THE TEL AVIV MUSEUM....A JOY FOR THE FAMILY.

vTEL AVIV MUSEUM.................. FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

I have just returned from the Tel Aviv museum and would love to share the joy of beauty, vision, artistic levels in painting, photography and drawing. The museum has many videos that explain the art and have discussions you can watch There are guides giving great talks. The exhibits are exciting and it is a joy for all ages.

THE OLD FASHIONED CARS IN THE FOYER.

Here are a collection of sixteen cars designed by American and European car makers. They are in mint condition. They include a 1958 Rolls Royce Silver, a 1930 Chrysler, 1958 Chevrolet Corvette, a Cadillac of 1953, and a BMW made in 1967. The kids and any age group will love to look and see the amazing style, finish and symbols that shine like the day they drove out of the showroom.  At the centre you will spot a Roy Lichtenstein creation, colorful, jazzy and like his work. You almost expect the girl with the yellow spotted bikini to step out.....such a fun car. This is a must for car lovers

YADID RUBIN.

  This is the work  of an artist with a sensitivity  of the land of Israel. The works are landscapes with decorative  elements of the kibbutz {tractor, houses, hot houses, plants , crops  and trees}

They excite the eye, are a kaleidoscope of magnificent colors and  you will browse through them with the discovery of the identity of our land.   Watch the video of the artist.

DAVID LACHAPELLE.

Wow...............this is a unique and daring photography of the moment, and the yesterday , today and tomorrow of modern life. You will be stunned by the figures, settings and juxtaposition of it all. You will leave the room with the feeling that you are Rip van Winkle and just woke up to a new world......fabulous

LARRY ABRAMSON.

Larry Abrahamson is a well known Israeli artist and here we see  a show with symbols, shapes, ideas    and contexts. I find the work   plays on all my senses and the presentation is simply   balanced and beautiful

Take the children to the kiddies section to experience the mobile world of Alexander Calder. This is a workshop experience and they will spend happy hours discovering the connection between painting, sculpture, line and color and more than anything this creates a love and curiosity about the world of art. I took my kids to galleries when they were tots in prams and it has given them  an appreciation of art forms and creativity.

The art store has wonderful toys and games for kids. They are educational and well designed. For the ladies great jewellery, bags and silver objects. For the guys, key rings, music and books, cards and games.   

The museum cafeteria is a good break for a nash and you can carry on and research the Helena Rubenstein museum where there are permanent exhibits of Meissen porcelain and Glassware of Emile Galle.

All visitors to Israel will love the complex and you can stroll over to the Opera House and enjoy the buildings and art shows in the foyer.

We have a wonderful country of art, sculpture and  architecture...............visit and enjoy it all.

Love and light................ Rona

when in doubt....leave out

WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE OUT

Often we do things, eat food, go places and say words that are not really us. When you do something foolish, think further about it.....................do not act in a manner you will regret.   For instance,the things you need to omit from life to have balance.

To be in balance, skip silly drinks, alcohol and   rainbow colored concoctions that are laced with booze. Have clean drinks and act responsibly. Do not eat food that is created out of twenty items, canned, pickled and jazzed up with additives, food color and heaven knows what else..........................eat simple and  enjoy fresh food that are in season.

Foods with shelf life of five years is not the best choice.................

Do not say you did not know that cigarettes and drugs were harmful.   You do know, so leave then out or at least reduce them...............

Tattoos are trends and are not a necessary   additive to the way you look.................be happy to have clean skin.Clean skin is the best feature...............

 Tattoos are trends and in my opinion, plain ugly.

You need to attract attention? So buy a purple hat, paint all your nails in ten colors, just wear a ring on your toe........do a simple, sane thing...........................

Choose to use healthy cosmetics, not tested on animals. Go for the bunny check.....is it ecologically acceptable and checked?  I personally use selected items like SUNRIDER.............

Cut out the unnecessary, lengthily conversations on cell phones

Do not charge phones in your bedroom. Also remove the charger when not in use.

