Family Chronicles: 01/01/2007

Monday, January 29, 2007

Happy belated birthday, Costel!

It was on January 27 and he is 66!
Many happy more!

Winter in New York

It's been snowing scarcely and stealthily in NYC this winter. A few mornings we'd see some white on cars, trees, in the garden. Last night though, we did see beautiful, big snow flakes and expected a bit more accumulation. As usual, only the garden is showing... This was taken this morning, on the way to school...

And while on the subject of winter, this will happen in out garden:

Imbolc, Hot times in the olf city

Halfway to Spring--come and light a candle, make a
wish
and sing and frolic in the firelight as we burn 12
Christmas trees to celebrate this timeless Celtic
holiday, Imbolc!

Friday, February 2, 5 to 8
Dias y Flores Community Garden
520 East 13th Steet, between Ave A&B

Imbolc (ihm-olk) Imbolg or Oimelc
Traditional date: Feb 1 or 2
Midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox
Second Celtic fire festival (female)
Gaelic or Welsh "Imbolg" means "spring" (have not
confirmed)
Festival of Lights, St Brigid's Day
Celebrates the quickening of spring, the end of
winter, time of abundance of milk
Time of planning and hopes
Ceremonies involve water, candles pledges and planting
a hope or a seed, making candles and rededicate the
land with sacred ash
Burn your Christmas tree and light candles
Colours: Red, orange, white
Evolved into Groundhog Day

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

E-mail from Ava - Paris

Just got a very enthusiastic e-mail from Paris. Ava is safe and happy about everything around her! really a joy to read!

The image is from a live cam feed I now have on my homepage - it helps me with the night/day

differences - applicable to Bucharest/Israel as well if I add one hour.

Skating trip

Maya's class went to Woolman's rink today (Brooklyn, Prospect Park) to skate.
We almost didn't make it there as the leader of the 3 school buses got involved in an accident on the way (fender bender) and was stuck waiting for the cops to write an accident report. Everyone was paralyzed - fortunately Victor offered to give out driver directions to the skating rink, so we moved. (this is funny, as Victor doesn't drive and Maya's teacher grew up in that neighborhood).
Once we got there everyone had fun. Maya turned out to be a confident, graceful skater and all the kids were delightful!

Monday, January 22, 2007

Maya's play tonight

No pictures - because no flash was allowed, but a lot of fun! She danced, played a marionette made by herself, sang, played evil landlord, juggled, played a puppy registering at a hotel....I have it all on tape...And to make it all more interesting, we had all hors d'oeuvres in the theater before the play and a full delicious dinner after the play - courtesy of the local businesses who donated food for this. Bubbie, Pipa and the two of us had a ball! I do have the video...

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Happy Birthday, Pipa!

Home made Sachertorte

As Maya asked that we bake our own birthday cakes, I look for a recipe.
I remember, many years ago, mama received this nice wrapped present that she had do time in her 'presents closet". It turned out to have been a Sachertorte - in a beautiful wooden box. By opening day, it was ...green. But I kept the box for my little treasures, so the name was very familiar...