4 down, 4 to go.

We're smack dab in the middle of Hanukkah right now. And, as Naomi pointed out last night as we lit the candles--the days go too fast. I suppose that's what happens when you fill them to the brim with fun little activities.

balloon man at the downtown lighting of the Menorah 

felting balls 

So far the crafts have included making dreidels out of clay. Trying our hand at German paper stars. Felting balls in hanukkah-ish colors. Coloring printed out coloring books. Making Sugar Cookies and today decorating them. Tonight latkes, hopefully sufganiot (donuts), assembling our felt balls into a garland of some kind, and a few more are on the list for the week.

If we run out of ideas there's always pinterest, and the ideas we've used in years past. 8 days can seem a little daunting, but when you get to it it turns out there's always more fun things to do. And with everyone around doing special crafty things for whatever holiday they celebrate, there's a plethora of ways to alter and rework to make them appropriate for the Festival of Lights. 

spinning 

melt-in-your-mouth shortbread

Short-Shortbread recipe:

1 1/2 cups butter at room temperature.

1/2 cup sugar

4 cups flour

preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter and sugar. Add in flour and mix well. If it doesn't come together in a roll-out-able fashion add 1/2tsp of ice water at a time until it does. Usually no more than 1tsp is needed. Roll about 1/4inch thick and cut with the cutters of your choice. Or stamp and cut. Bake about 15 minutes, they don't need to brown too much.

Chag Semeach Hanukkah!

Tree Birthday Dinner

Walnut shells

Tonight enjoyed a little remembrance, even some looking forward with a holiday we generally overlook. As the kids get older we find ourselves more interested in understanding. Naomi has a bug, and due to her request for nothing but fruit, it was all pretty well timed.

Anyway, Tu B'shevat is all about celebrating the trees and all they give us, so lots of fruits and nuts and 'wine' (sparkling juice).

I'd like to offer a huge thanks to Tali at Matzosoup for this amazing activity book created just to highlight trees. There are some really terrific activities & Naomi was loving them, from origami flowers to stained glass in the sky...there's more for tomorrow.

Our meal:

almonds, oranges, pomegranate, dates, grapes...

Satyama's Cauliflower Curry from the Moosewood Cookbook Challenge

grapes, pineapple, pears, yogurt, maple syrup and cinnamon dessert.

From the Camp-out

sunset on the Nomad.

We spent the majority of last week out at the land enjoying the heat and celebrating Sukkot. We sweltered, on account of it being September (insert sarcastic tone here).

Regardless, we had fun. We did some leaf pounding, outhouse building, nature walking, hammock napping, campfire cooking, banner making, movie watching, star gazing, family bonding, friend enjoying and more. It really was a blessing and a good time--many new memories.

Here is a scrapbook of pictures:

fancy door for a john, no?

though it was hot, we cooked stew, dogs, mallows, & more over the fire pit.

doesn't everyone watch movies on camping trips?

the full moon lit up the nights.

Meeting People & selling things...

she was spunky.

What a beautiful (yet hot & windy) day it was yesterday! Those of you we bumped into, hope you had a great time at the Shindig--it seemed to be a huge success, I know we walked away having had a great time.

It's so refreshing to meet new people & learn more about the folks that make up our community. That is what's missing in the internet-shopping world. There's so much you can learn from chatting with someone about an old honey pot or antique ball gown. The memories, the hope, the excitement of remembering how much simpler things were, and in many ways hot everything is still the same... (Gremlina vintage set up shop at the event).

one table of goodies

Days like yesterday really grow my desire for having a steady location, a community gathering place where folks can come play dress up & be nostalgic. What a vision I have for a place...

Anyway, I'm stopping in, after a long day of recuperation, to share just a few pics. I really only took 5--we were BUSY! & to encourage everyone, near & far, to get out to the next street festival in your town, to shop or sell. They are such a great way to see what is really going on near you.

sweet girl who took home the raspberry cordial gown. 

Eating local...

You may see a few changes here--visually speaking. I hope you're okay with them. Feel free to offer any suggestions you might have, Drew prefers the old, but I was in need of a change.

We went out to lunch the other day. It was hands down the best & most fulfilling meal out we've had in a while. Having lived in the mountains of NC, our standards on restaurant food are a bit high & I'm not talking pricey. Granted, actually good food does tend to cost more, but I'm talking wholesome, local & more than your average burger and fries. Those of you who are in the area are on the edge of your seats, I can feel it. Well, check it out.

Wait no!! Check them out HERE!! If you are in the Triad please come down & support your local crafters, shop keepers, music makers, & food culinaters. (I know some of you are headed down toward the southern end of town & oh how I'd love to be 2 places at once! but, it was a farm weekend last weekend for us.)