A lot of people are talking about their word of the year this year. 
My word of the year this year is "Sweet!" My kids are sweet of course. 
I write about sweet things, as in desserts and also cool stuff. 
I like to bake sweets, including scones, my new hobby! 
When the Jewish new year comes you make sure to make it sweet 
with apples and honey. So I will make 2014 sweet as well!

Our friend Jaime is a mom, crafter and graphic designer. She started her Chanukah crafting with this popsicle stick Star of David project. Lucky for us she has shared the project here:

Use a hot glue gun to make two triangles, and then glue the two triangles together to form the Star of David. You can use Elmer's glue too, but it takes a while to dry. 

Once the stars are dry, grab your kids' favorite paints and let them do their thing! 

Use pipe cleaners to create a loop on one of the corners. Then the stars can become a decorative element, and can be hung by yarn or string. You can use a hanger to make a mobile or hang them directly on a window, door or on a hook. Happy Chanukah crafting!

Posted by Rachel Teichman

My friend Jane is a mother, professor and excellent kosher cajun food maker. She is also a wonderful craft project leader in her home's playroom which is entirely devoted to creativity. In the middle of this room sits two long tables which have been put together to make enough space for two young girls and their friends to cut, color and glue whatever their hearts desire. 

Their most recent craftivity was making paper Stars of David as their first of many Chanukah projects to come for this year. All this takes is some kind of decorative paper. They used Origami paper since it is already small and easy to cut into triangles. You could also use scrapbook paper, wrapping paper or construction paper. This is also a good way to "reuse" some former drawings looking to fulfill their potential. Cut your paper of choice into many triangles of the same size. Pair up any two triangles that look good together, and glue their middles together so that they create a six-pointed Jewish Star. Jane taped hers all around her fireplace making a garland affect. You could also tape the back of each star to a piece of ribbon or fishing line to make an actual garland for the fireplace or doorway. Then it will be all ready to go for next year too! 

Posted by Rachel Teichman

Allison Josephs, or the Jew in the City, bakes challah along with her daughters in this video. It is not any ordinary challah, because it has walnuts inside, and cinnamon sugar on top! And it is not any ordinary video, with "I Dream of Jeannie" special effects along with three baking fashionistas! The video is both entertaining and educational as this Jewish mama explains the Mitzvah of Hafrashas Challah, or setting aside and blessing a portion of the dough. Allison teaches all the steps that are needed in order to create delicious and halachic (according to Jewish law) challah. As she bakes along with her kids, you can picture yourself doing the same. So go, bake! And Shabbat Shalom! You can download the recipe here or find it on Pinterest.  

~Please share photos of your challot if you use this recipe!~

Posted by Rachel Teichman