Replace the phones onto the base when not speaking.

Simply reduce all electrical devices in the bedroom, including late night TV. If you watch flickering channels up to the point of sleep...you will not sleep. You will not be counting sheep, but flickering on images all night.

Switch off all   unnecessary electrical items in you bed room.

Switch off all electrical points when on holiday and perhaps the gas too. Ask your supplier.

Be selective about household sprays and harmful toxins in any household paints, cleaners and outdoor insect sprays and garden treatments. Read instructions and wear gloves and face masks where necessary.   When in doubt , re safety ,LEAVE OUT.

Store food well in summer. Do not leave food out overnight. Throw away left overs, before they asked to be ditched.  In short , take care and be responsible and do not say THEY NEVER TOLD US ALL THIS............................................

NO DOUBTS RE THE BEST  SALADS   IN  SUMMER

These are ideas for now......just pop into the food market and buy what is in season and fresh produce, grown locally. Price and quality are usually the best.

GREEN PEAS AND PASTA SALAD.

Make a pot of pasta....500 grams will do.

Add 2 cups of snow peas, three sliced zucchinis, two sliced or cubed kohlrabi and one onion. Fry these lightly in olive oil, pepper and garlic powder and mix with the pasta. Add a dressing of olive oil, two teaspoons of lemon juice and  a few tablespoons   of  freshly peeled  grated apples and some roasted pecans on top.

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RED PEPPERS, WALNUTS, RED ONIONS AND CHOPPED PARSLEY.

Cube two red peppers, a red onion, and a cup of chopped parsley Add half a cup of crushed walnuts and dress with a sweet dressing. I use two tablespoons of olive oil, teaspoon of honey and  two tablespoon of   cranberries, that are marinated in a little balsamic vinegar.  Mix all and serve with grated feta cheese on top.

SPOUTS AND SAUTEED VEGETABLES.

Take two cups of sprouts, two red thinly sliced  onions, three sliced , peeled apples, two cups of thinly sliced red cabbage and  half a cup of raisins. Mix all and dress with olive oil, lemon juice and  a cup of grape juice.  Decorate with cubes of Bulgarian cheese and serve with toast..

Have no doubts, summer needs good shopping, new ideas and easy to make foods. No long hours in the kitchen . Create ideas on paper and grab the kids, visit the supermarket, buy the best and freshest vegetables and fruits,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and make the scaWHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE OUT

Often we do things, eat food, go places and say words that are not really us. When you do something foolish, think further about it.....................do not act in a manner you will regret. Like the things you need to omit from life to have balance.

To be in balance, skip silly drinks, alcohol and   rainbow colored concoctions that are laced with booze. Have clean drinks and act responsibly. Do not eat food that is created out of twenty items, canned, pickled and jazzed up with additives, food color and heaven knows what else..........................eat simple and  enjoy fresh food that are in season.

Do not say you did not know that cigarettes and drugs were harmful.   You do know, so leave then out or at least reduce them...............

Tattoos are trends and are not a necessary   additive to the way you look.................be happy to have clean skin.

 Tattoos are trends and in my opinion, plain ugly.

You need to attract attention? So buy a purple hat, paint all your nails in ten colors, just wear a ring on your toe........do a simple, sane thing...........................

Choose to use healthy cosmetics, not tested on animals. Go for the bunny check.....is it ecologically acceptable and checked?  I personally use selected items like SUNRIDER.............

Cut out the unnecessary, lengthily conversations on cell phones

Do not charge phones in your bedroom. Also remove the charger when not in use.

Replace the phones onto the base when not speaking.

Simply reduce all electrical devices in the bedroom, including late night TV. If you watch flickering channels up to the point of sleep...you will not sleep. You will not be counting sheep, but flickering on images all night.

Switch off all   unnecessary electrical items in you bed room.

Switch off all electrical points when on holiday and perhaps the gas too. Ask your supplier.

