect with tea and/or espresso
• I consider it as a healthy cake I hope you will agree with me on that one

OK, now for the recipe:

You will need:
3/4 cup whole almonds
3/4 cup half walnuts
3/4 cup whole hazelnuts
1 cup black grapes
1 cup golden grapes
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup dates
optional: few pieces of dried ginger (will make it a little spicy)

10 spoons of whole wheat flour
8 spoons of brown sugar
3 eggs
2 spoons of squeezed lemon
2 spoons of almond extract or amaretto liquer

Note: when I was making the cake, I wasn't very precise about the dried fruit and nuts quantities. I did it according to what I had at home. and I also didn’t add any almond extract but used some vanilla extract instead.

How to:

• slice apricots, dates and ginger
• mix together with nuts and raisins
• add flour+sugar, stir using your hands
• add eggs, lemon juice and almond extract
• mix well till you can’t see any flour on the fruits and nuts
• pour into a pan (elongated rectangle pans are best for this cake)
• tighten the mixture into the pan

Bake for approximately 45 minutes at 320 ˚f  if the raisins start to burn a little, cover with aluminum foil

Let cool down before slicing.

When you serve the cake, slice it really thin.

enjoy.

tali

Planting trees – looking towards a future

yes yes, the hot topic is Tu Bishvat, and planting trees is the highlight. (besides the dried fruit cake recipe I will be posting in a few days)
I was reading a little about the history of the holiday, which through me into some deep thoughts (I do have them every once in a while…you know…)

I was thinking about how I used to want to own a house so I could plant a tree and watch it grow as I watch my family grow. In my thoughts I was actually more greedy in hoping for no less than an orchard with all the fruit trees I love. With the rate we are moving I will have to wait with that hope for just a little longer and settle with an herb garden...for now.

When I think of trees I think of past present and future.
I think of a sense of belonging, of something that is bigger than me and will last longer than me. I think of something that nurtures with fruit and cradles with shelter.

When I lived in New England I used to love the bare trees in the winter, I was fascinated with seeing their exposed structure. (I was an architecture student back then, I am sure that explains it)
Now, being a practical mom and living in a hot climate, I like trees that give lots of shade and relief from the hot sun.

I read a great little story that I wanted to share with you.
I found it on the Keren Keyemeth le- Israel the Jewish National Fund web site

What We Can Learn from the Carob Tree
“Over time, carobs became very identified with Tu Bishvat. To this day, Jews in the Diaspora eat carobs from Israel on Tu Bishvat as a means of experiencing their connection to the Land of Israel. Here is an interpretation of a Talmudic legend that teaches us what we can learn from the carob tree. In tractate Ta’anit, the Talmud tells us about Honi Hame’agel, who was befuddled all his days by the biblical verse: “When God returned the exiles to Zion, we were as dreamers.” Honi could not understand – this verse refers to the Babylonian exile, which lasted seventy years. Can a man dream for seventy years?
 
Once he was walking on the road, and he saw someone planting a carob tree. Honi said to him: This tree that you are planting, when will it bear fruit? The man answered: Seventy years from now. Honi retorted: Do you think you will be alive seventy years from now? The man responded: When I was born, I found a world full of carob trees. Just as my ancestors planted trees for me, so too, I plant for my children.”
 
Honi understood the biblical verse as referring to the exile. When we returned to Israel, the entire time of the exile seemed like a dream. This is what Honi could not understand: How could seventy years be like a dream? Life goes on, things happen both to individuals and to a people.
 
Honi received his answer from the man who was planting the carob tree. Since the carob tree bears fruit seventy years after it was planted, the planter will not eat of its fruit. Even so, he toils and cares for it. From his answer, Honi understood that the time of exile is not just a time of waiting. Just like the carob – from the time it is planted until its fruit is ripe, it is busy. Roots delve deep in to the earth, and branches reach for the skies. Complex botanical processes are taking place until it reaches the stage when it is ready to bear fruit. At that point, it becomes clear that everything that went on during the past 70 years was absolutely necessary. Honi learned from the carob tree that planting has intrinsic value, even for someone who will not eat of its fruit. The process that eventually leads to the fruit bearing time has great value in and of its own”.

 
How about planting a tree this Tu Bishvat, you can do it in your back yard, in Israel, in California or in other places too.

tali

Tu-Bishvat – a creativity book

I know I have promised Bialik’s activities, its coming and it is really good…I promise…a couple of more days.

In the mean time I started to feel the winds of Tu Bishvat blowing. If you are looking puzzled than I guess I will quickly say that Tu Bishvat is the Jewish new years for the trees, I always thought it was very special to celebrate the trees birth day. The name Tu Bishvat is derived from the Hebrew date of the holiday the 15th of the month of Shevat.

