MORE GUESTS ARRIVED - I AM SO PLEASED

Sandra, Belgium

http://zsazsazsujuwelen.blogspot.com

Hi Yael,
Here is my little story (on the pebbles :-)))

I found these cute drilled stones on Etsy. I fell in love with them immediately. I love their shape and their beautiful range of colors just right out of nature. But.. how to make something out of these cute stones? I started a ring collection and combined the stones with natural materials such as paper yarn, rubber and leather.

These stones are found on a shore of a lake somewhere in Idaho. So I tried to combine them with
another natural material, driftwood and started to make brooches with them.
To me a lot of inspiration can be found in nature! 

I would like to wish you all the best for 2011, good health, lots of fun moments, joy and happiness and of course lots of time for creativity! I am glad I got to learn to know you in 2010 this enriched my life! X, Sandra.

Elisa, St. Augustine, Florida, United States

http://www.peskycatdesigns.com

Hello Yael!
Thank you for inviting me to your blog party! I've attached a mosaic to go along with my words below.  
All the best, Elisa.

Hello my name is Anni. I am the pesky cat behind Pesky Cat Designs. My mommy Elisa told me about your fantastic blog party and I begged her to take me along. I heard that Golda will be there and I just had to meet her. She sounds like so much fun. As a thank you for letting me come to your party I am bringing some gifts that I hope you will enjoy.
The fresh flowers and bag are for sweet Yael. The thread is for Golda and I to play with. Once we knock them down from their pretty shelf they will give us hours of enjoyment. Everyone at the party is welcome to join in.
If Golda will be hungry I brought along my favorite snack, wheat grass. See how delicious it is. I can not even get my head out of the grass to greet new guests arriving at the party. Sorry! But it tastes so good. Come Golda, try some.
When Golda is so tired from all the thread playing and frolicking she can have a nap in her cat cave. Isn't it pretty. Hope you like your gifts and thanks again for inviting us to this great party!

Inbar, hinter dem Mond gleich links, Germany

http://bernsteinsmaschenzauber.blogspot.com

Hallo Yael,
hier ist mein Beitrag zu Deiner Party. Ich habe für Dich eine kleine Bildergeschichte gebastelt.
Ich umarme Dich und hoffe, dass es Euch allen gut geht! ♥liche Grüße, Inbar.

Anna, Torino, Italy

http://annukcreations.blogspot.com

Hi Yael :)
first of all let me tell you that you had a WONDERFUL idea!!! The party is so much different from any blog challenge on a given theme... it leaves absolute freedom to express one's own personality! Here is my contribution... Love, Anna.

I live in the Western Alps of Italy, and I really love my mountains! But when the days are short and the LIGHT is so little, I often dream about my beloved Greek Islands of the Aegean, and this fuels my imagination and creativity!

My Zoe, who is a real Island Girl as I adopted her as a homeless kitten from the Greek Island of Rhodes in the summer of 2003, always seeks her little place in the sun, and I like to place a chair in a sunny spot of the kitchen for her!

Her mom, on the other hand, created some new Island-inspired rings! They are meant to be mini "wearable islands"... And even if my beloved one says they remind him of the Flintstones or of cakes (he says that very lovingly of course :)), I think I'm not going to call them "Bedrock Betty" - I'll probably call them "Island On My Finger"...

Each of these rings features three distinct elements, which I have assembled with copper wire and which have a special symbolic meaning: white polymer clay, copper and a real turquoise bead. I have shaped and textured the polymer clay entirely by hand, giving it the look and feel of ceramic: this element stands for the whitewashed, blinding walls, houses and villages of the Aegean. The copper sheet, equally shaped and textured by hand, symbolizes the ever shining bright sun of the Islands. And the turquoise is for that wonderful, mesmerizing sky, for that breathtaking crystal-clear sea, and for those touches of blue you see everywhere in the Aegean. Each of the 3 elements revolves independently, free and linked together at the same time.

I am so happy about all your wonderful contributions to my party - and for all of you who still did not join - the party is still going on and there is plenty more orange juice with gin :-), come in, come in please, have a drink, relax, enjoy!

I AM DELIGHTED TO OPEN THE PARTY - THE FIRST GUESTS ARRIVED

Eva-Maria, Hamburg, Germany

http://colourful-research.blogspot.com

A story...

I like snakes, once I had a Boa on my arms, still not big, only about two meters long. I liked the dry, warm touch of its skin, which is very different from what one would imagine. The smoothness of its scales, the pressure of its muscles as it coiled herself around my arm... There is only one reason why I do not like to have a snake: It has to be fed with animals, and even if they are already dead, they got killed for that purpose, and this I do not want.

I sent you an iguana, a bunch of snakes and a dragon head. I wish all of us a lot of joy at this party!

 The Reptile Quilt is almost finished!  Please zoom in to see the details of Eva's marvelous work!

Sheva, New York, United States 

http://www.thelavajewel.blogspot.com

The sweetest and most interesting and smart girl ever! Follow her blog, you won't regret it!

