Another Little Miracle... Baby 'Can'

Rumi says that 'Love is the Water of Life' but these days I tend to think 'Babies are the Water of Life.'
Aydan, whom I feel is a sweet friend and confidant as well as being my niece, has just had a baby.  His name is 'Can' which means 'Life.' A perfect name for such a perfect little man.  He is life itself and I feel so blessed for having the privilege of being here in his first days of life and being able to hold him and love him to my heart's content.

Best Laid Plans

I had everything figured out... I had started to prepare for the holidays early this year... and I was ready to go one month ahead of time... My Brother's family was here for the month of November and they were also supposed to be here right before the New Year... This was going to be one great Holiday Season. But just as the family gathered together for Thanksgiving it became apparent that my parents had to fly back to Istanbul right after Thanksgiving. Oh well... Two down... three more to go...

I decided we had to get a little bit of Christmas that weekend, before everyone dispersed back to their own lives. Gift shopping was concluded - this year they were all meant to be meaningful, funny, and modest gifts. A little tree was put up and decorated, and the kids were pestered until they agreed to go along with my plan and try to show a little spirit. Over the Thanksgiving weekend we had our pre-Christmas morning gift exchange hoopla. Presents were unwrapped and lots of pictures taken.  I have been giving monthly calenders with family photographs as New Year's presents for the past 15 years to all the older members of the family and I think it is probably the single most appreciated gift by everyone.  The original idea was to give grandparents 12 months of joy but now these calenders have turned into a visual review of the previous year.  As kids grow up, graduate, get married and have children of their own, I get more and more wonderful material to work with.

This year we had a theme for the Uygur calenders... hats (each side of the family gets their own specialized version of the family calender)

Our precious Prometheus has a hat that makes him look cute as a button.  I first thought that we would do a 'grandpa and me', then a 'cousins' theme but pretty soon, I found myself buying half a dozen hats and it turned into a 'Prometheus the trend-setter' motif. The results were a lot of fun... We might have gone a little overboard with the hat theme though since there are very few pictures of Pro without one...

As of December 1st, everyone had gone back and Mehmet, Murat and I were the only ones left behind.  I was still enthusiastic because in one month Cenk, Wendy and Pro would be back in New York.  I went on with my preparations for a wonderful Holiday Season.  For people who don't actually have a holiday to celebrate around this time of year, Turks have come up with a very creative alternative - celebrate New Year's.  We do this by getting a tree and presents, even having a Turkey dinner.  Since the pressure of getting the calenders ready in time and gift shopping were already off my shoulders, I could concentrate on other things I planned to do like decorating my office and writing Holiday greeting letters to my tenants, family and friends.

I am probably one of the worst procrastinators, every year I know when New Year's eve will arrive, yet  I still wait till the last minute to do all my preparations; which is why this year was such a refreshing surprise.  For the first time, I had enough time to spread the joy.  I wrote my end of year letters and sent them out to family and friends, I had the time to remember and reach further out to other relations I don't usually get a chance to keep in contact with. Just as the season was winding down and we were starting to make plans for New Year's Eve, I got news that Wendy and Prometheus were not going to be able to make it to New York, and my brother would be flying back to Los Angeles on the 31st.  To say we were disappointed would be an understatement.  Just so we wouldn't be sitting at home, bleakly watching Turkish television as a diversion on New Year's Eve, I looked into getting plane tickets to Istanbul.  Unfortunately, it was very costly to fly a family of four overseas during the holidays and get back in enough time for Murat to not miss school. I was a little disappointed but had the consolation of knowing my brother was going to be in New York for the week and was planning to spend all day with us on Sunday.  But mother nature intervened with this plan as well; we knew there was a blizzard coming and had to suggest that Cenk leave early so he wouldn't get stuck on the road to New York. Even this visit was cut short but we were warm at home, stocked up with firewood, waiting to watch a beautiful snow storm.

