This is the Spring edition of JPiX, the Jewish Photo Bloggers Blog Carnival. Click on each thumbnail to access the full post. Special thanks to Leora for keeping this meme alive and for being so patient with me whenever I have had problems or questions about JPiX.

Robin at Around the Island shows breathtaking shots of nectarine blossoms, anemones and Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter:

   

Batya who blogs at me-ander shows photos from her blog – a bar mitzvah, how she learnt to be a video news photographer and the coming of spring:

  

She also shares photos from her walks in Svut Rachel and Jerusalem:

  

Cosmic X in Jerusalem shows Palestinian Talmud Enthusiasts while Sharon Altshul who blogs at The Real Jerusalem Streets presents a series of photos inspired by Herman Wouk’s book The Will to Live On, This is our Heritage. As for Naomi Elbinger, she shares a picture of her great-great-grandmother Gitel with a shpitzel.

  

At I Wish I Were a Photographer,Toby shares pictures of Israeli skies:

  

 

At Our Shiputzim, Mrs.S. shows two family outings: Avnei Eitan and a visit to a boutique olive oil plant in Katzrin:

 

Rahel who blogs at Elms in the Yard shares some colorful shots, Raina has a conversation with a crater lake and Samantha at Samantha’s Project 52 shows a havdalah photo:

  

Snow and no snow in Israel shown by Cosmic X in Jerusalem, Sharon Altshul and Batya:

  

Jewacious is back to blogging with a recipe for a honey cake, a beautiful sky, photos of the Skirball Cultural Center and book recommendations:

 

 

Leora from Here in HP shares numerous her chanukah photo gallery, a painting, Purim containers and JPiX’s new page:

   

Phyllis at Imabima shows a photo for Rosh Chodesh and two collages for Chanukah, Sarah at Sarah’s View displays vegetables from the Santa Monica Farmers’ Markey while Frume Sarah at FrumeSarah shares very special photos for Tu BiShvat:

 

Purim photos: Trip’n Up shows Purim harbingers in Neve Daniel, Sharon makes clear that Purim is not just one day while Pesky Settler shares pot-op treats and her daughter’s fancy dress:

   

Leah who blogs at Chossid shares numerous shots from Crimea: her best photo 2011, KosherFest and Tuesday Inspirations:

   

She also show photos of Israel, New York and Chanukah and Purim in the former Soviet Union:

   

I hope you will take the time to visit the photographers blogs and leave comments. If you wish to know more about JPiX and/or submit a post with images for the next edition, just click on the logo

These past few weeks I have been very busy and stressed as a result. I am not quite sure what burn out exactly implies but I think I was nearing the danger zone.

School and the way we teach have evolved. There are lots of bright and positive aspects to the situation but also some more frightening and negatives ones.

Because my students do not work enough on their own, I have multiplied group work but also feel that everything that is produced needs marking. This means that for some classes I spend at least 50% more time grading papers and projects.

I am also available 24/7 via emails even if I do not check them on Saturdays. For instance at present, some of my students are away doing internships but they still send me work and reports to read and correct.

Thus although I have been on holiday since Friday I have marked about 100 papers in five or six days. I have also been busy writing school reports online. Today I decided to stop for a few days and step back but this is not as easy as it may sound and I keep thinking of all the things that I should/could/can do for work.

I find it very hard to set myself limits and stick to them. I do not want to appear lazy but this often means that I end up working too much for my own good. Dear readers, how do you set yourself limits and does it work?

During the school visit to Sweden in September, we spent a day in Gteborg on a sunny Friday and went on a canal trip round the city and harbor.

Information about the synagogue

For more watery photos, visit Watery Wednesday.

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to eat a proper breakfast every day rather than just swallow two or three cups of coffee and so far I have been successful. My secret: Sunday evening baking.

Each Sunday, I make buns – cardamom buns or cardamom buns with raisins – and freeze them. Then every morning I briefly put a bun or two in the microwave and eat the buns with slices of cheese. I drink some sort of fruit juice and cups of coffee.

This may not seem much but for someone who has difficulties facing food in the morning this is quite a step.

For more inspirations, you can read this old post or try Leora’s Best Bowl of Oatmeal.