desert flower

Recipe for labneh

2011-08-15T03:25:00.001-07:00

Recipe for Labneh :Inspired by thinking back about our picnic yesterday, I thought that I would share a recipe for labneh. It definitely was not around in supermarkets when I was growing up in New Zealand although now I am sure that it is available. Anyway it's more fun to make your own ( and you can be sure of what goes into it. We like to make it into balls and cover with olive oil , but you can also arrange it like a dip.

Labneh is a strained yogurt and has a cheese like consistency. It makes a great alternative for sour cream or cream cheese and a lot healthier. Spread it on bread, pita or bagels. It is popular for breakfast in the Middle East.

Ingredients :

3 cups of yogurt

1 teaspoon of salt

Preparation

In a medium bowl combine salt and yogurt.

Place mixture in a large cheesecloth. Bring the sides together, making a pouch. Tie the pouch with string or a twist tie.

Hang in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours with a bowl underneath to catch the whey. You can tie the pouch to a rack in the fridge and place a bowl on the shelf below.

EnjoY !

Perfect way to end a day

2011-08-15T03:12:00.000-07:00

Last night after work , we took the kids to the beach for a picnic and snorkling. It really is the best time of the day for the beach, the sun is going down , it's not so crowded and the stress of the day rolls off you.

We had a really simple picnic, fresh soft ( and still warm ) pita bread, eggplant spread and labane. The labane was home made and beautiful.

Summer blues

2011-08-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

I am in denial. Although I am packing the swim bag I am dreading taking the kids to the pool in 40 degree heat. Once I get there I know the water will be amazing and I won't want to get out. Now the airconditioning, a good book, quiet and a nice cool drink sounds more appealing. But with the kids home that isn't likely to happen so i should surrender to the thought and chnage my energy.
Gratitude, gratitude , gratitude.. heres my list

Lovely kids and husband

Just had two week off work

Husband cleaning the floor as I type

Mum is coming over next month

Managed most of my task list for jobs around the house during my holiday

I am now walking straight again - back much better

2011-06-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the wool shop and bought 8 brightly coloured skeins of wool, purple, turquoise and pink. Wool is so expensive here - trying not to let that put a damper on the enthusisam. Excited about moving from single colour grannys to trying some of those beautiful , multi coloured granny squares below. Doesn't look like it will happen tonight.. maybe tomorrow ! Looking at Better World Books for a copy of Stich'n' Bitch crochet book. Looks like fun.

Beautful things I love that inspired me today

2011-06-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

Random things I love

The night before christmas

2010-12-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up the night before christmas was such an exciting time , it was always so hard to sleep and I always tried to stay awake as long to see if I could hear Father Christmas arrival. It's such a funny thing - Christmas is such an integral part of my childhood memorie and is such a foreign concept for my kids. Last year celebrating Christmas in NZ with my family was such a delight they still talk about it, although Maia did ask me today why no one said " Ho ho ho". So I closed my self away tonight , put on some Christmas music , a glass of wine , and thought about christmas old. Anyway , shabbath shalom and a lovely christmas to all !

Another Friday

2008-03-14T04:38:00.000-07:00

I still miss my weekends. Friday is just not the same when you don't have the two day weekend. One day a week " to rest" is just not enough. By the time to are being to wind down on saturday afternoon - time to start thinkng about getting things organised for another week. Next week should be nice , we have friends staying for a few days from Canada. On sunday another birthday arrives , 35 can't quite believe it. A few weeks back thought about organising a cocktail party ,even considered a 1920's/ art deco theme but as usual didn't go with it. Just didn't seem the same without my two favourite ladies there ! I used to love my birthday when I was a kid , but the last few days the day just passes without a lot of fuss. I think that I need to start a tradition of spoiling myself on my birthday , day off work , sleeping in till whenever , painting my toe nails , I don't know something. I will let you know what I decide. Chances are I will work and have cake with the kids in then afternoon.

2008-03-02T10:49:00.000-08:00

I love to ride my bicycle .....

2008-02-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

Ok , so three things that made me happy and laugh today. I watched the Flight of the concord doing " Business Time " on Utube. I saw it for the first time with my brother Kees when I was in NZ a month ago and it cracked up up. Its so funny and true ,opps thats another blog. So rewatching it made me smile. I also looked at some photos from the last couple of months and there are some totally cute and funny ones of the kids, like Yonatan with a pot on his head and Maia screaming indiginantly when something was taken of her. Ok , the last thing Yonatan rode a two wheeler bike for the first time today, it only took him a few times of me running up and down with him. Yay ! I was so proud. He still needs some help to get started but its only a matter of time. There is something really amazing about that ; I still remember my mum teaching me to ride a bike and now I've taught my son. Less lecturing and disciplining and more memory making.