Be selective about household sprays and harmful toxins in any household paints, cleaners and outdoor insect sprays and garden treatments. Read instructions and wear gloves and face masks where necessary.   When in doubt , re safety ,EAVE OUT.

Store food well in summer. Do not leave food out overnight. Throw away left overs, before they asked to be ditched.  In short , take care and be responsible and do not say THEY NEVER TOLD US ALL THIS............................................

NO DOUBTS RE THE BEST  SALADS   IN  SUMMER

These are ideas for now......just pop into the food market and buy what is in season and fresh produce, grown locally. Price and quality are usually the best.

GREEN PEAS AND PASTA SALAD.

Make a pot of pasta....500 grams will do.

Add 2 cups of snow peas, three sliced zucchinis, two sliced or cubed kohlrabi and one onion. Fry these lightly in olive oil, pepper and garlic powder and mix with the pasta. Add a dressing of olive oil, two teaspoons of lemon juice and  a few tablespoons   of  freshly peeled  grated apples and some roasted pecans on top.

.

RED PEPPERS, WALNUTS, RED ONIONS AND CHOPPED PARSLEY.

Cube two red peppers, a red onion, and a cup of chopped parsley Add half a cup of crushed walnuts and dress with a sweet dressing. I use two tablespoons of olive oil, teaspoon of honey and  two tablespoon of   cranberries, that are marinated in a little balsamic vinegar.  Mix all and serve with grated feta cheese on top.

SPOUTS AND SAUTEED VEGETABLES.

Take two cups of sprouts, two red thinly sliced  onions, three sliced , peeled apples, two cups of thinly sliced red cabbage and  half a cup of raisins. Mix all and dress with olive oil, lemon juice and  a cup of grape juice.  Decorate with cubes of Bulgarian cheese and serve with toast..

Have no doubts, summer needs good shopping, new ideas and easy to make foods. No long hours in the kitchen . Create ideas on paper and grab the kids, visit the supermarket, buy the best and freshest vegetables and fruits,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and make the salads with each one doing a chore.   Treat them to the best nuts as a dressing and heaps of pop corn later............. HOLIDAYS MUST BE FUN AND EASY FOR ALL THE FAMILY.

Love and light,   Rona

APPLES ...DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY WAYS TO ENJOY APPLES

APPLES . DELICIOUS AND  HEALTHY WAYS WITH APPLES.

The old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"  is told to us at an early age. Like eat a carrot every day and you will have great eye sight.....look at the rabbits. No matter what, an apple a day is healthy and a great snack. At night it is the ideal fruit to snack on. Apples are great raw, grated, sliced, steamed, baked, made into fruit salad, apple pie, with granola and in so many dishes. Here are a few ideas for summer.

APPLE CIDER.......................... COLD WITH ICE CUBES.

 Prepare a large jug of apple cider without gas and add ice cubes, some chopped mint and a lemon slice. Chill and serve in tall glasses with a few ice cubes.

Take Apple juice and cook up on the stove in a pot with a little cinnamon, {the stick works well} a little honey and mint leaves. Add a bag of Green Tea or Lemon Fortune Delight {Sunrider} Let it come to the boil. Cool well and serve with chopped ice.

WATERMELON, GREEN GRAPES, MELON AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.

 Make a large fruit salad of sliced grapes{no pips} cut up watermelon, balls of melon and a  few chopped mint leaves. Add a can of apple cider juice and refrigerate. Serve cold .....delicious and cooling after a meal or as a starter.

  BAKED APPLES.    SEE THE BLOG OF    29^th March 2009  the Passover  page and see the Baked Apples

STEWED APPLES.

.

An all time favorite.  Take 8 Golden Delicious apples, peel and cube them  Place them in steamer with two cloves.  Steam them until soft and add a little honey and a dash of cinnamon.. Refrigerate and serve cold with yogurt or ice cream.

FRIED APPLE RINGS.

            These are a novel way to serve a desert with a ball of ice cream or custard. For parave , serve with Caramel Soya pudding or soya ice cream.

