To celebrate the debut of my new cookbook, my labor of love, my magnum opus, my baby (except that human babies take only nine months to happen and this one took two years – oh, the agony), I’m sharing 25 things you don’t already know about me. I know, I know, you thought that by now I’ve told you everything, and I have – almost. The upcoming book is my most personal yet – filled with episodes of my life that seem larger than life; diary entries; pictures of my kids; my innermost thoughts, dreams, wishes, goals; my best recipes and crazy moments between Hubby and me.
But there’s so much more to tell. So why not share it, right here, right now? (I mean, besides Hubby’s objection that I’m nuts to divulge all this.) I call it fearless. He calls it folly. And when I’m finished, it’ll be your turn to whisper a few of your secrets to me.
1. While falling asleep, I decorate imaginary houses. And so does Brooke Shields, so there!
2. I share my English birthday (May 29) with Bob Hope and JFK, but not really because they’re no longer alive. But if they were alive, doubtlessly I would exchange hilarious birthday cards with Bob and tasteful ones with Jack.
3. I cry a lot. Sad, happy, doesn’t matter. The first time she met Hubby, my sister (whom I usually love very much, except at that moment) told him he was marrying a cry baby. As soon as she said it, I burst into tears and blubbered, “am not!”
4. I pay for spinning three times a week, but I usually make it to class only once a week. I wonder if my bike misses me.
5. I love dancing (with inexplicable passion!) I’ll dance to anything – Jewish music, rock, waltzes, the pulsing of my kitchen blender.
6. I was a professional dancer at age five. At least, that’s what my mom says. She also says I was the most brilliant child ever born.
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7. I taught hip hop classes until I was eight months pregnant. I only stopped because my students looked so worried.
8. The view from my office window looks like one of those Israel tourist brochures – a landscape of gorgeous, colorful rock formations and mountains covered with cool, green trees. Just seeing it makes me cry, or dance, or both.
9. I love one-floor living, but I dream of that floor being a sprawling penthouse apartment with crazy incredible views of Israel. I’d give it all up for a little place with one small window facing the Kotel.
10. Black is my favorite color – after white, scarlet and baby pink. So I guess white is my favorite color. No, red. No, pink.
11. I was nervous about having sons, since I only have a sister. Couldn’t imagine how on earth I could be mother to a boy. Now I know that I can have foolish concerns.
12. I have a really serious, spiritual side to me. As Hubby says, you just have to look to find it…and look…and look…
13. Long ago, I decided that when I grow up I want to be a nutritionist, an exercise teacher and own a gym. Did I mention that I miss two out of three spin classes?
14. I love fusion in both food and design. But not together. In other words, Mommy is not happy when you spill supper all over the couch.
15. In my dreams, I would have a white kitchen, with whiter than white Carrara marble countertops; the living room would have white leather couches, with white mohair rugs, and all in all I’d live in a fluffy white cloud of a penthouse apartment with stunning wraparound windows overlooking the best views in Israel.
16. In real life, my couch is brown and we go for a lot of hide-the-dirt earth tones.
17. My mother doesn’t like to see me cook, do dishes, or do any kind of housework. She doesn’t really want to see me work at all, just “do” lunches for a living. Did I tell you that I was the most brilliant child ever born?
18. I worry about lots of silly little things; then I worry about being so worried, until I work myself up into a big emotional tizzy. If someone asks me why I’m so stressed out, my answer sounds completely ridiculous – even to me.
19. I don’t think that I am a good enough mother. Maybe I am. No, probably not.
20. My husband makes the lunches in our house.
21. I have dreams of putting sweet little love notes in my kids’ lunches – but I have yet to get around to it. See confession #20.
22. I love going on class trips, far more than the kids do.
23. I get really attached to my kids’ teachers and babysitters – especially the good ones who really love them. When the kids move on or graduate, I’ve been known to hug the teacher over and over and cry, while the kids tug gently at me, saying, “Let’s go, Mommy. You have to learn to let go…”
24. I would like to make my bed every day. ‘Nough said.
25. A toasted whole wheat everything bagel, literally dripping with butter, accompanied by a hot, sweet latté is a guilty pleasure of mine. I usually get one on my birthday, and I always tell the guy behind the counter that, so he shouldn’t think I’m some kind self-indulgent epicurean. Okay, so sometimes it’s not my birthday. I just need a pick-me-up. Or I want to celebrate something. Or I want to share this rare delight with a friend. And each time I order it, the counter guy gives me a skeptical look and asks, “Your birthday – again?”
Don’t forget my new book makes the perfect Chanukah present, make sure to order all your copies today!!
Click here to order from Amazon.
Click here to order from Book Depository in the U.K and get free worldwide delivery!!
Share something unexpected about yourself below (can be super juicy or a plain old little something) for your chance to win this amazing set of kitchen supplies including the following from Emile Henry and Mauviel and more… TotalRetail value of $350
- Duralex 5pc bowl set
- Emile Henry 4.2 Stewpot
- Lekue Steamcase
- Mauviel Msteel Fry Pan 11”
- Rosle Tongs 12”
I am going to go to school for elementary education.