A four year old perspective

2007-07-03T05:49:00.001-07:00

This is apparently a 4 year olds view of the world ....

Facebook

2007-07-03T05:36:00.000-07:00

I noticed that lots of blogs I read sound a bit whiney. People either have a lot to whine about or too much time. Does eveyone feel really self conscious when they re-read their blogs. I used to keep a diary but I kept ripping pages out , because I didn't like the way I sounded. But being much more mature and together now, I don't keep a diary but its still bugs me to read what I write.I joined facebook today. My baby brother used it a lot while he was here and so I thought that I would give it a go. Fun to load photos and make albums.

The word for the day is ....

2007-05-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

choice , choice , choice. I have decided that this is going to be my personal mantra. isn't it true that nearly everything in our life's is about choice. So I am choosing to work on this idea this week. I can choose to be down , angry or I can choose to create something good. I don't think its a denial thing, I really do think that you move towards things that you focus on. I'm not talking about denying the way your feeling , but as a very smart and much loved friend said to me recently , identify the problem , then grab it and invite it in for coffee. OK she wasn't so polite , she mentioned something about genitals.... but that's the gest of the idea.

My brillant disguise

2007-05-09T00:42:00.001-07:00

Its 40 degrees outside, hot dry wind. This is my summer outfit, huge sunhat and glasses are a necessity. I really want to try and protect my skin. There are some women here who literally have skin like leather and look 10 years older than they are. So no face like a handbag for me. My boss made the earrings , aren't they pretty.

Yes that is my mountain bike in the background. I haven't actually taken it on a mountain yet, but I do ride it to work and back and forth to the dining room and daycare. Actually hit a stone two weeks ago and ended up spattered on the road outside my work. Someone can and picked me up , bruised bottom , knee, thighs, hands and hands. But proud to say I eventually got back on. The pot behind by shoulder was full of petunias , now well and truly dried up as summer makes its way. We have drip irrigation so I don't have to worry about watering them. The blue bucket that is sitting in the hedge ( I only just noticed it was there is one of by washing baskets and I have no idea what it is doing there. The shed on my other side , is half full of junk but we don't really use it as the door is broken so it is full of dust and sand. My brothers sports shoe is sitting on top as he just went hiking for a few days and came back filthy. Of course I also have my horrible maternity bra strap showing underneath my singlet top. Can't wait to give up those things !

Sometimes you just need to laugh...

2007-05-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

2007-05-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world ... as in being able to remake ourselves.
Mahatma Gandhi

2007-04-18T00:07:00.000-07:00

Contrary to pupular belief I have not dropped off the end of the world; it just feels like it some times. Its taking some adjustment to be a working Mum again and I think I am a little shell shocked. Lifes on a bit of a pivet at the moment and need to find some balance. I will keep you posted

My World

2007-03-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

http://www.world66.com/myworld66/visitedCountries

This is a great site. You make a travel map of the countries that you have visited. This is mine. It reminds me that there is a lot more of the world to see.

Photo opportunity

2007-03-04T01:38:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help myself. Although Maia has a high temperature due to a ear infection , Purim the dressing up holiday began last night , so I managed to get her into her ladybug costume and get a smile for the camera. She wasn't very impressed but Spiderman , her big brother was happy and so was Mum that she had a picture. The things that we force on our kids.

Our oasis

2007-03-01T22:52:00.000-08:00

About 7 minutes drive from where we live, there is literally a lake in the middle of the desert. Its the most amazing thing to see. Its the most beautiful thing to see. Excuse the squinting into the sun !

Don't shout in your sisters face

2007-03-01T22:40:00.000-08:00

It hasn't been the best of weeks, but nothing too serious. Usual not enough sleep for one reason or another. Maia has a fever today , first time that she has been sick poor baby. I guess its inevitable, but I feel awful for her.

I have decided to give myself one parenting goal every week. Believe me , the older they get the harder it becomes.

This week is ....

1) to use positives instead of negatives. ie Instead of saying " don't" or "no" to turn it around and rephrase it positively. So instead of saying 50 times a day , " Don't yell in your sisters face " rephase to " Can you show Maia how to talk nicely or quietly" Answer will probably be "no" and the thing is that it doesn't bother her , just me , and in fact she seems to find it hilarious. But hopefully the effect will be that I don't feel like such a grumpy old cow.

Anyway, I feel really negative and I want to cut my 'NO's " down to half. Lets see if it works, I think my ability to do this will depend greatly on the amount ( or lack of ) sleep that I will get over the next week.

