Make The Oy Vey Go Away

What a wonderful way to make the oy veys go away...

This amazing beautiful flower.

Made by G-d Almighty.

See the perfection of the geometry and the shape that springs forth from mother earth.

Open your eyes to the magnificence and brightness of the colors. 

Feel in your mind's eye the soft texture of the petals and droplets. 

Breath in the smell of freshness and new air into your expanding lungs. 

Yes, whatever ails you...

Make this for yourself a renewal of spirit and of flesh. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Make The Oy Vey Go Away

Shabbat Candle Holders with Gorgeous Flowers

These are our new Shabbat candlestick holders. 

So colorful, and full of nature and life, and it makes me happy. 

I just wanted to give a callout to Mira (Pinki) Krispil from Ashdod, Israel who makes this beautiful artwork. 

Her expertise is in using polymer clay and glass and making it very special. 

You can find her Mira's wonderful work on Etsy.

Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Candle Holders with Gorgeous Flowers

Smell The Roses

I am a big proponent of stopping to smell the roses. 

These purple, yellow, red, and pink flowers were sitting on the counter in Whole Foods, and I had to stop, back up, and take this amazing photo.

They were absolutely gorgeous!

Sometimes, I can't believe the beautiful things and people that G-d has made. 

We're part of a most-amazing and perfect world. 

Of course, there are also hardships and suffering in this world - illness, disability, hunger, homelessness, violence, loneliness, and loss. 

Perhaps, these are the most difficult of things for us as human beings to reconcile with the beautiful world that G-d has set us in. 

While surrounded by beauty, people are also beset by life's many challenges. 

Maybe all the more reason to stop and smell the roses even for just a moment--to enjoy the spirit of life and of our amazing Creator, and the opportunity to make the most of it all. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Smell The Roses

Special Blue Bird

Just wanted to share a photo I took of this beautiful blue bird that I came across in Florida. 

This bird was something special. 

I couldn't help admiring his amazingly blue feathers punctuated by the yellow around his smart eyes 

He wasn't the only beautiful animal or flower that we saw there, there were many.

They all just left me in wonderment at the unbelievable beauty that G-d created for us in this world.

No one is going to tell me this is all random by evolution, and that there is not a profoundly wise and all-knowing Maker behind it.

Perhaps, we never really left the physical Garden of Eden, but being expelled from there meant more of a mentality where we have to work and fight hard to keep it all pristine.

Mankind's inclination is to take and use abundantly almost without thought as to the sustainability of his actions.

- Cities expand and encroach on natural rural areas. 

- G-d's beautiful creatures are in retreat and often in danger of extinction. 

- Resources are used willy nilly as we dig and dig, chop and chop, and burn and burn. 

- Garbage is expelled and piles up virtually anywhere and everywhere.

- Pollution fills the land, air, and waterways.

Eden is still here, but people must act more like angels and less like snakes if G-d gracious gifts to us are to survive. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Special Blue Bird

From Cocoa Trees To Honey Pizza

Had a chance to take in the United States Botanic Garden. 

Loved going in the greenhouse. 

The air was fresh and the flowers beautiful. 

The 2nd to last photo is a cocoa tree, which I had never seen before. 

It was incredible to me that those pods hold the amazing stuff that gives us chocolate. 

G-d's creations are so amazing. 

Also, we went for dinner and my daughter had this amazing pizza with cheese, figs, spinach, and honey. 

I couldn't have the dough because of my Paleo diet, but I just tasted the toppings, and it was literally like heaven. 

I was glad that the taste didn't show up on the scale this morning. 

To me the wonderment is how our senses can literally indulge in so many wonderful things almost like the Garden of Eden. 

Thank you G-d for giving us life and the ability to enjoy your amazing creations. ;-)

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

From Cocoa Trees To Honey Pizza

Reflection, Summer Don't Go

Starting to feel Summer slipping away, again. 