Core six apples, the Golden Delicious type. Slice carefully into rings and place in a dish with one tablespoon  brown sugar and two teaspoons of brandy. Cover and leave overnight.  Make a mixture of flour and apple juice and coat the apple slices with this Fry in butter and serve hot with the ice cream or custard on the side You must serve immediately, or leave in a dish in the oven.   Looks so different and your guests will love them.

APPLE SALAD, KOLRABI AND GREEN GRAPES.

 Peel and cube three Granny Smith apples,  peel and cube two Kolrabis, and  cut up one large cup of green grapes.  Remove pips and cut in half. Make a bed of lettuce and layer all these items on it. Grate  feta over it all and serve with a dressing of lemon, olive oil, crushed mint leaves and grated cucumber. . I use pomegranate pips when I have them as it is added color and taste.   Ideal summer salad..

  And lastly , when everyone is watching the Mondial, make a large platter of cut up apples and serve with nothing else.   This works wonders instead of heavy calorific snacks.

HAVE FUN............................RELAX AND MAKE SUMMER A PLEASURE .

LOVE AND LIGHT

RONA

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KEEP COOL AND HAVE A COOL ATTITUDE TO LIFE

 SUMMERTIME AND MAKING IT ALL COOLER

Here we are at the end of a year of learning, studies and hard work. I wish all of you Good Luck in new places, among new faces and different cultures and periods of adjustments

 Keeping cool means more than a splash of cold water, an icy drink or a dive into a pool....it is an attitude to life and the daily challenges that we face. Keep in mind the fact that all of us have to adjust our ways, be considerate of others and understand that we all handle crisis, events and life altering situations in totally different ways. Our priorities are based on who we are, what we want out of life, how much will we give unconditionally and more than anything, is how we handle our egos

What you do for your fellow man, for a tired neighbor, a grand child, a friend suffering from loss,  friends fighting illness, post operative stress, grieving for loved ones and even losing the skills that make life easier.......................................is your way of keeping your cool and being there when needed. I see old folks who stop driving and lose their sense of where they are. Tired people, who need daily plans made for them, require invites that assures them they are not forgotten.

 Make the extra cookies, a quiche, a few plants in a pot, a bunch of flowers and maybe a new cologne or hand lotion. What one person takes for granted is a thrill for some one else .I once gave a friend some lavender and geranium soaps, that were beautifully wrapped and looked as lovely as the fragrance they had. . Her face was a sight I will never forget. She thanked me by saying,  " No one has given me fragrant soaps for years........................."

 Let each day have time for reflection, to write a lovely note, to walk over to the neighbour, to pick a rose,  to meditate and realize how lucky you are. When you visit old parents, wipe their glasses for them, check if the kettle is clear, tidy the cutlery drawer and all in all make the effort to do things that they cannot do,or have forgotten how ... 

I am taking off time to spend with loving family, my children, grand children and my sister, her husband and close friends this summer. I plan to have a great summer....................cool because no situations will get me down. Pleasant because gossip in not part of my life.

I am planting a garden of positive thinking, lots of dream time to breathe and smile at the joys that make a beautiful world.

Enjoy who you are, the loved ones near you and those far away. Smile during the day. Make time to meditate and listen to music, read a book and plant flowers and herbs. Walk on the beach, in a forest, a garden and in the  circles of your mind...............do not forget to chat to the dog

Look at old letters, cards and celebrate what a good life you have had. Share an old movie, a new CD and face life with confidence and knowing that the best is yet to be.

HAPPY SUMMER ,PEACE AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF US.

LOVE AND LIGHT 

RONA  

       

 

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SUMMER FAMILY MEALS

SUMMER FAMILY MEALS.

Summer demands a lot of fresh salads, fruits, smoothies and light meals. We need to shop very carefully and make sure the refrigerator has cold water, loads of vegetables and fruits, ices , milk,yogurts, cheese and dried fruits.

