Sunday, December 23, 2012

The world didn't end but it feels a little like it

I didn't believe the world was going to end. I figured maybe the Mayans just got tired and weren't ready to start a new calendar; I have felt that way from time to time.

Ten days ago, content in the knowledge that the world was not coming to an end, I was really enjoying my new hobby of blogging. My kids were having fun with our "Mensch on the Mantle." I was feeling the rush of doing something creative, chronicling our adventure, and reveling in the excitement of an actual comment appearing on my little blog. I was also in the middle of preparing for a fabulous party when I heard the devastating news about Sandy Hook. The tenderloin was ordered, the champagne was chilling, the flowers were perfectly arranged, and the candles were just waiting to be lit, but it all felt somehow wrong.

I thought of something I learned long ago. The last night of Chanukah (which was the next day) is always the darkest night of the year. That is the night we light all of the candles and bring the most light we can into the world. Everyday thereafter the sun shines just a little longer--the world will incrementally be brighter. I felt so much better remembering that and thinking, "This is the worst it is going to be." We went forward and had a somewhat more sedate evening than we may have otherwise. According to the musician I "nailed" the party. I was glad he thought so, though I am still not jovial enough to post what few pictures I took. At least I gave a little escape to a few of my friends for a few hours.

I have many friends from all stages of my life and I cherish each one. While I am not sure anymore who my definitive “best friend” is, I am lucky to have many friends who are the best. Some of them are simply woven into the fabric of my life in every way possible way.

It is that way with my friend B and her husband. We had double dates before we were married, and as newlyweds our first houses were right around the corner from each other so that we shared many nightly walks. It was while babysitting for their daughter that David and I decided we wanted to start a family--their second daughter and our first are just six weeks apart. The girls are great friends. After Annabelle had her first seizure, we were told that she may have trouble acquiring new language. I was on pins and needles for her to say a new word--any new word. As fate would have it, it was B's name. No sound was ever so delicious (by the way, that girl has more than enough to say). Over the years there have been lake trips, family camps, and even a grown-up get away to Hawaii together. Together we have celebrated Christenings, Jewish baby Namings, birthday parties, holidays, and annual outings to the pumpkin patch. While we both moved from our first homes, we are in a new neighborhood less than a mile apart. B, our other friend B, and I had lunch nearly everyday while our kids were in preschool. We have shared carpool duties and planned class parties. We have gotten to know and love each other's parents on their many trips here. When I was in the hospital last year my kids had a "weeknight sleepover" at B's house that is still mentioned with awe! I am certain she will be at my girls bat mitzvahs and their weddings--I. am. certain.

That is why I feel like the world stopped for just a moment last Monday when my dear sweet friend B had an unexplained seizure and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Echoing my own thoughts from a few days earlier, I kept thinking hoping, "this is the worst it is going to be." I am not sure that I see the world getting brighter just yet, but I do know that hundreds of people have come to B's aid and shared their love. Like me, B has many friends who are the best--I am just one person with whom she shares her life. Her Care Calendar filled within minutes and the phone rings non-stop--everyone wants to know what they can do. The love that has surrounded B let's me know that, while it may feel like it, the world didn't end just yet.

Friday, December 14, 2012

A Moment of Silence

No Mensch OTM, no party talk, no pictures of glamorous my friends on their custom holiday cards--just a moment of silence for the victims of today's school shooting in CT. I am so lucky to hold my babies when I pick them up from school today.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

"Can" you Handle it?????

Last night, the girls found the Mensch playing dreidel with some teddy bears and a note that said, "A Mensch Visits the Elderly." N promptly asked exactly how old the bears are; I quickly retorted that the bears probably represented the senior citizens they would be visiting that night (perhaps this one was a bit of a stretch). In any event, we were off to serve latkes, color pictures, and play dreidel at a Senior Center. This was our first night of service, and I couldn't be more pleased with the girls’ good attitude celebrating Chanukah with the seniors. Today, they will find the mensch prepping soup boxes for our Temple's walk-in food pantry. Everything needed for an easy tortilla soup along with the recipe will be included. The girls will have to finish where the mensch left off. He left a note with instructions!



By the way, the soup is really easy and so yummy. I always have the ingredients in the pantry for nights when we are out of fresh stuff or just feeling really lazy. Relying on pre-made stock and salsa gives it a long-simmered taste in just minutes. The reciepe follows:

1 Can Low Sodium Chicken Stock
2 Cans Black Beans--Drained and Rinsed
1 Can Mexi-corn--Drained and Rinsed
1 jar of your favorite salsa

Dump in a pan and heat. Top with cheese, tortilla chips, cilantro, or enjoy plain!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Mensch on the Mantle Recap (For Those of You Just Tuning In)

I am linking up with Kelly's Korner to talk about what I hope will be my family's new Chanukah tradition: The Mensch on the Mantle! Yes, I do know that is all that I have been talking about for a week straight both on the blog and in real-life, but for anyone still willing to listen, here's the short version:


My friend Stephanie and I pondered how to make a Jewish equivalent of 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."
Read and download his tale here:


There are oodles of pictures of several mensches in action--just click the "Mensch on the Mantle" label to see them all!!!

Mensch Madness Continues!

As I am starting to get nervous about my big grown-up party this Saturday (at which time all the menschy-goodness must be stowed away), the mensch party continues over here (and elsewhere)! Our mensch left a little note reminding the kids to be a mensch when they leave the house each morning. This advances my theme that began with being a mensch at home (helping me, setting the table, enjoying little things together). Now, we plan to progress to discussions of being a mensch in the world. Two service projects are up next....


The C's came up with a plan that celebrates family. Their mensch, along with many pals, is looking at photos and studying genealogy. I LOVE this idea!!!



I am off to plan my champagne bar and bloody mary shots. Wonder what the mensch would think of that?!

Monday, December 10, 2012

What have you done for me lately?

Today, the C's mensch was giving tzedakah (to charity) while ours was reminding the kids that it is important to be sweet and appreciate life's little pleasures with a candy buffet.




We are joined by Abby--a cute mensch belonging to the S Family!




Happy Third Night of Chanukah!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Minneapolis-Minnesota-Mensch

This little Mensch from Minneapolis visits the sick. Sooooo sweet!


Chanukah is Here--and so are more mensches!!!!

I am happy to post another Mensch who joined the party for the first night of Chanukah. The V's mensch, with expressive eyebrows (!), is pictured here:



The fun continued at the F's, C's, and our place. Check out mensches making latkes, donating to a food pantry, and helping set the table. I love that the kids are learning about helping out at home and in their community.





I think pictures of an out-of-state mensch will be here later today!!!! Stay tuned and Happy Chanukah!


Saturday, December 8, 2012

Did I "mensch-on" they'd be doing good deeds???

Several little people found their mensches having a little fun and doing mitzvot (good deeds). The C's mensch set a super-cute table with a sign that reads, "A Mensch Sets the Table." I am not sure that it is really a mitzvah, but you are supposed to honor your mother and father. I think it is under the penumbra of that (oh yeah, I got all lawyerly). My girls will get the same treatment tomorrow!


Today, my mom and I had to make a gross of latkes to freeze for next weekend as well as the ones for tonight. Wouldn't you know it, we found the mensch in an apron with all the supplies needed to start the first batch!! He even bookmarked the latkes recipe n my favorite Jewish cookbook with a little note that said, "Mensches Help Mommy." Photos are below, and you can also see that a most interesting little mensch joined the party today!!!





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

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are signs

Here is a little preview of the Mensch on the Mantle Signage!

The document is downloadable here

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!