Root for Latkes!

By far, my all-time favorite vegetable latke recipe (was featured in a "circle dinner" series in Cookie Magazine). Much lighter than the original fried potato fare, these little veggie cakes + a dipping dish of sour cream can actually be a pretty complete meal for the little guys. The parsnip and carrots hold much more flavor than the original recipe, and this is super delicious when you mix some chopped fresh dill into the sour cream.

Root Vegetable Latkes:

1 large parsnip, peeled and shredded

2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and shredded

2 large carrots, peeled and shredded

3 leeks (white and light green parts only) or 1 onion, chopped

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 large eggs, beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup LIGHT extra-virgin olive oil

1. In a colander, rinse the parsnip and potatoes under cold water. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels; transfer to a mixing bowl.

2. Stir in the carrots, leeks (or onion), flour, baking powder, eggs, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Drop in large spoonfuls of the batter, flattening each with the back of the spoon. Cook, turning once, until brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel–lined baking sheet in a 200°F oven until serving.

For those of you looking for something a bit more spiky or if you're hosting a wild and crazy Chanukah sin-dig, definitely check out this recipe for Vodka Latkes!

Light Up with Magnets

Happy Chanukah, dear readers! I hope you all enjoy these eight crazy nights - to the fullest. Chanukah is the most delicious when it's spend with family - so get snuggly, indulge in some greasy goodies, and savor the bright light your family brings to your life...  Here's to those miracles!

I decided to dodge out of the impending power-struggle that would surely ensue every Friday night following us allowing Freida to light her own Menorah. She had been begging to light Shabbos candles for months now, and while I'm not against a two-year-old lighting in theory... I do feel it's unnecessarily dangerous. Three-year-old girls lighting their own candles was perfect guidance - seems to be just the right age for understanding the importance and the responsibility. I knew if I let her light her own candles on Chanukah, I would never hear the end of it come Shabbos. Therefore, I nixed the idea of crafting her Menorah altogether, and went with a simple magnetic flame cut-out.

I cut up some construction paper and let her stamp it out her style - via, do-a-dots. She also used some stickers left over from her Chanukah crown (thanks Sara - they went a loooong way!). I cut out some flames from foam sheets, and glued some magnets on the paper and on the flames. Much more toddler friendly, much more fun, and way less nerve-wracking. She can light her own candles next year, once she's three. Until then, it's magnets for my little dreidel-loving maydel!

Chag Sameach, Mamas!!

The Arts (Party) & Photography

It was raining the morning of Freida's birthday party, and while the weather stayed quite clear through the afternoon, I opted to have her get-together indoors (last minute!) due to the wet, muddy elements that would no doubt grace the park. Last minutes stink. So do bad-weather-forecasts. They really do. But we made it happen, and held her 2nd birthday party at our home. Was crowded, but we managed to work out a little something for everybody. We planted the "art" table smack in middle of the kitchen (easier floor cleanup, and a kitchen sink for washing art-covered little hands), all the eats in the dining room, and the Colts/Patriots game going in the living room for the guys (they seem to be the absolute easiest to entertain). We had a Toy Story 3 "screening" (with popcorn) in our bedroom for the older kids, and Freida's room was, naturally, the play zone. It worked out beautifully, and we had a lovely afternoon sharing Freida's 2nd year with family and friends. Unfortunately, the lighting indoors made for horrific photography... thankfully, the Berkowitz family joined in the festivities - along with their photo-shooting Pop, Zalmy. Who, brought along his trusty every-charming-moment-capturing lens! Thanks so much for the priceless photos!!!

How epic is that "skype" picture??? Freida's Bubby was broadcasting birthday wishes live from Chicago. A generation - defined by a moment, captured in a photograph.

I've previously written about the importance of honest photography, and I strongly advise all parents to make the effort in capturing time. Zalmy Berkowitz is an incredibly gifted photographer, who manages to capture the most real and inspiring/ humorous of moments - at the most beautiful angles. An artistic photographer is worth every ounce of effort, time, and money. I promise you, this is the guy you want to snag your greatest images!!  Here's a little peek at his style and some of his work, these are a few of my favoties:

(Yes, it definitely helps that he has his 3 beautiful children as models...!)

You can check out some more of his work on his website, and have at look at what other goodies he offers here.

Happy snapping!

Menorah On-the-Go

Those pre-made oil & wick capsules are making Chanukah on the road easier than ever! Here's a fun little upgrade from those flimsy gold tin menorahs, this stash-able design  is great for on-the-go - just add a (always available) bottle of booze!

Cork Menorah, $14.75

Petite Pies

Hope you're all having a lovely Thanksgiving weekend!! This week Freida came home with her very first "made at school" loot: the most adorable petite pumpkin pie I've ever seen! She was so excited, and even ate most of it (was pretty darn delicious, to boot!).

Wanted to savor, share, and document this small, sweet, and special moment...

Thank you Morah Esther!!

Enjoy the last day of this perfectly extended holiday vacation...laze around, and snuggle up!!