Growing Up Creative

‘THE‘ list

New Years eve is tomorrow, accompanied with the inevitable thoughts of a New Year resolution and wishes (usually happens also on my birthday).

So here is my list in no special order:

1. drink less coffee (as I am pouring my self a cup)
2. eat better
3. eat less
4. spend more time with Oren
5. have more patience with the girls
6. earn more money
7. keep the house organized (this will probably keep me married for longer (joking))
8. start the day fresh without any dishes in the sink
9. work on a new installation 
10. go to Paris
11. get to the bottom of my to do list
12. for once get to the bottom of my laundry pile
13. exercise
14. climb Masada at sun rise
15. drink more better wine
16. do a better job at following up
17. convert the garage into a studio
18. update my 'about me' page (I have moved about 1 1/2 years ago, and Mika is already 6 months old)
19. have a monthly outing to Tel Aviv
20. get a macro lens
21. read more more more books

I can keep on going, But one of my resolutions is to get to the bottom of my to do list, so I will stop here.

Now I have the list, all I need ot do is DO…heheh.
I think I will follow up on Tali Schiffer’s thing, where she follows up on her resolution half way through the year.

What’s on your list? and more importantly – HOW DO YOU FOLLOW UP ON IT?

Happy New Year everyone,
Love ya
tali

A birthday gift for everyone

Yesterday we celebrated my sister in law’s birthday. It was another excuse to eat well, drink wine and spend time together with the family. It was a perfect afternoon, not too cold, not too hot. The skies were shades of gray with a wintery sun picking from the clouds.
With every birthday celebration the same question always comes up – what should I give as a birthday present?
I usually invest in the kids gifts while the adults get a cake a hug and a little extra attention. For my sister in law’s birthday, my brother came up with this great gift idea:

THE BIRTHDAY COUPON BOX

The gift includes a box filled with personalized coupons written by family members and/or friends. Each person writes or draws something that the birthday boy/ girl can cash. Usually it is something to do together, or something that he or she likes you make. It can be an experience, spending time together doing different things, a lesson, favorite food etc. this gift can include everyone no matter how young. A sense of humor is essential for the success of this box.
 
In order to make one you will need:
A small box
Colorful cardstock/ construction paper cut to size (should fit in the box)
Pens
Friends/ family

How to:
Make, buy, or find a small box. (My nephew made his mom’s box from fimmo)
cut colorful paper into size (make sure it fits in your box)
write/ draw 1 coupon on each card.
<sup>writing coupons on the trampoline, a source of all great inspiration

the fimmo box Yotam made

1 kiss</sup>

Some ideas for coupons may be:
1 hug
20 kisses
Make a drawing together
Watch the sunset together
1 game of cards
1 broccoli pie
Play hooky with mom
Spend a day together instead of going to school
an excursion to the flea market
baby sitting
etc.

The birthday boy/ girl have one year to cash the coupons.
So Lila…don’t wait for the last minute to cash your coupons…looking forward to it.

tali

Fire

On my way to pick up Ori from school today, I looked up to the sky to see a big gray cloud, not a rain cloud (I wish) but the smoke or dust kind; a thick mushroom like cloud that hovered over us and didn’t seem to be moving anywhere.
Later I found that there was a fire spreading through the hills of Mt. Carmel, about 15 kilometers from my house. When I looked up, I could actually see it (I still can). As the fire grew so did the devastation and sadness. The fire has already claimed lives and many acres of natural forest; hours later it is still out of control.
This is a national disaster.
I was going to write a post about “playing with fire” experimenting with candles, but I don’t think I can any more; all I can say is be safe.


^{Ori swinging at our friends secret picnic spot on Mt. Carmel (picture taken a year ago).}

tali