Saturday, July 31, 2010

Summer Stock Sunday - Street Fair

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What could be more summery than a local street fair? The very best part though is getting to enjoy it with your grandparents.





We're having a fantastic time here in New Hampshire and it will get even better today when my sister arrives with her family. The only thing that would make it better would be to have Jay here with us but we have to wait a bit longer for that. We'll try not to have too much fun without him in the meantime though ;).

What are you up to this fine summer week? Play along with Summer Stock and let us know!



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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Hi from New Hampshire - I'm over at Indie Ink today

I'm here today (quite literally, the kids and I are in New Hampshire, just about a mile from where this was taken).

We got in last night after a very long but fairly uneventful journey from Tel Aviv to Madrid to Boston to New Hampshire (21 hours door to door, but who's counting?). I managed to stay awake until a very reasonable 8:30pm last night and slept well - until I started dreaming of water and woke to find it raining on my face! So much for sleeping with an open window LOL. By morning the rain was gone and it was blue skies and lovely warm (not holy crap it's hot, what a lovely change) temperatures and by 11:30 were were down at the beach for an afternoon on swimming and picnicking. My dad even took out the Snark and gave the kids a quick sail around.

Whoops, time to haul Maya out of the bathtub before she turns into a raisin.

 Have a great day everyone :). More soon.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Neve Zedek Sidewalk

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A quickie from me for Ruby Tuesday this week, the kids and I fly out in about 36 hours for a month in New Hampshire and I'm deep, oh so deep, in packing hell. Apologies in advance if I don't make it around to your blogs this week...
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Here's another one from the photowalk, a bit of a departure from the previous post.
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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Saturday, July 24, 2010

Summer Stock Sunday - It's Worldwide Photowalk Time!

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What a fun day I just had! Today, Saturday July 24th, was (or depending on when you read this perhaps still is) Scott Kelby's Third Annual Worldwide Photowalk. After a few logistical complications a photography enthusiast friend and I joined the Tel Aviv walk again this year (we'd planned to attend the walk in Jerusalem's Old City but it was not to be, I'll have to get back there on my own this fall), where we spent a delightful morning meandering the streets and alleys of Tel Aviv's picturesque Neve Zedek neighborhood. Founded in 1887, Neve Zedek was one of the first neighborhoods to be built in the then-brand new city of Tel Aviv. The neighborhood has seen ups and downs since its early days but is today home to a thriving (and very upscale) collection of shops, galleries and beautifully restored period homes. One of Tel Aviv's architectural gems, it is a true visual feast for the photographer. No matter how many times I visit there's always something new to catch my eye - and my lens.
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It will take me quite a while to sort through and process all the images I made today (suffice it to say that for the first time ever I filled up my entire memory card and had to borrow one from a fellow walker, but my newfound love for shooting in RAW is mainly to blame for that - and rest assured a larger memory card
will be purchased as soon as I finish this post!) but here's a teaser to whet your appetites:
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Click to visit my etsy store - Around the Island Photography.
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This year's Worldwide Photowalk included a mindboggling 1,111 walks with over 33,330 walkers taking part - what an amazing experience to be a part of and a highlight of my summer again this year. 
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What's stood out for you so far this summer? Join Summer Stock and tell us all about it! 
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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Plumeria Blossoms in a Wood Bowl

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Another image in my series of plumeria blossoms.
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Visit Wordless Wednesday to see what else people aren't saying this week.
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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!.If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Monday, July 19, 2010

A shadow of the real thing

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All that's left at the end of the day, and after the day I've had, there's just nothing else left... We're having MAJOR school issues for the coming year. I'll fill you all in later, if I try to get into it now I'll just get myself all worked up again and I think if I did that my head would actually, physically, explode.


Visit Ruby Tuesday for more reds from around the world.

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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!.If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Going to BlogHer! (sort of, not quite)

I'm not actually going to BlogHer, the logistics are way too complicated (and expensive, sob) for this Israeli girl but a part of me will be going along after all - the creative part!

While I won't be there in body I will definitely be there in spirit since a brand new custom-commissioned piece of mine (what is it? you'll just have to wait and see, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise) will be auctioned off as part of the BlogHer '10 Voices of the Year Gala and Art Auction curated by kirtsy to benefit The Nature Conservancy and help in the long-term healing of the Gulf Coast.  In other words, you can bring home fabulous art AND help out a great cause at the same time - double win!

BlogHer Voice of the Year GalaClick here to read more about this amazing event and the relief efforts spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy.

And if you're actually going to be at BlogHer this year (in your actual flesh, not just hanging on the wall like me) be sure to visit the Gallery - from what I've seen so far this is going to be one incredible event. (And take pictures for me - lots of them, so I can live vicariously through you. It's so frustrating to know that my work will be on display and not be able to see how it's received.)

Great essays, great art, great event, great cause. Spread the word!
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Visit Around the Island Photography for more of my fine art and nature photography and bring home something wonderful today!

