Summer Stock, I mean shock

Robin at Around the Island (I must take the time to put her in my blogroll, I really like her blog) is starting a new photo meme, dedicated to pictures of summer. She asks:

So what says summer to you? Is it the pool? The beach? A backyard barbecue? A comfy old pair of flip-flops?

Here at Casa Baila, the thing that spells s-u-m-m-e-r is what is turning into an annual ritual: The shaving of Ozzy. If you recall, we did this last year. I thought we would never do it again, but the truth is, it's hot here; Ozzy hasn't been his usual energetic self. We decided to do the shave today and now he's back to chasing buses. Apparently he really does feel better without all that hair all over him. So have a good laugh at the expense of poor Ozzy; before you know it, he'll be back to his gorgeous self.





Ozzy wishes all his fans a great summer!

Chag Sameach.

I know you've all been waiting with bated breath, but I just didn't get a chance to photograph the Best Cheesecake In The World. Truth is, it doesn't look like anything special, it's the taste that's mazing and I'm very much looking forward to my first bite of it (okay, you're right, I did already pick at it. Sheesh, I can't get away with anything around here, can I?)

Anyway, it's almost time to light candles so I wanted to wish you all a Happy Shavuot. I will be busy all night studying the backs of my eyelids. For those of you immersed in more serious study, well, you're better people than tired ol' me.

Enjoy your cheesecake.

Ouch.

What you have above is an X-ray I took about two weeks ago. My left foot has been bothering me for about two months (maybe longer). The pain is on the bottom of my heel. When I was at my doctor for a routine visit, I asked her to give me a referral for an X-ray since I was going to that building for routine bloodwork anyway. I knew if I went to see the orthopedist he would send me for an X-ray. My appointment is later today and I'll be ready with a CD of my foot (the technician just handed it over when I was done). Now I had already self-diagnosed myself and the X-ray confirmed my suspicion: a heel spur. You see that little chupchick sticking out?--it's not supposed to be there. Once I had diagnosed myself (before confirmation via radiation) I also self-treated with specific exercises (G-d, I love the internet). Treatment has been semi-successful until I started Trep's Walking Program on Sunday. Now I think more aggressive treatment is warranted. I'll consult with Dr. Sugar (really his name. Well, its Sucar, which in Hebrew is sugar) and we'll decide on a plan of action together. Or he'll tell me what to do and I'll nod my head in agreement.

I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I don't mind any free advice you happen to have.

If you're interested in seeing more X-rays, Benji has his teeth up (or someone's teeth, anyway) at Haveil Havalim. He actually inspired me to share my foot with you, so you can go over there and thank him.

Take the challenge

Treppenwitz has thrown down the gauntlet. He is blaming all of us, the J-blogosphere for his pudge (his words, not mine!).

To that end, he has created a competition at walkertracker.com. He wants us to put on pedometers and start counting our steps. The goal would be to hit at least 10,000 steps per day. He's promising a prize for the winner and maybe some rewards for those of us that who won't win. I'll have to do something creative to win myself a prize. He's given away at least one, uhm, very interesting prize that I know of.

I decided to sign up, but I didn't have pedometer to count steps. So I posted on the Modiin Listserve and you wouldn't believe how many people have pedometers gathering dust in their junk drawers. I scored myself one for free. G-d, I love the internet.

So go visit him here for details. Do it now, because you can start counting (in Israel) right now. The competition lasts for a month. We'll all be better, perhaps smaller, most definitely healthier people for it.

After all, it's only 300,000 steps.

A present for you for Shavuot

The holiday of Shavuot begins next Thursday at Sunday and I've decided to give you, my faithful readers a special treat.

On this holiday it is customary to eat dairy foods, and boy do we ever load up on cheese blintzes and all kinds of pasta dishes. But the high point of the holiday, at least here at Casa Baila is the cheesecake. Even though I wouldn't call myself the Martha Stewart of baking, I take pride in knowing that I make the absolutely best cheesecake in the world. Period. I didn't even like cheesecake before I got this recipe. I got it from a woman I used to work with about 15 years ago. I haven't seen Dena Feldman in years, but thanks to this recipe I always think of her this time of year. I hope she is doing well.

I have made this cheesecake every year except for one. The problem with it is that it is a high-fat recipe. There is no getting around it. One year I decided to make a different low-fat recipe and Isaac said, "One time a year I get to eat cheesecake, I don't want it to be low-fat". Only he used much more colorful language, which I cleaned up in order not to offend.

In any case, you are forewarned about the fat content. If you intend to be careful over the holiday you can a plan a delicious meal around fish, whole wheat pasta and some of this cheesecake as a treat. Or you can just eat your way through this cheesy holiday and feel sick. (Been there, done that--don't recommend it).

Either way, believe me, this is the best cheesecake ever:

Ingredients:

Honey Graham Crackers (the original recipe called for the crackers to be mixed with butter so that they would stick to the pan. I don't bother putting in the butter and sometimes pieces of cookies float to the top, but I like it that way)

2 packages 8 oz. whipped cream cheese (used Tempt Tee if you can)
16 oz. sour cream (Told you it was not low fat)
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Press graham crackers into 9 inch spring foam pan.

Whip cream cheese and sour cream well (no lumps!) Add 1 egg and 1/3 cup of sugar. Do this three times. Add vanilla extract. Beat well, no lumps.

Bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn oven off and leave in for one hour. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN!!!

After it is cooled down, keep refridgerated.

It doesn't come out looking perfect. There are usually cracks, but I feel like it looks like a beautiful, homemade cake. I don't have any pictures yet to show you, but I'll try to post one when I bake it.

As Treppenwitz likes to say, Don't thank me, I'm a giver.

O Jerusalem

Tonight marks the 42nd anniversary of the re-unification of Jerusalem. Since then, millions of Jews and non-Jews have visited and prayed at the Kotel--the Western Wall.

This is what General Moshe Dayan had to say at the time:

This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of our holy places, never to part from it again. To our Arab neighbors we extend, also at this hour—and with added emphasis at this hour—our hand in peace. And to our Christian and Muslim fellow citizens, we solemnly promise full religious freedom and rights. We did not come to Jerusalem for the sake of other peoples' holy places, and not to interfere with the adherents of other faiths, but in order to safeguard its entirety, and to live there together with others, in unity.

When the Old City of Jerusalem was in Jordanian hands, our people were denied access to the holiest of our sites. In fact, many Jewish sites were destroyed. Still, we invited people of all faiths to come to Jerusalem to pray. And those people still come in droves.

Today and tomorrow Israel's Eternal Capital will celebrate her re-unification. There will be dancing and singing and the Kotel will be teeming. It's a remarkable time to be in this great city.

Happy Jerusalem Day!

Spring has left the building

Summer in Israel has arrived.

You know, the kind of weather where you are afraid to get in your car, where your hands get blistered from touching the steering wheel, where you feel that bead of sweat on your neck that won't go away 'til November, where the sun is so strong you have to squint your eyes even with sunglasses on, where your children and husband (wimps, every last one of 'em) beg for blessed relief.

I just hope the woman who created air-conditioning won some kind of Nobel Prize.

Tomorrow the mercury is going to hit 40 degrees Celsius. I'm to hot to figure out how much that is in the American language, but trust me we're baking over here.

Ahh, summertime.






Batya has the latest Haveil Havalim at her place. Check it out for posts from all over the Jewish blogosphere.