Chanukah with the Goat Rodeo

My big 2 in 2006

Tonight, at sundown, Chanukah begins.  No, it's not Chanukah just yet (much to my children's dismay and Facebook's confusion).

I'm going on the assumption that everyone knows what "The Festival of Lights" is all about.  I realize, based on my friends' experiences discussing Chanukah at their kids' schools, that this may not be an accurate assumption.  If you really have no idea about the story of Chanukah, you can always set up a consultation with Rabbi Google.

Luckily, if that's too much effort, the Maccabeats exist.





Chanukah, like nearly every other Jewish holiday, can be summed up as, "They tried to kill us.  We won.  Let's eat."  It is NOT a major holiday at all.  People seem to think it is since it occurs around the same time as a major Christian holiday, but it's actually a pretty minor holiday.  It is NOT the Jewish Christmas (which doesn't even make any sense).

We celebrate in the standard way--lighting the menorah (aka hanukkiah) every night at sundown for 8 nights.

Our family has quite an extensive collection of hanukkiot.

There's the large silver one we bought right after we got married (pictured above).

There's the electric one Bubbe gave us the year before.  It doesn't fulfill the mitzvah (Chanukah candles must burn to do that), though, so we put that one in the window and use it in conjunction with another one.

Anyone who has Jewish children in any sort of religious programming/schooling will tell you we quickly collect far more hand-made hanukkiot than we can use.  We have two clay ones the big girls made in their pre-school Sunday school program 7 years ago.  We had sand ones the big 3 made as part of their yeladim group, but the sand didn't hold up well after being stored in the attic in the Great Big Box o'Chanukah.  What was carefully crafted layers of pretty color sand became a giant mess the following year.  One year, they made some out of painted wood blocks.  Those fell apart before we were able to pack them away.  Last year, they made some out of a long piece of metal, dominoes and nuts (as in nuts and bolts, not food).  They went into the box as hanukkiot  They came out this year as a jumbled mess of parts.

To celebrate, we light the menorah (I usually light the silver one and the kids light the electric one.  The big girls take turns lighting theirs each night) each night, say blessings and sing songs.  Of course, Chanukah hasn't even started yet and I've been randomly bursting out into Sivivon* for more than a week now.

Here's a tidbit you may not have known: traditionally, women don't have to work while the Chanukah candles are burning.  Here's another tidbit: Our hanukkiah holds regular shabbat candles which are about 5x's as thick as the usual Chanukah candles.  ;-)

We eat traditional food cooked in oil to remind us of the story of the oil.  The most well-known ones include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).

In our house, the kids get one gift each night, more than one if there are enough.  Some people plan out exactly which gifts to give their kids on each night.  We usually just plan for the first and last.  Back in his youth, my husband got "useful" gifts on some nights (the family cats usually gave him socks or underwear).  That's not our thing, though.  Our pets aren't allowed anywhere near the lingerie department.  The kids usually get toys, books, electronics and/or clothes.  This year, among Journey Girl dolls, DS games, dresses, books, and all things Harry Potter, my middle daughter asked (and will receive) a bath mat.  I don't understand it, but she's fascinated by those plush ones, so we put it on her wish list and Mémé bought it for her.  I can't tell you how thrilled she will be.  I also can't tell you why in the world she asked for one in the first place.  Well, she IS my daughter.  I guess that should be sufficient to explain all.




*The lyrics are slightly different in Israel.  Nes Gadol Haya Sham (A great miracle happened there) becomes "Nes Gadol Haya Po," in Israel (A Great Miracle Happened Here).  Dreidels are also slightly different to reflect that change .  The letters correspond with each word: Nun (Nes), Gimmel (Gadol), Hey (Haya), Shin (Sha), but the Shin is replaced by Pay in Israel.  

Am I a genius for this solution or an idiot for thinking everyone else doesn't already know this?

I think I'm a genius.  Well, I KNOW I'm a genius in general, but I think my response to this situation is particularly brilliant.  When I stop to think about it, though, I have to wonder, "Wait, maybe I'm just an idiot and everyone else is already doing this."

You be the judge.

We have a batch of tea where the bags are particularly weak.  They keep breaking while the tea is brewing.  Today, the entire bag tore to shreds leaving my cup of tea full of floating leaf bits and completely inedible.  

I brainstormed and decided to clear out the coffee pot.  I put in about a cup's worth of water into the machine.  I put the pot in its place (very important or I would have had tea all over the place with the next step).  Then I dumped the cup of tea (leaves and broken bag and all) into the paper filter in the machine.  I then turned the coffee pot on to brew what little water was left.  Now I have tea hot, fresh, completely floating particle-free tea.  

Is that a ground-breaking brilliant solution or is that something everyone else has been doing for years?  

Valentine's Day Revisited & Redefined

valentines day
Originally uploaded by rebecca anne

I hated Valentine's Day. As a teenager, I boycotted it. I donned all black and bitched about stupid made-up Halmark holidays.

To this day, my husband and I don't celebrate it. When it comes to companies encouraging people to spend insane amounts of money to honor a painful pagan fertility festival, I still feel as snarky as I did when I was 16.

Once I had kids, though, I found myself longing for the Valentine's Days of my youth, the ones full of glitter-covered hand-made cards and pink cupcakes with red sprinkles.

This year, our homeschool group had a Valentine's Day party with a card exchange. The kids had a blast. I had a blast. It was so much fun and helped put me in another frame of mind.

While we don't celebrate it, I still found myself missing my husband today even more than usual. That longing made me feel the first itch of pitty for myself.  But how can you feel sorry for yourself when the little people in your life insist on addressing Valentine's Day cards to everyone they've ever met?  Watching a little friend tote your youngest around so sweetly through nearly the entire party tugs the corners of your mouth in an upward direction.   When your son demands to give his Hebrew teacher his very favorite brand new Toy Story Valentine pencil, you simply can't feel down.

I think I've found a way to reframe the day so that I can truly enjoy it.  Instead of the sappy jewel-incrusted anti-single-fest Valentine's Day has been forced into, I found myself enjoying time with friends and watching my children doing the same (only their interactions contained far more screeching and hanging upside down than mine).  It made me thankful for it all--my friends, my kids, my situation in life, my husband (even if he's not here), my marriage (which can survive these absences time and time again) and yes, pink cupcakes with edible heart decorations.

Thank You Friends! [EXPLORED]

Originally uploaded by FrozenBlizzard

Latkes and music

I want latkes.  Chanukah* is only two days away and I'm already drooling over the thought of latkes.

On Facebook, a friend posted some Chanukah songs and another protested that it's not Chanukah yet.  The first friend pointed out that, if the goyim can listen to Xmas music two MONTHS before their holiday, then we can listen to Chanukah music two days before ours.

I must agree (and laugh).

*There is no one translation from the Hebrew.  Some people spell the holiday "Hanukkah," but I prefer "Chanukah," because it's closer to the actual pronunciation.  It's not a soft H sound.  It's that guttural "Ch" sound from the back of the throat.  Angelica said it best in Rug Rats, "CHanukah!  You gotta CHHHH when you say it." (5:05)

Whenever I Remember Linky Roundup

Okay, I give up on trying to do this on a regular basis.  When I remember, I'll roundup the links I've shared and post them here.

I found this Sparrow Mobile through Cool Mom Picks.  Like the vast majority of the stuff they feature, this is insanely over-priced (I unsubscribed from the newsletter recently even though I've been a subscriber from the very start because the prices are too insane).  The good news, though, is that it can be easily recreated for pennies.  I saved a few paint samples specifically because they were shapes which resembled birds.  So I could just use those and even customize it to the kids' room colors.

Kid Independent is a new favorite site of mine.  They feature lots of handmade items including this super cute owl.  I found a ton of items for the kids' wishlist from their Oddball Alphabet feature.


Facebook's Double (D) Standard on Obscenity was originally posted as a note in response to Facebook's constant removal of photographs of breastfeeding babies.  I shared that note, but, as expected, it was removed.  However, someone copied it and put it up as a blog post so that it could still be shared.

'Nazis': A Word With Deep And Brutal Meaning
'Weekend All Things Considered' host Guy Raz.
     I've been making the same argument for years.  He does it very eloquently.


This Someeard is a little early (Chanukah starts December 1st), but it cracked me up.

Lil Blue Boo's No-Sew Fabric Flower Headband looks simple and adorable.  I want to make a bunch with fabric scraps.


This cartoon about Pacman and twitter cracked me up.

I want to make my son this bow tie from an existing adult necktie.  My boy's all about ties of all sort.


These Seven Tips For Interacting With Kids while photographing them is brilliant.  I LOVE these ideas.  Whether you're a professional photographer looking for tips or a parent who just wants to snap some good shots of your own kids, you'll definitely get great ideas from that article.

I've liked Mattisyahu for quite some time, but just discovered Unique Is My Dove recently. I LOVE the message.

I found a few dresses I would love for my girls. This Cinderella Peasant dress would be adorable with some of the custom fabric she offers.  The striking colors and design on this Sunny Autumn Ruffle Dress are just gorgeous.

My father-in-law makes some gorgeous things with wood.  Unfortunately, I don't want to get/make anything large until we move and settle in, but when we finally do move, I might see if he'll have time to make this super cute doll crib with storage.