This was also not meant to be... Around 7.00pm, I got a call from one of my tenants, an emergency medical service, that the parking lot wasn't plowed and they couldn't get their ambulance out.  After not being able to find anybody to answer my calls, I realized I had no choice but to go out there myself and try to see what I could do to help...
This is how our family adventure began.... The four of us, Mehmet, the boys and I, got in the car after we loaded the snowblower in the back of the SUV and started an hour long arduous journey to West Long Branch.  All along the way, cars were getting stuck in the road and visibility was getting worse and worse.  When we finally arrived at my place of business, it was impossible to enter the parking lot so we had to park on the side of the highway.  The boys took down the snowblower from the back of the car, while I started trudging my way through knee-deep snow, only to find the building deserted.  It appeared the ambulance had made it out... but would we?  Hasan and Murat tried to clear a path so that at least two tires could pass through but it was obvious that this was useless since the tracks were filling up faster than they could clear them.  The walk back to the car was even harder since we had to fight a whirlwind of snow blowing in our face, blinding us.

By the time we got the snowblower back in the car and were ready to go, the conditions had gotten simply atrocious, with no visibility what so ever and the only way Mehmet could proceed was by Hasan and I hanging out the window to see the tracks on the road to guide him through blindly.  He finally decided to turn back and check into the hotel down the road for the night.  Getting to the hotel which was 2 minutes away took about half an hour, the whole road was scattered with cars quickly getting buried.  We had to leave our car somewhere near the entrance and walk the rest of the way to the hotel.    We were finally safe and warm...

The next morning, dawned bright and cold.  Our car had to be dug out first, which took four guys with shovels to accomplish. Since the highway was completely at a standstill because every other car would get stuck at a certain point and had to be rescued, we had to wait for another two hours before we could get on the road.

The sight that greeted us as we made our way through the aftermath of the blizzard was abandoned and buried vehicles everywhere.  Even plow trucks were stuck and had to be towed out of the mounds of snow.

 At one point, it felt like we were in a labyrinth, wherever we turned the roads were closed, blanketed with 2 feet of white powder.  Just when we thought we were safely on our way, we would meet another roadblock.

Finally, through my husband's heroic maneuvering we reached Route 537, a road that was actually open and were on our way home.  It was interesting to observe, how the closer we got to Colt's Neck, quite an affluent area, the roads were being plowed by three trucks in a row at the same time till we could actually see the asphalt in some areas.

We finally made it to our warm and cozy home where we could recuperation from our big adventure...as soon as the driveway was cleared to let the car in, of course...
My sons and husband were real live heroes throughout out this whole ordeal and I was so proud to call them my own...

So, now we sit at home, waiting for the roads to be cleared and life to go back to normal, grateful to be safe and sound.  It turns out there was no way for Wendy and Pro to get to New York in this weather anyway even if their plans hadn't changed already.  As far as our plans to travel abroad, that would also have been an impossibility.  Basically Mehmet, Hasan, Murat and I are where we were meant to be, awaiting the arrival of the New Year, only with a greater presence of mind.  This little drama we have lived through feels like a little reminder in the value of home and family and the fecklessness of trying to control fate.
This also makes me revisit the philosophy of Epictetus that I am usually in accord with - There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.  At this point, I am happily sitting and waiting to see what wonderful new surprises each day will bring.

A Perfect Sunday - Breakfast

It was Sunday, a bright and beautiful day, we were in LA, our only concern where to have brunch this morning.  After not much deliberation at all, we decided to go to the Grove for breakfast, only a ten minute walk from where we were staying.
Farm of Beverly Hills is Wendy's favorite restaurant there, with good reason.  Not only does it have excellent food but it is also in the middle of the Grove, right by the fountain.

The first thing that came out, with our coffee, was a wonderful coffee cake muffin that we devoured in five minutes and asked for more.  This is so fantastic that I can go back there everyday just for that muffin... it is also the best accompaniment for coffee.

Corned Beef & Potatoes

Mehmet ordered the Corned Beef & Potatoes that we all wanted in the end.  It was a great sandwich - a perfect combination.

California Omlet

Wendy and I decided to share a California Omlet.  It was good but I am not sure if I would order it again.