Hope you enjoy the picture of Daddy's Girl !

Why I should wake up and pinch myself each morning !

2007-02-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

Snow...fakes

2007-02-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

I know that you wouldn't believe that we had snow, so today I hung snowflakes , lots of snowflakes, for a winter theme ice cream party we are having on Thursday. Its really quite therapeutic to sit cutting and the snowflakes are quite pretty.... so if you have nothing better to do and some scissors handy, you could probably also do them with credit card statements , bank letters and tax statements. Seriously , its fun and I haven't made them since I was a kid.skydiary.com/kids/snowflake/snowflake.html

2007-01-31T01:07:00.000-08:00

She has got her mothers thighs, poor thing...

2007-01-31T00:47:00.000-08:00

" Where's my fish 'n' chips ?

" Fish face ... come here fishie fishie "

OK , so I am even more tired today but not feeling so down. Thanks for all the support, I guess that it is just a mother thing no matter where in the world you are !! So its overcast today but still about 19 degrees so no complaints, I love the winter here. I have been to the laundry and done a load of baby's clothes , she's asleep now ( finally ) so and making the most of it. She has always been such a good sleeper , unlike her brother who still wakes several times a night , so I guess the last few nights are pay back time, shes making sure that I am not taking her goodness for granted. After moaning about my house yesterday I had a change around in the living room and it looks a lot better. Still have the urge to go shopping for cushions, plants, new lights and other homely accessories , but I am happier with the way it looks. These houses are built to stay cool and so the windows on the sunny side are small and the sliding door outside is on the dark side of the house. It's great in summer but in winter the room is quite dark. On the bright side, the kibbutz is going on a trip to Turkey in March for 4 nights to stay in a lovely hotel, its not an organised tour ( couldn't think of anything worse ) but everyone breaks off and does there own thing. Its all paid for so that's a real bonus. Only problem is no kids , so that means Mrs Desert flower will be at home !Erez did offer to not go in all fairness, but it was just a bluff as he knew that I would say , " no, you go , have fun " . I don't mind too much , I intend to cream it for all its worth and hopefully get some nice pressies, especially since he comes back the day before my birthday ! But in my heart I'm thinking how wonderful Istanbul is and how fantastic a week away would be !There will be another time. the up side is that my brother will be here, so that will be a good help and a good chance to spend some time with him. Hope you enjoy the pictures from the aquarium last weekend.

Tomorrows another day..

2007-01-29T07:32:00.000-08:00

This week hasn't started well really. My friends from England have moved on today and I am really going to miss them. Honestly I think I feel annoyed at the kibbutz for their treatment of them. I have had enough of saying goodbye to people I care about.
Also a little girl from Yonatans daycare was badly burnt in the weekend and under went skin grafts today on her legs and arms. I can't think about how much pain she must be in poor wee thing. It also makes me think about how vulnerable my kids are and how easily they can be hurt. That scares me.

I don't know feel under a bit of a dark cloud really over the last couple of weeks. Hasn't helped that we have all been sick and I think that Maia has started teething , clothes constantly wet and the last two nights has woken a million times to nurse. I am all over the place , feel fine and then up and down. I also just made a coffee and looked around our living room and it is so not homey and so small. I bought a lovely red carpet a year ago , ( imitation Turkish thing ) but ended up having to take it out because it was never clean and a trap for sand which I couldn't vacuum up even.
Its depressing as I so want to make a lovely living environment for my family and I still miss how old house. Although we had old crappy temporary furniture, there was light and so much room in our NZ house. Our living room is a bit of a shoe box. I have somehow lost my self confidence and I am intimated by the idea of trying to create something different, in case I failure and then feel worse. I really miss my old self, I definitely used to be creative and motivated.
I think that I am actually just tired and that's why I am seeing the bad side of everything. New day tomorrow.

