Holidays in a difficult time

6 years ago

So, I'm wondering how others are doing getting ready for the spring holidays in the current circumstances. It is really strange being separated from family at this time.

I've made up care boxes for my son's families with charoset (a food used during the Seder made from apples, nuts and spices), sponge cakes and a few other things. One son drove up to pick his up from our front porch and I dropped off the one for our other son. Fortunately, I was able to get plenty of eggs.

I'm trying to figure out whether to use zoom, whatsapp or something else so we can virtually gather for part of the Seder.

I just finished making matzah granola - a recipe from this forum many years ago when it was GardenWeb.

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plllog

6 years ago

Yeah, the wine part sounds good. :)

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Comments (9)

plllog
6 years ago
When we were told gatherings of 10 or less, I was planning a Seder for 6. That's off, and most of us are scattered. I also had ambitions of making novel things like charoset tart. I've considered making a little one, but I just can't find the desire. We have everything for the seder plate, though a beet for the shankbone (it's a traditional substitute). The congregation has Zoom but I don't really want to do that. Pesach is a home holiday so that would feel less "normal". I have some pears that I'm thinking of turning into a tart tatin. Rather than a tiny feast, though, I think we'll do simplicity in solidarity with those who have and have had little.

Chag Sameach!
blubird
6 years ago
Someone on my Facebook page posted an article that it was OK to have a less than your best effort for Passover. Like Plllog, I just don’t have the desire to fuss as I usually do. I had soup chicken in my freezer, as well as a turkey roast. I’ll make some sort of potato and I did make cranberry orange relish and made up my mix for matzoh balls which is sitting in my fridge to make tomorrow.

It will only be the two of us tomorrow, but I’ll share the soup with my daughter's family. She'll make egg noodles and share with me, but we all will be celebrating separately.

maybe I’ll use 2 place settings of my good china to make it feel more like a holiday.

Go ahead have a schvach Seder
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sheesh
6 years ago
Saturday is my husband's 80 birthday, Sunday is Easter, Monday is our son's 44th birthday. We had a big weekend planned with all 20 of our kids and grandkids coming in from around the country. Now, nothing. Nada. This is a big birthday for hub, and it only rarely happens that easter falls between his and son's birthdays. C'est la vie, I guess.

Bluebird, I am going to use our China, too, both Saturday and Sunday. Hub is the most romantic man in the world. Did I think ahead and at least get him a card? Nope. I hope our daffodils are blooming at least. We will ZOOM with the kids.
bragu_DSM 5
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
we are going to Skype together, and half of our family will wear masks ....

JC, haven't been to a Seder in years ... always enjoyed ... the wine. *grin*
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
I saw this on Epicurious, regarding Passover recipes, slimmed down for this time: This Night Will Be Different From All Other Nights

As for what DH and I will do... I don't know. It's not something DH has every really celebrated (Easter). I've got the good crystal unpacked, so we could use that. I've got ham, which was traditional for Easter in my family, I've got my Grandfather's kiddush cups, which I would use just to honor him, but I am not Jewish. I'm thinking even though since married I haven't really celebrated this specific time, it might be nice, to take our minds off other things, and think of what each holiday means. Well, that and drink wine.
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
6 years ago
When the wholesaler opened up to home delivery, I looked at the cryovac packaging. Much longer fridge life. And no need for re-packaging in home sealers. Such a pleasure to have packaging thick cryovac that went straight into the freezer!

No freezer hogs like whole chickens or bone-in anything. Have a ham with a long fridge life so we will have ham. (usually once/twice a year anyway) Freeze the leftovers for frittatas and breakfasts. Do love ham in an egg dish.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs are my best friends these days. No freezer hogs.

I have a martini maybe once a year...I'm having one every night at 8pm. 8 olives, lol.

I don't usually like a dirty Martini. ten olives. lol. Yum.

Just being pissed that we have lost so many here. Co-workers every day.

Dead friends without family ....stay home, this is painful
plllog
6 years ago
Okay, there's the plan then there's the reality. I can't do it. Without the kids, without the old folks, without anyone in the house who really cares, I can't do it. I don't have issues with the bread of affliction, but I can't do the bread of sadness. No matter how stressful Pesach can be, it's usually full of joy. Making up new recipes with the restrictions is fun. Even cleaning has its satisfaction.

I was too sick (not virus) to organize a thorough cleaning. We couldn't even do the tiny gathering I'd planned because none of us is 100% no contacts. I miss the three dozen immediate family and all the dishes and vegetables and flowers.

I'm okay with thinking about the holiday. I've edited two Haggadot, so I really don't need to read it without the kids taking their turns and the old folks sharing their glasses. I offered to read it over the phone, for those who didn't have their own copies, but no one else was into it either. I just can't bring myself to do the cooking or even eat the matzah. It's too sad. I can deal with no holiday much better. And the self proclaimed "wicked son" is just glad I'm not making him help. :)

So, we skipped Purim, and we're mostly skipping Pesach. I was putting away the dent corn I'd ordered from a farm, yesterday, and had to finish it in the evening. It felt weird! The flour can wait where it is. That's my Pesach observance this year....
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
Sleeve, I do like dirty martinis. On a Friday night maybe, small, with 2 olives. 3 if celebrating a very hard week or 'just because' but I've been making mine less and less dirty. Haven't had one in months though. Low on liquor. Even low on bourbon, which is a staple drink here, one small bourbon mixed drink each on Saturday, just enough. Never ever thought I'd see someone imbibe in alcohol-soaked olives as much as me!. I think you've broken all records. I'd give a chuckle, but the reason 'why' is not chuckle material.

plllog, I'm sorry you too are feeling so low, and not in the mood. I do understand to an extent. For me, it's not the lack of people, as DH and I are pretty much always solo, but the news, which we avoided the last 2 days. Still, the knowledge exists, and one can't really overlook it. Hard to celebrate, honor, or recognize holidays, other things, now. I've changed my mind so many times, and realized whatever we eat will be fine. Last plan, ditched, was a meal on the porch, but rain and cooler weather have nixed that. It was the only thing I looked forward to.

I admire those who are honoring their preference of holiday at this time. If you've family with which toto face-time, or call, or just you and your SO, enjoying a break from it all, I think it's fantastic.

Holidays in a difficult time

plllog

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plllog

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