Belgian Waffle

I can only assume how good Murat's Belgian Waffle was, since it was finished within an heartbeat.

Farm of Beverly Hills turned out to be the best idea for a weekend breakfast.  I would definitely recommend it for a sweet break to anyone who might be shopping, sightseeing or just hanging out at the Grove where parking is a breeze with lots of shops and attractions to spend a pleasant time relaxing.

At the Museum

I am a museum freak... that's what my boys call me anyway.  It is true that I feel most contended at a museum than anywhere else.  I always wanted to share this love with my kids and took them to various shows and exhibits from the time they could walk; unfortunately my plan backfired and if anything, they seem to have an aversion to museums.  I have a new protege I can work on now - Prometheus Maximus, my five weeks old nephew.  It's never too early to start...I thought ... and... took him to see the 'MANLY PURSUITS - The sporting images of THOMAS EAKINS' exhibit at the LACMA  this past week, the first of many museum visits we can enjoy together in the future, I hope.

The Art History of Western Civilizations class I took at the New School this past spring, of course, covered  Eakins while on the subject of Realism; one of his most famous paintings 'Gross Clinic' was on the final, as a matter of fact.  It is such a powerful work that I have been meaning to go and see the real thing in Philadelphia soon, although I did get a chance to view what is considered to be Eakins's finest figure painting 'Salutat' at the LACMA.

I find special exhibitions like these about an artist to be very interesting; they are a great way of getting some inside information about the particular working techniques and influences of an artist.  This exhibit was enlightening about Eakins's perfectionist attention to details and the influence of photography in his work of the time period.

Eakins's meticulous perspective studies drafted repeatedly for his paintings with rowers were fascinating.  I am aware of the preliminary sketches or numerous studies involved in any painting but these looked like the work of an engineer or an architect rather than the sketches of artists I had seen before.  They had rooms full of photographs he took of male nudes in action and the figures were represented incredibly realistically, right down to the tan lines on the necks and hands of the sportsmen attesting to their profession as laborers during the day.  The 'Swimming Hole' was a painting of Eakins and some of his students that I had seen in one of my textbooks that was also on display.  The book stated that this work was considered to be so scandalous that it caused his dismissal from the academy as an instructor.

In all of his sporting images, Eakins chose to represent a break in the action, one moment suspended in time; the Catherine OPIE 'Figure and Landscape' photography exhibition that was on view at the next gallery was photographs of  high school football games and players, also suspended in time, interpreted as a continuation of Eakins' Sporting Images from contemporary life. What I found most powerful were a room full of her Surfers Series.  All white room with photographs of a white sea and sky and men as only little, insignificant dots on the horizon.  The calm, quiet of the sea was so palpable as to be almost eerie.

Our museum outing was a grand success, Prometheus slept through most of it... We went back to the LACMA one more time to walk through some other parts of their collection; the rest will have to be for another visit...

  

End of Another Journey...

My trip to visit my brother's family is almost over... I go back to New Jersey, my real life, tomorrow.  I have been here for nine days and I don't know where the time has gone.  Basically I spent most of my time sitting at home and watching my nephew while he slept, fed and p...ed.  This whole week has had a very calming effect on me; previously, I never would've believed that I could've sat still without any major activity for this long.  This has been the antidote to my hectic, boisterous summer in Bodrum but the predominant essence underlying both trips have been the element of family, connecting and creating memories.  I will probably treasure this week among the most precious in my life, the week I spent bonding with my newborn nephew.

Another great coincidence was Cenk's absence due to business in New York; Wendy and I had a wonderful time at home taking care of the baby, outside taking the baby on our daily outings to the Grove or the museum.  As it turns out, Cenk and Wendy's apartment is five minutes from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, otherwise known as LACMA.  This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up even in my most serene state of mind.  Most people who know me wouldn't be surprised that I found my way either to the museum itself or to the park surrounding it at least four to five times this past week.  It was inevitable...

We did get the opportunity to spend one Saturday with Cenk before he left and it ended up being a lovely day that began with breakfast at home and then later on a trip to the Grove, an outdoor shopping center located next to the Farmer's Market, which is almost across the street from their apartment complex.