On the subject of Gin in Orange Juice. It reminds me of the poem Have Some Madeira, M'Dear

Have some madeira, m'dear
You really have nothing to fear
I'm not trying to tempt you, that wouldn't be right
You shouldn't drink spirits at this time of night
Have some madeira, m'dear
It's really much nicer than beer
I don't care for sherry, one cannot drink stout
And port is a wine I can well do without
It's simply a case of chacun a son gout
Have some madeira, m'dear… 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AngjzfSJypE

Hagar, Beit Shemesh, Israel

http://hagarae.blogspot.com

SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!!
I am bringing to the party..........freshly baked bread! What kind of a party is it if we have got nothing to eat!!!

And I will share with you my Challa recipe!
2 cups of water
6.5 cups of flour
2 spoons dry yeasts
1 tea spoon salt
1/4 cup of sugar (more sugar may be added for a sweater bread)
1/4 cup oil (I use olive oil)
1 egg

Preheat oven to 200 degree Celsius. Mix the flour with sugar and salt.
Mix 3.5 cups of flour mix with water and yeast for about three minutes. Leave for five minutes and then add the rest of the ingredients. Knead on lightly floured surface until the dough is elastic. Brush the dough with a little oil and place in a bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel and leave for an hour or until dough doubles its volume. Knead again, cover and leave for another half hour. You may prepare rolls or two big breads. Form the bread or the rolls, leave for another half hour. Brush with beaten egg and spread with sesame or poppy seeds or any other seeds. Bake in a preheated oven for ten minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180 degree Celsius. Bake for another 20 minutes.
When I make rolls I brush them with beaten egg and dump the upper side of each roll in different seeds or spices to give them a colorful look. 
Good luck and Bon Appétit!

Birgit, Germany
http://2bsworld.blogspot.com

Dear Yael, I did reflect upon your idea about the blog party and I think a nice ball game fits quite well with a party. So I selected some photos with Barny and edited them. He loves to play ball in the garden and his pleasure and enthusiasm can be seen in the mimic and expressions of his face and in his powerful jumps and frolicsome leaps.

I think it's beautiful, that one can see how very absorbed Barny is in the game. He always bestows such a positive attitude and bliss that every time anew I delight in looking at the pictures we took of him. I am sure your party guests will be pleased too with those photos.

I wish you fun with creating your blog party and hope that you find a little distraction from every day life. Many loving regards from Birgit and Barny.

Wanda Miller, Newcastle, California, United States

http://wandamarie.blogspot.com 

What perfect timing...I can bring a little present to the party. I am giving away a little mixed media painting on my blog right now, till Jan. 2. It's all about gratefulness, friendship and new life! You had a grand idea here, Yael! XO Wanda.




Vered Skolnik, Israel 
www.veroque.etsy.com

Yael, your blog party is a wonderful idea and I will be happy if you choose something from my store!

http://bit.ly/6gdBNK

Dawn, Germany

http://latouchablesbagsandthings.blogspot.com

Hi Sweetie! For your party,  I would like to come as a Picasso painting--see my blog. XOXO Dawn. :-)

Ahhh, Picasso...the legend of Picasso.....and where he mentioned that there were no excuses for artist's block, that you could make art on the lowest of incomes, make art out of matchstick boxes...

He also mentioned something about economy of style, that when you paint a painting, use the biggest paintbrush possible for that painting, and only that one paintbrush, even in the details.

Wonderful guests are already here, thank you for coming, I admire and love you all and I am looking forward for many more friends to join our happy and joyous party.

PARTY TIME - WELCOME

I would like to have a little party on my blog! I need some fun stuff to cheer me up! I want us all to be happy at the party! And smile! I want a creativity party! A frolicsome party! A blog party with photos and little explanations of your handy work, of your art, and/or your creative thoughts! Maybe only photos? Or just a little story? Or just something funny! I invite you, but would you please shape the festivity? I provide the space, would you fill it with glamor and make it shine?

Come, come, please come in! Have a seat, make yourself comfortable, look around, enjoy! Show and tell!

Hello Eva-Maria (bring your dragons!), hi Dawn (mhmmmm that smell!), welcome Jill (tumble, tumble, get the wheel spinning!). Come in, come all in!  Michelle with precious stones, Wanda (an angel please!), Elisa (tell her Anni, make her come), Vered ( :-) beads beads beads ) Mary (a kitty? an owl?), Damjana, (houses are sweet!), Greet (one, two, three, four...treasures and many little flowers), Anna (some greetings from Greece? Or from Italy?), Hagar (Israeli street fashion maybe?), Irmi (ein kleiner Schwabenstreich?), Inbar (neue Haekelwunder? ein Winterfoto?), Penelope (please show something from your sister!), Birgit (Schnappschuss von Barny?), Joanne (did T.W. make you laugh again? let us laugh too!), Hilde (herbs? soap? jelly and jam?), Rachel (a special sweet drawing full of love?), Ute and Oggie and Becka!, Sandra (ahhh those pebbles!), Susan (how is Cricket?), Cecilia (something of your artful glass abundance?), Mitsy (a feeling?) - only suggestions, you may show whatever you want, of course!
Sheva, yes you are invited too girl, (but you won't get gin in your orange juice!).

