Friday, December 7, 2012
It's a girl (More Menschy Fun)
And now for something different.... We welcome our first girl mensch! Thanks for sharing F family. She is from Pottery Barn with a little added Jewish Star.
My Main Mensch!
I am pleased to (finally) introduce you to MY Mensch on the Mantle. My girls are going to get a BIG Surprise today!!! Notice how he was so excited that he accidentally broke a candle? Never fear, he is a good little mensch and swept it up! My parents arrive today for a Chanukah visit--what more could you ask for???
He's Here......
The first Mensch arrived last night at my friend Jill's house! He was an instant hit with Jill's sweet boys. While mine will be making an appearance later today, here are Jill's precious pictures.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Before he arrives...
So my mensch idea is catching on with people making mensches in a few cities. Before they arrive.....
As I mentioned the mensch was born as my friend Stephanie and I pondered how to make a Jewish equivalent of Santa and all the magical elves who are so popular these days. While my children were missing out on some of the fun by not celebrating Christmas, we are very fulfilled with our traditions and the beliefs to which we adhere. If I was going to add something else in, I knew it would have to be real and lasting. Anything too magical or that I was going to have to back-track about later was simply out of the question. I want my kids to know that G-d is real and miracles are real--those are the messages of Chanukah.
That is also why we chose to use a mensch as opposed to a gnome or an elf. A mensch is not mythical or made-up. Mensches are simply good people. The "magic" of a mensch is that we all have the inherent capability to do good. Rather than spying on kids to see if they are good just to get presents, our mensch is actually going to be doing mitzvot (good deeds). My kids will find their mensch each day engaged in an activity with a note describing why a mensch would be doing that particular act. For instance, the night that we volunteer to play dreidel at a nursing home, the mensch will be found playing dreidel with barbies and a note that reads, "a mensch visits the elderly."
I hope that anyone playing along at home will also take this opportunity to give your children lessons about being a real mensch rather than making it just a flight of fantasy! An important logistics note: Stephanie and I would ask that you credit us if you use our poetry or post anything on-line about your mensch. You can include this website: http://stayathomeattorney.blogspot.com or better yet, send me your pictures and I will add them into a mensch page
Thanks and Happy Chanukah!
Friday the 7th: Children arrive home from school to find the mantle decorated! poetry about mensch
Saturday the 8th: Mensch in apron gathering latke supplies at stove--accompanied by "A mensch helps mommy""
Sunday the 9th: Snowflake Breakfast (see Dixie Delights)"A mensch sets the table""
Monday the 10th: Mensch sets up blue and white candy buffet "A mensch delights in life's little pleasures""
Tuesday the 11th: Mensch—preparing soup “recipe” for food pantry "A mensch feeds the hungry""
Wednesday the 12thMensch playing driedel with Barbies: (kids leasrn about community service and then do service at retirement home)......"A mensch visits the ederly""
Thurdsday the 13th: Mensch is putting candles in Menorah...."A mensch keeps traditions"
Friday the 14th: Mensch leaves vinyl sign on garage door reminding kids to be a mensch......"A mensch is kind ecah time he leaves home "
Saturday the 15th—Kids find Mensch at Grandma’s house with a note that he will see them next year!
As I mentioned the mensch was born as my friend Stephanie and I pondered how to make a Jewish equivalent of Santa and all the magical elves who are so popular these days. While my children were missing out on some of the fun by not celebrating Christmas, we are very fulfilled with our traditions and the beliefs to which we adhere. If I was going to add something else in, I knew it would have to be real and lasting. Anything too magical or that I was going to have to back-track about later was simply out of the question. I want my kids to know that G-d is real and miracles are real--those are the messages of Chanukah.
That is also why we chose to use a mensch as opposed to a gnome or an elf. A mensch is not mythical or made-up. Mensches are simply good people. The "magic" of a mensch is that we all have the inherent capability to do good. Rather than spying on kids to see if they are good just to get presents, our mensch is actually going to be doing mitzvot (good deeds). My kids will find their mensch each day engaged in an activity with a note describing why a mensch would be doing that particular act. For instance, the night that we volunteer to play dreidel at a nursing home, the mensch will be found playing dreidel with barbies and a note that reads, "a mensch visits the elderly."