The Grove was delightful; we sat outside by the fountain at 'the Farm of Beverly Hills'.  The coffee was great and the light fare we enjoyed was delicious.  Cenk opted for a cheese plate, I had Huevos Rancheros, basted eggs on a crisp corn tortilla with a ranchero sauce topped with cheese and avocado and Wendy had chicken fingers - her classic choice for this particular restaurant, I am told. 

I concluded my meal with a piece of cheese and some candied pecans and caramelized pears from Cenk's Cheese Plate.

This was my colorful 'Huevos Rancheros' which was innovative and surprising.

The Farm of Bevelry Hills at the Grove

http://www.thefarmofbeverlyhills.com/the_grove.shtml

189 the Grove Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 525-1699

For Cenk's last dinner before he left, I prepared some of his favorites including 'Torn Borek with Cheese' which is  sort of a Turkish version of a cheese soufflé.  This was very impressive when it came out of the oven and they told me it tasted as good as it looked; I had to be satisfied with their declaration since I couldn't judge for myself (it is definitely not gluten-free.)

 'Torn Borek with Cheese'

6 Flour Tortillas Shredded into small pieces

5 beaten eggs 

1 cup milk

2 cups shredded cheese (Mozarella or Mixed Mexican Cheese)

1/4 cup melted margarine

Mix all ingredients together and pour in a greased oven proof dish.  Leave in the refrigerator overnight.  Bake in 350 degree oven for about one hour. Serve immediately.

For this past week, I played the part of the elderly aunt come to help out... I don't know when my life changed so much or when I changed so much that I am happy and content in this role.  I am still surprised at myself and haven't quite figured out the reason for this transformation... or maybe I have... That sweet smell, those trusting, smiling eyes, those heart melting cooing sounds... there is almost nothing I won't do, no role I am not willing to play to be able to hold him as he sleeps peacefully in my arms.

The Fourth Birthday Candle

Last night, I celebrated my birthday for the fourth and final time for this year.  All four of my mini celebrations were noteworthy and memorable but this one was doubly so since it was also my nephew's one month celebration.  Everything worked out incredibly nicely and we went out to dinner at a fabulous restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood where everything was absolutely perfect... really, no exaggeration ... at all.

Cravings is a restaurant owned by a Turkish chef Ibrahim Oztok that we had dined at on one of our prior visits to LA; it had left me with a favorable impression but this time the experience was just unforgettable.  I have been on a gluten-free diet since the beginning of the year and this can be most challenging when eating out.  As I have been doing for the past seven months, first thing I did was to ask our waiter if he could  possibly help me out to find something suitable from the menu.  He just gave me an assessing look and uttered what I most wanted to hear- "I think you can pretty much have anything you want on the menu but give me a minute, I'll go and check" leaving me gaping in his wake.  He came back to confirm his original bold statement and I went on a heavenly eating spree.

Before anything else, I chose my entrée, Crab Ravioli in a light lobster cream sauce and then proceeded to consider my other options.   I was pretty much like a kid at a candy store running through the menu forward and backward trying to find the most unattainable.  I finally decided I was craving for soup; I asked our assured waiter what kind of soup it was and he said it was a fantastic Chicken Curry Soup.  I was also informed that I couldn't have the rolls in the bread basket since they were made of wheat and only the Ciabatta was gluten-free.  I was so excited, I could've jumped up to kiss him on both cheeks... I refrained... we went on with our dinner.  From that point on every single thing we had was amazing...

Chicken Curry soup that was both delicious and light at the same time.  The little vegetables that could be discerned in the soup added a fresh and healthy edge to the already incredible taste.  I could go back there just to have this soup again.

My brother and Wendy ordered the Steamed Spicy Manila Clams in a white wine sauce with scallions, garlic and fresh herbs.  This was so good that we even finished off the sauce right down to the last drop ( dipping our ciabatta's into it... mmm.. mmm)      

My Crab Ravioli in light lobster cream sauce.  I always prefer pasta with a cream sauce and this one was one of the best I ever had.  The ravioli was more similar to Chinese Dumplings than the ravioli we are used to and this made it even more interesting; it was a savory mouthful with a delicate sauce to complement it to perfect harmony.

