summer – A Bit of This A Bit of That

August 28, 2017August 28, 2017

Holiday

The summer one. The one that lasts almost 9 weeks. The one we have to find camps and childcare and things to keep the (not so) ankle biters out of trouble. For almost 9 weeks!

For the first 3 weeks the kids were at day camp at their school for the first half of the day and then at an aftercare for the second half of the day.

Then for 2 weeks they were at camp dad. Thankfully Paul was able to be with them and they went to Tel Aviv and to Haifa and visited museums and the Baha’i Gardens and went swimming and generally had a good time.

Then for 3 weeks they went to a half day camp for immigrant children arranged by the absorption department and they had an amazing time. The afternoons were spent with dad.

And where was mom during all of this? Working. Because its 9 (!) weeks of holidays and I just couldn’t take time off (especially since I started a new position).

But I have this week off and the kids and I have some plans. Swimming, ten pin bowling, ice creams and the zoo just to name a few.

And then, on Friday, they go back to school (don’t ask, its 1st September and they go back to school on the 1st, never mind its Friday and only half a day and would make more sense to go back the next week).

Aaron will be in 4th Grade and Faith in 2nd Grade. I cant get over how big these kids are getting.

So that’s a catch up of the last 2 months and a preview of whats to come. Hopefully things will be more settled and I can blog more.

October 19, 2015

Seasons and 10 months along.

A few days ago I realised we had been in Israel for 10 months. Let that sink in a moment. We have been here for almost a year. Its gone by in the blink of an eye. I cant even say that sometimes it felt like its been dragging because it hasn’t. Its been like a runaway train.

When we arrived in Israel, winter was in full swing. Freezing cold, windy, rainy. It was over pretty quickly and in the blink of an eye we were in summer. A particularly hot, dusty summer for Israel.

The last few weeks the seasons have been changing. The days getting shorter, the mornings and evenings a bit cooler. Yesterday I left work at 17:25. I stood at the bus stop and realised, while I wasn’t freezing, I was cold. Cold enough to have goosebumps and to bemoan the fact I didn’t have a jersey or a zip up hoodie to throw on over my sleeveless shirt.

Pretty soon I will have to put away my Havaianas (the national summer footwear of every Israeli) and start wearing my boots. I will have to start carrying my coat and my umbrella with me.

While I am enjoying the cooler weather for now, I really am a summer baby. I much prefer the heat to the cold. So I warn you in advance, I will moan and cry and throw many a winter tantrum in the next few months. But winter in Israel is short lived so I’m grateful for that.

In the mean time I’m getting ready to take out our down duvet and preparing to cuddle away the dark mornings in bed.

October 6, 2015

The last three weeks

The last three weeks have been hectic. Its been Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). That’s lots of Jewish Holy Days and lots of food, except Yom Kippur which is a fast day. It also means I have been a bad blogger.

So here are some of the stories I took photos of over the last little while.

My gorgeous family on Rosh Hashanah.

Real South African Peppermint Crisp Pudding that we took with us to Breaking of the Fast. There were a lot of expat South Africans there and they loved it, the dish was empty within seconds!

I was very thrifty and I hand stitched an old bra (the straps were frayed) into a strapless dress (Thank you Yana) so that I had a bit more support. Its a sad day when you realise that even an A cup needs a boost when you get a little older.

Our very first sukkah. I love Sukkot, its my favourite festival. Its fun and happy and a non stop celebration. The kids had a great time too.

We finally, after almost 10 months, put up our apartment number. Now you cant miss us.

I planted bell pepper seeds. I’ve decided that everything that gets planted on our balcony needs to be edible in some way or another. Aaron started us off with (what I think is) a tomato plant that is growing huge and needed to be repotted twice and I decided to do the peppers next. I’ve also decided that everything that gets planted will start as seeds.

After a very long and exceptionally hot summer, autumn is finally around the corner. The days are a little shorter, the air a little cooler, clouds are rolling in with the promise of rain and the leaves have started falling.

August 9, 2015August 9, 2015

Mom Camp – קיטנה אמה

I’ve lamented the fact that these summer holidays are too bloody long. And bloody expensive when it comes to summer camps. The kids went to camp for the first 4 weeks (July) which is standard in Israel. The camps were run at their schools and were coordinated by the local municipality. August is another story. The only camps available are private. Unfortunately we were not really prepared and we could only get the kids into a camp for the second week in August which meant that the kids and I had Mom Camp last week.

Morning Cat - by Paul — Morning Cat – by Paul

It also happened to be the hottest week in Israel, ever! So we pretty much stayed home in the air conditioning for 5 solid days.

The kids played on the computer, watched Netflix, played ‘Zombie Apocalypse’, had a friend over, Aaron was sick, I got sick, we went to Jerusalem with Roro on Tuesday, played with Lego but mostly we imitated sloths.

I think by the time Friday rolled around the kids were a little bored of being cooped up all day. We went to the large grocery store and did our monthly shop and then took the kids to the municipal pool in the afternoon. They love the pool and I have to admit its pretty awesome, spotlessly clean, plenty space, changing rooms, umbrellas, chairs and tables available, a kiosk with drinks and snacks and ice creams. Whats not to like?