2007-01-15T03:30:00.000-08:00

2007-01-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Last week was one of those crazy weeks that you are just on the go constantly. First of all I had my driving test to swap my licence over , I passed thank goodness but it was the end of a very long process. So look out, I'm on the road again !~ Secondly, we celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary. I was looking at my wedding photos and the main thing that I noticed was how young I looked. Where did that woman go ? I feel so old and hagged ( ?? ) comparatively. Must do something about that, sometime ! We went out for dinner with babe, who was a little unsettled so didn't really make for a romantic time , but the meal was nice on the marina. Wednesday Erez got sick with 39.7 fever and this lasted a couple of days, he is still not a 100 percent. Thursday my in laws arrived as Friday was Yonatans birthday. This is really the first year that he has been into his birthday and he requested a dinosaur cake. I was really proud of my effort and it turned out really well I think !Up till late Thursday night , decorating the dinosaur ( looked a bit more like a dragon but there were no complaints so that's OK ) Friday there was a party at daycare and big Friday night dinner, Saturday morning we had a small party at home for Yonatans birthday, which was nice but I had woken up feeling terrible, but tried my best to be a good hostess all day. So relieved Saturday night when everyone went home. Spent yesterday feeling terrible , passed out at 5.00 pm and had a terrible night , but I think I feel better today.
I was really looking forward to having a little normality this week so I refuse to be sick. Oh another terrible , but at the sound time kind of funny ( in a very black way ) Yonatan has suddenly become very interested in death and asking all sorts of related questions, what happens when people die , who dies , where do they go , why don't they fall out of the sky, what about animals, lions etc ? What about dogs , because they live in the house like us so do they go to the sky with us or turn to dust like the other animals ? All a bit to much to cope with when you have a fever and a runny nose. I guess its the age , he is suddenly very concerned about himself and I need to do some reading on how to make him feel more reassured about it. I remember when I was a kid being so concerned about my Mum dying, and about what would happen to me. Any suggestions ?

2007-01-04T10:36:00.000-08:00

At least someone else is having a bad hair day too.

2007-01-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to find my glasses all day.
Now I have a terrible headache and I swear that if could only find them , I would start wearing them all the time like I am supposed to. Then I wouldn't ever have to spend time on the frustrating and pointless exercise of trying to find something I can't see. Ok, I can actually see but my eyes are very tired and I am squinting, not good for those eye wrinkles and headache is getting worse typing this. Tracing my steps from this morning is tedious and since I've seemed to developed senile dementia can't remember past drinking coffee. I even took all the towels out of the towel cupboard, I don't know where else to look. By the way it never rained.

SHAKSHOUKA

2007-01-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

Tonight we are having one of my favourite dinners and thought that I would give the recipe. Its cheap, so tasty and relatively healthy. This is great with fresh baguette , so other crusty bread for dipping in the sauce. I also add a good amount of sweet paprika and a couple of cloves of garlic.

SHAKSHOUKA (EGGS IN TOMATO SAUCE)
A Sephardi favorite. No Middle Eastern restaurant menu is complete without it, though Hungarians also delight in this dish--with the addition of lots of paprika. Leshakshek means "to shake" in Hebrew. Every cook from North Africa has his or her own personal version of this egg and tomato dish. Whatever vegetable is used, it must be fresh, not canned. Although, I have made this with canned Watties Moroccean Tomatoes and it was good and quick.

1 lg. onion (finely chopped)
4 eggs
cooking oil
6 medium tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
In a large frying pan, saute onion until lightly browned. Grate tomatoes on largest holes of a grater. Mix grated tomatoes and onion, cover and cook over low heat for 25 minutes. Remove cover and break eggs over the surface.

Stir gently to break yolks, cover and cook for about 3 or 4 minutes until eggs are set. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Variations: One minced garlic clove may be added to the onion, or 3 to 4 slices of red pimento may be sauteed with the onion

Smile and the world smiles with you !

2007-01-02T05:52:00.000-08:00

Thank you Jules for the lovely blanket.

2006-12-31T07:24:00.000-08:00

Still no rain .... but I am quietly optimistic

Another year...

2006-12-31T04:13:00.000-08:00

Its going to be a quiet New Years Eve for us. We don't usually celebrate anyway , although last year I did feel the desire to put on my dancing shoes and even wore my little black dress and went to a party. I had a nice time and even danced for the first time in ages. But this year an early night with a book sounds even better, and maybe even a cuddle with my beloved. I've always been such a sucker for New Years resolutions, but this year I've decided not to make any. I was listening to someone on National Radio talking about how bad they are and how we usually use them as an excuse for a bit of self bashing. I realised that I usually choose things that I didn't like about myself, swear to change them and then when I didn't keep the resolutions past the first week in January, really felt terrible and worthless. So no more , I would like to be kinder to myself this year, hopefully then it will reflect out to those around me. This afternoon has come over , really overcast, I hope it rains soon.

