The Elf Blog

Dia de los Muertos

In many Latin countries, today is Dia de los Muertos -- the Day of Dead.  It's not a day of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night, but a day to remember those who have passed from our midst.  In countries that celebrate, you'll see sugary treats shaped like skulls and people wearing death masks and skeleton costumes.  But you'll also see families visiting the graves of loved ones, prayers before home altars, and the sharing of family stories.

So today, take some time to remember those you love who have passed away.  And resolve to spend more time with t6hose you love who are still with us.

Happy Samhain

To those who follow the Old Path, Happy Samhain.  May the turning of the seasons bring you light, prosperity, and peace.

Bright Blessings!

Happy New Year!

To all who celebrate, l'shana tova!  May your new year be sweet and your name s be written in the Book of Life.

May the Days of Awe be times of fellowship, reflection, and renewal.

Beltane

For my readers who follow the old path, today is the great spring feast of Beltane.

Beltane celebrates the earth's rebirth -- bright and fruitful. In the light of freshly made fires, we eat the early fruits of spring and celebrate new life and new possibilities.

Enjoy!

Planning for Next Tuesday

Next Tuesday is Mardi Gras -- also known as Fat Tuesday (the literal translation from the French), Shrove Tuesday, Fasnacht Day, and Carneval. It is the last day before the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, in the days before Lent, people would eat up all the foods that were forbidden during Lent like meat (Carneval comes from the Latin words for "Goodbye meat") and butter and eggs.

It was also the last day for any pre-Lenten naughtiness before you moved into serious prayer and penance.

One of my favorite Fat Tuesday traditions is the fasnacht -- a very rich doughnut without a hole. Don't even think about the calories!

Also, for you bargain hunters, on Tuesday, IHOP will be offering a free short stack of buttermilk panckaes to anyone who stops by.  They will be accepting donations for the Children's Miracle Network.  If you do take advantage of the offer, don't forget to tip your waiter or waitress generously.

Epiphany

Today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas.  In many Christian traditions, it is the feast of the Epiphany, when the wise men sought out Jesus and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

In many cultures, today is day for exchanging gifts.  In other places, there are special meals and songs and processions and parties.

In the US, it's an ordinary Tuesday.  Do something today to make your day extraordinary!

Eid al Fitr

I don't know that I have any Muslim readers, but if I do I wish you a joyous Eid al Fitr.

For those not acquainted with this holiday, Eid al Fitr celebrates the end of the month of Ramadan.  Ramadan celebrates the month during which the prophet Mohammed received the Koran.  It is a month marked by fasting from dawn to dusk.  People wake in the predawn to eat and then do not eat again until the sun has set (more than twelve hours later).  The post-sunset meal is typically a gathering of family and friends.

Eid al Fitr is a joyous feast celebrating the end of the fast.  Like all good celebrations, it brings together friends and lovd ones.  The foods served are traditionally rich and sweet and indulgent.

The rhythm of fasting and feasting is common to most religious traditions.  We do without to recall our own limitations and to experience solidarity with those who have little.  Then we gather with those we love to express our gratitude for all that we do have.  The lnk in between needs to be the care and charity we share with those around us -- those we love and the needy whose names we may never know.

L'Shana Tovah

To all my Jewish readers, Happy New Year!

May your names be written in the Book of Life.

Preparing for the Days of Awe

The Jewish New Year begins at sunset next Monday. That means that it's time to prepare.

Rosh Hashana is time for a wonderful meal for family and friends, using the bounty of the fall harvest.  It's a great time to braise meat (traditionally brisket) with wine and fall vegetables. 

It's traditional in many places to celebrate the new year with aples dipped in honey to symbolize the sweetness of the new year. Alternatives are a lovely apple cake or wedges of apple with caramel dip (you can substitute yogurt dip to reduce calories).

If you want something similar but with an unusual twist, try doing something with figs.  Fresh figs are sweet and flavorful, but not as overwhelming as dried figs, in my opinion.  This summer, I has a wonderful appetizer in a New York cafe.  It was bruschetta (basically, thinly sliced and grilled Italian bread) topped with a mixture of ricotta cheese and chopped figs.  They might have added a smidge of honey and some almond extract.  It was heaven.

Even more important than food, begin now to review your schedule between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.  Try to eliminate anything unnecessary - meetings, errands, and other distractions.  The Days of Awe are about having time for quiet and self-reflection.  It's hard to do that if you're running around trying to accomplish a week's worth of work every day.  Pare away everything you can, set the VCR or DVR, and enjoy some quiet each day.  Maybe write in a journal, take a long walk, reflect on the past and prepare for the year ahead.

Your To-Do List

Just some things to keep on your to do list for the next week:

• If you have not yet done your taxes, it is time to stop procrastinating.  Now.  I mean it.
• As the weather warms, it's time to turn your attention to the outdoors.  If you keep a garden, it's definitely time to plant in most of the country.  For others, it's a good time to trim shrubbery, cl;ear flower beds, and generally spruce up the yard.
• If you celebrate Passover, you want to start eating anything with leaven still in the house.  Also, you'll want to plan any necessary cleaning or kashering of utensils.  If you are hosting seder, you should send out your invitations.
• Schedule a pedicure.  Your toes have been hidden inside shoes all winter.  It's time to spruce them up!