If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Summer Stock Sunday - Poolside Revelations

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Click to visit my etsy store - Around the Island Photography

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One of the things I love most about our pool is how many activities they have to keep kids occupied and happy after they come out of the water. Once they're done swimming they head off to play soccer, bounce in the bouncy houses (there are three - it's a big pool), ride on the awesome collection of crazy bikes and trikes, shoot hoops, or just hang out playing ping pong, pool, or as you see here air hockey. This then leaves their parents free to relax on the shaded lawn and chat with friends or even veg out and read a book. After all those years of chasing little ones around for hours on end I can't tell you how much I love having kids old enough that I can actually sit down at the pool. Once Maya's out of the water (Itai's already a strong enough swimmer that I can let him go without me watching, and there are always several lifeguards on duty, Maya swims well but tires more quickly and is young enough that I still watch her like a hawk) my role changes to "home base" - giver of the snacks, provider of the (occasional) ice cream funds and locater of the towels, beach balls, goggles and dive sticks (yes, I do occasionally wonder if we'd be better off with a U-Haul instead of a pool bag).
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I recently ran into a woman who's son was in Maya's preschool class a few years ago. She's since had another baby and was racing around trying to keep her from plunging into the deep end, knocking over garbage cans, and defoliating every hibiscus bush in sight. She took one look at me sitting there with my feet up, book in hand, and ruefully said "I hate you right now. I totally hate you." We had a good laugh over it.
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I will admit to gloating just a wee bit, and then accepting this extra little bit of validation that yes, stick a fork in me because our family is done done DONE.
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Then I came home and gave away the last of the baby stuff.
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Summertime. It clears the mind and blows away the cobwebs.
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Thursday, July 15, 2010

A Robin in Spring

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Click to visit Around the Island Photography

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No, you're not wrong, there are no red red robins bob bob bobbing along here in Israel. (Well, except for the two-footed, zero-winged, camera-toting, stupid song about red breasts hating because kids sang it to make fun of her variety that is.) This much less neurotic finely-feathered little guy was spotted in Ireland on a breezy early spring afternoon. I'll bet he doesn't have quite so many issues as certain other Robins we won't mention but who lurk around these parts either...
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Visit Skywatch Friday to see what else there is to see when you look up.
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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Plumeria Blossoms

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Plumeria blossoms, fresh from the tree
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Visit Wordless Wednesday to see what else people aren't saying this week.

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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Monday, July 12, 2010

Beaded Necklace

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A red bauble for Ruby Tuesday. Remember this necklace, you'll hear more about it later...

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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Saturday, July 10, 2010

Summer Stock Sunday - Dining al Fresco

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Click to visit my etsy store - Around the Island Photography

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It is hot hot hot here in Israel already with summer in full swing, and what could be more summery than an afternoon spent grilling out in the backyard with friends? No, not my backyard, I live in the city - their lovely suburban backyard, complete with grass, shade, and a new pool for the kids to splash around in - and homemade hard lemonade slushes for the grownups and lots of good friends to share them with - double win! After we'd gorged ourselves on meat and sides and spent a relaxing few hours jamming and watching the kids splash around it was time to bring out the big guns - dessert. I brought along the Pioneer Woman's
Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever and I have to say that yes, it was - gooey and chocolately and utterly decadent. Even the grownups kept coming back to sneak another piece or just "straighten the edges" a bit. I won't tell though, I was right there sneaking with the best of them - holy smokes it was good.
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It was a great day and as far as all those extra calories go, well we're just not going to discuss that today.
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How's your summer shaping up? Put up your Summer Stock post and tell us all about it.

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Thursday, July 8, 2010

In all the commotion...

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In all the birthday commotion yesterday (I was wined and dined straight through from breakfast through late night snack, it was lovely and wonderful and oh so delicious) I completely forgot to tell you where I was spending my virtual day - had you been looking for me, you'd have found me over at Wishing True, helping to hold down the fort while Kate is busy galivanting around the Western United States.
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Pop over there and say hi, there's some gorgeous looking eye-candy this week.
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

A Firework at Rest

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The third image in my Firework Chrysanthemum series - what an amazing flower. All this from a single magnificent blossom.
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Other images in the Firework Chrysanthemum series:
Firework Chrysanthemum
Reach for the Sun
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Visit
Wordless Wednesday to see what else people aren't saying this week.
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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Monday, July 5, 2010

Reach for the Sun

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Nature never ceases to amaze and delight. This stunning image is actually the reverse side of my
Firework Chrysanthemum. The same flower, two completely different pieces. Both beautifully dramatic and yet so very different in appearance with the change in perspective.

More wonderfully red images can be found here.

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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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Saturday, July 3, 2010

Summer Stock Sunday - Plumb Tuckered Out

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I think my kids are having entirely too much fun with this whole summer vacation thing - between days chock full of activity, hot temperatures wearing everyone out and the Mondiale (World Cup) on tv late at night these kids have been going, going, GONE.
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(In the interests of blogging accuracy Maya was busy creating dance videos on my little video camera not watching the World Cup but it would have been unfair (not to mention next to impossible) to put her to bed early while her brother stayed up yelling and screaming at the tv (he's a bit of an interactive watcher, to put it mildly) and since she didn't have to wake up in the morning we let her go until she crashed. Why Itai fell asleep kneeling in front of the couch the other night I haven't the faintest idea, but like any good blogger once I stopped cracking up I grabbed the camera and snapped a few quick photos before sending him off to bed.)
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Click to purchase this stunning "indoor firework" photograph from my etsy shop.
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Happy Fourth of July to all the Americans out there, Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians, and happy summer to everyone else!
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Come share all those holiday photos - what's tiring you all out this fine holiday weekend?
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Thursday, July 1, 2010

Church Steeple in the Blue Jaffa Sky

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I like this shot, taken in Old Jaffa a few weeks ago, for the way you can see the sky right through the steeple.
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Click to enlarge. More skies from around the world can be found here.
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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
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