The holiday is 2 weeks away. In celebration of this holiday I will be posting different activities you can enjoy as a family. I will start by telling you about a Tu Bishvat creativity book I made last year, you can down load it from my blog, this is the link: TU BISHVAT ACTIVITY BOOK

^{Zoe drawing from the Tu-Bishvat activity book using water color travel compact set}

^{Zoe, Tali from the Tu-Bishvat activity book}

Please feel free to forward it to whom ever you think will enjoy it.

tali

Bialik's house

Hayyim Nahman Bialik  ((1873-1934) is the national poet of the state of Israel, did you know that? now you do…his poems are threaded in every Israeli childhood memories for many many generations. In commemorating his birth day, the girls, my sister, her children, and my self went to visit his house located on 22 Bialik Street in the city of Tel Aviv. Yes, I wanted to see his house, but truthfully, I thought this was a great excuse to visit the city which is one of my favorites besides LA, New York, and Paris (of course).



^{That's not his house, thats the house across the street from his. I just really liked it.}
His house in Tel Aviv was a real treat, just like a colorful box of chocolates, every room we visited, every story we have heard on the tour (must take the tour) was like eating another bonbon from the box. When we left his house, I had lingering flavor of chocolate in my mouth with a strong taste for more.

I loved hearing all the inside stories of his life. I could easily imagine him sitting in his office writing, and reading. I could see him looking through the window seeing his little neighbor Chamotal, that inspired him to write a poem (which I love) titled: ”Chamotal” (obviously); Visiting his house, seeing where he worked made me feel more personal with his work.
^{that's his office window on the second floor, right across from Chamotal's.}

Children’s literature especially poems are a great way to improve a language and get a better understanding of a culture. And if you tie-in a creative activity, the poems become a live.

In the next couple of posts I will be suggesting some activities for some of Bialik’s poems. So please stay tuned. And I hope you try your best to read them in Hebrew (I will try my best to translate, I may ask my friend Anat to do that, she is an expert…)

In the mean time, If you want to read more about Bialik, wikipedia is one way

some of his translated children’s literature:
Knight of Onions and Knight of Garlic
English: New York, Hebrew Publishing Co., 1934, 1939

Far Over the Sea - Poems and Jingles for Children
English: New York, Union of American Hebrew Congreg. Press, 1939

And It Came To Pass
English: New York, Hebrew Publishing Co., 1938

This is if you can read in Hebrew:
Rutz ben susi

And some pictures from his house: via tchochkes
(I couldn’t take any photos my self)

till next time, have a great week

tali

A reminder: don't forget your sketch book

We have concluded our - lazy, cozy, indoor - Chanukah break with a great bang. after staying home for 2 days (I wasn’t joking when I said - lazy), we finally changed our pj’s, packed a delicious picnic basket, got all the kids in their sits, didn’t forget sketch books and some drawing tools, and off we went - once again - to visit the caves of Beit Govrin in the Judea desert (how symbolic for Chanukah). We had the most beautiful day.
While spending some time in the bell cave waiting for a fire act to start, Erel (my niece) pulled out her sketch book and started drawing the carved rosettes on the walls of the cave. She was soon to be followed by Zoe, Ori, Yonatan, Daniel, Shira, and another Erel, sharing tools, drawing what they see.



It was nice to see the kids follow each other into doing something creative. Kids love to draw, they are not afraid to make marks on a paper. a little different from most of us - the adults, who watch our kids from the side afraid to try and show our lacking skills.
So make sure your kids turn out different. Make sure they have confident with making a mark.
One way of doing that is by carrying a sketch book (a drawing pad) and a pencil everywhere you go:
Place it on the restaurant table while waiting for your waiter to serve your meal. Make some doodles while you wait.
Take it with you on nature walks, encourage your child to record what he/she sees
Take it to the beach and try and draw the waves
Take it to a museum and draw the art you like.

When you draw a space, a view, a thing, you start to see and understand all the different details that make it special and unique. 
“I have learned that what I have not drawn, I have never really seen, and that when I start drawing an ordinary thing, I realize how extraordinary it is, sheer miracle.” Fredrick Franck the Zen of Seeing, 1973.

So, my reminder: when you go out, always have a sketchbook and some drawing tools with you. It is a great habit to have. kids will always be thrilled to use it.
Encourage your kids to simply draw what they see.
Make sure you draw some your self, even if you don’t think you can.



tali

Read more about keeping a sketch book.

Our dreidel factory

Yes, we have opened a dreidel factory. We have been using Martha Stewart’s tutorial to make those SUPER FAST spinners.

This is how:
Ori was cutting ¼” wide strips of colorful construction paper. I happen to have a paper cutter I have borrowed from Phil and “forgot” to give it back. You may also cut them with a utility knife or a pair of scissors, or buy some ready made strips at the craft store they are called quilling paper. 

I was gluing the edge of the paper to the toothpicks a little bit above the tapered edge, and realized that we must wait patiently for the paper and toothpick to dry before starting the next step (probably the most difficult part of the process).
Zoe was putting color patterns together and doing a great job at wounding the paper. Oren was assisting Zoe with attaching more paper strips Once we had an approximately 1” disc on the toothpick, we glued the end and gave it a little push with our thumbs inwards, creating a tiny bowl shape. (Reminds me of the movie ticket bowls)




I was providing with nibbles and general assistance When you create the bowl shape, Try different silhouettes, see which spins better.
 