I hope that anyone playing along at home will also take this opportunity to give your children lessons about being a real mensch rather than making it just a flight of fantasy! An important logistics note: Stephanie and I would ask that you credit us if you use our poetry or post anything on-line about your mensch. You can include this website: http://stayathomeattorney.blogspot.com or better yet, send me your pictures and I will add them into a mensch page
Thanks and Happy Chanukah!
Friday the 7th: Children arrive home from school to find the mantle decorated! poetry about mensch
Saturday the 8th: Mensch in apron gathering latke supplies at stove--accompanied by "A mensch helps mommy""
Sunday the 9th: Snowflake Breakfast (see Dixie Delights)"A mensch sets the table""
Monday the 10th: Mensch sets up blue and white candy buffet "A mensch delights in life's little pleasures""
Tuesday the 11th: Mensch—preparing soup “recipe” for food pantry "A mensch feeds the hungry""
Wednesday the 12thMensch playing driedel with Barbies: (kids leasrn about community service and then do service at retirement home)......"A mensch visits the ederly""
Thurdsday the 13th: Mensch is putting candles in Menorah...."A mensch keeps traditions"
Friday the 14th: Mensch leaves vinyl sign on garage door reminding kids to be a mensch......"A mensch is kind ecah time he leaves home "
Saturday the 15th—Kids find Mensch at Grandma’s house with a note that he will see them next year!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Awesome Apps!
Last year I posted some of my most elegant appetizzers here...
In case you aren't up for tuna tar tar on wonton squares, these are equally impressive and delicious but a little homey!
Memphis Onion Soufflé
3 Blocks of Cream Cheese (reduced fat is okay, but not fat free)
2 Cups of Grated or Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 Finely Chopped Yellow or White Onion—Vidalia if you can!
½ Cup Mayo (light is fine)
Mix together and put in a soufflé, bake at 350-75 for about 40 minutes. Serve with crackers or cut veggies—I think it is best on triskets or red pepper slices
Parmesan Cups with Chopped Salad
Shredded (not grated) Parmesan Cheese
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Basil
Green Onion
Balsamic Vinaigrette of your choice
Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high heat, drop parmesan cheese onto the skillet by rounded tablespoonfuls. Let the cheese melt and then slightly brown on the first side (better a little brown so let it cook –don’t be scared). Flip—when the second side is finished, drape over a small inverted muffin tin or shot glasses. Cups will keep two days in airtight container. Make a chopped salad with remaining ingredients and toss in small amount of dressing and fill just before guests arrive.
My asparagus rolls
White Bread (just give in —I mean plain old wonder bread)
1 jar Kraft Olde English Cheese
1 egg
1 package cream cheese
1 bunch thin-ish aparagus, trimmed and blanched
a stick of butter melted in shallow bowl
Remove the crusts of the white bread—don’t try and cheat and buy the pre-crustless, it is too dry. Flatten the bread completely with rolling pin or glass—really mush it.
Meanwhile mix together at room temperature the egg, cream cheese, and Olde English. Set up an assembly line—bread, spread, asparagus, butter. Spread about one tablespoon of spread on bread—put the aspaargus at the end and roll up—roll it in the butter and place seam-side down on a cookie sheet. Repeat until all remaining slices are on sheet. At this point either cover with a damp paper towel and cover with saran and refridgerate until ready to cook or cook at 375 until golden and puffed. Never tell your guests how you made this uber-gourmet looking dish
Here are some throw together ideas that don't really require cooking:
Tortellini Skewers: Arrange Cooked, Frozen Tortellini on adorable party skewers--drizzle with EVOO.
Caprese Salad on a Pick: arrange tomato, fresh mozzerella, and basil on a cute pick with a balsamic dressing for dipping.
Smoked Salmon Quesadillas:
Basic Quesadillas, but made with white cheese like provolone and with bits of smoked salmon—serve with relish of red onion, capers, tomatoes
Finally, my guests always really love salads and vegetables, so I try to make them exciting:
In case you aren't up for tuna tar tar on wonton squares, these are equally impressive and delicious but a little homey!
