Refreshed

I thought I would use my very first blog posting (they have all been from Rabbi David so far) to reflect on a most wonderful weekend. It began on Friday, when I started running around in disbelief that another shabbat had arrived so quickly! Wasn't it just shabbat? I guess that's what happens when you are adjusting to a new place. Despite my anxiety, shabbat services were full of energy and excitement. We had a great crowd, who sang along with enthusiasm and welcomed us with great warmth. We offered the traveler's prayer to Whitney Mufson, daughter of Nina and Joshua Saslove, who just departed yesterday for her junior fall abroad in South Africa -- we hope she has a fantastic experience!

Saturday - Shabbat - brought in a friend from out of town, who helped me do some house-related errands. We are moving into our new house this Thursday (I can't wait!). Then, we went to Arbany Park in Basalt for a Pot Luck Havdalah gathering with some folks from down-valley. We had a lovely crowd who brought delicious food (Alan's lamb chops might have been my favorite! Although a tough competitor was the cake brought by Werner... really, everything was great). We sang some havdalah melodies as we reflected on what we were all looking forward to in the week ahead.

We had some very spirited singers! All the kids loved seeing, smelling, experiencing the different havdalah objects - especially listening as the candle was extinguished in the "wine" (which we had to make ourselves from crushed grapes and water!).

After most of the people had left, we sat and lingered in the beautiful park and waited for the rainstorm to pass. Even the rain is beautiful here. We all searched the sky for a rainbow -- but it wasn't until we got in our car heading back to our temporary home in Aspen that we saw the most brilliant rainbow. Each color stood out - I can hardly put into words how beautiful it was. Sadly, I didn't get a picture!

Sunday morning, we took our very first hike of the summer - up to Crater Lake.

Spectacular views up there! It was a bit exhausting, but worth the trip. Our reward (for which we worked very hard!) was Bagels at the Bells. We had quite a crowd up at the Bells. Everyone seemed to enjoy yummy toasted bagels and some shmoozing. We finished cleaning up just as the rain began to fall. Rabbi David and I came home and passed out - I guess the hike was more tiring than we realized! We had a perfect afternoon of relaxation. Now we're ready for a big week of work and moving to our house. Shavua tov!