{"id":1398,"date":"2015-06-21T19:31:24","date_gmt":"2015-06-21T16:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hbne.co.il\/?p=1398"},"modified":"2019-11-05T13:55:39","modified_gmt":"2019-11-05T11:55:39","slug":"an-octave-above","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbne.co.il\/?p=1398","title":{"rendered":"An Octave Above"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"weddinglaughter\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In so many ways you cannot help but notice me…<\/h2>\n

Of course there are \u200ethe obvious features the short cropped grey hair, the extra wide \u200eshoulders and, yes, the slim and not so curvy frame\u2026 Were you forced \u200eto take cover while listening to me speak? I do tend to speak an \u200eoctave above the crowd\u2026 My footsteps, they too, betray my slight \u200eframe as they smash the silence into forgotten jewels. It is my \u200elaughter, however, which cannot be ignored. It kind of has a life of its \u200eown. At the movies, often more than not, all eyes will be in pursuit of \u200equirky laughter\u2019s source\u2026\u200e<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me started because I won\u2019t be able to stop…<\/h2>\n

When I start \u200elaughing it is infectious, self-infectious. I just can\u2019t cut loose. Let me \u200etell you about an incident at our wedding. I chocked while drinking \u200ethe Kiddush (sanctifying) wine during our wedding ceremony. I began \u200echoking and laughing hysterically, completely and totally losing any \u200esemblance of self-control. Fortunately it was a tiny ceremony, barely a \u200e"minyan" (10 adults) at the "rabanut" (rabbinical authority) office and I \u200edid not disturb too many not so fortunate souls\u2026 Without a doubt this \u200ewas the defining photo of our wedding. If you look closely you can see \u200ehow even my mother-in-law was infected by my laughter\u2026 \u200e<\/p>\n

Another time we vacationed at Mitzpeh Ramon. We took the kids to \u200ego and play in the desert. We explored by bike, jeep and foot all of the \u200ebest that God\u2019s playground had to offer. After a day of playing hard \u200emy family sat down to dinner at the hotel, I was loading up platters at \u200ethe buffet to bring to my family when I noticed a waiter approaching \u200eour table with a tray of goblets perched precariously above. As I \u200estudied the waiter and the heavy tray, I wondered. What if\u2026? What if \u200eit he were to suddenly lose it?\u200e<\/p>\n

In retrospect, I believe that what happened next must in some part be \u200edue to my unwitting energetic intervention\u2026\u200e<\/h3>\n

Poof!<\/h1>\n

He lost it, he did. The tray came smashing down on hubby\u2019s \u200enaked head\u2026 What was his beloved wife\u2019s reaction? You guessed it! I \u200ecracked up, broke into a torrent of hysterical laughter\u2026\u200e<\/p>\n

My laughter flows freely such as my opinions and thoughts. Sure there \u200eare thoughts which I barely allow myself to think out loud, let alone \u200eexpress vocally. If I do choose to share, however, I will be vocal and \u200edirect to a fault. I don\u2019t have an ounce of tact to my name. I am aware \u200eof this flaw and am doing my best to tone it down. It is a process \u200ewhich will certainly take time. In the meantime I am blessed with a \u200efamily who accepts me and offers a wide web of tolerance.\u200e<\/p>\n

For many years my thoughts and feelings were buried deep.<\/h2>\n

I did not \u200eallow myself to speak, write or even think freely. To expose my inner \u200emost intimate thoughts was to be vulnerable and I did not want to be \u200ehurt.\u200e<\/p>\n

Without a doubt there is a close correlation between the depth of my \u200eself-confidence and my self-expression. Of late as my self-confidence \u200ehas grown, my self-expression has skyrocketed. \u200e<\/p>\n

Imperfections and Perfectionism<\/h2>\n

\u200e\u201cPerfectionist me\u201d would not allow me to own my mistakes and \u200eimperfections. I would hide less than perfect as opportunity would \u200eallow and redo. Shush, no one must know that I messed up\u2026\u200e<\/p>\n

Right here and right now I am taking ownership of my errors and \u200eimperfections. I am coming out of my closeted self. I messed up, \u200egoofed up and f$%#? up. So what?!\u200e<\/p>\n

Miss perfection is anything but perfect. \u200e
\nWhen I mess up, I do so big time!\u200e<\/h2>\n

About a year ago I did a green smoothie demo at our local \u200eneighborhood store. Here you have it on film what happens when a \u200emetal spoon is forgotten inside the blender\u2026\u200e\"woops\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This week I was preparing an exceptionally large batch of fermented \u200enut cheese. I uncovered the fermented base to add \u200eflavoring and found a moldy mess: serves me right for not checking \u200eout the work in progress the night before! The fermentation process in \u200ethe hot Israeli summers is especially challenging. Must remember not \u200eto fall asleep on the job!\u200e<\/p>\n

Last but certainly not least: a few months ago we bought my very first \u200ecar. Up until now I have always had a company car from work. We \u200epurchased a wonderful car complete with all of the latest security \u200esensors. Not a week had gone by before I managed to blemish my new \u200ecar in the parking lot. Unlike my old car the sensor was extremely \u200egentle with me. I wrongly assumed that I had plenty of time until the \u200esensor would roar its wrath. I certainly got that wrong.\u200e<\/p>\n

Please don\u2019t be gentle with me. Give it to me straight!\u200e<\/h2>\n
\n

Apricot Cream<\/h2>\n

\"apricot\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

A tangy three layered\u00a0delight…<\/h2>\n

Who doesn't love a cool tangy treat?<\/h2>\n

Base<\/h3>\n

\u200e2 T lemon juice\u200e
\n\u200e1 T coconut spread\u200e
\n\u200e1 apple\u200e
\n\u200e10 apricots\u200e
\n\u200e\u00bd avocado
\n\u200e1 T fresh lemongrass \u200e
\n\u200e2 T flax seeds\u200e<\/p>\n

Blend in high speed blender. Layer base layer in dessert cups.\u200e<\/p>\n

\u200eMiddle\u00a0Layer<\/h3>\n

\u200e1 c soaked (at least 8 hours) and rinsed and macadamia nuts.
\n\u200e\u00bd c coconut liquid (60% coconut meat + 40% water)\u200e
\n\u200e\u00bd c coconut flakes
\n\u200e4 T honey\u200e
\n\u200e4 pitted fresh cherries\u200e
\nPinch of salt
\n\u200e\u00bd avocado<\/p>\n

\"coconut<\/a>
Shopping Llst<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Blend until creamy adding more coconut liquid or water as necessary. Add onto base layer, leaving \u200eroom for glaze. The avocado can be omitted but then use less coconut liquid.\u200e You will probably have some extra nut cream but it is difficult to blend a smaller quantity.<\/p>\n

Glaze<\/h3>\n

\u200e1 t lemon juice
\n\u200e\u00bd t vanilla extract
\n\u200e1 T coconut liquid\u200e
\n\u200e\u00bd t lemon zest
\n\u200e2 T honey \u200e<\/p>\n

Whisk by hand and spread on top of second layer<\/p>\n

Top with shredded coconut, chocolate nibs or fruit. Chill in freezer before serving. Store in \u200erefrigerator.\u00a0For a nut free dessert omit middle\u00a0layer and top off with glaze. Makes approximately 6 dessert cups.<\/p>\n

The apricot season is short and sweet (well actually tangy). Prepare now while the ingredients are available…<\/h3>\n

\u200e<\/p>\n

<\/div>\r\n