one month countdown

Sadie's Bat Mitzvah is one month from today. Updates over on Sailor Glam.

the sho(far) must go on*

Last nights funnel cloud was no match for a sanctuary full of Jews ready to ring in 5771. Bring it. This bunch has seen it all and more.

Since apples dipped in honey are a customary treat on Rosh Hashanah, I decided to make baked apples for dessert tonight. According to the Michigan Apple Council, these are the best apples for baking:

Cortlands

Jonagolds

Jonathans

Rome

Golden Delicious

Winesap

I could only get my hands on Jonathans and Golden Delicious.

Baked Apples

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Core apples and place in a baking dish. Pour small amount of water in the bottom. I added vanilla beans to the water. Put some brown sugar in the hollowed out cores. Drizzle with honey. Bake until apples are soft, but still retaining their shape.

Top with whipping cream and glazed pecan pieces.

Happy New Year!

*a little Jewish holiday humor. What's a shofar you might ask? Click here.

human rainbow

If you visit my blog with any regularity, you can probably tell that

I love color.Bright, vivid, saturated color.

When I heard the NPR story on the Hindu festival Holi,

I just had to see it for myself. Absolutely stunning.

Holi is a celebration of Spring. During the festival, all

social gaps are bridged. Age, sex and social status are

disregarded. It's noisy, raucous and joyful.

People hug and laugh and douse one another in color.

A human rainbow.

By the way, this natural powder supposedly washes off

with a shower or two.

Holi begins this Sunday, the 28th. Happy Holi to

all those who celebrate this incredible festival

and happy weekend to everyone else!

photo credits: jasmineandtheelephants.com, bestcelebrations.com,maryt.wordpress.com,

porus chaudry for qualityjunkyard.com