Oldest of four and my mom is Catholic and my dad is Jewish. Talk about the guilt!!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
LOL Paige….funny one! Mine is I’m called The Cat Lady in my neighborhood since I feed so many strays.
Last night, I had a crazy dream that hubby and I ditched our careers and formed a two person ragtime band. We had a cool trailer and performed all over, including seniors groups, who loved us.
The site of my formal husband, in a plaid shirt, coveralls and bandanna, with a harmonica, was so funny – I woke up in the middle of the night hysterically laughing!!!!
I once killed a man in cold blood…..:) kidding
I was an exchange student to the Philippines during high school.
I can go down stairs faster than anyone I know.
I got one of my favorite jobs at a toy company by putting a picture of my face on a cake and delivering it to the marketing manager.
Celebrating 50 years of marriage this weekend and celebrating husband’s almost 3 year cancer remission. just finished my almost all white new kitchen. I have learned to live day by day.
I took belly dancing and I was the oldest in the class!
I thought maybe I would learn something new after 20 plus years of friendship but I love that you are still the same Jamie I have always known. Mazel Tov on your continued success and I LOVE the new book!
I’m re-doing one of our bedrooms-ceiling, floor, painting
I stood on the street in Toronto in 1948 with my group from Hashomer Hadati- THe forerunner of Bnai Akiva with a pushke for JNF. I think that is what inspired me with the hope of living here.
K I need a private dance class from you!
I also dream of a sparkling bright, white kitchen!!
I have always wanted to be a meteorologist on The Weather Channel!
i love eating cottage cheese with chocolate chips and cinnamon. everyone i ever told that to thinks i’m nuts.
Unfortunately you can google me and find out much too much about me. BUT, I don’t think anyone knows that although my Mama and Nana taught me to cupola and Mama was a fabulous knitter and sewer(Nana could thread a needle and knitting needles could have been declared weapons in her hands) my Daddy taught me to sew. I quilt, smock and make various items of clothing, decor and other needle crafts .
I too am a Philly born girl and was really sad when I could not hear you speak during your recent visit to our home city.
My favorite holiday is Pesach – even with all the cleaning and craziness it brings, it just feels like family and home time for me 🙂
No matter how many cookbooks I buy, I still scour the web for recipes 🙂
I like to collect cookbooks and also gift them to my daughters in law for their birthdays.
Most people think that I just like needlecrafts but if I had all the time of the world I would do everything creative.. from cooking .. to crafting.. etc etc..
I love watching feel-good movies, I always cry.
I have the same birthday as Woody Allen (Dec 1).
One of my favorite books is ‘Paper Moon’.
i am awesome.
It’s hard for me to drink plain water.
This article had me laughing out loud. Great pic.
I love cleaning my house. I think it runs in my family.
I have the same birthday as Michael J. Fox.
I always dream of having every cooking utensil that exist in my kitchen.
gained 20 pounds this year
I’m single and looking….
I absolutely love magazines. From fashion to health to news, they are my favorite way to relax. Just give me a cup of coffee and a slick, new magazine, and I’m in heaven!
I love to cook even though my Manhattan kitchen that is so small I can touch both sides at the same time
I’m secretly a math whiz!
I am one of your biggest fans…I’m sure you are told this alot but you inspire me in a unique way. You look to me like an exceptional mother and wife, you are funny, serious, sensitive, spiritual and fun all in one moment! Thanks for being you!
While cooking I have a whole cooking show going on in my head complete with a live audience lol
I was living in Monrovia, Liberia in 1980 and spent the first day of the coup crawling on the floor of our house there so that none of the soldiers who were shooting into houses would realize that i was there and alone. It was exceptionally hot and i could not turn the a/c on, again for fear of being found out. I wrote a letter to my parents apologizing for anything i may have done during my life to upset or displease them and hid it in case i was killed so that at least the note would be found and sent back to them in the US. Nice Jewish girls who went to Yeshiva in New Jersey, don’t usually experience this. Thank heavens…. Thank you for this opportunity.
I hate cleaning… except for in the kitchen.
Love following blogs
when i was in college i got lice (in israel obvi :), and shaved my head (buzz cut really)
My husband does most of the cooking in my house 😉
I bawled my eyes out when I watched your Aliyah experience because it was touching but mainly because my daughter and her family made Aliyah a few months later. So, so ecstatic for them, but sad for me!
i’m super skinny but i really need to exercise for “bone health”. hope i win some of this cool stuff.
I hate artificial wind (fans) and love real wind (blustery day).
I love wearing a long black skirt and black sneakers every single day
I’m one of 5 girls and the only one with brown eyes of them all.
I am the oldest of ten
Comments # 11 and 19 apply to me too.
I’ve had glasses since I was 6 months old