The Chicken Parmiggiana served  with fettuccine in a tomatoes sauce.  This is usually served with a Parmesan cream sauce but Wendy ordered it this way and was very happy with her choice.

 

This was Cenk's Traditional Lasagna which he said was good but would rate it third after our two incredible entrées.
I got so carried away with the food that I just realized I didn't mention anything about the restaurant... it is a first-rate Mediterranean restaurant with outdoor dining which is always a plus especially in a place like LA where you have near perfect weather year-round.   The service was exceptional; all three of us asked for water in a different way and our glasses were always filled properly.  It seemed like he knew what we might need one second before we thought of it ourselves.   The service made the whole dining experience all the more enjoyable.

Everything we dined on was so fabulous that I had to ask the waiter to recommend a desert for me. He didn't even blink when he said the Chocolate mouse meringue cake was incredible ... I didn't think twice.  Just around the time we were finishing  up our dinner, Prometheus decided to wake from his nap and demanded to be noticed, so we took our cake home with us.   Right before calling it a day we lit two candles, one for me and the other for Prometheus; Wendy and I blew out the candles together and went on to finish the heavenly concoction with delight.  It was the perfect ending for what had to be one of the most wonderful days... holding my little nephew, having a lively, stimulating conversation with my brother and his wife, indulging in one of the most unforgettable meals of the year and all of this as only one quarter of my birthday celebrations .. what more could a girl ask for???

CRAVINGS RESTAURANT
http://www.cravingsrestaurant.com/
8653 SUNSET BOULEVARD,
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069
TEL:  (310) 652-6104

Finally!!! That Sweet Baby Smell...

It was love at first sight!
Even though I was predisposed to adore him, the melting sensation I felt inside the minute  those brown eyes met mine and we connected was still a jolt.  It doesn't really matter if he can recognize me or not, all I know is that we have bonded.  The last time I felt anything close to this was probably when I was holding my own kids but then, there was also an element of panic and apprehension.  Now it's a pure  and  incessant love that knows no limits, the free, liberating love only an aunt can give.    

I don't remember life in a household with a newborn as being so serene or peaceful; I mostly remember the exhaustion and some days not being able to brush my teeth or hair by nightfall.  The sounds, smells and the never-ending amazement  are all the same, the only thing missing is the trepidation.  Now I see what all the fuss is about having grandchildren.

I spent the whole day just watching my nephew, holding him and taking pictures of him; I could do this everyday.   I have not felt so relaxed and content in a long while.  I guess this is what I must've needed.  All those souls searching for fulfillment might not need to go too far, if they could just hold and smell a newborn baby.

The Party That Never Was... the Birthday Stories Continue...

One fine day, back in June, as I sat on the porch looking at my flowers, I had an image of a table set with my mother's linens - an array of wild, exotic colors that match and complement the flowers growing in abundance in containers all around us... or... an all neutral color scheme of white table settings and pillows with a score of white candles burning to set the mood or to just ward off mosquitoes... I liked the picture I had in my mind and decided it was definitely doable... only... we needed an occasion.  The whole family tends to tred reverently when it comes to my mother's linens, so I definitely needed to find an auspicious occasion  for such an indulgence and, find it I did... my birthday dinner... I was quite smitten with the idea and decided that we would be a big happy crowd of the whole family along with a few friends or neighbors.  It didn't quite turn out that way.. but still, I got my wish.

As it turned out, my husband wasn't able to come back from Turkey with us and my mom was extremely busy as she always is around this time of year rushing to get ready for her trade show in New York at the end of the week and the people I wanted to invite weren't available.  I did not let any of this dampen my enthusiasm and went on with my plans of a big birthday dinner for myself; I wanted to cook and eat at home and was determined to make a good show of it. 

