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I have pulled this post from the archives, as it is still a keeper so many years later! This year I did not acknowledge the beginning of the solemn 3 week period, which started on July 6th, so making up for that now.......
Ten days ago, on July 6th, was the Jewish date of the 17th of Tammuz, a solemn fast day on the Jewish calendar which marks the beginning of a three week period of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, (The Holy Temple/King Soloman's Temple.) Here is where the old post starts:
So with the boys home from school early, and my daughter just starting her summer vacation, there is no time like the present to try and get back into our crafting groove which I have missed greatly! So today I pulled out the watercolors, and grabbed a white corrugated cardboard box, and we all spent some time painting the stones of the kotel, and I just love the results!
Yes, my boys smirked when I told them to use bright and beautiful colors for the stones that they know as beige, but I explained to them that we were painting the stories that the stones had surely witnessed, and all the beautiful prayers whispered in front of these stones every day by countless individuals from both near and far.
And the results are truly gorgeous, right?
And yes, many children need their mother to sit down with them at least to get them started, so my way too controlled version of the stones can be seen in the top photo, bottom right. My kid's versions are so much better, though it always takes lots of convincing to get them to believe it!
So whether you are looking for a craft for today, or something for the next 3 weeks on the Jewish calender, or just a relaxing way to pass some time creatively, I can't say enough about the magic of watercolors! Just do make sure to buy the relatively new watercolor palettes that have larger wells of paint and more brilliant colors than previously on the market.