Plan to enjoy the outdoors and family time. Buy three times a week and plan the meals two days at a time. You can skip making heavy quiches, casseroles and heavy pastas, lasagnas and pastry foods. Go for easy egg dishes, quick smoothies, granolas, cereals,  corn, cheeses, dried fruits and  fruits in season.

We all love breads and crackers, but check the oil and salt content. Go for simple crackers, rye and rice products that are easy to digest.  Kids love spreads for quick sandwiches. Try avocadoes with tomatoes and grated apples. Another mix is grated kohlrabi, carrots and techina paste. Humus with cucumbers and olives is a never fail..

CRANBERRY SALAD.

Soak 1/2 cup of cranberries in balsamic vinegar overnight. Sauté 1/4 cup of flaked almonds and 1/4 cup of pecans in a littler olive oil for two to three minutes. Arrange.

 a large platter of mixed leaves, lettuce, thinly cut spinach {about four cups of the greens} and   a thinly sliced red onion. Mix the nuts and cranberries in and add 3/4 cup of grated feta over the salad. Serve with warmed whole-wheat bread and a minted butter..

You can serve cottage cheese instead of feta and sprinkle sunflower seeds on top. Enjoy.

GREEK SALAD AS A LARGE FAMILY MEAL.

Boil an egg per person,    black and green olives,  sliced tomatoes, cooked green beans, thinly sliced red onions,  sliced cucumbers, red and yellow peppers sliced thinly, cut up radishes lots of washed and dried lettuce and  finely chopped parsley. I cook a potato per person and some corn as well. Well by now it is salad for family and less Greek. But this is how to serve it. Take the largest tray or plate and arrange the lettuce and greens on the platter. Then in groups, arrange the eggs, olives , sliced potatoes, corn, etc............when people and children choose, they see what they want and go for that. If you add tuna, let it be on one side. This gives everyone; vegetarians  and fussy eaters a choice. On the side have two dressings. One can be sweeter and the other simply vinaigrette. I make a dressing of techina, olive oil, lemon juice and honey.. I grate feta cheese over the lettuce as well.  Have a few French loaves, good breads and butter.........you need nothing else.........

ROASTED SALAD.

Do this a day ahead. Warm the oven medium to hot. Wash three red and three yellow peppers, three zucchinis, three sweet potatoes, two garlic cut in half{sprinkle olive oil over them} two onions, cut in half, three tomatoes, {prick the tomatoes with a toothpick} sliced egg plant.  Cut the vegetables into strips and   slices.   Sprinkle olive oil and herb salt over all. Bake.   While this is happening, prepare instant cous cous. Saute chopped parsley, a few pine nuts and  a grated carrot.

Mix this into the ready couscous. Remove the baked vegetables and  arrange them on the bed of couscous with a light grating of cashew nuts over the top. Serve hot with a jar of yogurt on the side. This can be mixed with chopped dates in it. Lovely meal, looks colorful and tastes divine.

Make a happy table. Checked cloths in red or black with bright serviettes to make a contrast. Have jugs of fresh lemon, and pomegranate juice as well.

LOVE AND LIGHT FOR A GOOD WEEK AND HAPPY FAMILIES THAT ARE ENDING TERMS OF HARD SCHEDULES AND SCHOOL WORK................. HAPPY HOLIDAYS        RONA

SUMMER TIME........WHAT TO DO.

SUMMER TIME......................HOLIDAYS AND WHAT SHALL WE DO?

I hear people asking each other "what are you doing in the summer?' 

Where are you going and what will you do with the kids?

Lets be real.   ATTITUDE IS ALTITUDE................you can plan and with very little effort, have a great and unforgettable summer.

 Firstly work out what alternatives you have. If your budget, or family commitments, rules out travelling abroad or far a way..................make home a pleasure. Most people have hectic times during the year. You can use summer to hang out, bond with your kids, skip chores and  set times for everything.  GO WITH THE FLOW................

 Pick up the week end papers, city guides issues, local show lists and places to visit.

