Mazel Tov! Activities to Celebrate Purim

Mazel Tov! February 24-25, 2013 celebrates Jewish Purim. That's 14 Adar in the Hebrew calendar. Hebrews celebrate Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai for defending their people from decimation in Persia. The story is read in the Torah Megillah (the book of Esther in the Bible). It tells about King Ahasuerus and his wicked advisor Haman and how faith triumphed. Here are resources for Jews and gentiles to explore Purim and embrace the holiday more deeply. Kids will love making paper graggers. Mazel Tov! Activities to Celebrate Queen Esther and Purim

New Orleans Super Bowl 2013 Recipes Cajun Courtbouillon, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee

Our daughter moved to Lafayette, Louisiana from Michigan. Prior to that, we'd never traveled in the southern U.S. It was a treat to visit and sample local Cajun and New Orleans creole dishes. Many became family favorites. I recreated our Louisiana experience for my husband's birthday. Here's a northerner's version of catfish courtbouillon, jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish etouffee.  Louisiana Cajun Menu--Courtbouillon, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee