holidays | The Angel Forever

Category Archives holidays

Tuesday Tales – The Passover Lamb

Posted on March 19, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Spring time in Jewish households means that families are getting ready for Passover. This not only means ridding our homes of chametz, but also preparing for our Seders. Each year, our boys love to read about Pesach and get ready to sing songs and celebrate. Thanks to the PJ Library, JSL recently received a new book in the mail.

The Passover Lamb – Written by Linda Elovitz Marshall – Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss – Random House Books for Young Readers – January 2013 – ISBN 9780307931771 – 32 pages – Ages 6-9

The boys and I had story time to share this new Passover tale together. Before we began, I pointed out the fact that the book says it is based on a true story. This intrigued all of us as we began to read. We meet Miriam as she is feeding chickens. She is singing the Four Questions in Hebrew as she does her work. The boys loved that a line of the song was included in the text. This seemed to spur them into thinking about some singing before our Seder.

As Miriam is moving through the barn, she notices that Snowball the sheep is missing. When she finds Snowball, she can see that the sheep is in trouble. Of course, the great mystery is solved when Snowball gives birth to two little lambs. When Miriam’s family heads to the barn, they notice something else on the other side.

Yes, another baby lamb was found and Snowball is not accepting this poor little one. Miriam is quite upset and does not want to leave the baby lamb. Unfortunately, if they stay they will not be able to go to the Seder with their grandparents and other extended family. Miriam comes up with a great solution.

The story of Miriam and her love and need to help baby lamb Moses by Linda Elovitz Marshall is beautiful. The illustrations by Tatjana Mai-Wyss capture the tale in an inviting way. We instantly are part of Miriam’s world and want to cheer her on as she helps the baby lamb. The book has lessons that are great to start family discussions and possibly extended projects. My boys really enjoyed the story and were eager to read the author’s explanation about the real life even with her family and their farm.

What Passover books do you like to share with your family? Please share what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Disclosure: My son received this book as a members of the PJ Library. Membership in our area is free and we are never expected to review/write about this, I simply wanted to share a new book with others. An Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the book mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy the book through the links.

Categories:
books holidays

Varieties of Passover Charoset

Posted on March 11, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

During a recent Hebrew School session, the kindergarten kiddo and I had the opportunity to participate in some Passover workshops. One of the sessions was about Charoset recipes from around the world. During the time, we would make out own matzoh within 18 minutes and then make and taste three different types of Charoset.

I wish I had more photos to share, but most of the time my hands were in the matzoh dough or helping JSL mix the different Charoset ingredients together. If you are not familiar with traditional Passover foods, Charoset is a paste made from fruits, grape juice or wine, and spices. They remind us of the mortar that the Israelites used to make bricks while they were slaves in Egypt.

Growing up the Charoset that I was used to included apples, walnuts, wine, honey, sugar, and cinnamon. I adored this and would often ask for extra because it was so delicious. During Hebrew School, the recipes were nut-free to comply with a nut-free program. This was good for me since I am allergic to walnuts now.

After our matzoh was in the oven, it was time to mix together all of our Charoset. First we made the Sephardic one that is from Turkey. It had raisins, orange, apples, dates, and grape juice. The next one was a traditional Ashkenazi Charoset from Eastern Europe. This had red apples, grape juice, honey, raisins, and cinnamon. The last one that we had time for was a Mexican Charoset recipe. This had pear, apples, bananas, dates, cinnamon, and grape juice.

Since it was late, we packed everything up to share with NHL and TechyDad later on. We had a taste testing party and to my surprise everyone loved the Mexican Charoset. Even my picky eater who helped to make it asked for more. NHL, TechyDad and I also liked the citrus kick with the Sephardic Charoset. The most traditional one was just that, something we were used to from all of our Seders.

Do you have a special Charoset recipe that you make for your family? I would love to know and if you are interested in any of the recipes that we made, just let me know.

It's Me

Categories:
food glorious food holidays

Pickle Weasel App Valentine’s Day Wishes

Posted on February 14, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Months ago, I received an iPad and during this time TechyDad has never expressed any interest in using it. Then The Pickle Weasel App came out and he kept dropping hints (whining over and over) that he really wanted to try the app from The Animated Woman. This week, I finally got into my iTunes account and bought him the app.

Of course, since I was home I HAD to try it out. Come on, I had to make sure it worked before TechyDad got home. It would have been horrible for him to arrive without it working properly.

So, first I used the Valentine’s Day option to make him a special card.

Then I decided to send the Geek of my dreams a special picture (no time to “connect the dots”).

Then, I decided to channel my inner scientist, or maybe child. You can judge. Just remember Everyone Poops. Please note I was the one that showed this to my child later on who can indeed spell potty words in kindergarten (yay) and picked a different Pickle Weasel to add yellow to the scene.

Of course, since this is our house….I knew that Pickle Weasel had to be a fan of rodents as well.

Yes, the Pickle Weasel app is rated 9+ for infrequent/mild profanity or crude humor. It goes over little dudes head and he just likes to draw. Of course, I did let TechyDad have fun with the app when he got home from work. He actually shared some of his drawings on his blog. Before I go, one more Valentine’s Day wish for everyone.

Yes, I also have a major crush on JC Little’s fun fellow and her app that I will enjoy exploring more in the days ahead.

Categories:
holidays me moments Technology

Happy New Year 2013

Posted on January 1, 2013 4:20 pm by TheAngelForever

It is so hard to believe that 2013 is already here. I am still working on a post about the year that was 2012. This past week was time to focus on being with the kids, getting everyone healthy, and going back to school tomorrow.

So for now, I am wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2013. Be sure to stop and enjoy those special moments while making memories with your own families in the year ahead.

It's Me

P.S. Thank you to JSL for letting me use his Snowman Project for my photo today. This was his kindergarten project that is due after break.