Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Sweet summer nectar with unavoidable pinch

‘Is it Saturday today, Mom?’ Tom whispered quietly but surely in my ear, leaving no room for doubt that; it is early! And it is Saturday!
‘So, can we go pick some sweet sweet Sabres fruit? (Prickly Pear)’
‘I’m willing to give one of my sticks, the longest one! (now that is a sacrifice. Willing to give one out of his precious sticks collection doesn’t happen very often) 

An empty tin can attached to one stick and a sharp knife (for the stubborn) attached to another and we are ready to go.
The kids main role is to point Radi to the ripest, most colorful, and hopefully reachable fruits.
Now, here comes the tricky part; peeling them up.
Some would roll them in sand before even touching them,
Some would sink them in water
Some will dare go near them only with heavy duty gloves.
And some, will try their best to find someone else to peel it for them…
ou doking at them will make you
I simply use a knife and fork, easy 3 cuts and a quick peel, as shown in the images below;
A fact that you’ll have to accept: with those little naughty thorns, even just looking at them will make you feel tiny needle pinches in your hands.
That is a little price to pay for such divine sweet joy!

...Or, maybe it is not a little price at all,
Have you experienced it? 
We would love to hear, please write us below :)

Have a great day!
Doron & Radi


Thursday, June 26, 2014

Spring is in our garden

Spring is here and our little organic family garden is full of happy surprises.
Beautiful yellow cucumber flowers give a kiss of life to tiny cucumbers.
In this great weather, the cucumbers grow SO fast; in the morning, just before we leave for kindergarten and school, we check on them and count the 'soon to be', and by evening time fresh, sweet, ready to eat cucumbers are waiting for us under the fresh leaves.
Looking for the ‘right size’ radish is the kids favorite. 
Carefully moving the soil with their little fingers is not such an easy task while they are so excited to uncover it.

Fresh aromatic cucumber, radish, mint and coriander are our favorite family dinner salad.
 
The beautifully ripened Cherry tomatoes are a great happy surprised. As we didn't have much success with them last season, we haven't planted again this year. Natures choice, the garden is flourishing with cherry tomato plants decorated with colorful cherry bundles.
The seed of a honey sweet melon that we ate were collected by the kids and sowed, have beautifully sprout.

With endless patience, creativity and love, Eden will sow seed by seed, looking for the perfect spot for each and every one of them. 
Her flower bed will always reflect her spirit.

Tom, energetic and humorous, will grow tight thick flower bunches. Seeing his fingerprint in the garden will always make us laugh.
Happy spring to you all :)
Doron & Radi


Monday, June 9, 2014

This is SO exciting!

What an amazing, heartwarming review 
Our dear pregnant customer wrote about our maternity harmony bell.
It truly touched us and we want to share it with you:
  


Isn't it AMAZING?
Write us, we would love to hear :)

Find our maternity bells here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theCharmerCharms?section_id=14485633&ref=shopsection_leftnav_6 

Have a great day!
Doron & Radi

Monday, May 5, 2014

How can you tell it’s Friday?



One of my strongest memories, one that touches you deep within you, is from an early period of my life, kindergarten time, or even before.
It’s the irresistible sweet aroma of fresh Challah bread which welcomes Friday and the weekend that follows.
I see my kids today, big smile shining faces, stepping into their kindergarten realizing it’s Friday as they see the Challah daw quietly and gracefully rising as it wait for their little hands.
Whether given a shape of an abstract little hill “it’s the dragon castle mommy!”, a longish version “snake! I made snake Challa today!” or a braided shape as they grow, the taste is always the same:
The taste of Friday!
Addicted to the enchanting  aroma filling our home and the gorgeous taste, I will hardly ever skip making Challa bread at home.  
I will always prepare one for my grandparents and one for our family Friday dinner.
We love giving the third one to our friends, welcoming new neighbors, as a humble ‘thank you’ for a helping hand, or no significant occasion, just to say that we love you.

As with any bread, it’s the love and even more important, the patience you put into it.
Take the time to knead, it will pay back =)
I love the following recipe, I make 3 decent size Challa from it.  I guess  you could make 2 large loaves or even 1 super size, but in such case oven temp and time should probably be tuned.
(I prefer weighting it all in advance, but you could use the more general application if you don’t have a handy weighs.)
Ingredients:
320 gr room temp water (1.5 cups)
30 gr fresh yeast  (3 tablespoons)
800 gr white, all-purpose flour (6 cups approx.)
2 egg
80 gr sugar (6 tablespoons)
12 gr salt (1 flat tablespoon)
60 gr melted butter (1/4 cup oil)

1 egg - beaten
Sesame

Directions:
1. In a large ball,
Pour the water and add the yeast, crumbled. Let it rest for a few minutes until a creamy layer forms on top.
Add flour, mix and start kneading as you add the eggs, sugar, salt and butter.
Keep kneading until smooth and elastic, about 10 mins. Carefully add a little flour if too sticky.
You could use a mixer for the mixing part, but the kids, and myself…, love to do it all with our own hands =)
2. Form a ball shape, and place it in a slightly floured bowl, covered with wet cloth.
Let it rest for an hour or so until it will double the size.  
3. Using  a knife, split the ball into 3 equal-sized pieces.
Split each one of them again in 3.
 
