Wish List 2012

Circle Scarf, American Apparel, $28. 

I got this scarf in grey last year and I've worn it more than any other article of clothing I have ever bought.  It is so comfy and versatile, I wish I could have one in every color.  Fortunately, that's an option!  

Chuck Taylor, Converse, $70

Many people have certain staples in their wardrobe.  Sometimes staples wear out and for a product under $100, there's no excuse for when they turn smelly and gross to not replace them.  If you know someone with a staple item, perhaps you can provide them with that task.  Personally, my staple is my Chuck Taylor's.  Make the pair you get something special with the customized option! 

Madison,Warby Parker, $95

If I took a shot every time I heard someone mention Warby Parker this season, I'd be wasted. 

Retro Pop Phone, Overstock.com, About $18.

Always thought these were funny and a perfect gift.  For the goofballs.  

iPower Case, C. Wonder, $58.

Practical & nerdy.  

Elite Israeli Chocolate Bars, IsraeliProducts.com, $1.99

I did a couple stints in Israel, among other places and with each trip, I usually have a favorite food or product I'd love to be able to bring home with me or have at my disposal once I am home.  In my case, these chocolate bars with pop rocks in them are a favorite of mine.  Find out what the product is and get that for whoever you are buying a gift for.  It doesn't have to be food either.  It will not only make them extremely happy but also remind them of a great memory and show that you really pay attention to the details!  

Happy Easter

There is a place nestled in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio called Eggshelland.

Since 1957 the Manolio family of Lynhurst has been offering the public a fun, free display of painted eggshells arranged on their front lawn in the shapes of popular cartoons, Easter bunnies, and religious images. Now a local tradition, EggShellLand has grown over the years to include designs featuring over fifty thousand hand-painted shells, which the family plans all year and then sets up with the help of their fourteen children and grandchildren.

These are my own photo's because of coarse I went as soon as my friend Melissa was in town and told me about this place. For more photos, you can click on their website which is linked above.

Seder Quickie

I am on the search for the perfect Matzah Brie. In my searches, (with updates to come) I came across this Two-Minute Hagaddah for all jew impatients on Slate.com.

Opening prayers:

Thanks, God, for creating wine. (Drink wine.)

Thanks for creating produce. (Eat parsley.)

Overview: Once we were slaves in Egypt. Now we're free. That's why we're doing this.

Four questions:
1. What's up with the matzoh?
2. What's the deal with horseradish?
3. What's with the dipping of the herbs?
4. What's this whole slouching at the table business?

Answers:
1. When we left Egypt, we were in a hurry. There was no time for making decent bread.
2. Life was bitter, like horseradish.
3. It's called symbolism.
4. Free people get to slouch.

A funny story: Once, these five rabbis talked all night, then it was morning. (Heat soup now.)

The four kinds of children and how to deal with them:
Wise child—explain Passover.
Simple child—explain Passover slowly.
Silent child—explain Passover loudly.
Wicked child—browbeat in front of the relatives.

Speaking of children: We hid some matzoh. Whoever finds it gets five bucks.

The story of Passover: It's a long time ago. We're slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh is a nightmare. We cry out for help. God brings plagues upon the Egyptians. We escape, bake some matzoh. God parts the Red Sea. We make it through; the Egyptians aren't so lucky. We wander 40 years in the desert, eat manna, get the Torah, wind up in Israel, get a new temple, enjoy several years without being persecuted again. (Let brisket cool now.)

The 10 Plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice—you name it.

The singing of "Dayenu":
If God had gotten us out of Egypt and not punished our enemies, it would've been enough. If he'd punished our enemies and not parted the Red Sea, it would've been enough.

If he'd parted the Red Sea—(Remove gefilte fish from refrigerator now.)

Eat matzoh. Drink more wine. Slouch.

Thanks again, God, for everything.

SERVE MEAL.

Passover

Passover is on the way. Personally, just thinking of the holiday makes me crave bread and water. Matzah, ugh so dry! Luckily there is this thing called the internet and tons of things to make this holiday a little more bearable to my palate.

Like Aly Walanksy's Matzah Crack.

Modern Tribe's Passover Store (the Matzah gear like the baby bibs and yarmulke!).

I also just had a memory. My family used to go to my aunt's house on my dad's side. Her two daughter's married non Jews. Not an issue at all in the family but it made for interesting seder readings when we went around the table and they couldn't pronounce things. Anyway, I was never into my "Jewness" when I was younger and I immediately bonded with these dudes. We made up games throughout the years to keep ourselves entertained. One managed to last for years.

My aunt had these mini soaps in a dish in the bathroom and we hid one, just like an afikomen. I never found it the first year and the second year my uncle went back and got it, out of the potted plant in the library. Then I hid it and he didn't find it and I retrieved it the following year. This went on for about 8 years. I don't know how my aunt never found it!

What do you and your family do to get through the holidaze?