This story about a first grader named Katie who was bullied because she likes Star Wars broke my heart.  The hundreds of comments in her support, though, restored my faith in humanity.


As a coffee-loving, internet-addicted, homeschooling mom, I loved this cartoon.

I recently discovered Middle School Proverbs which sadden me and crack me up.  This one and this one are two of my favorites.

I was probably more excited to find an old version of Liz Phair's "Ant in Alaska" than I should have been.

"Well I look at the stars and I know you're under them.
I look at the cars and I know you insure them.
I look at the books and things people are reading.
I know that you've written them too."

It always bothered me that she took out the car insurance line.  It doesn't flow right without it and that line has a special place in my heart too.

While we're on the topic of Liz Phair.  I resisted most of the music on her self-titled album because it was too poppy.  This week, though, I was reminded how much I like this one:

Nerdgasm is right.  Star Wars images made using only type.  This is really awesome.

This guy cracked me up:

I LOVE this funny embroidery on etsy.


Oh look!  More 90s female rockers.  Embedding is disabled, but I watched this video of Juliana Hatfield's Universal Heartbeat  on repeat this week.

This Artichoke Sourdough Parmesan Stuffing is calling my name.  I'm dying to try it (minus any treif).

This article on kids' snacks and calorie counting ticked me off.

My sister sent me an e-mail forward with photos of a groom and his terminally ill bride.  When I checked Snopes, I found it was true and it was even more heartbreaking.  Gorgeous photos, horribly sad story.

This tutorial on making a skirt from a dish towel sounds like something even I could do.

This wacky furniture is too cool.

I needed this reminder on Detours.

I think these poppies are so pretty.

I want the light blue bird bank and the white salt and pepper shakers from Pier 1 so badly.  I haven't set foot in Pier 1 in years, but I think that will have to change.


This "table design" left me wondering, "What design?"  It's just some disposable plates on a table.  I don't see any design there.  Plus that family has the oddest collection of names I've ever heard.

This story, "The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget" brought me to tears.

I'm filing this kid's room away for possible inspiration for my youngest's room when we move.

I like this idea, not for a place card, but for a sign to hang (think first names in a bedroom or last name in a hallway).

On Veteran's Day, I shared, Bumper Stick Patriotism Is No Way to Honor Our Veterans.
From that article,
"During Veterans Week you're going to hear people -- particularly those for whom Veterans Week merely means we're one week closer to the Iowa Caucuses -- tell us to 'Support Our Troops.' And when they do I'd like us to politely ask them to put their pom poms down for a moment. I'd like us to tell them that if you really want to honor our troops you won't use them for an easy applause line, that you won't use them to get votes, or, most insulting to them of all, to divide us into real Americans and fake Americans."
and
"I'd like us to ask them what, other than saying it, are they actually doing to support our troops? I'd like to ask the people who say government's bad what they think of the Department of Veteran's Affairs. When we're fighting two wars, should they get more money or less? And where is that money going to come from -- magic or taxes?"


I thought this name sign was a neat way to use legos.

This XKCD cartoon is funny and sad at the same time.

I want to try making this dog necklace.  I, however, want to try altering it so that it looks more like a Chihuahua.

On Kristallnacht Anniversary, Critical Lessons Remain Unheeded.  November 9-10 marked the anniversary of Krystallnacht, which plays a large part in my Nanowrimo story and our family (my husband's grandmother's synagogue was destroyed on Krystallnacht).

Thankful: Parents' Night Out

All this month, people are posting something each day that they're thankful for.  Today, I feel compelled to follow suit.

On November 20, I am thankful for Parents' Night Out.  Our synagogue youth group hosts a few throughout the year.  Tonight was one such night.  The big three got to play with friends, make crafts, watch a movie and eat snacks.  I got to chat with a friend and eat yummy pizza (which is usually too expensive to share with little people).  I had a great time.  We spent all 3 hours chatting and eating and chatting some more.

We've been ready to move for so long, but it's things like this which give me pause.  I LOVE our congregation.  I love that we have such great friends there and that there's such a fantastic youth program.   I love how at home we feel there.  I love my friends too.  I love that when I have a night out, I can find friends to sit and chat with for three hours.

The Levels of Halloween Candy Eating

There are different steps to eating Halloween candy (or swiping it from your kids when they're not looking).

Step 1:  OMG!  Reeces/Twix/Snickers
   Yay chocolate!  This stuff rocks!  Nom nom nom.   Taffy?  Starburst?  Pixie Stix?  Milk Duds?  Oh hell no!  Throw those suckers out.  I've got chocolate.