Kids are getting ready to go back to school.

Weather is starting to feel a little cooler. 

But got to love the beautiful nature we have this time of year. 

When the flowers are in bloom and the days are long. 

Appreciate every moment of every day.

It's a gift from the One Above. 

Some people have a bucket list of where they want to go or what they want do, extravagantly, before they die. 

For others, it's about material possessions: finding the precious gems of "things" out there, and collecting, hoarding, and showing them off. 

Really though, it's not the places you visit, the outrageous things you get to do, or the possessions you accumulate, but rather what positive influence you can have--even on a single life or the more the better.

That good lasts a lot longer and has much more wide-ranging impact than the momentary high of simple and selfish--my places, events, and things.

We all need to enjoy life--it's wondrous and beautiful--but perhaps not live for the empty revelry alone.

Smell the roses and enjoy G-d's gifts of life, and then get back out there and do some good stuff, won't you. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Reflection, Summer Don't Go

Tiny Beautiful Flowers

Just wanted to share these tiny beautiful flowers for Memorial Day.

I took this when hiking yesterday in Needwood Park. 

Such perfection in what G-d created. 

Even though the flowers were very small, I felt a lot smaller next to these. 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tiny Beautiful Flowers

Paint Can Art

Thought this was pretty cool art in Anthropologie in Washington, DC.

It was different paint cans attached to the wall in the store in a colorful display. 

To go with this paint theme, they also had paint brushes (dry of course, but they looked wet with colored paint) hanging from the ceiling. 

Anyway, in the back of the store, there was a beautiful new rug that I got for my daughter--it was a real find (and sort of looks like this paint display in terms of colors, but very refined and feminine for her with gorgeous flowers and a rich texture).  

Anyway, she loved it and I ended up getting a pretty good deal on it, so I was happy too. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Paint Can Art

Beautiful DC Flowers

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful DC Flowers

Beautiful Brookside Gardens

Today, we visited Brookside Gardens in Maryland.

My daughter needed to do some drawing for her art class.

We took the opportunity to enjoy the unbelievable beautiful nature there. 

If only the whole Earth was allowed to exist in such pristine form. 

No overcrowding, overdevelopment, and polluting of the planet. 

Just respect for Mother Earth and the bounty and miracles we are allowed to enjoy. ;-)

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Brookside Gardens

Smelt It Dealt It

As kids, there always used to be someone who would run around holding their nose, and yelling at the smallest sign of someone's flatulence...Eew!

In turn, the other kids would all chime in: "The person who smelt it, dealt it!"

Might as well push the responsibility where it rightfully belongs--uh, maybe. 

This is what kids do--they are not politically correct in the slightest!

Are adults any better really?

I've seen grown men and women start holding their noses and waving their hands in front of their faces when someone is stinking up the local air.

In particular, this happens quite a bit on places like the crowded Metro and elevators...going down. 

People are unforgiving when the air is foul. 

Personally, I am very sensitive to bad smells and hot air--my A/C is running full blast all around the year...even in Winter, seriously!

When I saw this sign in a storefront window that said, "Free Smells," I thought to myself, gee we got enough smells to last a lifetime, and that's why fresh air and nature is so appealing to the good 'ol olfactory senses. 

Free smells...unless it's fresh flowers or some savory dish to eat--you can have it--free or not, I frankly don't give a damn.  

My personal belief is that an odor is far more likely to cause you a gag sensation than put a refreshing smile on your ugly face. 

Good etiquette, keep your smells to yourself. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Smelt It Dealt It

Absolutely Gorgeous Flowers

Couldn't believe that Safeway sells such gorgeous flowers...

With blues, pinks, purples, oranges, greens, and yellows.

What an amazing bouquet this makes!

Thank you Hashem for all the beautiful things you have created for us to enjoy.

Blessed be He! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Absolutely Gorgeous Flowers

Hippie Bus Menorah

I took this photo today of a Menorah made on the top of a VW Bus. 

