Happy Hanukkah, Hannah. I very much enjoyed listening to your thoughts and memories. Christmas has become a very fraught season for me as time has gone on, but I do enjoy thinking back to happier times. And I so appreciate your acknowledgment, especially in this social media environment where JOY is constantly being shoved in all our faces, that there are those of us for whom the holiday light can flicker and sometimes go out altogether. You are a kind and empathetic soul. I always look forward to your videos, and I wish you peace. 💙 Oh and PS, back when I was a kid, there were NO other Ninas! Now they seem to be all over the place!!
I had not thought about Nina being a newly-popular name. Fascinating! And thank you very much for sharing your frustration about joy being shoved in our faces. Lots of love to you.
Thank you so much, Ros. Love to you and your family. How wonderful to think of you watching right as Christmas Day ended. (By the way, I can't wait to see your video with Tilly--and will watch later this evening!)
This was nice. It was fun not only learning about traditions different than my own, but learning about the traditions and stories that are meaningful to you specifically. I wish I had better words of comfort for you at this time of year - just know I am thinking of you and having you during this season is brings me joy.
Lovely video, Hannah. Heading to the kitchen to make Russian tea. I will think of you and all your great book reflections as I sip it today and read Tolstoy’s Resurrection. Happy Hanukkah and all the best to you in 2025. You shed a beautiful light on the joy of reading! ❤️💐🌷🌹🌻
Happy Hanukkah, I've had a few days off Booktube due to Christmas and I'm watching these out of order! One of the children's books mentioned reminded me of the borrowers.
Thank you for this beautiful video, Hannah. You've given voice to much of what I, too, feel about this time of year and what many people feel. I am thinking of you this holiday season. oxox
Oh, Pat! Thank you. It was such a relief--is that the right word?--to realize that a sense of loss was almost central to seasonal celebrations for almost everyone I know. Love to you.
This video was most enjoyable to watch. It was nice to hear some of your memories of holidays past and you expressed emotions we may experience this time of year so wonderfully. Thank you Hannah and I wish happy Hanukkah to you
Thank you so much, Marcia. I hope you're enjoying some special time with family and friends this season. I am always so happy to see you in the comments here! Happy New Year!
Happy Hanukkah. The tradition I remember and carried on for my sons and now my grandchildren. A piece of citrus fruit in the toe of the Christmas stockings. My mother always told the story of why. When she was young citrus was very dear and a huge treat. My children and grandchildren never met my parents. This tradition keeps my mother close to us. My intro to Russian tea was instant tea mixed with Tang and some spices.
I too grew up with oranges in the toes of stockings! It was a tradition my grandmother had grown up with--and I always make a point to eat oranges in her memory during Christmas week. And my goodness--I had totally forgotten about the instant tea-Tang mix that so many of my friends had in their cabinets this time of year when I was growing up!
Oh, wonderful! I am so glad you enjoyed it! I have only dyed yarn when assisting a friend, but it was so much fun! What are some of your favorite things to knit? I used to love knitting lace, but I have sort of moved away from it since no one I know really wants yet another lace shawl...
@@HannahsBooks I am an avid lace knitter too, but I also make sweaters, socks, and other stuff. I dye yarn professionally, so while it is an enjoyable and satisfying way to make a living, it is not what I do for fun and relaxation, lol. Knitting is part of my business model, in that I make all my samples, but I also look forward to my knitting time in the evening. Then it's reading time, before bed.
@@yarnmama10 I knit mostly sweaters now. My husband was a sock knitter. I was so glad when he started knitting his own socks-because knitting for his big feet seemed to take forever! How amazing to be a professional dyer! Do you have a website or something you’d be willing to share? If so-spell it out rather than linking, please, since TH-cam doesn’t always show links.
I'm enjoying this very much on Christmas evening, Hannah. I enjoyed the All of A Kind Family books when I was a kid. Maybe I should revisit them! We also do holiday walks...we walked on the beach today.
How wonderful to hear about other people who have a holiday walks tradition! The beach sounds perfect. I'm too far away right now, but I'm going down to visit my brother soon and can't wait to stick my toes in the sand, no matter how cold. The All of a Kind Family books don't necessarily have the lasting power of something like Little Women or Anne of Green Gables, but I definitely still find them enjoyable--possibly just out of nostalgia. I'd love to hear what you think now, if you decide to pick them up again.
Ginger marmalade sufganiyot sound wonderful and would have delighted some of the many ghosts around my table. We do very quiet, very still Decembers here with many simple pleasures. I hope there’s peace at your table amid the echoes of grief.
I love the image of ghosts around the table, enjoying ginger sufganiyot! Thank you. Simple pleasure and peace are exactly what the holidays have come to be about for me, too. Lots of love to you and yours.
Excellent launch to the Festival of Lights. A favorite Kimmel book is the Magic Dreidels, the kids always loved that the evil person got their comeuppance in the end for trying to trick the young boy. And Chanukah in Chelm by David A. Adler, who wrote the Cam Jansen books. The really observant kids made the connection that it was using the same type of humor as Amelia Bedelia and we would have a great discussion about the wise fool in literature and folklore. For my second grade library visits we focused on folklore, fairytales, tall tales, mythology, legends and even a story each from the Iliad and the Odyssey for the entire year. It was my favorite grade to teach.
