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Passover 2016 Wishes

Posted on April 22, 2016 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Passover begins this evening at sundown. As we welcome in Shabbat, our family will be gathering together for the first Seder. It’s a special time to be with extended family from all around to retell the story of our ancestors of long ago.

TechyDad and I have shopped over the last few weeks and have most of the things that we will need. We have matzah and other staples for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We stocked up on quinoa and have plenty of fruits and veggies. We also purchased some things to try baking our own Pesach goodies in addition to the delicious banana sponge cake that TechyDad makes. The boys are off for all of Passover since our Spring Break is very late this year. If the weather cooperates, we can pack up Passover picnics and head to the park to enjoy.

I leave you with two new Passover videos that are new this year. This seems to be a tradition of many groups this time of year and we enjoy their creativity. The first one is by Y-Studs A Cappella called Passover to a familiar tune.

The second video is from Six13 called G-d Split the Ocean.

To all those celebrating with their families, Chag Pesach Sameach.

It's Me

Categories:
holidays Music

Passover 2014 Wishes

Posted on April 14, 2014 12:29 pm by TheAngelForever

This evening we will be sitting down with our extended family for a Passover Seder. We will keep traditions alive and make sure that future generations know the story of the Jewish people from long ago. TechyDad has our house practically ready for the holiday. We both went to Kosher Open House at Price Chopper to check out some products that are now available. While there we stocked up on Passover food essentials.

This year we are a little distracted at Passover, so we are very thankful to be going to relatives for the Seders. I leave you with two Passover songs. The first is from The Fountainheads and a tune that many of you will recognize.

The second video is a fun twist on Dayenu by Mama Doni who is a kid favorite in this house.

To all those celebrating with their families Chag Pesach Sameach.

It's Me

Categories:
holidays Music

Music to Motivate #VZWBuzz

Posted on April 11, 2014 11:15 am by TheAngelForever

It’s hard to believe, but I have a really hard time with complete silence. As a child, I always did better with a radio or television on in the background while completing my homework. When I used to stay late in my classroom, I also had to have some background noise to help me concentrate on the task at hand. Now thanks to being a Verizon Lifestyle Blogger, my music listening habits have changed dramatically. While in NYC for a #VZWBuzz event we were gifted a BOSE SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker.

Sure I had dreamed of BOSE speakers and knew family members that had some, but now I have my own. Let me tell you it has had quite the work out in this short amount of time. Not only have I been using it all the time, but the boys ask me to play music for them to dance to. They want to hear a music mix while they do homework or play with toys inside. Now that the weather is shifting, I can see bringing this portable powerhouse outside while the kids ride bikes and play.

Listening to music while I work is not new to me, but I had stopped for a while. I used to listen to Pandora and Spotify on my computer during the day. The problem was that my little USB speakers for the laptop made a horrible noise, so I had given up on music listening. It was just too annoying. Now, thanks to the combination of my Nokia Icon phone, MixRadio, and the BOSE Sound Link Mini Speakers, I can listen to a variety of music with amazing sound. As I sit here typing, I made my own MixRadio using Train, Billy Joel, and Barenaked Ladies. For those days when I am feeling my Disney Side, MixRadio has a magical Disney mix under the kids genre. More about MixRadio coming soon.

I have also downloaded mixes to take with us. The boys and I plan on taking the BOSE SoundLink Mini and the Icon with us on roadtrips and more this summer. Thanks to the size and long battery life, It will help us to pass time in the car. Of course, there has also been a lot of the Frozen soundtrack playing because we are addicted.

No doubt the boys and I will have dance parties, sing ourselves silly, and get motivated to work thanks to the portable music powerhouse. What music is your favorite right now? Always looking to make new mixes to keep things interesting.

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I receive devices like the Icon and BOSE SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker to test out and share ways that I use it in my life. My trip to NYC was paid for by Verizon Wireless. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
Music Phone Apps Technology

Tuesday Tales – Mama Doni’s Jewish Holiday Party

Posted on November 12, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

So how does one celebrate the Jewish Holidays in our house? In addition to our focus on the delicious items we will prepare, music plays a big part of our family traditions. Since the boys were really little, we have gathered a wide variety of Jewish music to share for Shabbat, Chanukah, Passover, and beyond. Many of our CDs and MP3s feature Mama Doni (Doni Zasloff). When we were asked to review Mama Doni’s Jewish Holiday Party that was just released, we immediately agreed since we are big fans.