Maybe there will be some surprises? Knock, knock - yes, yes, come in, the door is open! Cochava, Judith, Elka, Margalit, Roni, Rachel, Aiva, my dear art group friends - please come too! You are all creating the most wonderful things, please let them be admired by all the party guests! Yallah, Pashminot! (Ha Uri ha ze!!!) 
Gabby T., you too, please come!

I forgot someone? You? And you? Of course you should come too! Welcome, welcome! Bring a friend!

 Are you in? Are you coming? Address to your right (e-mail)!

GOLDA

You remember the tiny bundle?
http://pazzapazza2.blogspot.com/2010/10/golda.html
http://pazzapazza2.blogspot.com/2010/10/golda_29.html
http://pazzapazza2.blogspot.com/2010/11/golda.html 
Now she is already a big girl. The color of her eyes changed to green. She likes to be in the garden, watching the ants, chasing after butterflies, climbing the trees, rolling in the grass. She is an energy ball, always on the move. It is hard to photograph her, she seldom sits still - she either sleeps, or runs and jumps! My hands and legs are still scratched from her rough plays - but I am just crazy about her! She is so dominant that our big cats decided to tolerate her. Sometimes she sits in my lap and purrs - then I am in heaven - for one minute the most! Hop she catches my fingers, or hop something else caught her interest! She plays with the phone cord till the phone falls down. Nothing is save from her. She loves things with rubber bands on. Clack clack she will stretch them and release them. She walks over the keyboard and causes me typos. She steals the eraser from my desk. While I am hanging the laundry in the garden, she grabs a sock and runs away with it. She hides under the pillow and peeks out from there, waiting for me to tease her with something, then she will leap up and as quick as lightning hide again! She will drink water together with Dafi from Dafi's water dish, standing between Dafi's legs. Cute! Whatever moves gets her attention! She is so pretty! She is a little devil, sweet and strong and demanding! I wonder all the time who her parents were - deep south in the desert! Maybe her father was a desert tiger? Or her mom a wild cat? :-)

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON

I wish all my Christian friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with all my heart!

This beautiful heart was displayed last winter in the open nature near the Ayit waterfall at the Golan Heights. It was created by artist Rina Apelbaum, a resident of one of the Golan villages. The heart is constructed in mosaic style from plenty of colorful 
glass beads and small pieces of glass.

GETTING OLD IS NOT FOR SISSIES

This famous quote from Bette Davis has given reality to our lives lately and made me think.

A friend has raised the question, if there is such a thing as living too long. I can not answer this, I guess it is very human to want to hang on, even if mishap occurred, even if facing a serious health crisis in very old age. I am not young any more, but still not old. Am I prepared? Will I be brave? If the wheels in  my mind turn slower, if dangers are present every day and I lose control, will I cope? If  my independence has deserted me and others have to care for my needs,  to decide for me, to wash me, to feed me, will I smile? Will I be thankful for the days left and welcome them? Will I greet the sun and enjoy the blue sky, even if only through the window? Will my emotions and feelings stay positive?

Oh please, please, let it be that way!

My parents-in-law are old, way over eighty. Till up to a year ago they scarcely needed help from us, they took pride in caring for themselves. Two years ago my father-in-law would still drive his car for short distances, like the weekly grocery shopping trip. My mother-in-law still sometimes cooked Shabat dinner for us, our favorite meals from where she was born and grew up, from Irak. 

Then tragedy struck, my husband's father had a stroke and the mother was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly they needed us. But to realize a situation and its seriousness and to accept help is not easy. To acknowledge disability, to understand that almost nothing can be done like before, and to trust in the goodness of others, in their willingness to help, and give in to it, has to be learned and practiced.

To make things worse last week my mother-in-law fell, and among other "smaller" damages to her body, like a broken rip and a broken sinus bone, her left knee got smashed. She needs an operation, otherwise she won't walk. But her overall condition has to be considered and we all face difficult decisions and we found ourselves in all round care for both of them. We take turns at the hospital with her and at home with my father-in-law, who is confused and heartbroken, all he wants is her to be back. They wish to die, they beg for it, both of them. It is sad and heart wrenching to see their suffering and their deterioration, there is less and less of them, in body and spirit, there is no joy anymore, no pleasure in anything - it is like the curtain fell, the stage is empty and only backstage left...

I help as much as I can, I try to be strong and I also hope to retrieve something for myself from this awful and desperate situation, for later, when I might need it - to stay focused on the beauty of life, to feed on cherished memories, and not to lose the ability to enjoy the rays of the sun and the smiles of my loved ones, even if the reality is not promising any thing at all - I would like to stay on stage, to be there, till the last moment!

MORE GRANNIES - MADE BY LOVING AND BELOVED HANDS

My dear sister made the squares, I made this pillow from some of them, my daughter made the girl! :-)

HA? WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE?

A funny bag came out of a funny mood!