Categories
Holidays

A Much-Needed Trip

Four years had passed since we’d visited the old country. Yet, despite all that had taken place in the interim, England looked very much as it did last time. The countryside, the towns, the weather appeared as we rembered them.

We met up with family and friends, but mostly we hiked around the south of the country, the furthest place being the Isle of Wight, where we struggled against the strong wind. At least, I did; D took it in his stride.

Of all the photos I posted on Facebook, the ones that got the most responses were these:

With the first photo, I expressed my surprise that D put the cream on first and spread the jam on top. Some commenters agreed with me while others sided with D. A few days later, I took the second photo and posted:

I’m shocked! 😲 Today, he put the jam on first, saying he likes to try different ways. Take note, all those who said he was right and I was wrong. He is very fickle. 🤣

Me

If you don’t know what I’m going on about, you must come from outside the UK. The question of how to put jam and cream on your scones is the most serious and contentious topic there. 🤣

Now we’re back in the country that’s continuously changing, with weather we could do without.

Watch this space tomorrow when I will be announcing something exciting.

Categories
Holidays

Chanukah, Day 5

To make up for my recent lack of attention to this blog, I’m posting thoughts about Chanukah for each day of the eight-day festival. Today, I’m talking about:

SUFGANIYOT

They say that every Jewish festival can be summed up like this: They tried exterminate us; they failed; let’s eat. Chanukah follows the pattern.

Sufganiya (plural sufganiyot) is Hebrew for doughnut and shares its root with the word for sponge, due to its texture. Most are filled with jam. We prefer the ones with dulce de leche. Chocolate is also a popular filling. Some have exciting toppings.

Then there’s levivot (latkes) and other items from the various Jewish communities.

What all these foods have in common is that they’re fried in oil, linking them to the miracle, which I recounted on Day 2.

And yes, they’re all delicious and unhealthy. Fortunately, Chanukah lasts for only eight days!

Me, ten years ago
Categories
Books

J Story for the #atozchallenge

2016AtoZChallenge

The J Story

Jay entered the room and stopped dead. “Jerry! What do you think you’re doing?”

“Just doing my homework, Mum.”

Jay surveyed the scene, while attempting to banish thoughts of extra work from her mind. Jam neatly spread all over a jumper laid out on the bedspread. Juice in a glass jug standing on the jam at a precarious angle. Jelly wobbling on top.

Jutting out from the mess was a sheet of paper. Jay picked it up and read the typed words. “Join disparate items together to make an abstract sculpture.”

Jay turned back to the mess. “Just one thing; they’re not disparate – they all begin with J.”

Jauntily, Jerry grinned. “Just testing you.”

Jay nodded. “Just so.”

Jam

To US readers:

  • For jam, read jelly.
  • For jelly, read jello.

Links to previous A-Z stories:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z