Thanksgiving menu

Tomorrow we'll be heading to my sister's for Thanksgiving. We haven't all been together for the holiday for 2 years, so this will be nice, though it will require more work on my behalf. In addition to not eating meat (other than fish), we also keep kosher, so all the food for our immediate family will be prepared here in advance.

This is our menu:

*baked cod
*harvest soup; a perfect savory fall soup made with blue hubbard squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, and pumpkin
*homemade cranberry/orange sauce
*homemade stuffing with fennel, mushrooms, and pecans
*twice baked potato casserole
*roasted brussel sprouts with a creamy dijon sauce
*turnips
*gingerbread pumpkin trifle
*pecan pie

I've got my work cut out for me. I took a nap this afternoon to prepare myself for the anticipated long night ahead of me. I hope I can keep my eyes open at the feast tomorrow.

I have so much to be thankful for, this year and every year, most of all my dear family and friends.

May you all have a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving!

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The bookshelf

I'm going to have to learn how to put up a "bookshelf" link here, as I'll be updating what we're currently reading.

Akiva rediscovered an old favorite today, and checked out the remainder of the series at the library this evening. The Green Knowe series by L.M Boston is great for kids from about 8 or 9 to pre-teen. Micah will be reading these as well.

Eitan is reading Roald Dahl's The Giraffe, the Pelly, and Me. He's already have a few out-loud laughs with this book.

I'm reading Anna Karenina and enjoying it very much.

Yaniv is busy with his new Java book; he's a true computer geek :)

I picked up a bunch of books about Plimoth Plantation and the Thanksgiving holiday, and we'll be busy reading those in the coming days.

All for now- Heroes is on!

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And before I forget...

The quote of the week goes to one of the little girls (A)

When having a discussion on different skin colors, I asked what color Aba's (dad's) skin color was- her response, "Aba's skin color is hairy." Can't argue with her there :)

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Winterizing

Yesterday was a very mild fall in New England day; today that all changed. The wind was strong and the temperature lowered, though not so much that we had to turn the heat on (thank goodness). After Hebrew school Yaniv, the boys, and I got busy winterizing the yard. The outdoor furniture, skate ramp, scooters, toddler cars, tricycles, garden hoses, and various other paraphernalia of warmer days were stored away in the basement. Plants that were in need of it were cut back, more leaves raked (I wish the neighbors' leaves would stop blowing in our direction), spring flowering bulbs planted (still more to go! Yes, I know it's late), and the sandbox raked of leaves and twigs (still need to cover with a tarp).

Winter is definitely nearing, and now further preparations are needed indoors. The living room rug needs to come down from the attic, flannel bedding needs to come out of storage, and some major weatherproofing needs to take place before the real cold sets in.

A large pot of vegetable soup is steaming on the stove, all the kiddos are in their fleece jammies and winding down for the night; the laundry can wait until morning. I'm going to get into my cozies, warm a hot water bottle, and curl up under the down with a book.

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Our first born son

Akiva is our first born child. He loves reading, playing with Legos, riding his bike, getting together with friends, and saiingl. He enjoys math and science, but really dislikes writing. He's a great big brother to his 5 siblings. He continues to be homeschooled, and is thriving academically in many subjects. Akiva plays cello and takes Judaic art classes; he's also achieved the rank of 1st gup in Tang Soo Do karate (red belt with 2 stripes). He has a pretty serious and cautious nature, though can still be goofy, silly, and careless at times. He likes to help with outside chores (raking, shoveling, planting, weeding, etc), but not so much the inside chores (like his Ima). He's grown up so quickly, and it's hard to believe that in 2 short years he'll reach Bar Mitzvah.



Akiva- up on a limb of the ginkgo tree in the front yard.

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The only one missing...

Pictures of all the kiddos are up, my photo (though not very recent) is in my profile, so that leaves one more to add.

Here is a picture of Yaniv and Eitan on the Merrimack River this past summer.


He and Akiva took sailing lessons at the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program this summer and had a great time. Yaniv finished his advanced sailing classes and Akiva completed intermediate. Micah is already anticipating joining in on the fun this coming season. The boathouse has canoes and kayaks, in addition to the sailboats, for the members to enjoy.

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Our Ketubah

One of my favorite things in this house, aside from the people, is our ketubah. Yaniv and I were married in Israel, where we were living at the time, and we chose a beautiful ketubah by artist Ardyn Halter. One of our friends, also a scribe, wrote the text by hand. It was stored in a roll for several years, but we finally got it framed when we relocated to the US. It now hangs on a wall in our dining room; the room where we share all of our Shabbat and holiday meals.

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My hearts

One of my all-time favorites of all the kiddos together.

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Some favorite pictures of my twin girls.

Just a few days old


About 2.5 months old


6 months (or about)






9 months


first birthday


apple picking- 1 year old


More later...

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My 4 boys

Here are some favorite pics of my 4 boys.

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Preparing for First Light

The Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation presents an event for the community every Hanukkah. This year Beth Schafer will be performing. The children's choirs at the various area temples and day schools will be joining her in song. Our children are busy learning the words to "In this House". Annaya and Miella are so enthusiatic with their singing, and it really warms my heart to hear.

I'm on the planning committee for the event this year, and I'm the liason between Kadima Community Day School (that's Miella at the easle and Annaya below with a peg board) and the Federation. The children at the school will be working on centerpieces for the reception and dessert tables. Artwork made by children at the Judaic Art Program will be displayed- this year beautiful batiks that were made for Chabad's succah will be on display (I'll try to add some of Yaniv's photos of these batiks later).

I'm looking forward to how it will all come together and hope that we have a great turnout.

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