Israel Trip

Somehow, I have forgotten to post this trip. I may try to continue to add to it, because this is such a small highlight of our whole trip

Old Jerusalem
Near the Western Wall

Noah and I went to Israel in December of 2017.
It was an amazing time to explore, learn, and grow. We saw so many things and still there was so very, very little that we saw. To imagine that these places have been inhabited by many, many generations of people for several thousands of years is just so incredible. There is such richness of  history throughout the area; no matter where you turn or which direction you travel everyone has a story and history to tell that is just so huge that you can not ever take it all in.

Tower of David
Old Jerusalem

There are many, cultures, many differences, so much beauty and a lot of struggle and turmoil because everyone wants to claim a part of its vast richness, religious significance, cultural significance, historical significance.

Tower of David
 Old Jerusalem

I have always loved history and how the pieces of history weave into each other  to form layers of stories that fit together like a puzzle, but on so many layers and levels that you can only imagine it as an intricate tapestry of many layers, levels, and colors. Being in Israel was so much like that. I am not good at remembering timelines, dates, and specifics of history, but listening to the tour guides and others tell the history and layers that literally stack and add upon the previous generations either rebuilding the destruction of the past eras or adding on to existing structures and fortifications. 

Entrance to the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

at the end of the Stations of the Cross

on the Via Dolorosa and St. Helena Rd.

The historians can show where different eras ended and others began by the size and structure of the brick work on the walls. There were many times where they pointed out where the walls were destroyed by siege and taken over by the Phoenicians, Arabs and Philistines, Romans, Babylonians, the rise and fall of the kings and their kingdoms.

That is just a very little bit of the historical end of things. From a religious standpoint, the very idea of walking in the very place where the birth of our Lord happened. Touching some of the very same places, seeing some of the very same sights and vistas,  and  walking some of the same streets. It has truly made the Bible more understandable and more real. Over the years in life you read and imagine the places and the stories that you are told and you have an idea of it, you see movies and pictures and get glimpses and they seem so much closer. 

Bread Shop at a Market

Then you get there, you walk the streets, see the sites and the vast expanses of dessert, smell the smells and touch the rocks, and sand, and stones. Walking the market places watching the families go about their usual daily business and visiting with people that  live and work there, kind of gave me a pang of jealousy, but only for a moment because everything in life comes with a price and although it looks exotic and wonderful, it also comes with a high cost of living and living under constant military and heavy police guard, constantly having tons of tourists always walking the streets and

neighborhoods and relying on the many tourists and visitors as a steady stream of income.

Dessert Shop at the Market

Each area we visited had more stories to tell than there was time for. We spent a lot of time in Jerusalem, I truly loved walking the streets of Old Jerusalem the most. Walking in and out of the high walled streets that were very much like a maze and very easy to get lost in. It was broken up into Quarters that belonged to the Christian section, Muslim section, Jewish Section, Armenian Section

and maybe another. It was interesting to walk along and realize that the dynamic of an area changed drastically as you moved from one area to the other. 

Beautiful Pomegranates

Although the market places had mixed markets of different groups, Each area had a unique feel according to its section. The amount of culture and diversity found in this small space was incredible. Growing up and only hearing English everywhere you go and then getting the opportunity to walk these streets and for the first time in life understanding that you are in a place that language is so very wide, and diverse and everywhere you turn there is a different culture standing next to you no matter which corner you are on. American culture is a melting pot(that's what we were taught as kids); but what I found fascinating and I loved about this experience is that I love the distinctions in each of the cultures. 

This had to be one of my favorite shops 

Fruit cubes used for Tea

I loved the sights, the sounds, the looks, and styles. I loved that each individual culture was still part of the

bigger picture, but still distinct and separate and yet they each existed in and among each other with respect. I am fully aware that it doesn't fully exist in harmony and they are in an area of extreme conflict and it can be seen as an area of danger from on moment to the next, but in talking to the people that lived there, a lot of that is political and the day to day life is a different experience. 

 

Street in Old Jerusalem

When we arrived the Jewish people were celebrating Hanukkah. Every night throughout the celebration something different was going on in the area. We spent one of our first evenings out on the last night of Hanukkah walking around during their celebrations and they did something similar to what we would consider caroling at Christmas time where people walked through the streets and viewed all the lit Menorahs throughout the area.  It was quite crowded and chaotic, but fun to see and be a part of. The Christian/Catholic section was decorated in typical Christmas decorations with lights and Christmas trees and it felt very familiar. The other areas were not particularly decorated for celebration, but it was no less impressive to walk through and experience. All of the market stores, vendors, and things for sale made each area unique and beautiful. 