Those spinners look like candies and they are so much fun too make and spin (of course).

Have fun
tali

The dreidel/ hovering craft experiment

For some odd reason I hoped this CD + balloon hovering experiment would lead us to a new and revolutionary dreidel…It didn’t turn out so, but (there is always a but) we had a great time doing it, and still going.



You will need:



a CD, one that you don’t need any more
a balloon
a sports plastic bottle cap
glue gun
stickers
sharpies (permanent markers)
good lungs or balloon pump

How to:


Start by decorating the CD. We have used colorful dot stickers creating our own pattern.
 

Worm up the glue gun {(keep away from children) (I am half polish, therefore, I cannot hold back this comment, sorry)}
Apply glue around the edge of the cap (the end that screws to the bottle)
Immediately place cap centered onto the CD, make sure it is attached to the decorated side.


Close the cap



Blow air into the balloon
Slip the balloon onto the cap (make sure it is closed)
Place on a smooth flat surface and release the cap (just like you would before drinking)
 

Talk to your kids before letting the air out:
can they predict what is about to happen?

Variations:
try different surfaces
Different balloon sizes
Try and release the cap just a little bit
Try and release the cap all the way, letting as much air out.


Note:
If your float device/ dreidel has a hard time moving, give it a little push, (some times we need it).

Thank you my dear sister for this great activity.
Have lots of fun
tali

Our little pot of clay

Our little pot of clay is finally set aside to dry.
It was part of my 8 nights of Chanukah 8 crafty ideas post from last year; we never got to do it then, no good reason, maybe it was too many donuts that made us too   l  a  z  y.

but let me tell you, this is one relaxing project you may want to try. if you are over 21, you may just want to pour that glass of red wine for yourself and join in with your kids. Zoe got a little carried a way, after finishing her little pot of clay, she started ‘fabricating’ some menorahs for Ori and herself, her plan is to paint them after they are dry (kind of like "color me mine", only much cheaper and more fun).




I like working with this ancient material that feels so good and so right for this holiday. Please follow this link for the TUTORIAL.

tali

Star of David foil ornament

My mom has the habit of bringing at list 2 cakes when ever she comes to visit: one cake is usually the girl’s favorite and the other is Oren’s (I am insignificant at that matter…I think she takes me for granted…or that she knows I like any cake, period.). After a couple of days I am left with 2 empty disposable aluminum pans that I cant reuse and I hate seeing them go to waste.

So this is my solution, inspired from some great traditional Mexican tin work I got from my dear friend Karen. I hope you will try this at home.

^{Mexican tin art}

^{our Chanukah tin art}

You will need:

• 1 mom that bakes 2 cakes every other week or any other disposable foil pans (could be take-out containers or baking pans)
• A pen/ pencil with out the tip/ or a thick nail
• Colorful permanent markers (such as sharpies and ArtLine)
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Hole puncher
• Newspaper
• Star of David template

How to:

• flatten the aluminum pan, using your hands and a towel. you may cut out the corners if necessary
  
  
• Draw firmly a Star of David using a dull pencil or a tip less pen. You may trace this template to do so.
• Using scissors cutout the Star of David. The edges may be a little sharp, younger kids may need some assistance.
• Place the Star of David on a thick pile of newspaper, this is key to get nice texture.
• Use your drawing tool to deboss your design. if you turn the star over to the other side you will get the pattern embossed, the image you have drawn will be raised.
• the project gets even more exiting when you deboss areas in your drawing instead of just drawing a line, similar to filling-in shapes in a coloring book. only instead of using color, you are creating rich texture of raised and indented material. 

• Use sharpie markers (equivalent to ArtLine in Europe) to add color to your star. 
• Punch a hole at the top of your star, tie a ribbon and hang somewhere special. 

 
The sharpie markers over the aluminum are vividly luminous.

variation:

Try different holiday elements such as a menorah, an oil pot, a dradle etc.

I know what’s for dinner…

Do you remember the story of Jacob and Esau the twins, the children of Rebeca and Isaac. One was red headed, a hunter, and hairy and the other was smooth and clever.
Esau (the hunter) was selling his birth rights to Jacob for a bowl of a red lentil soup; can you imagine…it probably smelled really good.
Later in the story Jacob, with the help of his mother, tricked his father and Esau for the blessings.  Well… I am not criticizing Jacob; he did what he needed to get what he wanted.  What can I say; the guy had a vision…or was it his mom’s dream?

After reading Beth’s post in upper west side mom, I knew what I was making for dinner: Lentil stew/soup garnished with some story telling of Jacob and Esau. Check out her recipe for hot red lentil soup.

You can read the story of Jacob and Esau in the Torah (of course) genesis 25-29, you may also get jacob's story at wikipedia

Enjoy your dinner

tali