Inside, the bus still had the seats, and outside it had these cute Hippie flower pedals. 

It was unique, fun, colorful, nostalgic and it rolls. 

Plus you can fulfill the commandment (mitzvah) of lighting candles at Chanukah time. 

What a novel piece of Judaica--love it! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Hippie Bus Menorah

Flowers, Pink And Orange

Gorgeous time of year in Washington, D.C. (although a little hazy, hot, and humid out there).

Pictured here, some beautiful pink and orange flowers in downtown. 

Can't believe these actually grow (transplanted that is) in the city, but so glad they do...they're beautiful. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Flowers, Pink And Orange

Try That On!

So we took my daughter to the Free People boutique store at the Mall. 

That brand has such a cool clothing style (although a little pricey)--everything is sort of hippyish, natural, eloquent, cool grunge, and feminine with lace, beads, frills, ruffles, and more. 

As we went through the store, we noticed the amazing fitting rooms with heavy tapestry-type curtains and these beautiful flowers hanging plentifully from the ceiling--ushering you to try out their clothes. 

My daughter ended up getting a nice bag there, but the clothing also looks amazing and fits perfectly with her fashion sense. 

It was interesting for me to learn that Free People was started by the same couple in the 1970's that founded Urban Outfitters. 

Two retail success stories--but Free People is not only the cooler name, but the better clothing line. 

Be Free People!  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Try That On!

Beautiful Spring Day

Washington D.C. on a beautiful Spring day. 

Thank you G-d for the changing seasons, the warm sunshine, the soft elegant standing flowers, and the vibrant colors. 

(Source Flowers: G-d)

(I am merely the photographer)

Beautiful Spring Day

G-d Gave Us So Many Gifts

Today, I just wanted to share the words of this beautiful Israeli song that a friend shared with me in Synagogue. 

It is called (in Hebrew) "Elohin Natan Lecha Bematana,"which means G-d gave you as a present.

It's about everything wonderful that G-d has given us, and we just ask for one more gift...peace. 

Hope you enjoy (it brought tears to my eyes)! 

****************************

Chorus:
God gave you as a gift
Something great, something wonderful
God gave you as a gift
The life on earth

Gave you the night and the day
Love, hope and dream
Summer, winter, autumn, spring
Good soul to look around

Gave you green fields
Flowers and blooming trees
Rivers, streams and seas
Sky, moon, stars

Chorus

Gave you feasts and Sabbaths
Israel, the fathers' land
Hands and head to fulfill dreams
Gave you all the wonders

Gave you such nice things
To bring kids to this world
Listen to songs, see colors
Oh, so many are your deeds, God

Chorus

God, oh, please give me just one more gift
A small gift but a wonderful one
God, please give me just one more gift
The peace on earth

***************************

G-d Gave Us So Many Gifts

Building and Flowers

Thought this painting of this gorgeous Spanish-styled building intermeshed with beautiful flowers was magnificant. 

I saw this hanging in a high-end home decor store around Washington, D.C. 

I like the side-looking angle upward as the building rises and peaks.

Also, all the shapes with squares, spheres, columns, archways and more along with all the brillant colors around it makes this something special to look at.

Hope you enjoy it! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Building and Flowers

Extra Special Delivery

I took this photo in Washington D.C. of a bicycle messenger delivery with Valentines Day treats.

He was carrying an assortment of balloons and gifts (those are hiding in the basket under the balloons)!

What do you think chocolate, flowers, or something even more romantic?

There is enough hate and hostility in the world. 

It's wonderful when love is in the air and people show each other that they really care. 

Going home from a day at work, and what can be nicer than someone waiting for you when you get there. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Extra Special Delivery

Flower Car

I like this flower car in Washington, D.C.

Different, happy, sort of stylish...

Well it's not sunny Miami, but at least it's interesting here. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Flower Car