Shabbat At the Carlebach Moshav

Several weeks ago, a group of Pardesians ventured to Modi'in to spend a Shabbat the Carlebach Moshav (more info on Carlebach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shlomo_Carlebach_(musician)). We stayed with a very generous family which regularly has 20-30 people for Shabbat dinner and lunch.
The weather was beautiful, the view from their house absolutely stunning, and the generous atmosphere was warm with excitement about Shabbat, music, and community. From the backyard (that looked more like the Garden of Eden than anything else I had every seen...maybe the grass could have been softer), we could see, in the distance, the towers in Tel Aviv, and beyond them the Meditterranean Sea. On a clear day, we could see miles and miles in all four directions. There were beautiful shade trees where we relaxed in the pre-Shabbat warmth. In this one yard, the family had planted and cared for all seven of Israel's national speces (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Species). The land we explored was spotted with ancient ruins: a wine press, and olive press...This felt like a new and old Israel.
Before Shabbat, we set the tables (for 31 people) and relaxed in the backyard, listening to our host play the dulcimer. The sun lowered in the sky and we walked the one-minute walk to the synagogue for a very musical (sans-instruments, of course) Kabbalat Shabbat. The rest of the day was full of Torah, music, beautiful weather, hikes, more song, sleeping, community, and general shabbat beauty. Needless to say, it was hard to go back to "real life" after this Shabbat.