Shush! Silence
I’m breaking the silence
As I finish this sentence
Silence I demand
Give back to me my independence

- Sylvia Chidi

A couple of weekends ago my dad taught me how to play Blackjack (21 in his words) and Poker, and we played for a couple of hours with my Victoria’s Secret The World’s Sexiest Playing Cards, mainly because I could not find the regular cards anywhere in the house. We played with imaginary money, while my dad kept lecturing me about how dangerous it is to get addicted to gambling, and about how the house always wins. I nodded all the way through, of course. It was cute because he was ultra excited about teaching me, and might I add, also about how quickly I was learning, and at the same time he was worried this play would get serious.

This weekend: (click on pics to see them larger in my Picasa album)

Briefly in Amman:

Lucky worm meets The Model Hand:

And we made Haleva, thin Circassian pastry stuffed with salted mashed potatoes and then fried to perfection:

C’est tout.

This is my heart-shaped clock. I bought it a long time ago, and discovered it recently still unused and in its package. It makes a loud ticking sound which I love, but I don’t love ‘time’ itself. Since the clock is heart-shaped, you get the irony. Nevertheless, it goes really well with some quotes on love and time, and my mood today.

I cannot promise very much.
I give you the images I know.
Lie still with me and watch.
We laugh and we touch.
I promise you love. Time will not take that away.

- Anne Sexton

From Visual Compen…

Love vanquishes time. To lovers, a moment can be eternity, eternity can be the tick of a clock.

- Mary Parrish

I made grilled shrimps tonight, complete with butter garlic dip. Why? Because I was bored enough to actually undertake cooking something other than a turkey sandwich.

However, I remain utterly untalented compared to my sister, who made this cake yesterday:

I shall never become a chef.

And I found this brilliant poster:

Source

I’ve uploaded the bulk of the pictures I took during the visit to my Picasa, check out my Mount Nebo album for intriguing visuals.

The priest in a brown habit lighting some candles…

The center stained glass window…

During the service..

Short video clips from the service. These are surreal:

I wonder what it is with girls and ponies… I’ve always wanted a black horse.

My super talented sister Dana made 95% of this yummyness, all on her own! I helped her a bit by holding the mixer while she added ingredients to a mixing bowl. I also helped by entertaining her during her seven hour marathon of food making. So yes, my presence in that kitchen was priceless.

In case you’re wondering, my niece turned eight :)

This is what I had:

Check out the rest of the pictures:

Party Food