I don't know how it is in US, but here giving a letter to take with you and read only when you're on the plane is almost a custom among friends. That, or small gifts, such a pad to write in your thoughts. When I traveled I also asked for mixtapes, and I also got a hamsa with the the Traveler's Prayer (Tfilat HaDerech) and my sign (Leo), which later became a part of my key chain (next to a "bugger this!" dog tag, I must add).

It's only until November or so, but I can just feel the distance when I'm thinking about it.

Oh well. Better finish it. I'll see her tomorrow.

Oh, I remember mixtapes! My BFF and I made a great one where we each did one side of a tape, with assorted commentary on our half.

Fasoulia (lamb and white bean stew) is on the stove.

Now I just have to decide what to do with the rest of the lamb:
1) lamb tagine with figs and apricots
2) lamb tagine with prunes and apricots
3) lamb tagine with prunes and almonds
4) seven-vegetable couscous

Thoughts? Sadly, all involve heading to the grocery store.

That's a charming custom, Shir, but not one I've run across here!

You know what I love about my backyard? That quite often the loudest thing I can hear are birds singing their little hearts out!

You know what I love about my backyard? That quite often the loudest thing I can hear are birds singing their little hearts out!

Yeah, as much as they drive me crazy, I'm going to be sad when I move into the "city" part of the city in a couple of months and I start hearing bums, not birds, out my window.

Probably on the whole too many English sparrows, but there are lots of other chirpy kinds to make up for it.

You know how sometimes people ask, "Is this site down for everyone, or just me"? Well, now you can just go to downforeveryoneorjustme.com/.

[link]

I vote:

1) lamb tagine with figs and apricots

I almost bought lamb at the farmer's market today, but I didn't have enough money. I take $20 to the farmer's market, that's it. otherwise, I'd leave there spending $50 every week.

Well, I've decided I love the butchers at Mollie Stone's (local overpriced gourmet market). I explained what I wanted it for, and they cut up the lamb shoulder for me there, saving me a bundle over the pre-cut stuff. So I got 3+ lbs of good-quality lamb for about $11. Not to mention the time it saved me in cutting up the meat myself.

It's funny to me how there are some basic things that never occur to me. Like asking a butcher for a specific cut. Of course, I wouldn't know what to ask for, anyway. My mom never did, so it was never an example set out before me . I occurs to me- my grandparents raised their own meat, so presumably my mother never had the experience growing up of asking a butcher at a store for certain cuts! She just went down to the freezer. (I'd guess they had a butcher come out to the farm if they didn't do it themselves.)

(and left to his own devices, my father would live off sandwiches, refried beans and jarred pasta sauce, so he's no help.)