The Shepard's Fields Fountain

Every single place was a little treasure to see and explore. We spent a decent amount of time on buses traveling to the destination sites on the tour routes and quite a lot of things were quickly pointed out along the routes. Some of the areas that we really wanted to see were closed because of the holidays but we were able to see enough to make the experience complete. 

The whole trip was amazing and surreal. It is not something that I every expected to experience in my lifetime and I will truly be humbled and grateful for the experience. As a child I had always expected that I would travel the world and see every corner. That didn't happen, but in my lifetime, I think that I have gotten to experience on of the absolute best places. 

Mount of Olives Tour- Catholic Church

with a View of the Dome of the Rock

I hope that by having to opportunity to travel with Noah as a child, that it will give him the fortitude to reach further in life to live, travel, and find adventures and experiences to fill his life. 

Hanging at the park on a dragon

At the Jordan River

Noah always has an animal near him

A boat on the Sea Of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee

Mary at the Basilica dedicated to her

A view from on of the areas at
 Ein Gedi Park Reserve

View of the Dead Sea seen at the top of the Masada Fortress

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea

Camel and the dead Sea

Very old olive Tree

Wall Surrounding Old Jerusalem

Rampart Walk on the Wall Surrounding Old Jerusalem

The Cardo - Part of the North-South Roman Main Street

Life sized Nativity

Given to Bethlehem by Italy

6th Century Mosaic

Bethlehem

Mosaic at the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre

Church of the Holy Sepulchre 

One of my favorite meals
Falafel and Hummus with a salad

On of the many interior streets in Old Jerusalem

Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year Everybody.

For the first post of the year I am going to post our traditional New Year's Menu. For many years growing up we would have meatball stew with coleslaw and black eye peas. As far as food goes, when I was younger, it wasn't always my favorite. There are so very many other foods in our culinary culture living in South Louisiana that this one just didn't stand out among my top of the list. Now that I am older, and away from home, I miss the opportunity to eat the foods that are a staple at home that may have seemed ordinary fair growing up. We still make some of them living here in Mississippi, but it just isn't the same when you can't find the traditional ingredients, and it really does make a big difference.

One of the biggest things that I have learned over the years is how to make a roux. A roux is the basis of so many Cajun and Creole dishes, but it can be really tricky. It is relatively easy to create any of the lighter rouxs, but when you try to get to the deeper darker roux it takes a bit of time and effort to get it right without going overboard and bringing it to the point of burned and ruined. It is a talent that has been handed down through the generations. My grandparents(probably getting it from their parents before them) passed it along to my parents, eventually my parents taught me how to make it, and as my children grow up they will each get a chance to learn and pass along the information to their children so that they can keep their cultural heritage alive...here's to hoping that it is important to at least one of them, especially since we aren't living in South Louisiana right now. I will post a recipe/tutorial soon on roux.

But back to Meatball Stew. The base gravy of a Meatball Stew requires a roux and the Cajun Trinity. It is very similar to the French Mirepoix(onions, carrots, and celery). I assume that it probably has it's beginning from this mixture and it evolved to the onions, bell peppers, and celery that are a staple in our meals. Like so many other dishes, the meals are very simple in their ingredients, yet complex in flavor.

Meatball Stew

Meatballs

2 pounds of ground meat mainly beef, but a mixture of beef and pork and/or deer can be used.
1 egg
10 crackers crushed(or three slices of bread crumbled)
1/2 finely chopped onion
1/2 finely chopped bell pepper
2 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all these ingredients together well and form into meatballs and brown until cooked. Some people brown in the oven others swear that it is better to brown in the pot you are using to add more layers of flavor to the meal(I tend to agree with this).

Stew

8 oz. roux
2-3 onions
1 bell pepper
3-4 stalks of celery
3 cloves of garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

When meatballs are done remove and set aside. Sauté the onions, bell peppers, and celery in the pot that the meatballs were cooked in. After about 5 minutes, add garlic and roux(I make my own, but you can use a jar bought from the store if you can find it in your area.) and stir to heat it up with the vegetables. Either add water or a stock that you would like to use. Slowly add the stock and stir. your gravy will thicken as it cooks.  After the stock is added let it cook for about an hour. Check for seasoning.

Serve stew hot over rice. Add your favorite vegetables and a slice of buttered crusty French bread and a glass of red wine to complete your meal.

Our supper was served with the traditional coleslaw for prosperity and black eyed peas for good luck in the New Year.