Memphis Onion Soufflé
3 Blocks of Cream Cheese (reduced fat is okay, but not fat free)
2 Cups of Grated or Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 Finely Chopped Yellow or White Onion—Vidalia if you can!
½ Cup Mayo (light is fine)
Mix together and put in a soufflé, bake at 350-75 for about 40 minutes. Serve with crackers or cut veggies—I think it is best on triskets or red pepper slices
Parmesan Cups with Chopped Salad
Shredded (not grated) Parmesan Cheese
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Basil
Green Onion
Balsamic Vinaigrette of your choice
Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high heat, drop parmesan cheese onto the skillet by rounded tablespoonfuls. Let the cheese melt and then slightly brown on the first side (better a little brown so let it cook –don’t be scared). Flip—when the second side is finished, drape over a small inverted muffin tin or shot glasses. Cups will keep two days in airtight container. Make a chopped salad with remaining ingredients and toss in small amount of dressing and fill just before guests arrive.
My asparagus rolls
White Bread (just give in —I mean plain old wonder bread)
1 jar Kraft Olde English Cheese
1 egg
1 package cream cheese
1 bunch thin-ish aparagus, trimmed and blanched
a stick of butter melted in shallow bowl
Remove the crusts of the white bread—don’t try and cheat and buy the pre-crustless, it is too dry. Flatten the bread completely with rolling pin or glass—really mush it.
Meanwhile mix together at room temperature the egg, cream cheese, and Olde English. Set up an assembly line—bread, spread, asparagus, butter. Spread about one tablespoon of spread on bread—put the aspaargus at the end and roll up—roll it in the butter and place seam-side down on a cookie sheet. Repeat until all remaining slices are on sheet. At this point either cover with a damp paper towel and cover with saran and refridgerate until ready to cook or cook at 375 until golden and puffed. Never tell your guests how you made this uber-gourmet looking dish
Here are some throw together ideas that don't really require cooking:
Tortellini Skewers: Arrange Cooked, Frozen Tortellini on adorable party skewers--drizzle with EVOO.
Caprese Salad on a Pick: arrange tomato, fresh mozzerella, and basil on a cute pick with a balsamic dressing for dipping.
Smoked Salmon Quesadillas:
Basic Quesadillas, but made with white cheese like provolone and with bits of smoked salmon—serve with relish of red onion, capers, tomatoes
Finally, my guests always really love salads and vegetables, so I try to make them exciting:
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Mensch who Saved Channukah!
I LOVE reading about my friends' Elf on the Shelf adventures. I felt my kids were missing out on some of the fun as did my (totally Christian) friend Stephanie. Together, we came up with "The Mensch on The Mantle." Mensch translates as "good person," and at the end of the day that is what I really want my girls to be. Yesterday a few friends and I tested out our doll-making skills. Pictures of our little mensches are coming soon, but in the meantime, here is our tale..
The Mensch on the Mantle comes every Chanukah Night
To remind you to do what is right
A real mensch is kind, responsible, and good
A mensch behaves like everyone should.
When someone is a mensch at heart—
He shares, is sweet, and does his part!
Even with so many gifts, toys, and games
This mensch reminds you to be grateful and sane.
While you are away during the day,
You may find the mensch in a crazy way.
Don’t worry--he’s just having fun —
The real magic of the mensch is that you can be one!
Good people (like you) are real all year
So be a mensch and spread Chanukah cheer!
The Mensch on the Mantle comes every Chanukah Night
To remind you to do what is right
A real mensch is kind, responsible, and good
A mensch behaves like everyone should.
When someone is a mensch at heart—
He shares, is sweet, and does his part!
Even with so many gifts, toys, and games
This mensch reminds you to be grateful and sane.
While you are away during the day,
You may find the mensch in a crazy way.
Don’t worry--he’s just having fun —
The real magic of the mensch is that you can be one!
Good people (like you) are real all year
So be a mensch and spread Chanukah cheer!
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