Speaking of Olympics, check out these kids. My nephews and niece have it going on. I vote that speed stacking should be an event. What do you think?
I had fun with Jesse and Janeane Boyd seeing the sights in Israel. It was nice hanging out with people from home. 
One of the neat things we did last week was volunteer at a first century living historical village in Nazareth. Rebekah dressed up in first century-style clothes and learned how to spin wool and make rugs. She also hand-stitched a bunch of doll clothes for the dolls they sell in the gift shop. Jeb and Levi worked with the carpenters to make a huge stack of benches and tables for their school program. I did all sorts of things – stamp bags, paint, clean glass show cases, and decorate with burlap (my favorite part).
Laffa bread, a traditional bread in the Middle East, is easy to make if you have an open fire and a cast iron bowl flipped upside down on it. The thinner you make it the better it is. Enjoy it with olive oil, hummus, and zatar!
Recipe:
7 cups unbleached bread flour plus another ½ cup in case the dough is little too sticky
1 package dry rapid rise yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups of warm water
Combine the dry ingredients. Add the oil and water and if you are using a food processor process for about 60 seconds until a very smooth, soft, and slightly sticky ball forms. If using a mixer, mix with the dough hook until the dough is very smooth, soft and elastic. If making by hand; after you add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, mix by hand in the bowl for a few moments until well combined and coming together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about ten minutes until smooth and elastic.
Bake over open fire pit!
Apologies for our website being down all week! I think I broke it when we were doing theme updates. Jeb fixed it… imagine that!
We are having a great time with Janeane and Jesse Boyd touring around the country. They arrived last week and we have been going, going, going. Fun, fun, fun! Will post more about that later.
However, before they arrived we were able to spend a couple of weeks just hanging out with family, helping with projects, and getting caught up. It will be hard for us to leave these sweet kids. We love the Garaways!!!
Shabat (Sabbath) preparations start on Friday, early in the afternoon. All stores close at 2, so if you forgot something, you are just out of luck. Some smart/frugal (or super poor) shoppers hit the shuk (open market) right at 1:30. The men practically give you the fruits and vegetables for free so they can go home. Shabat starts at sundown, at which time you light the candles, and share a meal together. At Granny’s house we had a very relaxing afternoon and delicious dinner with Rebekah’s home-made hallah bread. And in other news: It is green here since they have had rain and the temperature is in the 60-70s depending on where you stand. We took a walk just as the Shabat was coming to a close right along with an amazing sunset. Shabat Shalom!
It seems that Rebekah has some Henrietta Willis (100 cupboards, ND Wilson) in her! Exploring the graves of Endor (I Samuel 28:3-25)
Went to ancient hot springs for a day of soaking and we learned that in Israel one should always carry your Uzi to the Jacuzzi.
May you also have a safe and Merry Christmas!
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