I'm getting ready to make the dough for my hamentaschen (I'm much more a cook than a baker, and making these is particularly annoying... but it wouldn't be Purim without them, and besides, I promised Kerri some, and you don't taunt a pregnant lady* like that.)

I have the recipe on my computer, but I wanted to check something, so I pulled out my grandmother's old copy of the American Jewish Cookbook (my family's other bible). My mother bought copies for each of us when we went off to college, but mine went missing somewhere over the years, so almost ten years ago now, when my grandmother died, I was the one to get her cookbook. My wonderful sister even went through and copied all of my mom's annotations in (how to make the hamentaschen parve, how to make the curried chicken without a double boiler). This edition is from 1952, and I'm having a wonderful timing looking at the dated black & white photos, seeing which pages have stains on them (looks like Grandma liked borscht -- or maybe Grandpa did), and just feeling a special moment of connection with the women in my family. It's a good thing.

*Surprise! She made the official announcement at Kilt & Corset night on her birthday, so I can finally say something. Exciting, no?

Just back from a trip to visit with my sister's family and meet the newest addition. It was great to see everyone, but man, kids are tiring! I've had a week of of work, and I still feel like I need a vacation before I go back tomorrow. Ah well, it's been a great beginning to '08, anyway.

I'm off to Harrisburg for the weekend to see my six-year-old niece make her stage debut, along with my sister and brother-in-law, in a show called HONK!, a musical about the Ugly Duckling. I'll be back Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, break a leg to everyone in the Cabaret -- I'm sure it will be fabulous! And those of you who aren't in it, go see it!

Is anyone driving from Philly to Boston at some point in the future and willing to transport a largeish picture?

One of the things I asked for of my grandmother's was a large framed piece of artwork from her trip to Thailand many years ago, but it's too large and heavy to ship easily, and I generally fly to Philly and somehow can't imagine that I could bring it as carry-on.

There's no particular rush, my parents will hold it for my as long as necessary, but I thought I'd ask around and see if there's an LJ Express running at some point. :) My parents are in Bala Cynwyd (near the erstwhile Adam's Splat hotel, home of Philcon) but would be happy to bring it wherever necessary in the Philly area. Thanks!

OK, historians and costume geeks, can anyone help pinpoint the time period of this photo? My dad is trying to figure out what relative it might have been. Thanks!