Ooh, thank you so much for these recommendations! I'll go look up Magic Dreidels at the library tomorrow. I tracked down a copy of the Adler a year or two ago after someone (probably you?) recommended it to me. It was wonderful--and I really love your Amelia Bedelia insight!
Awe thanks for Granny Glittens, we called my maternal grandma Granny. Everyone did and does, I miss her so much. We also called her Buttermilk Vert, she loved to eat cornbread crumbled up in a glass of buttermilk. 🤢
What wonderful memories! I am going down to see my brother-and also all my cousins etc who live in SC too-and I am most looking forward to eating some of the foods my parents and grandparents used to love. Isn’t it funny how food carries such memories?
Oh, coming back to add that I used to read Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins to my grade school classes ever year. Easy and enjoyable way to expand their horizons just a little bit.
I can imagine that Hershel would be a great classroom read! I know all my friends and I were obsessed with goblins and monsters and the like--and Halloween season was never long enough. Fitting goblins into late December would have thrilled all of us, no matter what we celebrated at home.
Happy Hanukkah, Hannah. I very much enjoyed listening to your thoughts and memories. Christmas has become a very fraught season for me as time has gone on, but I do enjoy thinking back to happier times. And I so appreciate your acknowledgment, especially in this social media environment where JOY is constantly being shoved in all our faces, that there are those of us for whom the holiday light can flicker and sometimes go out altogether. You are a kind and empathetic soul. I always look forward to your videos, and I wish you peace. 💙
Oh and PS, back when I was a kid, there were NO other Ninas! Now they seem to be all over the place!!
I had not thought about Nina being a newly-popular name. Fascinating! And thank you very much for sharing your frustration about joy being shoved in our faces. Lots of love to you.
Delightful to watch this last thing on Christmas Day here. Happy Hanukkah and cherish those memories even if they bring a bit of sadness.
Thank you so much, Ros. Love to you and your family. How wonderful to think of you watching right as Christmas Day ended. (By the way, I can't wait to see your video with Tilly--and will watch later this evening!)
This was nice. It was fun not only learning about traditions different than my own, but learning about the traditions and stories that are meaningful to you specifically. I wish I had better words of comfort for you at this time of year - just know I am thinking of you and having you during this season is brings me joy.
Thanks, Julia. What a very kind comment. I appreciate it.
Lovely video, Hannah. Heading to the kitchen to make Russian tea. I will think of you and all your great book reflections as I sip it today and read Tolstoy’s Resurrection. Happy Hanukkah and all the best to you in 2025. You shed a beautiful light on the joy of reading! ❤️💐🌷🌹🌻
What a lovely combination--Russian tea and Russian literature! Thank you for your kind comments.
What a wonderful video! I love your tradition of your holiday walk!❤
Thank you so much, Meg. I hope you are enjoying this festive season!
Happy Hanukkah Hannah. Love this Bookukkah tradition of sharing your stories.
Thanks, Kari! I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. I am already tired of the cold weather we're getting here...
@@HannahsBooks Thanks, I'm enjoying the holidays. I hope you're not tired of the cold yet. We've a couple of months more to go. 😝
@@tealorturquoise I am cuddled under an electric blanket right now drinking cocoa and feeling very happy!
Beautiful Hannah, thank you! Happy Hanukkah 🕎
Thank you so much, Jodi. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season!
Happy Hanukkah, I've had a few days off Booktube due to Christmas and I'm watching these out of order! One of the children's books mentioned reminded me of the borrowers.
Thank you for this beautiful video, Hannah. You've given voice to much of what I, too, feel about this time of year and what many people feel. I am thinking of you this holiday season. oxox
Oh, Pat! Thank you. It was such a relief--is that the right word?--to realize that a sense of loss was almost central to seasonal celebrations for almost everyone I know. Love to you.
Happy Hanukkah! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Josh! I have a bunch of your videos in my "watch later" file. How are you doing?
This video was most enjoyable to watch. It was nice to hear some of your memories of holidays past and you expressed emotions we may experience this time of year so wonderfully. Thank you Hannah and I wish happy Hanukkah to you
Thank you so much, Marcia. I hope you're enjoying some special time with family and friends this season. I am always so happy to see you in the comments here! Happy New Year!
Happy Hanukkah. The tradition I remember and carried on for my sons and now my grandchildren. A piece of citrus fruit in the toe of the Christmas stockings. My mother always told the story of why. When she was young citrus was very dear and a huge treat. My children and grandchildren never met my parents. This tradition keeps my mother close to us.
My intro to Russian tea was instant tea mixed with Tang and some spices.
I too grew up with oranges in the toes of stockings! It was a tradition my grandmother had grown up with--and I always make a point to eat oranges in her memory during Christmas week. And my goodness--I had totally forgotten about the instant tea-Tang mix that so many of my friends had in their cabinets this time of year when I was growing up!