Step 2:  Those are gone.  On to the Milkyway and 3 Musketeers.
  Not as good as the stuff I already scarfed down, but yay, more chocolate!  Nom nom nom.  There are still Pixie Stix and Taffy in here?  What cheap bastard thought these were a good idea? Moron!

Step 3:  Dude, where's my chocolate?  (Search through bag/bags hoping to find another Reeces, but with no luck.  Settle for whatever's there).  Well, Milk Duds are technically chocolate.  Nom nom nom.

Step 4: Find Reeces you hid from the kids, but forgot about.
   My life ROCKS!  Yes!  Chocolate.  Nom.  (only 1 nom since there was only one Reeces)

Step 5:  Surely there must be some more Milk Duds in here?
   Find 3 more packs of Milk Duds.  All is right with the world.

Step 6:  Oh hell!  No more chocolate!
   Reach for the Tootsie rolls.  Further down on the "Technically chocolate" scale than Milk Duds, but they ARE on the scale.  Pop a few of those.

Step 7:  Starbursts aren't so bad.
    Open them all and eat only the Strawberry.

Step 8:  Other Starbursts aren't so bad and I guess Taffy is okay.
    Eat the lemon Starburst and any tropical ones you find.  OpenTaffy, but not the Banana.

Step 9: Find one last remaining pack of Milk Duds
  OMG!  There IS a higher power.  Yay.  Chocolate!  Nom nom nom.

Step 10:  Screw it.  Nom nom nom
     Eat pretty much whatever's left.  Tootsie rolls go down first, followed by Starbursts (be sure to compare because the Mango looks a lot like the orange, but is higher on the "Yum scale," so must be eaten first), then Bubble Gum and finally Taffy.

Step 11:
    I suppose Pixie Stix and Banana Taffy are technically edible.

    If you make it to Step 11, call for help.
  


I should probably add a Step 9B:  Screw this.  I'm buying my own chocolate.  Buy a bag of whatever Halloween chocolate is still in stock and on sale for 75% off.  Do not proceed to step 10 until entire bag is gone.

Crafty Goodness Roundup

I've abandoned my weekly link roundup as of late (quite accidentally.  I want to keep it up, but life has a way of interfering).  My constant collection of crafty goodness that I hope to create just keeps growing, though.  Out of the kindness of my heart (and the selfish need to keep them somewhere where I know I can find them), I'm compiling a collection here.

Leaf mobile (found at Creative Jewish Mom).
We have tons of yarn, so this would be great to do with the kids.  Plus, I've wanted to dress up our front door for fall.  I actually created a leaf wreath with items from the Dollar Tree, but I love that look, so I may create this mobile in addition.

Halloween Bloody Bathroom
This is one I don't actually plan on doing (could you imagine the reaction from potential buyers when they came to see the house?), but I love this and other Halloween ideas they have on that blog.

Cutest Owl Costume EVAH!
Okay, so I altered the title a bit to better suit my feelings on it.  :-)  I'm all about birds, especially in relation to my youngest (we called her Tziporah when she was tiny because she looked like a bird) and I particularly like cute owls.  So I'm going to get to work on this costume today.

Again, on the bird theme, I want to make these
Paper Mache Birds
They seem pretty simple and very cute.

I've been scouring the side of the road for drawers to use to make this
Dollhouse.
That's so cute and would be a great way to use up some of my neglected paper supplies.

I am absolutely in love with this owl room for my youngest.  Again, with the owls.  I adore that bedding.  The problem is, it's no longer available.  *sigh*  I have a knack for falling in love with things that are either 3 years old (and therefore nowhere to be found) or from a foreign country.  I wonder if I could try to create bedding like that.

Heart-shaped photo arrangement
I love that.  When we (finally) move, I want to try that out at the new place.

Not exactly a craft, but these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes are calling my name.  Problem is, I'm drooling too profusely to respond.

There's a lolcat for that.

This simple Halloween decorating idea from the Graphics Fairy cracked me up.  I'd like to do that year-round.  :-)  That's another one that makes me wonder what the potential buyers would think.

This rock collage is darling and simple (and a much better souvenir alternative to buying plastic crap with the name of the state/town/country plastered on it).

These owl items aren't crafts, but they are adorable and I think they'll easily lend themselves to crafts.  I could easily recreate those with fabric scraps.  Although, I must say, we have some Stephen Joseph items for the kids and we've been very impressed with the company.  We had a problem with one and the customer service was phenomenal.

This French Vanilla Creamer seems simple to make and lacks all those extra chemicals.

These paper name mobiles are adorable and simple.  That's another thing I want to make for the kids' rooms when we move.  Hmmm...I would even do something like that for the front door to spell out, "Welcome."  That combined with that first leaf mobile could be super cute.