Things to think about during this Lenten Season

It is just a few days into Lent for this year, and I have seen two very good post to help us to think about how we are to the people around us. A habit takes about 2 weeks to form and Lent lasts 40 days. What a great time to reassess the things we do in our lives and learn to restructure our purposeful charity to others and not just "give up" things in our lives to better ourselves, but maybe do things to honor others around us with our lives. So instead of making Lent a sacrificial time for ourselves, maybe we should learn to sacrafice part of ourselves for others and make things better for everyone....Some ideas to think about. 


Borrowed from a very wise lady......


Fasts have a tendency to be oriented towards giving up things like food, drinks, snacks, movies, or television. But there are other creative ways to fast. And they may change your life in a positive way, if in 40 days they become a new way of life for you. Here are suggestions you may want to consider:


1. Fast from anger ...and hatred.
Give your family an extra dose of love each day.

2. Fast from judging others.
Before making any judgment's remember to recall how Jesus overlooks our failures.

3. Fast from discouragement.
Hold on to Jesus' promise that He has a perfect plan for your life.

4. Fast from complaining.
When you are about to complain about anything, close your eyes and remember the moments that Jesus gave you that brought so much joy into your life.

5. Fast from resentment and bitterness.
Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.

6. Fast from spending too much money.
Try to reduce your spending by 10% and give the savings to help the poor.

7. Spend extra time for personal prayers.
Take the time to pray for everyone you know. Remember there is no such thing as too many prayers.

Things to consider trying to DO during Lent that will make a difference in your life and make an impact on the lives of other people; your loved ones, people you slightly know, people you work with and total strangers.
1. Random acts of kindness - pay for a strangers drink, pay the next cars toll on a toll road, pay part of the bill for the person behind you in a line.
2. Hold the door for someone entering a store when you are exiting or someone exiting as you are entering.
3. Take the time to call, e-mail, text someone just to ask how their day is going.
4. Send a card, note or letter to a friend who you have not been in touch with for some time and try to re-connect with them.
5. Remember just a simple smile or saying hello to someone may change their attitude for the day and they may even pass it on!

Wishing you Peace, Love, and Happiness during Lent.

Christmas Time Soap

A few weeks ago I made these two batches of soap for the Christmas Season. They are cured and ready to go.

Peppermint which has a strong peppermint scent and is speckled with pink and green soap chips from other batches of soap; this one always goes fast.

The other is called Christmas Pine. It has the scent of pine mixed with other scents that remind me of Christmas like pine from Christmas trees, peppermint, cinnamon and other spices. the green batch is topped of with a little of the Peppermint batch that is pictured above.

Happy Halloween

Greetings all on this beautiful Halloween night. This year was a quiet Halloween. For this year we didn't participate in the usual festivities, running around the neighborhoods begging for treats; I could give several reasons why, but instead I will just show you what we did do. The boys were treated to a very special Halloween trick meal...We started the night with a quite artfully put together salad of eyeballs and hairballs...

Then I stirred up a quick batch of goblin guts...

and completed the meal with some

deliciously bloody mummy fingers.

To wash this ghoulish meal down the boys had

day-old bathwater to drink....

...and for dessert they were served a delicious scoop of freshly dug graveyard mud complete with worms and bugs.

Hope your ghouls and goblins had a horrificly terrific Halloween night. Mwwaahahahaaaa!

Happy Mardi Gras!

Traditionally, today is a time of fun, excitement, and overindulgence in our culture. Mardi Gras(Fat Tuesday) is the day before the start of Lent usually celebrated by parades, lots of good food, and parties in preparation for the Lenten fast that is ahead of us. Celebrating a time of plenty in order to get ready for 40 days of fasting, prayer, and reflection in order to remember why we are here and to learn where we are going. So have a great day today, a great Lenten start, and to truly remember what Jesus gave up for us to be here. Happy Mardi Gras everyone. Wishing everyone a great Lent.

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing everyone lots of Hugs, Kisses, and Love.

Happy New Year

Best Wishes on a Great New Year!

Wishing everyone a New Year filled

with blessings and happiness.

May God Bless your home and family

in the coming year.

Merry Christmas

God bless you and your famly this Christmas Season.

Halloween Fun

Although we don't agree with the goulish Halloween traditions we do enjoy letting the kids dress up and participate in Trick-or-Treating. This year the big boys were Crusaders.

Here are a couple pictures of our Crusaders....and our little tiger.

This one is just a little bonus dress-up fun. Jacob said Arr-r-r-r-g!