24-25.9.10 Weekend in Revivim

Edna, Omer's aunt, kindly invited us for what became a wonderful and unforgettable weekend in the Kibbutz where she lives and know so well.

We had a warm reception in her modest apartment, full of books and interesting objects from distant places where she traveled to around the world.

We kept on to the shared dining room of the Kibbutz, for Friday evening supper. From there, we had a visit to the local dairy followed by a private guided tour in different parts of the Kibbutz.

Early morning on Saturday, Edna took us to the olive nursery where she is working during weekdays. It was incredible to discover how many different occupations she was involved in during her stay in the kibbutz. It makes her life so various and interesting! This is really to admire when you see such knowledgeable people. For example, you can show her any plant you wish to and she will know to tell you what it is and how it is called.

From the nursery, we then arrived to some olive orchards where the lilies (חבצלות) were blooming.

Omer caught me chasing after a small praying mantis :-)

There are a variety of Ficus planted near the nursery and we could see also some abandoned greenhouses of the kibbutz that primarily served for lilies (שושנים) hydroponics.

The breakfast menu was: fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, Zaatar herb, excellent local olive oil, omelette with onions and Yami local "Hana Cheese" with olives and chives or with nigella seeds!

There are several parcs in the Kibbuts. One is the fruit trees parc with a small lilies hill. The other, is the parc of the intersecting trees (גן העצים המשתלבים) of Aharon Nave. The following pictures are only a small sample of this interesting art.

After fascinating talks about some of Edna's trips around the worls, we saw some pictures she took there. I was especially amazed of the Bolivian Uyuni white desert and the nice photo montage you can play with there.

Finally, at sunset, Edna took us to the Cactus and succulent parc to see a vast array of nature wonder with the artistic intervention of a member of the kibbutz, which I forgot the name.

We had to come back home, but I really wish to go back again to Revivim and see in more depth this cactus parc and the whole kibbutz.

In such a small place, it is amazing how many things there are to see and enjoy, no wonder Edna is so much connected to this place.

17.9.10 Experimenting with 5 based braided Challah

There is a great demonstration of braiding different braided Challah (3-4-5-6) by a Dutch baker.

If you like baking, I really recommend you to check this video.

I encountered it on Maryline Ayalon amazing and inspiring blog, Ma Blogeria. She also prepares extraordinary and very creative Challah.

4.9.10 Starbust hotpad by Loretta Schepp

Many thanks to Loretta Schepp for sharing this beautiful crochet pattern for free. Click here for additional variations on Ravelry.

4.9.10 Columbines Brooches for Liliane and Claire

2 more "crochet bouquet" columbine flowers (1st, 2nd, 3rd)...

11.8.10 Marcelle Hadar's Peyote Pendant

I once saw Marcelle Hadar wearing a beautiful peyote pendant with fitting triangle earrings. I added the pendant into my to-do list and managed to finally bead it, using odd peyote stitch. The final result reminds me of an honor army medal or some African pattern. Not so fond of this strange combo...

7.8.10 Pomegranate Flame Tree Earrings

Following the visit of Milda recently, I was motivated to finish the 2nd earring of these small pomegranates, based on the Flame tree earrings design.

22.3-13.4.10, 6.8.10 Sunflower Brooch for Neora and Sunshine award from Andrea

Finally, I finished Nicky Epstein's Sunflower from the "Crocheted Flowers" Book, pp.17-19.
Here it is next to the sunflower from the "crochet bouquet" book:

I took this opportunity to publish a prize I have kindly received from Andrea's Bead Fancywork and ashamed it took me so many months to react to (Sorry Andrea :-( ).
So first, thank you so much Andrea for thinking about me and bringing me this award!
and now it's my turn to pass it on...

19 Feb 2010

The prize is the Sunshine award and here are the rules for accepting it:

• put the logo on your blog or within your post
• pass the award onto six bloggers
• link the nominees within your post
• let the nominees know, they have received this award by commenting on their blog
• share the love and link to the person, from whom you received this award

One of the reason it took me so long to react to this award is that I have a giant mess with links of blogs that I didn't find the time to update in my blog list.
Unfortunately, I still haven't find the time for it, so as to be able to visit them all again and see who are my actual favorites.
Therefore, in order to react to this award when I am still alive, I will add some blogs that pop in my mind which I encountered recently. These are beautiful and inspiring blogs, while I do not forget there are many other favorites blogs/sites and artists that I love.

Ta da... so in this round, the six fortunate bloggers that I do not expect to necessary forward this ward if it become a neck-pain
are...

1. "Vezsuzsi Gyongyei" - Zsuzsi V. - for her endless creativity, originality, productivity, young mind, color choice, beads choice and for her various crafts & arts talent.
2. "Les perles de Phylomene"/"Bravigou" - for her royal, original, inspiring, out of the box stunning beaded creations and poetry talent.
   
3. "Le Gioie di Happyland" - Claudia, for being a gorgeous person, a generous talented artist, beading original, creative, neat, impressing, luxurious and cute designs - productively!
4. "Perlenfieber "- you are dismissed from forwarding the award ;-), I know you hate this. For her originality, charming fruits and floral designs, such as the pumpkins, the squash and lilacs necklace.
   
5. "Creations Laure"- for her beautiful and impressing designs, majestic color choice and generosity.
6. "Flymouche" - for her beautiful, happy, colorful and original designs and creations.
   
7. "Katyperles"- for her beautiful, colorful and original creations with her special twist.
   
8. "Krisz design"- for her beautiful color palette that renders each jewel stunning even when simple.
   

Congratulations all!