Thank you for the delightful story link! I am a knitter and a yarn dyer. The story was adorable. 😊
Oh, wonderful! I am so glad you enjoyed it! I have only dyed yarn when assisting a friend, but it was so much fun! What are some of your favorite things to knit? I used to love knitting lace, but I have sort of moved away from it since no one I know really wants yet another lace shawl...
@@HannahsBooks I am an avid lace knitter too, but I also make sweaters, socks, and other stuff. I dye yarn professionally, so while it is an enjoyable and satisfying way to make a living, it is not what I do for fun and relaxation, lol. Knitting is part of my business model, in that I make all my samples, but I also look forward to my knitting time in the evening. Then it's reading time, before bed.
@@yarnmama10 I knit mostly sweaters now. My husband was a sock knitter. I was so glad when he started knitting his own socks-because knitting for his big feet seemed to take forever!
How amazing to be a professional dyer! Do you have a website or something you’d be willing to share? If so-spell it out rather than linking, please, since TH-cam doesn’t always show links.
@@yarnmama10 Duh! I just clicked on your profile and got the info! I will check out your site tomorrow!
@@HannahsBooks Thank you! I have a blog on my website where I write about reading occasionally, but mostly knitting and dyeing.
I'm enjoying this very much on Christmas evening, Hannah. I enjoyed the All of A Kind Family books when I was a kid. Maybe I should revisit them! We also do holiday walks...we walked on the beach today.
How wonderful to hear about other people who have a holiday walks tradition! The beach sounds perfect. I'm too far away right now, but I'm going down to visit my brother soon and can't wait to stick my toes in the sand, no matter how cold.
The All of a Kind Family books don't necessarily have the lasting power of something like Little Women or Anne of Green Gables, but I definitely still find them enjoyable--possibly just out of nostalgia. I'd love to hear what you think now, if you decide to pick them up again.
Ginger marmalade sufganiyot sound wonderful and would have delighted some of the many ghosts around my table. We do very quiet, very still Decembers here with many simple pleasures. I hope there’s peace at your table amid the echoes of grief.
I love the image of ghosts around the table, enjoying ginger sufganiyot! Thank you. Simple pleasure and peace are exactly what the holidays have come to be about for me, too. Lots of love to you and yours.
Thanks for the video and happy Hanukkah. We're probably having our latkes tomorrow evening.
Thank you so much, James. I hope your latkes don't set off the fire alarm as mine so often do!
Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays to you too, Jess! Lovely to see you here!
Excellent launch to the Festival of Lights. A favorite Kimmel book is the Magic Dreidels, the kids always loved that the evil person got their comeuppance in the end for trying to trick the young boy.
And Chanukah in Chelm by David A. Adler, who wrote the Cam Jansen books. The really observant kids made the connection that it was using the same type of humor as Amelia Bedelia and we would have a great discussion about the wise fool in literature and folklore.
For my second grade library visits we focused on folklore, fairytales, tall tales, mythology, legends and even a story each from the Iliad and the Odyssey for the entire year. It was my favorite grade to teach.
Ooh, thank you so much for these recommendations! I'll go look up Magic Dreidels at the library tomorrow. I tracked down a copy of the Adler a year or two ago after someone (probably you?) recommended it to me. It was wonderful--and I really love your Amelia Bedelia insight!
Happy Chanukkah
Thank you so much, Renee! I hope you enjoy some seasonal festivities!
What a beautiful tribute to both joy and grief. Thank you. I hope you have a meaningful Hanukkah.
Thank you so much! Have you been able to spend some festive times with family and friends his season?
@HannahsBooks Yeah. Thanks. We had a good Christmas and I had a good birthday.
@ ooh-happy birthday!
@HannahsBooks Thank you!
Awe thanks for Granny Glittens, we called my maternal grandma Granny. Everyone did and does, I miss her so much. We also called her Buttermilk Vert, she loved to eat cornbread crumbled up in a glass of buttermilk. 🤢
What wonderful memories! I am going down to see my brother-and also all my cousins etc who live in SC too-and I am most looking forward to eating some of the foods my parents and grandparents used to love. Isn’t it funny how food carries such memories?
I love this one, Hannah. So evocative of more serene times.
Thank you, Gail. I am in such need of some serenity these days! The peace of the season has been especially nice this year.
Love your answers. I especially liked what you said about your favorite treats. Lovely message at the end
Thank you, Stuart! Have you made any special treats this season?
@@HannahsBooks You welcome. No, I must admit I am not a cook or baker
@ ♥️
Oh, coming back to add that I used to read Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins to my grade school classes ever year. Easy and enjoyable way to expand their horizons just a little bit.
I can imagine that Hershel would be a great classroom read! I know all my friends and I were obsessed with goblins and monsters and the like--and Halloween season was never long enough. Fitting goblins into late December would have thrilled all of us, no matter what we celebrated at home.
My family also has our own version of “Russian Tea” made with Tang, lemonade, cinnamon, and cloves.