Embracing and honoring Jewish tradition with a fresh, new approach, two-time Parents’ Choice winner Mama Doni (Doni Zasloff) sings, dances, and cooks her way through the holidays in a fun and inspirational DVD, Mama Doni’s Jewish Holiday Party, and its companion CD soundtrack, Mama Doni: The Acoustic Jewish Holiday Collection. (DVD: $19.98, includes bonus CD, run time 66 minutes. CD alone: $12.98, run time 43 minutes).

The timing of this DVD is perfect with Chanukah coming early this year. If you have not heard, Jewish families across the United States will be lighting their menorah during Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgivukkah (as many are calling it) has not happened since 1888 and will not happen for another 77,798 years. The DVD features three segments. One is about Chanukah, another features Shabbat, and the last has a focus on Passover. The boys and I focused on the Chanukah one for now. The first thing that we noticed were some familiar songs from Mama Doni’s Chanukah Fever CD (previous post about this) that the kids adore. JSL loved watching the humorous video that goes along with Honey, This Ain’t Money! One of my favorites was the Bluegrass version of Chanukah Oh Chanukah featuring Eric Lindberg. Check it out here so you can see what I am talking about.

In addition to videos, Mama Doni also shares Chanukah traditions. Doni takes us into the kitchen to make potato latkes. She shares the recipe that is included in her book Get Cooking: A Jewish American Family Cookbook (previous post). Over all, the variety in the Chanukah section kept the kids watching and interested to see what the Shabbat section included. I know they look forward to checking out the Passover segments a bit closer to the holiday (their focus is on Chanukah this month). Once again, Mama Doni has left us smiling, laughing, and singing along with her brilliant approach to Jewish music. Her passion to share Jewish traditions within this DVD are obvious thanks to the enthusiasm that you can not only hear, but also see. I know we will continue to watch for new projects from Mama Doni in the years to come.

Tuesday Tales is usually about books, but music and holidays are also important. What video is a favorite in your family for the holiday season? As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know 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.

Disclosure: Waldmania! provided me with a copy of the Mama Doni’s Jewish Holiday Party DVD to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was received. As mentioned above, we have done previous reviews of Mama Doni’s CDs, but have also purchased additional titles on our own.

Categories:
holidays Music Tuesday Tales

Being Brave in the Year Ahead

Posted on September 6, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

While searching around for a video on Rosh Hashanah, I stumbled upon something new from The Maccabeats that I missed this summer. They did a cover of the song “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. I have heard this song countless times over the last few months, but I do not think that I really paid attention to the lyrics.

Have you ever done that? You know you like a song for one reason or another, but then you really listen to the words and message within. It hit me right between the eyes. Here I am waiting for my boys to start school. I am trying to not only be brave about the challenges that may be ahead, but finding myself. The words are echoing in my brain right now. Words do get under my skin and these lines, like the ones above hit home.

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins

Last year, I learned that I often had to say what I needed to say. While I wish I could have let the words fall out, I was too fearful of the outcome. This year is going to be different. For my children, my husband, and especially ME it has to be and I am not going to sit back and relax. I am going to use my words, my writing, and my background to make a difference in the world of education, special needs parenting, and beyond. Like Bareilles says I am no longer going to run and hold my tongue.

The video below is the original by Sara Bareilles and extremely powerful and should be seen and heard.

The reality is that this song is an anthem for everyone to remember to be yourself, speak to the truth that is you, and embrace the wonder that is you. As I begin the Jewish New Year, I guess this is a great time to think about these items

So my question to you, how do you plan on being more brave in the year ahead? This question is something real whether you celebrate Rosh Hashanah or are beginning a new academic year

It's Me

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun. These days, Pamela at A Renaissance Woman is reviving the fun Friday Meme. Head over there to link up and join in the fun.

Aloha Friday by Kailani at An Island Life