Scotch Laminator on Sale

Scotch Thermal Laminator Combo Pack, Includes 12 Assorted Pouches (TL902E) for $34.99

I spent about $10 less in December, but this is a pretty good deal for the Laminator. Great for kids projects and for sukkot.

Buying Lulav and Etrog

My favorite thing about Sukkot is buying lulav and etrog. I love looking over the many etrogim and seeing all the beautiful features. I have been purchasing lulav for the holiday for the last 12 years and every year is such a different experience. I still love purchasing lulav in the Lower East Side from the many vendors that are there.

The last couple years, I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to head to New York and had to purchase our lulav and etrog from the Judaica store. When it was crowded, I was lucky if I got any help finding anything. If it wasn't crowded, I would be asked where my husband was.

This year we are so fortunate to be back in New York and to have several different places to go choose from. I of course chose to go to the Lower East Side.

I took my lunch break a littler earlier and began my trip. I started with going to McDonalds to find an ATM. Doesn't really sound like the first place to go, but that's where the nearest ATM for my Maryland Bank Account was. The person in front of me was an orthodox man with payis and tzitzit. I then headed to the train. On my way there, I was grabbed by a random man, who held onto my shoulder and then let go and went walking. Got to love New York.

I took the subway to East Broadway and got off to the famous Canal and Essex Street. It was drizzling and there were not many vendors out. I am so used to crowds of people and lots of vendors. It's the Friday before yontif and raining, so it wasn't surprising that there weren't many people out. I luckily found beautiful etrogim from Israel. It was wonderful to go and have so many to choose from and not have to pay $70+ to get a beautiful etrog. Once I decided which vendor to go to, my purchase was pretty quick, since I seemed to be the only one purchasing lulav and etrog.

Before I left, I decided to get a few lower east side treats. I purchased a black and white cookie and rugelah for Shabbat. And stopped by The Pickle Guys to get Full Sours, Garlic Pickles, and Pickled Tomatoes.

Next up, is building the sukkah.

More Menu Planning for your Sukkah

If you are looking for warms soups/stews to serve during Sukkot, you might want to look at Joy Of Kosher's website. They just posted some interesting stews for the holiday.

Pressure Cooker Stews for Sukkot

Need some inspiration for Sukkot

I'm obsessed with Pinterest. For me it's such a visual way to think and I think visually. I have put together a board on Sukkot/Simchat Torah that contains items for decorations and food and crafts.

Check it out

Sukkah Song from the Fountainheads

There are many great A Capella groups these days doing wonderful songs for the holidays. That is perhaps my favorite part of each holiday and seeing what kinds of new videos will be available and how creative.

This year Ein Pratt Fountainheads did one for Sukkot.

Sukkot Folding Chairs

Are you interested in folding chairs for your sukkah? You might want to check out Buy.com. These all weather ones look great! I usually purchase the 6.00 ones from Ikea, but if you don't live near one then you might need an alternative

All-weather Outdoor Folding Chair Pads (Pack of 2)


Set of 4 Plastic Folding Chairs - Butterscotch - by OFM

All-weather Acrylic Outdoor Folding Chair Pads (Pack of 2)


You might also be interested in a electronic bug zapper
ELECTRONIC INSECT ELIMINATOR / BUG ZAPPER NEW

Sukkot Meal Planning

Sukkot begins on Sunday and we're planning our sukkah meals. It's getting colder at night, so I'm planning for chilly sukkah sitting. We're going to do Soup and Challah for one of our evenings. It's going to be a bunch of different soups and a bunch of different Challot. We have made special Apple filled Challot. I'm also thinking about making Pumpkin Challah.

Another day we are going to do Tacos in the Sukkah. Coming from California I love Mexican food and it's a must during Sukkot.

Another day we are planning Macaroni and cheese. Two different kinds, one that it is a little spicy and one that is creamy and more traditional for the kids.

I'm always looking for ideas, what kinds of things are you planning?

Warming Tray on Sale at Amazon

During the summer, it becomes so hot if we keep the oven on for the entire time for Shabbat. So another way that might be more Green and definitely won't heat up the house as much is a warming tray. Amazon has a great deal right now:


Toastess TWT-40 Silhouette 1000-Watt Cordless Classic Stainless-Steel Warming Tray, 4 Plate

Sukkot Planning

When the Jewish Holidays fall on weekdays, it is often so hard to plan for them. We are in a new house and while we have a sukkah, we are actually going to use something a little different this year. Our outside already has poles that we can used instead. I don't think our bamboo mats are going to stay on top, so I'm going to need to find some other items for s'ach. I'm thinking about calling the local farm to see if I can get corn husks, what kinds of things do you use for your sukkot?

Our regular sukkah came from the sukkah project. We ordered the plans and pieces from them and picked up lumber at Home Depot. It's a rather large sukkah that we were able to expand.