Time to call your little helpers:
Working on a floured surface, roll the small dough pieces into ropes, a little thicker than your thumb.
Place 3 ropes in a fan shape and pinch together at the top.
Braid them starting from the right strand, placing it between the middle and left one.
Take the left one, move it over the new middle one and place it between it and the new right one.
Continue until the loaf is breaded and pinch together  and fold the tail underneath for a nice neat look.
4. Carefully place the braided loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with wet cloth and let it rest for one another 40-60 mins.
5. About 20 mins before resting time ends, preheat the oven to 428 F / 220 degrees C
6. Brush the braided loaves with egg and spread sesame.
7. Get ready for an enchanting, heady sweet aroma: Bake for 25 mins until the top browns to a rich golden color. If the top browns too early you could carefully place a second parchment paper on it for the last few cooking minutes left.
8. This is the hardest part: let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. 

Please *DO* try it at home  =)
I would love to hear your impression, please comment below

Have a great day,
Doron

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Looking for a special, close to heart, Mother’s day gift?

Our new jewelry collection is all about family, generations, true friendship and eternal love.
                                         *** Lots of love ***

You will find touching, personalized, perfect gifts for mother and daughter, mother and child, from daughters to mom, for bridesmaids, grandma, sisters, best friends, new mommy, push present, engagement, anniversary or valentines day.

Celebrating love, we now offer 15% off on all shop items:
www.TheCharmerCharms.etsy.com

www.TheCharmerCharms.etsy.com


Below are images of a few items from our new collection

This hand stamped necklace set will make a perfect gift for mom, with your own close to heart words and personal birthstone.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182507654/personalized-hand-stamped-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_6
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182507654/personalized-hand-stamped-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_6

Mother two daughter heart shape necklace set. Perfect for wearing together.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182025476/mother-two-daughter-jewelry?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182025476/mother-two-daughter-jewelry?ref=shop_home_active_2

This set is one of my favorites. Classical and dainty, a true 'for ever and ever' that you would love to wear together.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182090037/gift-for-mom?ref=shop_home_active_14

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182090037/gift-for-mom?ref=shop_home_active_14

3 daughters, 3 generations, 3 sisters or best friends, wish upon a star beautiful necklace.
If you wish, it could be hand stamped with initials
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182027256/silver-sister-necklace-star-shape?ref=shop_home_feat_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182027256/silver-sister-necklace-star-shape?ref=shop_home_feat_2

Or in such setting, in this image the stars are hand stamped with initials turning this delicate star necklace even more personal
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182509162/personalized-hand-stamped-jewelry?ref=shop_home_active_5

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182509162/personalized-hand-stamped-jewelry?ref=shop_home_active_5

A delicate, charming star necklace for a mother and her child, mother and boy, emphasizes the lifetime special precious bond between mother and son.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182070274/mother-child-necklace-star?ref=shop_home_active_20

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182070274/mother-child-necklace-star?ref=shop_home_active_20

For mom, for the woman you love, a lifetime precious gift with your own close to heart words.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/183212097/always-love-you?ref=shop_home_active_6      

https://www.etsy.com/listing/183212097/always-love-you?ref=shop_home_active_6

Initial necklace, perfect for little girls, sisters and abridsmaid gifts .
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182832414/sterling-silver-initial-necklace?ref=shop_home_feat_1


This hand stamped, personalized necklace set would make a great gift between sisters or best friends
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182632127/hand-stamped-jewelry-set?ref=shop_home_active_13


A beautiful, touching gift for a new mommy or veteran Supermom and her beloved daughter.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182025068/mother-daughter-heart-necklace?ref=shop_home_feat_3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182025068/mother-daughter-heart-necklace?ref=shop_home_feat_3

Mother two daughter star necklace.
Additional daughter stars could be added.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182042801/mother-daughter-jewelry-stars?ref=shop_home_active_15

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182042801/mother-daughter-jewelry-stars?ref=shop_home_active_15

Many more beautiful designs are waiting for you in our shop.

www.TheCharmerCharms.etsy.com
Visit us, and don't forget your great 15% off coupon code:
HAPPYMOTHERSDAY2014

Hope to see you soon,
Doron and Radi