Thursday, November 5, 2020

November 2020 - Week one

 

First rain - torrential but refreshing, and much needed.

I've received a nice present - a special winter blanket; love it, love at first sight.

I'm very fond of tahini (tahina) paste ; it's healthy, delicious, easy to prepare (sesame seeds' paste, water, lemon juice, garlic). It goes well with pita bread and other products. Home made is the best. I've bought the jars of sesame seeds' paste of which the tahini is made, for the whole month of November.

The elections in the USA make me think of the dollar. The  dollar is the reserve currency of the world; it's what helps americans print money like there's no tomorrow, live well, and even send aid to other countries. Will it retain its status as the global reserve currency? Time will tell.The elections and covid-19 are sure weakening it.

Coronavirus is still here, and I'm not optimistic. I'm afraid the upcoming vaccines are not the end of it. Masks and social distancing are a Must, and yet even people who abide by the rules might get the virus. Nothing is sure about it. May God protect us!

Hoping for the Best.

 

 

51 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Glad you think so. I'm addicted. This and balcanic style yogurt are my faves.

      Delete
    2. Thank you. I'm glad we 'see eye to eye' as they say.

      Delete
  2. I haven't had tahini. I have to look to see if they sell it here. Sounds yummy. It will be interesting what happens with the US dollar and so much more in the coming days. May God protect us indeed and have mercy on America. I think the coronavirus will always be here. Just like the flu. Just like after 9-11 when travel changed, things won't go back to "normal" here and masks and social distancing and the like will be the "new norm."

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe you're right about the coronavirus. We'll have to adapt to a new "norm".
      As for the elections, I would say people should pray to God and ask for his miraculous intervention to make peace within the great american nation.

      Delete
  3. The US elections have me anxious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can understand your anxiety. It seems whoever wins, the nation will stay divided Only God can make a miracle.

      Delete
  4. I've never had Tahini, but anything with garlic in it has to be good! What a great idea to share little tidbits like you're doing. We're finally getting some cooler weather here in California, time to get out our winter blankets.

    Oh the elections! What a nightmare, what a headache and heartache. We don't know what or who to believe and at this moment our future is still up in the air. Those of us that voted have done our best, done our civic duty...it's now in God's hands. Pray for the USA Duta. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, tahini is good.
      We are also divided here. I pray both for USA and Israel. USA is our only friend and ally , so I wish her all the best in the world.
      I hope that whoever wins, americans will accept him and give him a chance to heal the nation.

      Delete
  5. The planet is in dark mode and the outlook is as nebulous as ever. I've lived through some bleak winters, years of death and destruction caused by that virus called Hitler and Nazism but now we're fighting a war with an invisible enemy and a dying planet.

    I sometimes wonder if this Earth seeks to punish Man for the greed and pollution created in the name Mamom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, Philip. We're fighting " an invisible enemy and a dying planet".
      Yes, I believe Earth, the Universe (I call it God) seeks to punish Man for grossly violating the rules of Creation.

      Delete
  6. So glad you guys got some rain. Here in the mid-west it has been rather dry & of course, we fear we might get the fires from Colorado.

    It truly is the little things that mean a lot. I am so glad you are making something great for your pita bread.

    Yes, it might be a long battle to find out just who the President will be. It feels like a slow process. & there might even be a battle. It's no game show.

    Hope you are staying well and finding lots to keep you busy and happy too. Awesome post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We get rain almost only in winter, and even then not enough of it.

      Tahini is great with everything. I like hummus paste too, but it's more work, so I prefer it bought from the store.
      Whatever the result of the elections, I say accept it and support the winner.

      Delete
  7. The paste sounds rather good. I'm sure it would be available here somewhere.
    Always rain is good to have but not floods.
    Do take care there with Covid-19.
    Fortunately we still are doing ok here on the Island with our borders now open to other States and Territories of Australia only. No masks unless you want to wear them but I don't see any.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed - rain no floods is the ideal situation.
      Good for you there in Australia to keep
      covid-19 under control. May it continue to be like that!

      Delete
  8. This year everything has changed :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kinga,

      Welcome to my little blog!
      You're totally right. Everything has changed this year. We have embarked on a new route, and we're not sure where it will lead us.

      Delete
  9. The $ has lost a lot of its good reputation ! I realized it while travelling. in the North African countries like Egypt, Morocco, or Tunesia and Turkey they all wante Euros and no Dollars anymore. Same in the European Eastern countries, like Hungaria, Russia, Poland etc only Euros or local money. I paid everything in Euros with my bankcard. American Express is mostly banned !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's good to know about these things. We are mainly a dollar-oriented country because of our close relationship with the USA.
      In Romania (I've got also romanian pssport) one can still pay in local money.

      Delete
  10. Let us all hope for the best. The US is such a mess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there's a winner in the USA now - Biden. Perhaps, he'll be able to improve things.
      We're in a mess too - weekly protests against the PM asking him to resign.

      Delete
  11. I'm so far behind in catching up on blogs...problems over which I had no control...but, touch wood...all is back to "normal" again!

    Take good care, DUTA :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It happens to everyone.Glad things are under control now, and you're back to blogging and to your normal life.
      Wishing you the very Best!