 Look at the kids and their friends. What do they like doing?   Computers? Graphics? Music? Cricket? Soccer or Rugby? Tennis , swimming and martial arts?  Make a plan to have five or six kids, at each home once a week and invite a teacher to instruct them . The hostess for the day provides lunch and drinks,. It will be stimulating and inexpensive.

 If the girls like hairdressing, bead work, knitting and learning to sew, make a class for them to do it a home. I ran a teenage course to learn cosmetics, beauty and being a lovely woman. Today I know it worked. Some of the girls are lovely Mothers and beautiful women. Cooking and baking can be taught by all of you. After all you create homes and make meals daily.

Look at the nearby places of entertainment and plan some events. You can make a group that go out once a week at night and once a week for a tour during the day. They can visit factories, printers of magazines and news papers, ice cream and food plants, clothing and design centers and of course learn how to make jewellery, do repairs for cars, bicycles and even a paint course and ways to mend household breakages. All these are skills that will always be useful.

For thrills find out the price to go out on a boat, do a parachute flight, go on a mountain or desert tour and of course the Nature hikes and camping all over the country.

Invite family to spend time together. These can be tours to a new place, family travels in the country or even a train ride to another city, museum and a meal together. Going places, visiting new  areas ,finding your way in a city you have never been to,. is a form of growth and learning. Plan a great beach visit for an evening, with lamps and a real fire with a poike full for great food.

 At home you can make photo albums, create toy boxes for little kids, tidy up and do house painting, plan new corners for studies and friends.

Take time to help less fortunate people. Visit an elderly person at a retirement home and read to them, do their shopping or simply be kind. Help with babysitting and offer to walks the dog or help  an elderly neighbors with their shopping and chores..

If you have grand parents or elderly folks in the family, make an effort to really chat to them. They are worth a thousand words.........................

The idea that we trade everything for cash is ridiculous.. When we were kids we did a bob a job.....just a shilling for any chore. It was symbolic and the cash went to the scout movement. But we learned  to be kind, decent and willing to  help another human being. 

I will send a local list next week..................where to go and what to do. Please remember that holidays can be fun if you make them organized, exciting and have a level of real enthusiasm........Enjoy what you can  create to be happy.  Love and light  RONA

memorial day red poppies

MEMORIAL DAY.

 Today we sit back and remember the heroes who fell in the line of duty. To those of you  anywhere on the Globe, who are remembering some one they loved, cherished and admired, we send you Love and light

Memorial Day has been a special time for remembering since 1868  when it was declared an official day of Remembrance in the United States of America.

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 Moina Michael  wrote her poem of remembrance.

''  IN FLANDERS FIELDS'

WE CHERISH TOO, THE POPPY RED,

THAT GROWS ON FIELDS WHERE VALOR LED,

IT SEEMS TO SIGNAL TO THE SKIES,

THAT BLOOD OF HEROES, NEVER DIES..

Moina Michael started a custom that people wear a red poppy on this day and it has become a symbol  of  remembering the fallen heroes throughout the world..

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 A HEADSTONE IN IRELAND CAPTURES THE FEELING FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS A SAD NOTE THIS DAY.............................

DEATH LEAVES A HEARTACHE,

NO ONE CAN HEAL,

LOVE LEAVES A MEMORY, NO ONE CAN STEAL,

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THINKING OF YOU ALL AND MAY THIS DAY BE ONE OF SHARING

LET GOOD MEMORIES FILL YOUR HEART

 MAKE TIME TO BE KIND AND CARING

LOVE AND LIGHT

RONA.

sandwiches, family eating. last minute meals

SANDWICHES TO FEED THE FAMILY................EASY, TASTY AND NOURISHING.

We all have moments that there is a mob for the early evening meal, or a crowd after a day at the pool or beach, and they are famished.

Create sandwiches that are prepared a day ahead. Knowing the week end is here, shop on Wednesday for good vegetables, cheeses, tofu and eggs. Grill some eggplants, sweet red and yellow peppers and bake some garlic  cloves and onions. Boil a dozen of eggs and some potatoes.