Two days ago I asked my mother, Nuko of Nuko Creations, if she had six matching pillows that she could spare for the house; a definite advantage of living in such close proximity to a home textile designer; she came home from work last night with a bag full of such vibrantly colored pillows that they made me jump.  I ran outside to the deck to put them around the table but was a little deflated to find it so hot and humid that it would have been impossible to eat outside.  Having already baked the cake and cooked and prepared to my heart's content, I decided to play around a little bit.. the boys were still at the gym anyway... we had plenty of time. 

So, as my mother was setting the table for us to eat inside, I set my fantasy table outside.  The linens she had at home for our use were perfect with the pillows she had brought home, a very deliberate coincidence, I am sure... and of course there is always an abundance of  materials in any of her homes for hundreds of different table settings.  So I played around for a little bit, the heat making it almost impossible to linger for too long, and created the picture in my mind.  After taking a couple of pictures, I went in to enjoy the meal I had thoughtfully and lovingly prepared for my family. 

Everything from the guacamole I prepared for Hasan to the steamed vegetable salad my mom loves, to the cookies and cream ice cream for Murat and pistacio ice cream I bought for my father were all thought thorough with care.  And of course I baked a gluten-free chocolate cake for myself from a cake mix that my amazing husband had found for me some time ago.   (This is my classic cake that I have been making since 8th grade, that everyone, absolotely loves.Due to the consistent success of these ready cake mixes, I have never really learned how to make a cake from scratch; I will go to any length for any other recipe but I refuse to make a cake that may never live upto the results I get from this.)  My frosting for the cake was Jello instant pudding - in this case it was the sugar-free Cheesecake that turned out wonderful.  And it was topped with fresh strawberries and banana slices...yummm... Oh, and of course it went great with the three different kinds of Haagen Dazs ice cream. 

So I blew out another candle, my third so far, with my sons and my parents; I am taking my pink candles with me to LA to light them on my fourth cake and celebrate with my nephew, brother and sister-in-law tomorrow.  It will be Prometheus' first month and my 44th year - I can't think of a better reason for a celebration.

It's My Birthday and I'll Celebrate it How I want To

It's my birthday today... It is the forty-fourth year of my existence in this exquisite, challenging and exciting life. This past year has been very interesting, full of enlightening experiences to bring me to new levels of awareness and I thought it only fitting that my birthday celebration should be just as unique.  To begin with, I wanted it to be about sharing and connecting with others instead of expectations for myself.  I also wanted to do what pleased me without waiting for approval or surprises... and I decided this year, I would celebrate four times in four different places and different people...
With these thought in mind, I bought myself a birthday cake last Saturday and went to have a double celebration with my great aunt, Sabiha Hala; she turned 98 this year and unfortunately I missed the birthday party her neighbors threw for her last month.  

Instead of the traditional Happy Birthday greetings, I picked one that said 'We Love You, So Glad You are Among Us' for the message on our cake.  Anyone who has ever met my Sabiha Hala would definitely agree this is the perfect sentiment for her... I would also like to hope that some day it would a sentiment my nieces and nephews would think in regards to myself...

I had bought her a bracelet with the evil eye to ward away 'Nazar' (bad things that can come upon a person due to other people's enviousness.)  So, at 11 in the morning, I got her out of bed to sit at the table I had set for her and blow out candles on a birthday cake for the two of us.  I don't remember ever having a more meaningful or memorable birthday experience.  She assured me that I reminded her of herself and she would 'bestow her hand' (pass on her wisdom and knowledge) upon me; in return I insisted I wasn't ready for the honor just yet.  


Later on in the day, I blew out another candle with my husband since he wasn't going to be with me today.  Although, his voice was the first one I heard this morning as soon as I woke up.  And now, I am ready to start my festivities here in New Jersey with ... who ever is available... 

I am planning to go bake a gluten-free cake for myself now and invite one or two people over for dinner.  We'll see how the rest of my celebrations will turn out... but... I have already received so many wonderful gifts this year ... a nephew, an incredible summer in Bodrum, news of another expected newcomer into the family, hope for a great year with my whole family nearby, and I have also given myself the gift of enriching my life through connecting and sharing...