Happy Chunukah

2006-12-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

First big bath with Mum

2006-12-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

Five minute blog

2006-12-19T00:46:00.000-08:00

Today I got an email from a very special friend who reminded me how important blogging is, so that those you care about feel connected to your everyday life and have a sense of being part of it somehow. So here I am , its 10.56am , baby is sleeping , I'm having by midmornind coffee. Thought that I would do a rundown of my morning although its all very boring. Got up at 8.00 , Maia nursed twice during the night, I don't know what happened to her sleeping though but I hope that it will happen again soon. She has a stuffy nose so maybe thats what's keeping her up. By the time that I got up Yonatan had left for kindy so I missed seeing him, but the sleepin was good. I had a bowl of branflakes for breaky , as I am a big advocate of keeping "regular" ha ha (( now you are really getting all the tedious details ). Walked over to the laundry with the dog, who we finally bathed in the weekend and is no longer as smelly. Picked up our stuff from the main laundry. Picked up a bottle of yogurt and some yummy mandarins from the main fridge , which I can take the basics 24/7 , like fruit, veges, cheese , milk , yogurt etc. The yogurt is for a lemon yogurt cake that I am making today for a party in the older kids club, where Erez is working. A big thank you for Ms Janet from the Press for this great recipe. Came home , booked the neighbourhood washing machine and did a load of babys clothes there, ( I prefer to wash them myself ) and some stuff of Yonatans in preparation of travelling north tomorrow to a wedding of a friend and a weekend at the inlaws. So I have to pick up my washing in 15 minutes and do a second load , bake the cake and do some housework. At 12 ish I will go to the dining room for some lunch, come home watch Oprah and more cleaning probably. So thats it, cooking pasta for dinner , alone with the 2 kids and hopefully have an early night. So thats it , hope that fills in any curiousity about how I spend my days. Ok , I hear a squeak from the room, I wonder if I can vacumn, bake a cake, pick up the washing and juggle a baby all at one time. Oh forgot to mention that my sweet girl is 3 months today

Kiwi kid

2006-11-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

I love these pictures, Maia looks like such a kiwi kid in her fleece jacket.

2006-11-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

Me and my girl

2006-11-05T00:46:00.000-08:00

Enoying a swing on a lovely autumn afternoon in our back yard.

Bad hair day !

2006-10-24T04:42:00.000-07:00

Someone told me that women that just gave birth should never do anything drastic to their hair....why didn't I listen. The hairdresser convinced me to have streaks, which she then straeked bright blonde, gave me a fringe ( despite telling her I didn't want ! ) I know look very middle age and my hair is very pouffy ! I don't know what to do, I look like Sarit hadad , a very tacky middle eastern singer. I wonder if a coulour rinse over the top would work. I'm in shock. Ok will its not me , its Sarit Hadad but you get the picture.

A very proud Nana

2006-10-24T00:29:00.000-07:00

Love my crocs !

2006-10-24T00:24:00.000-07:00

I know that are as ugly as sin , but love my crocs. Yes mine are this funky green .... shocking pink are next !

De-clutter !

2006-10-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

I have a new plan of attack.. I am trying to de-clutter my house and get some sort of organisation happening. I am such a hoarder and on the top of that I am cheap !!So its hard to throw things out becuase " i might use it sometime " or " I might fit into that again ". Mum yesterday went through my closet with me and I was horrified at how many clothes I have , some stored from even before my NZ days and some that are way past their useby date, faded and lost their shape. I would say that we got rid of a third, ans sorted a big bag of things that I don't fit ( but hopefully will in a month or so when my baby tummy has gone down ! ) up high.
The big problem with living here is that a lot of people dress casually , but I mena really casually and there is a big temptation , especially for someone like me , to dress a litte shabbily, cos no body cares really. So now my wardrobe is sorted , I've decided to spurge and get my eye lashes tinted , to try to look less of a scruff. Where is DG when I need her, for a complete makeover! Plus I have an appointment for a cut and colour tomorrow, I haven't coloured my hair since I was pregnant , so hopefully it will give a bit of a lift.
I still have the rest of the house to do , we have a serious problem with storage , not to add to the fact that we now have all this new stuff for Maia. Any storage ideas ? I need to be merciless. Is it worth saving Yonatan " boy baby clothes " , I know three people having little boys in the next wee while . should I just let go and pass them on ? God, Jods , don't have a haert attack but I just may paint my toe nails tonight. !I know that Jules is going to be laughing , cos I suspect that she is the same as me , with the lack of pampering , but being so organised she would me to shame. Come help me sort for a while ?
OK , back to my cupboard. Forgot to mention that my Mum also organised my bathroom cupboard for me , I love her so much !

One month yesterday

2006-10-21T01:27:00.000-07:00

Miss Maia was one month yesterday. Can't believe how quickly the time has gone by!

