Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Menorah Channukia Project

It's amazing seeing a project take shape. Usually my husband and I work together on different projects throughout the year. Having a knack for crafting designs and ideas in general, I love to watch my husband work out ways to put them together. The way it usually works out is, I come up with a design and he makes it happen. We work well together, although at times it can be challenging to agree due to our different opinions on how to carry out our ideas. A few years back, we decided to make a five foot iron menorah. We were both pleased with the design, and ended up donating it to Zion, our congregation.
This year we worked on another menorah, using a very different material. We shared some pictures with another congregation, and they became interested in it. Yesterday my husband received a call from the congregation asking us to take the menorah for their Channukah celebration. The thing is, the menorah we made, unlike a channukia, only had seven branches. Once something of that magnitude is made, one can't just go and change the design in an easy manner. To add two branches like the rest was out of the question, so we bounced some ideas off of each other, and came up with a solution to the problem.
A shortened version of the arms was put together, which can also be removed. Here is a picture, with the original design.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 As  can be seen from the pictures, the menorah is quite large. The solution we opted for is pretty much practical. It took some tinkering, but worked out in the end. Here is a picture of the new adjustments. 



                                                     new part to be slipped over fixed arm
                                                                    new part in place

                                                                                                
It's not quite finished yet, it still needs to be completed. The next segment of the arm, needs to be attached, and a good base needs to be added.  We only have a short time to complete it, but I think it will be ready in time. I'll try to do a follow up post from the celebration, since we have also been invited to attend.    

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A Full Day's Work

Usually with everyone's help we get things done around the house. Some days are good and some not so much. Work can quickly get behind in a home of twelve people, especially when the majority is yet quite young. That's why I've come to appreciate my daughters' help so much. Lately though, things around the house have changed a bit. Ever since, about a little over a week ago, when my oldest daughter broke her foot work has been somewhat challenging. Now she needs to be cared after, as she's unable to do most things on her own. On the bright side, it's my opportunity to serve her and for the rest of the family too. We're praying for her recovery. 

This morning we had an early start. The kids woke very early to complete their basic homeschooling lessons. We use Christian Light workbooks, which are very practical and can be done by the kids mostly on their own. Naturally, we also took the necessary time to read this week's Torah Portion. After lunch, we gathered around our kitchen table to work on History together. This took longer to do because of the different grade levels. Before I knew it, I had to rush to start cooking a meal before my husband got home and barely had time to get some laundry done. Time went by fast, and I didn't get to do all I wanted. I'm hoping for a much more productive day tomorrow.
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
                                                                             Proverbs 16:3

                                    she's needing cruthes to get by


                                          
                                                some books we used today



                                                    looking at a book