Madelyn Rosenberg

I was lucky enough to get to read at two great events last weekend. Here are some photos from the PJ Library/JCCNV/Growing Jewish Families event at the American Horticultural Society. The building is on land that was once part of George Washington’s farm.

Poster Child No. 2. And she even wore green! Photo by Jennifer Kanarek

Even parents make good trees! Photo by Jennifer Kanarek

Poster Child! Photo by Jennifer Kanarek

Thanks for visiting!

The book giveaway winner is Deb from Richmond.

The question we asked was:  If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

Thanks to everyone who helped me figure out Rafflecopter.

It’s almost Tu B’Shevat, which brings us to the age-old question: What should you give a tree for it’s birthday? At least, that’s what Joni tries to figure out in Happy Birthday, Tree! A Tu B’Shevat Story. It’s a fun question to ask the kids before they read the book. Trees give us so much every day. What should we give them? Would you give your trees the same things Joni would?

If you were a tree, what kind would you be? Apple? Pine? Bubble gum?

Here’s a link to some fabulous Tu B’Shevat activities on my Pinterest Page. My favorite is making a terrarium out of an old soda bottle because it combines planting and recycling.

And here’s a link to some fun activities that I posted last year.

This year for Tu B’Shevat, I’ll be at the American Horticultural Society at River Farm in Alexandria. January 12th at 10 a.m. For more information, click here.

Later on the 12th, I’ll be a part of a Jewish-Muslim story time with JAM DC. For more information on that event, click here.

Lastly, a link to my favorite tree-related song, which has nothing to do with the holiday but I’m posting it anyway.

Every year I make about a thousand resolutions. But nobody makes them better than Woody Guthrie did in 1942, so for the past few years, I’ve tried to make them in his style.

This year:

Love the world and the people in it.

Treat nature like she really is your Mother.

Holler at injustice, not your sweet family.

Write the words that mean the most.

Spend your time wisely.

Woodshed.

Give.

Accept.

Love.

Focus.

Exercise so that you don’t die.

Finish what you start (especially the things you started a few years ago because some of those characters are still waiting for a happy ending.)

Sing more, and learn those barre chords while you’re at it.

Fight jealousy.

Fight guilt.

Clean your sink and your laundry.

Make things fun when you can.

Celebrate the little things.

Don’t sweat the little things.

Leave the house every day.

Come home again with your arms open wide.