When in doubt make your own lunch

I'm just making my lunch..... how about 5 juice boxes and a chocolate pudding?

Having used the fruit drawer to climb into the fridge, Matt is officially the kid who came the closest in my house to eating fruit this week. You know what they say, stepping on twelve apples, 4 grapefruits and a plum a day keeps the doctor away.... or something like that.

Where's Miracle Max when you need him?

Have fun stormin' da Bell Centre!

Thanks for the inspiration L Dude

I love Purim

Today's instalment of "They STILL can't they get the laundry into the laundry basket even though I cut the damn lid off of the stupid thing... do they do it on purpose to drive me fucking insane????" (remember this?) has been preempted so that I can share with you the nicest and most thoughtful Purim basket in the history of Purim baskets.

Purim baskets are sent out to friends, neighbors, teachers and all other acquaintances on Purim day. They are meant to ensure that everyone has enough food for the Purim feast and to increase love and friendship in the community. I'm not sure about love in the community but I do know that I no longer care about the laundry on the bathroom floor.

Purim Gimlet:

1 oz. Kedem grape juice

1 1/2 oz Vodka 

2 Zaza chewy kosher grape candies from Israel*

Mix. Drink. Repeat.

*also works with Manamit coated kosher chocolate wafers although you have to drink fast before the wafer turns to mush

Mark Recchi has had a few too many hits to the head

Hey Mark, he wasn't faking. The Canadiens medical staff is just THAT good. Maybe they can help you out with your hip replacement this summer. Or not. 

The Matza Factory

Going to the matza factory by school bus with 40 five year olds was a blast. Next time I'd like to make a request to go to a jewelry factory.... by car... without any children.

Matt Cooke is an animal

Matt Cooke channeling his inner Bluto according to Dave Stubbs

Stubbs on Twitter

Best Purim costume ever

Zack's homeroom went as the peroidic table. I love Sec IV enthusiasm. 

Does it get more romantic than this?

In lieu of a 20th anniversary card....

Cleve ZIEGLER, not to be confused with the other Cleves that I email regularly

I'm an equal opportunity baker

Panache Cookbook, page 221

Dough:

1 1/3 c. margarine or unsalted butter

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 scant cup sugar

2/3 c. cocoa powder

2 large eggs

1 tsp. baking powder

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

Filling:
Nutella (shhhh, no one has to know)

Directions:

Cream the margarine or butter in the mixer at medium speed until softened. Add half of the flour, then the sugar, cocoa, eggs, baking powder and salt. Mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Stir in the remaining flour.

Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes or until the sides are firm.

This recipe should make 48 cookies. I only ended up with 24 so each of mine probably has about 5,000 calories. Worth every bite.

Run for the hills!

How can I think about Passover while the hamantaschen are still in the oven?????

I hate you, IGA.

Happy Purim

Took my kids 20 minutes to believe that I made the hamantaschen with Matt even though they walked in WHILE we were making them. Guess I need to bake more often.

Dough:
1 medium seedless orange
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
2 tsp. baking powder
2 3/4 c. flour

Filling:

I used chocolate and peanut butter chippits but I've been told that Nutella is amazing. 

Directions:
Quarter orange, but do not peel. Process until fine, about 25 seconds. Add eggs, sugar and oil. Process for 10 seconds. Add baking powder and flour. Process with several turns on/off. Don't over process.

Bubby liked to add a shot of whiskey to her dough.  I just had the shot of whiskey. Either way the hamantaschen are delicious.

The magic of the kotel

Just a note?

I don't think so. 

Now I regret not asking for Gary Bettman to lose his job.

I miss the Holy Land

They may have a lot of stuff near the road but no matter how you slice it, THIS...

and THIS...

beat THIS...

every day of the week.

So what did you guys do while I was away?

Killing two birds with one stone, Cleve marries Matt's desire to learn to spell with his own need to dictate a letter

More of Israel 2011

Just what you want to see when you're watching other people'e children

Water in the desert 

Yuval cooked us leaves on our moonlit hike

Masada

Soldiers on top of Masada 

Carmel

Anemones amongst the carnage

Suspension Bridge

Sabra plants

The kids cooked the adults a biblical supper and made pita from scratch 

The water tunnels

Mini army
Amir was the good cop because he couldn't stop giggling

A note for the wall

Kotel tunnels

And it was cold enough to ski!

Although the sights were spectacular, it was seeing Israel through the eyes of smart, well behaved children that made the experience so incredible. 

(all photographs courtesy of Eden Polansky Flomen)