These past few days have been wonderfully eventful!  We welcomed beautiful Naomi Elizabeth, our new granddaughter into the world.  With perfect skin and lots of dark hair, Naomi was greeted by four generations of waiting family including big brother, two year old Kyle.

Now I jump into Bubbie mode; cooking, feeding, diaper changing, babysitting, shlepping and playing with my favorite 2 year old.  It's the greatest exhausting job I can't get enough of!  What a blessing!

Art To Help Women

This month, I created an original work of art for Jewish Women International, an organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence.  JWI's work changes the lives of women in crises, comes to the aid of their children and works for Tikkun Olam, the reparation of the world.  As JWI's 2012 Mother's Day Flower Project Artist, I am proud to be associated with JWI and its work.

Best,
Connie

Please check out this link to learn more about JWI and to see my original oil painting:   http://www.jwi.org/page.aspx?pid=1317

HAPPY TU B'SHEVAT!

HAPPY TU B’SHEVAT!  

Did you know that it’s A Time To.... Celebrate again?   Or more precisely, A Time To Plant?  

Tu B’Shevat, the new year for trees is one of four new years in the Jewish calendar, occurring on the 15th of the month of Shevat.  “Tu” stands for the Hebrew letters signifying 15 and B’Shevat means “of Shevat.”

This year, that means we celebrate from sunset on Tuesday, February 7th through nightfall of the following day.

I love that we Jews celebrate nature.  I also love what trees represent, that each generation provides for the next.  As the Talmud says,

“Just as my parents planted for me, so I plant for my children.”

Why not plant something today with your child?   A flower, an herb or just the idea that we can partner with God in creation and appreciate the beauty of nature!

To read more about what our tradition teaches about trees, get your copy of A Time To

Be Born: A Jewish Baby Journal! 

Love Letter

I began writing a love letter 35 years ago.

Perched at the foot of the bed, too pumped with the endorphin high of love and spellbound by the dazzle of a new diamond ring to notice the constant drone of Paul Simon singing Still Crazy After All These Years on my roommate’s stereo and the wailing of an occasional ambulance siren as it careened by our first floor apartment window, I could hardly contain myself.  I was at once the six year old in my parents’ home donning a wedding veil made of dining room draperies and the young woman, sure of herself, of her direction in life and of her future.

Consumed with the adrenaline rush of adventure and the promise of dreams realized I penned the words, 

“Dear daughter,  

Today so many things became possible - love, family, achievement, home...and you.”

it was a love letter that I continued to write with the passing of years, not only to my sweet daughter, but also to my amazing son as I nourished, bandaged, kvelled and worried my way (and theirs) to their adulthood.

And there in that letter which grew into an overstuffed, dog eared folder slash journal, now live the cuts and scrapes, joys and holidays, cherished family, misadventures and accomplishments for all of us to relive and retell.  It’s the story of our lives and a testament to my incredible husband’s and my love for those kids.  

Now someone calls me Bubbie and the whole thing begins again.  So like the mom that I am, this time I wrote a book to make the process easier.  it’s called A Time To Be Born: A Jewish Baby Journal.  Illustrated with more than 100 original works of art presented 

in gorgeous pastels, A Time To Be Born: A Jewish Baby Journal is a lively and interactive stroll through baby’s firsts. 

This is more than a baby book: it is a full Jewish experience.  Just like life.

Now it’s my kids’ turn to write the letter.  Each story will be unique and each will be filled with the stuff of families and life.   The letter will continue to enchant long after the kids are grown.  And best of all, the child at the center of the story will always know how very much he is loved.

You might want to write a letter to your baby, too.  (Sure, you can use the book!)  You may find that it’s one of the best gifts you’ll ever give your precious little one.  I’m guessing that if you’re anything like me. it will be the best gift you’ll ever give yourself, too.

Much love,

Connie