Freezing Toes and Making Pie

A couple weeks ago we started family Hebrew Lessons. A lot of people have asked me why; it’s hard to explain because the answer feels obvious. I’m Jewish, I am raising Jewish children, of course I want to learn Hebrew. A better answer is that I am drawn to the language of my people. Historically Jews have spoken Hebrew and presently in Israel it is spoken. I want to be able to communicate in the language of my people. Another answer is that I am in the synagogue almost every week, praying in Hebrew, and I don’t know what I am saying. This was always one of my Dad’s complaints about Judaism, that Jews are praying in a language they don’t understand. Well, I want to understand. So, we have taken on the study as a family. It is going amazingly so far, and fulfills a homeschooling fantasy of all of us learning together.

This past week my Man Jongg group met. I learned to play two-ish years ago from a now great friend and person and it opened up whole new part of my life. It gave me a group of amazing women who meet to play a game, a game intertwined with Jewish and family history, who have turned into a great comfort for me. When we are together, we nosh and play, but more importantly we get to connect and share our lives with each other. It is hard for me to get mushy 🙂 but I love our mahj “therapy” sessions.

I especially enjoy playing on sets that have been passed down from mothers and grandmothers, like this beautiful set. it is hard to play and not imagine a previous group of women meeting, playing, mixing the tiles, and enjoying their time together.

This past weeks mission for our ongoing baking challenge was Pumpkin Pie. I love Pumpkin Pie!!! I really, really love little hands helping me bake, they are so cute. Aurora didn’t want to help this week, but Catalina was all about helping me.

Geez, I can’t handle her little hands! Anyway, mix… mix… mix…

Then you get…

I added some pumpkin cut outs to the top because one of the best things about pie is a good pie crust. It could have been cooked a little longer, but turned out amazingly delicious with some cool whip on top. Nom nom nom…

There was a huge milestone in our house this week. DRUMROLL… Aurora completed her first lego kit! And it was a big one. She completed Cinderella’s castle, with some help. She was so excited SHE CRIED, she couldn’t handle it.

Have a great week!