Happy Birthday to Me...  So Glad to be in Among this World...

Our Saturday Ritual in Turgutreis

Bodrum, Turkey

Most of my life I’ve felt like a visitor passing through without belonging to any place in particular; I would be forever getting ready for the next trip. When I was a teenager growing up in the States, I used to think that if we owned a summer house in Turkey, I would have a place and friends to call my own and feel a sense of normalcy somehow.  While most of my friends were envious of my life of jet setting across the Atlantic back and forth, I always envied their simple summer plans of going away to the same place to be with the same people, doing the same things.   Even having a family didn’t make a difference in my life, now I was moving the whole family back and forth. These were the thoughts I always had to contend with as I agonized over our summer plans every single year; we never were able create the stable atmosphere I had been longing for.    Maybe due to the fact that we now live in New Jersey, we were finally able to realize this lifelong dream of mine and get a house in Bodrum this summer.  Ironically, now it’s the boys who want to make plans of staying put and living like a normal teenager while we are dragging them here, for their own good.

I feel we have finally succeeded in creating the perfect atmosphere this summer of sharing good times with loved ones in one of the most beautiful parts of Turkey, a summer to remember and to repeat.  We feel at home and a part of a community that we are already making plans to return to next year; this is due in part to some simple rituals we have established as a part of our life here.  We go into Turgutreis every Saturday to have lunch, 'Manti' (Turkish Ravioli) especially prepared for us; Ali, the proprietor/chef asks us early on in the week, the only question of how many people it will be this Saturday.  So far, we have been there every week as a family with slight variations within the group.  This week our niece, Aydan, her husband, Yucel, my cousin, Ozlem, and her husband, Mehmet joined us.  Murat was suppose to leave for Marmaris, to go sailing,  but he just couldn’t go before he had his ‘Manti’ with the family and then my husband had to rush him into Bodrum to catch his bus.  

Another ritual is our shopping forays into the Turgutreis Saturday bazaar.  This week we had to pick up a couple of things for Murat to take with him on his trip so I took him to the textile part of the bazaar while Mehmet went to get our vegetables.  It was an incredibly hot and crowded day but still worth it for the photo opportunities it afforded if nothing else.  I have been checking out the colorful fabrics they have on display, trying to find excuses for buying the whole lot every week; I have to come up with something soon, since I won't get another chance after next week and I know I will be dreaming of these fabrics when I get home and kicking myself if I leave without buying anything.  Having a seventeen year old is not very conducive to this kind of frivolous shopping so I had to leave the bazaar without a single purchase this week as well.  I have some mean plans for next Saturday though, I just might get up at the break of dawn to beat the heat and the crowds and go crazy.  I have heard from my sister-in-law that the stands are setup before dawn, this I have to check out for myself and add to my list of unique experiences. 

Even as Murat was dragging me by the scruff of my neck, I was still able to get a couple of shots of the colorful array.

This is my favorite stand of table cloths and bedspreads and towels made from 100% natural cottons.  My newest obsession is the 'Pestamal', sarong-like cloths worn wrapped around in the Turkish Baths that absorb moisture like a regular towel and weigh next to nothing.  I have been buying them every time I go into the bazaar and I think I will take a dozen back with me to give as presents.  I have bought another variety of 'Pestamal' to use as a table cloth.  This place is a paradise for someone like me who is crazy enough to have a collection of textiles worthy of a seamstress.

After getting back across the street to the vegetable vendors, I couldn't resist taking more pictures of the stands there.  I am not sure if its the colors or the abundance of the array, I am totally fascinated with the displays. 

  

These are the dried vegetables sold by the spice vendors.  The dried eggplant is used to make a 'Dolma' using cracked wheat instead of rice with ground lamb and red pepper (according to taste, of course), in the winter months when they don't have the fresh vegetable.  The end result is something out of this world, to put a bit of sustenance in to anybody suffering in the cold, dreary winter months. 

I wonder if these textile would help to chase away the winter blues as well...