A day in the life

2006-10-08T02:53:00.000-07:00

I am really enjoying being at home with Maia. We haven't really got into any schedule , but the mornings seem to pass by and most afternoons we both have a sleep. So things are good. I brought home the scales today, from the kibbbutz clinic, but she is sound asleep so I haven't had a chance to weigh her yet. I am sure that she's put on a bit of weight and I feel like she is already so much bigger. You know, 18 days and a "big girl " already. She has had a sore tummy in the venings in the last week and I have been drinking fennel tea and eating adophvilous yogurts, and reducing the milk that I'm drinking. With Yonatan I couldn't eat any milk products for 6 months because of his colic, so thank goodness it doesn't seem to have come to that ... yet. Fingers crossed.
Bad news is that our good friends from the kibbutz are leaving. They have had a really tough absorption period and its just not working for them. The kibbutz has been a really negative experience for them , which disappoints me as well , that a place that I feel is so accepting of me , has given them such a hard time. I hope they will stay in the area and will have to make the most of their last three months here.
Yonatan is good, a little bit of regression in his behaviour, he has started this really awful crying when he doesn't get his own way and on friday night he threw a plate in the dining room !!So he is having to take money from his money box, to " buy a new plate " and I will march him to the dining room to present it to someone there. Yesterday his naughtiness was quite funny ( well sort of )He was playing hide and seek outside with his friends and was brought inside to get ready for bed, He threw a wobbly and was out in his room, where he dumped all the stuffed toys and blankets from his top bunk. When we came in his room was a mess, we were really proud of our response , instead of screaming and yelling ( which I have been known to do , once or twice in the past ! ) we just started picking things up. He looked stunned and said " do you want to know why I did this ? " We looked at him and said " not really " and kept picking up. He was bursting to tell us, and got no reaction. Hopefully next time , he will realise it doesn't work. Most probably though, he will just come up with new and original ideas for trying to challenge us !! Three year olds ! Jods and Jules, its coming , trust me !! Lucky he is so cute!
I just realised that I have written a whole blog entirely about my children, wind and naughtiness ! Hope you are still awake !

Baby Naming

2006-10-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

On Sabbath we had a baby naming for Maia and I wanted to share what I had written. I have to warn you , its a bit soppy but truly heartfelt. i guess that I can get away with being over sentimental at the moment, I can always blame it on my hormones !!

Maia Emily Gila Granit

When I first realized that Maia was going to born by caesarian, it seemed such a foreign and strange thing to know when your child would come into this world and when you would meet her for the first time. To lie in bed the night before and think “ wow, tomorrow I’m going to have this little girl, I’m going to see her face and touch her. It has its own magic to it.

An hour before she was born, Erez and I were sitting on a hospital bed playing sheshpesh , which was somewhat surreal. You will be pleased to know that I bet him 4 games to 2.

Erez, I am so glad that it was your eyes that I got to look into the moment that she came into the world and that we heard her cry for the first time. I thank you for your beautiful words afterwards, telling me how brave and amazing I was and for making me feel that I could achieve anything, if you were there with me. I am so grateful that I have you in my life and that we have created this beautiful family together.

The thing that seems so amazing to me now, is that just last week, when I looked at Yonatan, it didn’t seem possibly that my heart could expand anymore to include anyone else. When you only have one child it’s hard to imagine how you could have room to love more than one. Now when I look at Maia , I literally can feel my heart expanding and its an amazing feeling.

There is so much that I feel grateful for and feel that I need to give thanks for.

I also feel grateful for the love, help and support that I felt from so many people both during the pregnancy and the birth. I feel privileged to live within such a community, and thank you all so much.

I feel grateful for Erez and Yonatan , their love and humor and for our family.

I am so grateful to the gift of this little girl.
I pray for her to become a person who greet the world
With passion, courage, humility, humor and patience

I pray for the ability to love and nurture her,
To provide for her and educate her,
To understand her and allow her the freedom to grow and discover the person that she will become.

Maia, we welcome you into your family,
Into your community,
Into your world

We love you.

The besotted big brother

2006-09-28T04:21:00.000-07:00

Happy One week Birthday !

2006-09-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

As it has been quite rightly pointed out I have been scarce with details ! Maia was born 20 September, 9.36am and weighed 3.460 kg, at week 38 and 5 days. The recovery from the c section is pretty horrific , but so worth it. I would do it again tomorrow if we could get another one like her. Ok ... maybe not tomorrow !

One day old

2006-09-26T01:55:00.000-07:00

Maia Emily Gila

2006-09-26T01:30:00.000-07:00

It's happening ...

2006-09-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is my last sleep at home before this little person arrives , tomorrow get admitted to the hospital and then on Wednesday morning if all goes according to plan , we get to meet this little person. Its makes me feel quite emotional just thinking about it. I can't imagine. So this will be my last blog for a while. Thanks for all the good wishes, Big kiss xxxx

Jonny G and sidekick

2006-09-14T01:09:00.000-07:00

No long now...