Sweet  red and yellow peppers. Bake these and rinse with cold water. Peel off the skins. Cut into strips. Place in a dish with vegetable salt, pepper, some of the garlic cloves and olive oil.

Egg[plant. Grill in the oven and when ready, cut in half and scoop out the eggplant. Mix in a blender with olive oil, salt and pepper. You can add garlic.

Boiled eggs. Boil the eggs and keep ready to mash. You can use mayonnaise, chopped .

parsley, a few pieces of mint, chopped onions and even some olive oil and herbs.

Potatoes can be sliced and spread a little mustard  on them for sandwich fillings.

Tofu. This can be prepared any style and kept ready in slices or grated for sandwiches.

Olives, green and black, Pickled cucumbers, sun dried tomatoes, pesto sauce, mustard and  mushrooms can be used for fillings Don't forget.hummous, techina, cottage cheese, sliced cheese and Marmite and peanut butter.

You can create a buffet. Place all the rolls , breads, pitot  crackers into little baskets , or on a large tray.

 Have butter, hummous, techina, cottage and any other spreads  in individual bowls, with a spreading knife or spoon in each. Prevents double dipping and spoilage.

Arrange all the baked foods, cut up tomatoes, cucumbers, sun dried tomatoes,  washed lettuce,parsley and herbs on another tray. Have knives and spoons to serve them.

Have small trays or plates, serviettes and jugs of cool drinks ready.

People love help yourself meals and you can relax too. Remember dessert for  last minute meals must be easy and re usable. If you have cake and cookies, great. If not, buy an assortment of all the ice creams that are in fashion. Choose all varieties that suit kids, people on milk free diets {soya}  glace ices and  wicked chocolate one for our chocolate lovers. Take a large tray and fill it with ice . Arrange the ices on this and sprinkle with petals.  What ever is not used , goes back in the freezer for next time.

End the evening off with a warm drink and a cookie ....enjoy Milo,Ovaltine or prepare a large flask of hot chocolate drink

..

  

 Have a good week and I  hope the  end of term tests, graduations and  parties all go off  well.   Enjoy, enjoy it all

  Love and light,              Rona

smell the flowers, be real , make a good life.

 SMELL THE FLOWERS.

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Every day some one advises you to stop and smell the flowers ....have you done this  today?

Being aware is a level of consciousness, It is the inner self that is sensitive enough to understand others and be tolerant of where they are at this moment. We are all guilty of intolerance and  misunderstanding those close to us Often we share guilt for our actions and behavior in these situations. We need to have empathy, patience and kindness in our souls.

So try to think this through and be the one who can make the supreme effort to stop and smell the roses, look at them and in those moments, try to understand a little more.

I recently went to the Arboretum in Dallas. We did not have to stop and smell the flowers. Thousands of the most exquisite tulips, flowers of every description and color shared their beauty with us. The people walking around, old folks, kids, babies in prams, swinging youngsters, all enjoyed the beauty and miracle of the blooms.  Thank heavens for people who take care of beauty, who lovingly plant and plan gardens for the world to enjoy.

Take a few pots and fill them with blooms in season, with tomatoes, peppers and herbs, like mint, geranium, rosemary, parsley and fennel. You will love picking them for salads and cooking.  Little bulbs of onions grow easily and it is fun to pick some green onions for a tang in  your omelets, salad greens and cooked foods.

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I was lucky enough to visit the Desert Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona, a while ago and there the cacti, desert aloes, succulents and rock plants were a feast of beauty. We can travel through the desert and see sand, or we can look and find exquisite wonders of nature , who survive on very little water and come into bloom in spite of winds, dryness and desert conditions. The delicacy of blooms always amazes me and I also find a magic, how the spikes and thistles do their bit by protecting the little flowers.

