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therealmelindastrauss

What’s a Sukkot vacation to Seattle without a tr

What’s a Sukkot vacation to Seattle without a trip to the Washington State Fair?!?
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I’ve been going to the state fair, formally known as the Puyallup Fair (I still miss that name), since I was a kid and I can never get enough! I drool over all the non-kosher fair food 🤤
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Scroll to the last slide to check me out on the sling shot with my nephew!! Maybe I do it to prove I’m still young at heart 😂 Either way, it was Ethan’s, first time on the sling shot and I’m happy I got to share that experience with him.
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Have you ever been to a state fair?? What’s your favorite thing about it?
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#dothepuyallup #washingtonstatefair #statefair #seattlelife #childhoodmemories

Both kids refused to take a pic together with me b

Both kids refused to take a pic together with me before Sukkot began 😂 but we got these 2 cute pics and that’s okay by me! Also, when did Zach get so old, right?!?
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The first days of the holiday were so nice! Only a tiny drizzle of Seattle rain, which meant we could eat in the Sukkah. Only a few bees, which meant I only ran into the house a few times in fear. We ate so much food that I wonder how I’ll ever eat again…but then I digest and I’m hungry again 🤪 I never understand those ppl who say they aren’t hungry…
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Now what to do for Chol Hamoed? Thank goodness for these growing kids who don’t need to be entertained all day because we can just play it by ear every day. I am SO EXCITED for the Washington State Fair tomorrow!!! To Seattle natives, you know it as the Puyallup Fair.
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What are your Chol Hamoed/weekend plans?
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#jewishholidays #sukkot #familypictures #dothepuyallup #seattlelife #jewishculture #feelingcute #weekendplans

Flying to Seattle in style! I am so excited for th

Flying to Seattle in style! I am so excited for this 2 week trip home 🥳 The family, the weather, the views, the holidays, the food! And get ready for lots of videos with my dad 😂 I know that’s really what you want…
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#safetravels #seattlebound #jewishholidays #travelpics @delta #flysafe #seattlelife

Well we didn’t celebrate today since, you know,

Well we didn’t celebrate today since, you know, Yom Kippur, but it’s still Justin’s birthday so let’s celebrate it now 🥳🥳🥳 Happy 39th, Justin!
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📸 cred to @angelagallophotography from Zach’s Bar Mitzvah this year in Orlando ❤️
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#happybirthday #39yearsold #almost40 #husbandsbirthday #husbandandwife #birthdayguy

With Yom Kippur fast approaching (it begins 9/15 a

With Yom Kippur fast approaching (it begins 9/15 at sunset) and the 10 days of Repentance coming to a close, I want to share a few things I've learned about Yom Kippur that apply directly to my life (and probably to yours, even if you’re not Jewish) from @aish.com 🙏🏻
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1. The first pillar of Yom Kippur is Teshuva. While it's usually translated as repentance, it really means to return. This is a time for us to return to our core values, reflect on the mistakes we've made in the past year, and commit to doing better.
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2. The purpose of this important day isn't simply to feel regret and make new vows to God to do better. This is also a time to seek forgiveness from others, to give forgiveness to those who ask, and to forgive ourselves as well. Make amends, free yourself of that heavy weight, and move forward.
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3. Embrace your mistakes. Yes, that's right, embrace them! Your mistakes are what shape you and give you the ability to help others as well. How can we learn to grow if we don’t have mistakes to learn from?
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I am SO excited to share with you guys that I'm working with @aish.com to help spread even more love of Judaism. Aish does an incredible job using social media to connect with such a broad audience of Jews from all backgrounds. There is so much diversity and their goals are right up my alley!! Aish uplifts and inspires people to live more thoughtful, spiritual, and impactful lives. I encourage you to follow them here on Instagram and if you're on TikTok, search for YourJudaism. Their videos are made by young Jewish TikTok creators (I’m too old to make videos for them 😂) and they are soooo worth following!
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At this time of year, we say to each other: “May you be sealed in the book of life” and I wish that for all of you!
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#partnership #proudjew #jewishlife #jewisheducation #spreadpositivity #jewishdiversity #yomkippur #repentance #jewishmemes #jewishandproud
📸cred @estybphotography (one day we’ll do a new photo shoot together!)

Best thing you ate over Rosh Hashanah last week? P

Best thing you ate over Rosh Hashanah last week? People can sometimes feel guilty about eating so much, even when everything is healthy, so let's celebrate food instead! You can also share what you’re planning to make for pre-Yom Kippur or to break the fast. I’m still unsure what I’m making. And okay, if you’re not Jewish, tell me your favorite Thanksgiving food because that’s important too 🙌🏻
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I know this pic is from Thanksgiving last year but this is basically what my Rosh Hashanah buffet looked like and now I’m really excited for Thanksgiving😂 and OMG with so many new people here and on TikTok, it’s going to be sooooo fun sharing my love of Thanksgiving!!!
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#roshhashanah #jewishnewyear #readyforthanksgiving #givethanks #proudjew #jewishfood #jewishholidays

Got myself out of a funk today. Wanna hear how I d

Got myself out of a funk today. Wanna hear how I did it??
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I moved. Yup, that’s it 😂 But there’s definitely more to it than that. A whole bunch of things piled on top of each other, a leaky sink, diabetes stress, exhaustion…and I was starting to feel bad for myself. So first thing I did (after a bit of sulking) was say out loud that I had to get out of the funk. I feel like getting it out of your head makes it real.
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And then I stood up. I know it seems so simple but there is power in changing your physical situation. It actually effects your mind too. Some say to take up a power stance, like putting your hands on your hips (Superman style), and I can tell you first hand that it works. Today I just moved around. I didn’t even leave the room but I got out of my chair. Then I went back to my desk and decided to do some of the work I was avoiding. And heck, if you can leave your chair, move your arms around or stretch. Just something to physically change the situation.
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If you’re feeling stressed right now as you read this, get up! Seriously, stand up. Tell me how it feels. It’s not going to fix all your problems but it might help you keep moving forward. Our bodies can change our minds.
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#getupandmove #stressedout #motivation #powerstance #adviceoftheday #feelingdown #growthmindset #youcontrolyou #yougotthis

I don’t usually set such a beautiful Rosh Hashan

I don’t usually set such a beautiful Rosh Hashanah table but I had some help this year and I am completely in love with it!
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@smartyhadaparty inspired the whole table with my new eco friendly disposable dishes!
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@ella_judaica sent me the most incredible tablecloths and placemats for the holidays!
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@yaelivogel gave me a gift with the most stunning honey dish and simanim cards.
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I am so grateful for the year that I’ve had and the people I’ve been so lucky to work with. May this coming year, 5782, be a fruitful year for us all! A year of parnassah, happiness, friendships, love, and good health.
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Shana Tova ❤️ Happy New Year!
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#happynewyear #shanatova #roshhashanah #tablescapes #jewishnewyear #grateful #ad

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