Shopping for New Years Eve

Today we went shopping for all the goodies for New Years Eve. By we, I mean almost the entire family. Hubby, both daughters, one son-in-law, both babies and me. Sound a little strange? It was. You see our New Years Eve is a little different from most people. It has nothing to do with being Jewish. We just don't care for the whole going out and getting drunk thing. So, we do a Shabu Shabu dinner. Depending on who you talk to, this is either a Chinese or Japanese celebration meal. It is sometimes called Hot Pot. Anyway, it consists of a very large pot of simmering broth which each person adds to. Sea food, very thinly sliced beef, (or pork) vegetables and a bunch of other things are all added to the spicy broth at the table. You eat what you put into the broth. It's a really good time with great food. But the foods needed can't all be found at your local market. So off we went to the Asian market. Son-in law had a great time looking at all the foods he had never seen/ tried before. (He bought some) Miss Mim enjoyed looking at all the fish, lots and lots of different kinds. Most of them were whole so they really looked like fish. Daughter #1 was busy finding all the ingredients and keeping track of her two little ones. Daughter #2 was busy trying to keep her hubby from buying everything that caught his eye and helping daughter #1. Hubby was having fun WALKING around the store. Yup he walked it. And of course he was buying what looked interesting to him too. Me, I had a great time watching everyone. I helped shop, played with the kids, pointed out things to both hubby and son-in-law. A good time was had by all. Now Friday night we get to have our Shabu Shabu Dinner and enjoy all the wonderful things we bought to go into it. (I am fond of the fish balls.)

Jewish Christmas eve

Well here it is Christmas Eve. Or Erev Christmas. Not really a Jewish holiday. So tonight instead of our normal Shabbat family dinner we are going to do what Jews all over America do, Chinese takeout! Now that may seem strange to my Non Jewish friends, so let me explain. Christmas and Christmas eve are big deals in the U.S. Everything closes. On Christmas eve stores and restaurants close early and then are closed on Christmas Day. The point is to let families celebrate the Holiday together. However, it you don't celebrate Christmas what ya going to do? Everything is closed. But wait!
Many Chinese people aren't christian. So, they don't close their restaurants. So, we Jews, order in or go out for Chinese food. Many of us also have a tradition of watching (some crappy, some not) movies. If you can find a theater open it's always fun to go out or as we do rent the movies to watch at home. There will be now wonder of Christmas morning destruction of gifts. No screaming kids waking you up to open presents. Just a very quiet day at home or with family.

Museum of Science and Industry

I spent my day at MSI (Museum of Science and Industry). I had a blast. I got to explain how refraction of light effects how we see color. People don't get the concept so it was fun to explain. Kids catch on before their Parents do sometimes. A group of mentally challenged women came up. I went through the whole thing with them. The chaperoned with them was thrilled because I let them change the colors of the light.
This museum is a hands on museum. Of course they could change the lights. Everyone can. I'm just there to help them understand why the colors change. Come see the museum!!!!!

Happy Bithday Miss Mim

Today is Miss Mim's 3rd birthday. For reasons to complex to get into, I was the second person to wish her a happy birthday in person today! When I left she was all smiles and a very happy birthday girl. However, she is growing up really fast. Today she said:
"Bubbie, you're silly." I guess she is getting too big for tummy kisses. Nah not yet!

Rib Dinner

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. I guess I have been busy or didn't have much to say. I thought I would share a few pics of the grandchildren. Miss Mim turns 3 tomorrow. It's hard to believe but true. So here are Miss Mim and "The Dude" in rare form.



Just look at those blue eyes. She wasn't very happy with the rib dinner to start with. The ribs made her "hands sticky". She was unhappy at least at first. She would only chew on a bone with most of the meat and sauce taken off.



The dude however had no problem at all. There was meat on that bone and he was going to get every drop. There really was other food to eat too. But he only wanted MEAT. (The rib bones on Daddy's plate were the best.)



This last picture is of the two of them playing on the organ I inherited from my Aunt. She left it to me because the Mommy of these two darlings used to play with it when she smaller than they are now. I know seeing these two play her organ would make my Aunt very happy.

Grab a cup of coffee

Either I have too much time on my hands or I am becoming my Grandmother. I had two wonderful Grandmothers. One was very old world and would cook until she dropped.
The other was a proper New York society lady, raised to have all of the proper manners.
It is the second one I seem to be channeling today. Not the manners or even her class.(which I wish I had) But, something more memorable for me.
I was the generation that first met the legend that is now simply know as Barbie. Yup, that's how old I am. My New York proper Grandmother bought me the very first rendition of Barbie. Bobbed, bouffant blond hair and striped swimsuit. I was in heaven. Barbie had a wardrobe even back then. But, my folks would not buy me any Barbie clothes. So,as the story goes, my Grandmother saw just how cheaply made the clothes for the dolls were. She set out to make clothes for my Barbie. Oh my, how that woman could sew. I had all of the latest fashions for my doll. If Grandma saw it, she made it for me. Everything in the Barbie collection in better fabrics and nicer colors. Even what was in the magazines. I had it all. She even taught me how to sew. At the time I'm not sure I appreciated what I was taught. But, she and I spent many wonderful afternoons together sewing. As I grew older she promised to make my wedding dress for me. I was thrilled. More years passed and I became engaged. Grandma was dying. She was not able to make my dress, so in keeping with her promise I made it myself. She passed away one week after my wedding. I guess she waited for me to really get married.

So, back to my channeling her. My Granddaughter, Miss M, received a tea set for Hanukkah from her other Grandmother. It is really cute. She loves to play with it. But the other day, as we were playing, Miss M wanted place mats for her table just like Mommy uses. So, today I sat down at my old sewing machine and just like my own Grandmother, made her what she wanted. Miss M has 4 place-mats for her table



I hope my Grandma would be proud.

Life is funny

Things are finally starting to slow down. Thanksgiving is over. Our annual Hanukkah party has come and gone. So things are getting back to this new normal of ours. Froebe Fibers has had a very busy day. Banking, new colorways, lost reservations and the like have only tested us. The web site is acting up and balking at working. But everything should be back to normal (what ever that is) by the first of the year.

Should I be reflecting on the past year? I hope not. For the most part I would rather forget most of this year. I would love things to improve. So, at least for the time being I plan to focus on the new year. I am hopeful it will bring good things for all of us.

It's Hanukkah. The third night to be exact. So, I have been kind of busy. Tomorrow night is the big bash. Today I found myself with a few spare minutes (Shhh don't tell on me) and decided to clear out my old emails. I found one from a craft site that I visit from time to time. They had a video on how to make your own Hanukkah Menorah. A crafty one. So, now I am thinking about making crafty Menorahs. I'll keep you posted if I do make any. Yes, I will include pictures.