http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2039903&id=1442325345&l=3d4bbc9c35

oh this was great food, good music, laughter and fantastic crafts!

This year I've been really trying to reconnect with my roots- and what better way than a Food Fest? /yum./ Congregation Beth Shalom in Carmichael was wonderfully welcoming , (though I am rather ashamed to say that I've driven by them and never realized there was a shul right there...).
Once we parked we let the tasty aromas guide us to a wonderful assortment of dishes from veggie to meat to pastries. Naturally; we stopped by Canter's Deli's table to get a box of pastries to slaver over at home. What's a kosher food fest without a pastrami sandwich? Never fear: we devoured ours as we listened to some great live klezmer tunes. While we enjoyed our sandwiches our toddler cheerfully scarfed down a big bowl of chicken soup with matzoh balls.

From there was a tour through the craft vendor booths. The displays of handmade woodworking, jewelry, fused glass, ceramics, and crocheting were not to be missed. I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the artists. Marcelle Walliser (a talented maker of ceramic tableware, jewelry and judaica) is living her dream and doing a great job of it.

We admired all the congregation-made artwork decorating the halls and and I picked up a few goodies for our son and my nephew back east. Led by the sound of children's laughter we went to the playground and our little poopmeister went about burning off all the calories he'd consumed and got play with kids his age.

We had a blast-can't wait for next year!