2006-09-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

So ... The big news is that we have a date... One week to go. C section is scheduled 20 September. Lots of mixed emotions, excited, disappointed, happy , relieved ,you name it!. I still haven't given up hope that she might turn, who knows. The things is that now I have it in my head that I am going to meet her next week by c section. I will be kind of disappointed if I have to wait longer. Washed baby clothes today,I guess this is actually happening !

Still breeching !

2006-09-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

So the monitor confirmed today that she is still breech, but nice strong heart beats and trying her hardest to kick off the sensors. On Monday we will set the date , isn't that a weird thing deciding your child's birth date ! What does that mean astrology wise I wonder ?

Three and a half weeks to go, or maybe less !

2006-09-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

Maybe less.. So the latest news is that babys head is still not down. We have another scan and monitor to check that everything is ok tomorrow and then twice weekly after that. Lets hope that she's decided to move, but I think I still feel her head pushing upwards between my ribs , you can imagine how comfortable that is ! So if she is still in the breech position , I will go back on Monday and they will schedule a c section. Not exactly what I had planned , I do very sad that it may not be a natural labour , but not as much as I thought I would. As long as she is delivered safe and healthy. The one thing that does concern me is that apparently it is hospital policy that the husband can not be in the room during the operation, which I'm disappointed about, but what can you do.
If it does need to be a c-section then they will probably schedule it for the week of the 21st. Still cross your fingers that she will turn ! I haven't quite given up hope.
So I've decided to stop work at the end of next week, since I won't be there half the time anyway. Even now , its more like half days. It will give me some time to get things organized at home. We bought a baby bath yesterday and a mechanic crib rocker ( present from nana, apparently her friend bought one for her grandchild and they are great ) I started putting clothes in the cupboard, so its starting to feel more like its happening. Yonatan keeps asking if the baby is ready and " baby feeling " he says she's boxing ( that's definitely what is feels like ) Its funny what he picks up on , we had been discussing her position and he comes up for a feel and says " oh here's her head and ..... here's her bum !" Can't believe I have a child that's says bum instead of bottom and fart instead of blow off. I will have to try harder next time !

Snorkel Fun

2006-09-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

2006-08-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

Its been a rough week. I just feel so overwhelmed , uncomfortable and hot. I have felt really sick the last couple of days and I can’t escape the heat, I know that things will be better when Erez is home. I need a break from work, home and am just so tired. The thing is that I feel like I should be trying to relax, preserve my energy and actually all that is happening is that I am getting more and more unable to feel like I can cope. I wish I could take a break from work, sleep, potter at home. I feel sick of everything. The baby is coming in 5 weeks and I feel so rundown I don’t know where I am going to get the energy. Nothing is organized and the thought of doing it is too much right now. I really wanted to paint Yonatan’s room before the baby was born and give him lots of love and special attention and spend quality time with him, where in fact I am doing the opposite. He is pushing boundaries understandably with all the changes going on and although I know the right thing to do, I am so reactive and intolerant at the moment. I feel like I am at my emotional capacity. I also feel angry at the moment but I’m not really sure why, I feel angry a lot, and it scares me to think that I have turned into an angry person.
I miss having friends to talk to and get support and reassurance from. It is a big part of my life missing here and it makes be sad that I don’t really see that situation getting any better here. I wish that I could not need it so much; I think it would make life here a lot easier. Its not how I wanted to be feeling just before having this baby. We waited so long fo her and wanted her so much.

Positivity

2006-08-17T04:44:00.000-07:00

I felt like writing something today , but can't think of anything positive to say. Which is a shame because I like to think that I am usually a positive, optimistic person. Well.. I think I am. I was awful to Yonatan yesterday , big grumpy and hormonal...So my goal for today is to try to be as patient and loving as I can. He is having a hard time with Erez away and a Mum that isn't at all enthusiastic about playing football or tennis, with her enormous stomach and swollen ankles. Lets face it bending to pick up the ball is a challenge. On the positive side , arranged an ice cream play date at 4.30 today.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you !

2006-08-17T04:36:00.000-07:00

Thinking of you makes me see the beauty of each day.

2006-08-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

Frangipani

2006-08-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

There is something so beautiful about Frangipani. This picture makes me feel uplifted.

What am I listening to lately ?