      Delete
  12. There is nothing like a gift to make one happy, and glad to read about the blanket you received, Duta. We are in the midst of a late fall heat wave so no need for a blanket for the next week or more! I too have never tried tahini paste, maybe one day as I like sesame seeds. Agreed there is much concern about the virus and what the future holds for people everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed. The blanket made me happy. The weather here is still warm,but at night one feels winter is approaching.

      Tahini paste is part of my daily menu. I like it, it's easy to prepare, it has health benefits.

      Delete
  13. We also love tahini, but we add it to hummus mostly, my son loves it! Indeed, may God protect us, it is getting worse and worse each day. Stay safe everyone!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tahini and hummus go well together and alone. There are varieties of both pastes for all tastes to be bought at the stores.
      Be well and safe you too!

      Delete
  14. I'm glad the elections are over here. A nice blanket is a good surprise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can well imagine your relief that it is over. I consider elections a circus.
      Right; the blanket was a good surprise gift.

      Delete
  15. Ooh, I like tahini too. I make a good sauce with it when I prepare falafels. I also like it with toom and zhug on french fries. Yum!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, my! falafel, zhug (yemenite hot sauce) - I see you like middle-eastern foodies. You've got good taste. I like falafel too, zhoug not so much.

      Delete
  16. I've heard of tahini but have never eaten it. I will have to figure out where to find it around here, sounds good! It's a sad time here in our country, with the election mess and Covid. It's surely sticking around. The weather now is strange too, it's 25 to 30 degrees warmer than normal, 77° today, a record. Your blanket sounds nice, and it's great that you love it. Take care, be safe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tahini and hummus pastes are very common in the Middle Eastern countries.I love them both but I prefer homemade, and tahini is easier to prepare. It's made of sesame seeds' paste, with squeezed lemon, water and garlic.
      We are also in a mess here politically with weekly protests against the PM. Covid-19 adds to the mess. May God help us!

      Delete
  17. The tahini sounds delicious!

    We're on a big Covid rise here and it's terribly concerning. While today's news of a vaccine is promising I think it will be a long time before it's widely available and I still worry about the safety. Still, it's promising. But I plan to lock down for the winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tahina (tahini) is considered in Israel the queen of the kitchen. They say that falafel without tahina sauce on it is like sex without love:)

      Yes, 'promising' is the key word as far as vaccines are concerned. And the word for us is 'hopeful.'

      Delete
  18. HI Duta, Glad to hear the first rains brought much needed rain! Wow, you are so Biblical, I never really hear people talk about `first rains` , must be in Israel!!! your wording made me want to know more about the meaning of the `former rain` and the `latter rain` and so I am just learning more from your lead! Thank you! Gotta go and read more, meanwhile, below is from the site I just found and this was a hopeful and wonderful verse, sharing it for you! Hope all is well!! Have a blessed day and week!

    Let us acknowledge the LORD;
    let us press on to acknowledge him.
    As surely as the sun rises,
    he will appear;
    he will come to us like the winter rains,
    like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3 (NIV)

    His coming is like rain. He brings refreshment and joy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree with what the verse from Hosea says.
      God will surely appear to us - as sure as the sun rises and the rains fall. He will bring us the warmth of the sun and the refreshment of the rain ,and give us Joy.

      Delete
  19. Replies
    1. Good for you! Everybody loves it, and rightly so: it's light, tasty, healthy. It goes well with all kinds of food items. Hummus is its twin.

      Delete
  20. Keep meaning to make tahini but not done so yet.
    As for Covid here in the UK, it is a disaster, with so many lies being told by the government and their reworking of statistics. In effect, we are having freedoms stripped from us. It is a sad time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sad time, indeed. No transparency on the part of the government. There's talk now of making vaccination mandatory, if and when the vaccine is available. There goes your freedom and rights.

      Delete
  21. May God protect us! Amen to that...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We should all have faith in God's protection.

      Delete
  22. I always learn something from you. I must stop eating cookies, so maybe I will make tahini (sex without love) you have convincedme to research it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Linda , by all means - no cookies. I gain weight just by looking at them.
      Tahini, on the other hand, has nutritional values.

      Delete
  23. The Tahini sounds good.
    Your new winter blanket sounds good.

    What is not good is Covid!
    Here in England, UK we are in lockdown again.
    Eddie and I are very careful when we go out. Masks and social distancing rules adhered too, which I am pleased to say most people we do see are adhering too also ... alas this does not seem to be the same in all areas of the UK, hence the difference in Covid rates.

    Stay safe and well.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, of course - Covid is not good, disrupts our life, causes confusion and fear.
      You and Eddie are going by the rules and giving the perfect example of how people should behave during this pandemic.
      All the Best to you, too, Jan!

      Delete
  24. Oh how I love tahini! I use it in all kinds of things, even shortbread cookies, but my favorite is hummus with more tahini than most people put in it! As the pandemic continues, stay safe and well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like it that you love tahini and use it in, and with, a variety of food items.
      I call hummus and tahini "twins":)
      Wishing you the very Best!

      Delete
  25. Tahini is good; rain is good; covid is not good. We have to get rid of it, the sooner the better. Hopefully, vaccines can help. We shall have to see.

    ReplyDelete