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!

Paper Chain Crowns

Sometimes the simplest crafts provide the most joy. This is a great thing for me to embrace. Though I always have grand ideas and notions of what we can accomplish in a single day, sometimes the cranky baby that can't seem to be calmed throws us for a loop. Today was one of those days, so we have Hamantaschen half made and some paper crowns to show for it.

this one is very elvish

course, we also made penguins and racoons 

If you're familiar with making paper doll strands, snowflakes, and the like, you should have no trouble picking up some paper and scissors and getting to business. I had lots of ideas to take the craft one more step, like fabric or pretty wrapping paper...but, for today the simplicity of construction paper served us well.

these new costumes are what they'll dress up in tomorrow for our party, scored Naomi's at a local consignment store--it's really cute!

Things my friends do

Life has been fortunate for me. Not only do I have a terrific family but I have been blessed to know some amazing people who not only accept my flaws & oddities, they are talented & inspiring. Today I want to share some of them! So, in no particular order I proceed.

Well, I'll start with Drew. He is an artist & although Home Theater design isn't exactly what he had in mind when he got his BFA in sculpture, it's an outlet for creativity of sorts...it pays the bills & he enjoys it--you can't ask for more than that in a job. But, he's a hobbyist in his down time & recently he started making candles. I love them & many others do as well--it's most exciting to ship of his adorable creations to folks near & wide. Take a Peek (there are also a few in the "sale" section--don't miss them).

Next I will talk about Hoot Baby children's clothing which is out of this world fantastic. Thanks to Drew's candles & a couple odds & ends vintage trimmings I was able to get my hands on a dress & tunic for Naomi & Leviah. I can't WAIT to dress them up & spend a day taking adorable pics, but in the mean time here's a pic of the quick try-on. Hoot Baby is expanding with Trunk Shows--which I can't wait to host--& a product line that only makes a mama question one thing, where can I find my size?!

Have I recently mentioned Savta's Dolls? There are posts dedicated to Lebo, but I have to point out that these waldorf style babes just keep getting cuter! Now there's Lebo, Ella & Leviah's snuggle baby that we'll name when she's able. They're amazing & I can't wait to see what more my Mother In Law comes up with in the future...true doll-making talent. She doesn't have a shop on Etsy yet, but she's getting there & right now she's filling orders for anyone who sees a doll & HAS to have one--pretty much every other Grandma she knows!

Now for the music that makes a background for our daily routine...we love finding artists of all varieties that are semi-obscure, but recently we were given the first Album from our Friend Solomon Lopez--a fellow 'Hebrew'--who has been gifted with a natural talent for song writing & performing. We have been listening for 5 days straight...it's meaningful & uplifting. Preview (make sure to listen to minute 5:12 for one of our favorite tracks!). It's available for download online through iTunes & others.

This list could go on & on. From friends who blog, to those who knit, & on to those who are just downright great moms that remind me to put that endeavor first. Thank you friends.