Saturday we put the little buggers to work cleaning the apartment, or their rooms at least. And then we slothed some more in the afternoon.

This morning they went to their new camp. They were pretty excited to go since they are together for the week and its also an English speaking camp which they find very exciting. I think they were mostly excited just to leave the apartment!

I adore my kids, I really really do but I really really missed work and was super grateful to come back today.

*Photos by Paul

May 8, 2015May 8, 2015

I am a pear.

Yesterday Roro and I went on a mission. Find dresses for a wedding we are attending and buy swim suits for summer.

No dresses were bought but we each walked away with a bikini.

Before I carry on let me just say, whoever designs change rooms in clothing stores needs to rethink their mirrors. Every change room I have ever been in has had mirrors that make every single flaw (real or perceived) stand out and wave their arms shouting ‘look here, see this cellulite? Look over here and see the stretch marks! No no look here and see how short and squat you look!’ Surely if you install mirrors that are more flattering you will sell more clothes.

Anyway, moving on…

I am just under 5 feet tall, thats 1.52m. Thats short.
I (think) I weigh about 52kg or 114 pounds.
I have no idea what my BMI is but its on the higher side although not by much.
My legs are 30 inches according to my Levis, which falls into the short category.
My waist, according to my Levis, is a 28 which falls into the small/medium category.
My boobs are a tiny 32A.
My hips, I discovered yesterday, are a 36.
So my measurements are 32-28-36. Pear shaped!

I’ve always been a pear and for the longest time I was a 34 hip, so yesterday I chose a 34 bikini bottom. On top of those awful mirrors the bottoms were clearly too small and I suddenly felt yuck, I bulged and jiggled and I was not happy. So I changed the 34’s for a 36 pair of bottoms and lo and behold, they fit and guess what? I looked good and I felt good. And I suddenly realised who cares what size the bottoms are? They fit, they look good and thats what counts. No one will know what size they are except me (and now all my readers).

So I left the store with a bikini made up of a 32A top and a 36 bottom and despite not having worn a bikini in at least 7 years and despite having a mom/c-section tummy and despite the stretch marks and the dimples on my thighs, Im going to rock that bikini on the beach this summer.

Now if only I can get my super pale and white legs to catch a tan…

February 17, 2015

Beanies and gloves and scarves. Oh my!

The majority of my Facebook and Twitter time lines are South Africans. This means I’m seeing a lot of shorts, t-shirts, swimming pool and {braai} (BBQ/grill) pics. I keep thinking to myself, sheesh, are they not cold? I’m freezing! Then remembering they are all in the Southern Hemisphere and experiencing the hottest summer in ages.

Which means I am in winter. Cold, miserable, rainy winter (to be fair it hasn’t rained that much but when it does its nasty!).

If I hailed from Cape Town, maybe it wouldn’t be such a shock to my system. Winter here is very similar to a Cape winter. Lots of wind, days of rain, biting cold. I’m not used to that. {Jozi} winters are mild and sunny and dry.

In 35 years I’ve never had to wear a down jacket (or a jacket of any kind!) or a beanie or a scarf and definitely not gloves and yet that is what I leave the house in most days. And I’m still cold to the bone and cannot wait for a steaming hot bath at the end of the day.

Having had a bitch and a moan, at least I can say that winters in Israel are relatively short (also very green and pretty, see the rain I mentioned above). Spring lasts only a few weeks and then we are in for some super hot, dry weather. Thank heavens for air conditioning! I cant wait though, I’ve always loved Israel in summer. I find it invigorating. I’m looking forward to longer day light hours and hot nights and braais on my balcony.

*Photos by {Paul Jacobson}

June 19, 2014

On winter. And summer. And hating both.

Most people are winter or summer people. Hot or cold.

I got this image at {hdiphonewallpapers}

Im not.

I do not do well in extremes.

I cannot stand to be cold and bundled up and feeling like the {Michelin Man} and not feeling my fingers and toes and ears and nose.

I also cannot stand being hot and sticky and sweaty. I hate wearing shorts and jeans and skirts are uncomfortable.

I much prefer spring and autumn, mild and gentle weather, not too hot, not too cold, just right.

What ‘season’ are you? Also how do you cope in the extreme cold or heat?

August 26, 2011

Strawberry Salad

Woolies had a large (and I mean LARGE) punnet of strawberries for sale to day. Of course I bought it. But what to do with them?

I googled ‘strawberry salad’ cause I need to take a salad with to my mom in law for dinner tonight and I came across this simple fresh salad, I immediately pinned it and turned it into reality.

Ingredients

Salad

Lettuce (I used a bulk bag of crispy lettuce, ready washed etc from Woolies)
Red onion (I had bought a little bag of ready sliced red onion from Woolies. Gd bless you!!!)
Strawberries, hulled and quartered
Fresh mint, chopped (this I got from around the tap next to my back door, yum)
Pecan nuts (I left these out, cause well, I didnt have any…)

Dressing

Quarter cup olive oil
Third of a cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and crushed black pepper to taste

Method

Toss lettuce, onion, strawberry and mint together in a salad bowl.
Blend together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.

I kept the dressing separate for each person to add for themselves but Im sure you could just toss the dressing over before serving.