2006-05-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

The best thing has happened to me this week. I have discovered National Radio online. Its fantastic, love hearing the kiwi accent and ofcourse all the homegrown music. Songs from the Front Lawn has been one of my favourites since I was about 16 and Don McGlashan is just amazing. I remember seeing him and the Mutton Birds once when Warners was still a grotty ol'( you had to love it )pub, it was packed, smokey and some guy in the front row was screaming " Don McGlashan you're a god " Ok , you a little extreme but still get those good old nostagic warm fuzzies thinking about it. The whole room was just a mass of swaying , jiggling, a little intoxicated kiwi music enthusiasts. Anyway I am going to have to come up with some way to have my computer, or at least the speakers put through to the living room, so that when I am on maternity leave I can listen to national radio every day.

World's cutest dragon

2006-03-17T23:01:00.000-08:00

Yonatan's purim costume . very cute !

My dressing gown

2006-03-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

Still in my dressing gown, finding something to wear is too daunting. Maybe time for another cuppa tea.

Time for a kaftan ?

2006-03-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention, to make matters worse, I decided to go through my closet, so my Mum could have a free space. It now turns out that I have very little that actually fits me anymore and which is unlikely to in the next 9 months ( I'm being optismistic that I will be able to fit back into things after three months ) All my t shirts are ridiculously short and have tummy poking out, and all but a couple of pants too tight. I really have no clothes not to mention that in another month the weather will be 35-40 degrees, I may need to buy a kaftan, hmm pretty !

Dust Bunnies and sand nightmares

2006-03-15T10:06:00.000-08:00

My Mum arrives tomorrow so we have been madly cleaning in preparation. How much dust can be in one house !!! Its terrible , I can't even imagine how much we must inhale daily. Probably best not to think about it. I know that we live in the desert but can't believe how much sand there is everyday , its like we live in a sandbox. Doesn't help that Yonatan does actually have a sandbox which happens to be his favourite activity. Today for instance , he had two friends over and usually when Yonatan is alone I can turn him upside down and give him a good shake before he comes inside , but forget it with three kids. In and out constantly , so in the end I gave up. Maybe I should keep a vacumn by the back door and vacumn them off before there come in , a bit like a security check before entry, checking pockets,socks and all hidden creases for sand. In the end I opted for a walk over to the petting zoo to play with the guinea pigs, turtles, goats and bunnies. The chincillas bit, as does the ferret so we avoided these and had a nice time otherwise. Can't avoid the sand under foot much londer so I am going to have to wash the floor tonight, oh well at least no carpet and can pour the water straight out the door. So my Mum arrives in less than 12 hours and thinking about poor old Jules saying goodbye to hers. Don't worry Jules at least your house doesn't resemble a small , badly assembled sand castle.

Noise makers, Arachnaphobia, Dragons and Golden Syrup !

2006-03-13T02:26:00.000-08:00

The weather is gorgeous outside, no rounds of rolling nausea today and although I have been stuck inside in front of a computer most of the day , I did make an excuse and walk over to check the mail, go get some fruit from the big fridge and go to the shop for baking products.

This week we are celebrating probably one of the most fun holidays , especially for kids Purim. Basically a lot like Halloween in that everyone gets dressed up in costumes, there are lots of parties, ( shame I can't take advantage of the open bar !! ) and deliverys trays of home made treats to friends and family, which is a much nicer idea than sending your kids around to other peoples houses to demand and threaten for candy. There is a religious element , in that you read the Book of Esther , a great biblical feminist , ( well kind of still valued for her beauty etc most of all but you can't have everything ! ) but she saves that Jewish people and its kind of fun. The story is read a loud and all the kids are in their costumes and carry all kinds of noise making devices, of course there is a villian of the story called Haman, and whenever his name is mentioned , everybody kids and adults alike, hiss, bang on their pots, hoot their horns or shake their noisemakes and generally boo and make lots of noise. How much fun is that ! I mean where else to you get to behave so terribly, other than perhaps in parliment. They hang him from a tree in the end which is not very nice really and terribly unpolitically correct opps.

Yonatans costume this year is a dragon, very cute and he is looking forward to it. Tomorrow afternoon there is a parade of all the kids costumes outside , followed by a festival ! For the us , more mature ones, there is a costume party tonight, the theme is phobias. Should be fun to see what people come up with. I am predicatble arachnaphoba and E has been been too lazy to think of a costume yet.

So I am off to bake this afternoon , need to buy cookie paper, ( so nice not having to clean the tray - even if it is not very environmental ), only problem a lot of my favourite recipes from NZ contain Golden Syrup, hmm need to find a substitute.

Welcome back to blogging

2006-03-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

This time I am determined to lose my username/ password/ or any other piece of vital information that I will need to be able to log on ! What to write , what to write.......