 Nature balances beauty and takes care of it all. Look at roses. The beauty of a rose, the softness of petals...................and then the thorns that are on the stems . We are given rose petals to thrill our senses and thorns to protect them.

So with the way you live, what you do every day,  where you go, what you eat and who you spend quality time with, makes you who you are.

Always be real. Be yourself. Do not judge others. You never know what you would do in their  situations.  Be kind and remember, everyone out there is having to cope with a battle of their own and a war within, you cannot see.

Little things mean a lot,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,do lots of little things that matter. Make each day the best you can.

Love and light Rona

NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS...........USE SANE AND SENSIBLE IDEAS FOR HEALTHY DRINKS

NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS.......................MAKE A SANE AND SENSIBLE CHOICE............................................

I   glanced at a magazine last week and it was an entire magazine telling you what you could drink in summer. Every one is laced with vodka and jazzed up with alcohol, liquors and more vodka.

 Catch a wake up...........................if you are parents ,do not let this be the style or trend in your home. If you are a teenager, be brave enough to say I prefer non alcoholic drinks. That is cool....not to be as fool.

I believe drinking as a social trend is dangerous and totally misunderstood by young people. When an adult drinks a Scotch and takes a brandy.................he knows how and when to drink it.

Youngsters just have no education in this field, have too much money to waste and think it makes them one of the guys..................................what a waste of good body organs and not to discuss what you   show in weakness and a lack of self respect..

FUN...AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE.

HERE ARE SOME COOL, TASTY AND EASY TO PREPARE DRINKS FOR SUMMER.

Firstly you need a few jugs, good clean and tall glasses, straws and lots of ice cubes.

ICED TEA....a long time favorite. I make this with tea bags ,some Sunrider Stevia, the natural sweetener, lemon and mint leaves, Serve with crushed ice.

FORTUNE DELIGHT LEMON  is a good and easy choice. Just add a bag to a few glasses of water. The taste and quality  make this  a good choice.

FRUIT PUNCH.

1 liter fruit juice and 500grms of diced fruit you like. Add l liter soda or lemonade. Mix and chill.

CRANBERRY AND PEACHES.

 Make a large jug of cranberry juice and add GRATED  peaches or pears and some lemon. Serve cold with lots of crushed ice cubes.

GRAPE JUICE.

 This is healthy and delicious. I chill it well and add ice cubes and a few fresh , seeded grapes in the glass.

LEMON JUICE, MINT AND  APPLE JUICE..    Mix one bottle of apple juice,  two tablespoons of lemon juice, and chopped mint. You can add a few chopped raisins as well, Serve in a tall glass with ice cubes that are frozen with extra mint leaves in them. Looks good..

TOMATO JUICE.

Chill the juice and add salt , pepper and a little basil. Grate two cucumbers in this with a little red onion. Chill and serve. For a soup in a cup or glass, you can blend in some Buttermilk or yogurt. Makes a cool soup. As a soup, serve with a spoon of yogurt and chopped parsley or mint.

YOGURT AND CUCUMBER.

Blend two cucumbers and three jars of yogurt. Add salt and pepper and   a few drops  of  soya sauce. Mix well..

GREEN TEA........  A SANE AND SENSIBLE RONA CHOICE.

Take two bags of Green Tea, 5 cloves, 2 small sticks of cinnamon, a few mint leaves and slices of lemon. You can use a few geranium leaves.

Add four cups of water and a few slices of oranges and sliced kumquats. I add a little honey or Stevia.

 Boil this all and let simmer for two to three minutes.  Serve hot or cool it and serve with ice. It is terrific.

Look at the blog of 17^th September 2008 for great Borscht, Beetroot drink. The blog of  8^th August 2008 has some good  COLD SOUPS.. 

ICED COFFEE,

Lastly the cool drink for summer is iced coffee. You can make it as calorific as you like.  It is good to serve with ice cream or frothy milk. Simply  use one  of those gadgets that makes it all look  whipped up and stylish  in a tall glass with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

Have a SOBER and a cool summer.

 Love and light

 RONA