Happy Chanukah!
Israeli Bloggers! Don’t miss our event on Saturday evening, December 26, with Jacob Share.
Our preparations for Chanukah, which starts tonight, have been low-key. My husband had to use up vacation days so he took our 8-year-old to Seattle for a week to see my father-in-law. I thought it might be a mini-vacation for me to have only three kids home most of the time, but there is always something to do! My husband does 99% of the shopping.
My 13-year-old went shopping at the shuk today for the first time. So far he’s only called me twice with questions, less than I expected.
Yesterday a jar of silver polish inside a cabinet tipped over, requiring me to clean or throw out numerous items. Well, some cabinets are now ready for Pesach. 
Fortunately we’d finished most of the cooking.
It’s going to be a quiet Shabbat with my soldier son visiting. So far he’s come home every Friday. I think he would have stayed in this week if it weren’t for Chanukah.
Before starting basic training, he had to sit through lectures on different topics. The soldiers are only allowed to comment if they don’t understand. When a commander gave information that was obviously wrong, my son had to keep quiet so he wouldn’t get punished. My son’s indignant reaction: “That’s no way to teach.” Remember, correcting teachers is A Family Trait.
We have plenty to keep us busy: two shul parties for children and adults (I guess I’ll go alone), my son is preparing a two-day camping trip/counselor’s course, his older sister wants to host a slumber party when he’s gone, my niece will be visiting, my small daughter is invited to a birthday party (one hour long! how inconvenient), and we are hosting the family Chanukah party the day my husband and son get back.
My mother died before Chanukah 19 years ago. My oldest son and I spent the holiday with my father in the US, the last time any of us visited in the winter. But we didn’t have any other children then to keep my husband company! We’re okay.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday.
P.S. You might enjoy this post from CookingManager.Com: Extreme Frugality: Twenty Memories of My Mother.
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Robin from Israel Said,
December 11, 2009 @ 2:45 PM
Low-key sounds pretty busy in your house.
Happy Hannukah to you and to all who are celebrating.
Baila Said,
December 11, 2009 @ 4:41 PM
Happy chanuka, Hannah! I had no time to put up a Chanuka post, but I enjoyed reading yours.
Tamar Said,
December 11, 2009 @ 6:08 PM
I would have been extremely tempted to say “I don’t understand how you could get that so wrong”! I suffer from the same trait, I think. Chag urim same’ach!
sylvia_rachel Said,
December 11, 2009 @ 8:27 PM
Chanukah sameach!
Mimi Said,
December 12, 2009 @ 11:43 PM
Chanukah sameach to you and your family! And a hug to your littlest from me and my Little One. Hope the holiday goes well and merrily, even with two of your menfolk traveling.
Beautiful photo…
Steve Said,
December 13, 2009 @ 4:16 AM
I am extremely offended that you would wish me Happy Chanukah. Why didn’t you wish me Happy Holidays instead? Don’t you know that other religions have their celebrations this time of year. The Hindus have Diwali, The Muslims have Eid al Adha, the Pagans have the Winter Solstice and let us never forget about Kwanzaa. The Christians also have a holiday around this time of year but I can’t at the moment remember what its called. But no, instead of wishing a Happy Holidays you go ahead and say Happy Chanukah. How offensive indeed.
I am really kidding about that. You are Jewish. You live in Israel. It makes sense that you would wish people a Happy Chanukah. Duh. So I am not offended at all. Not even a little bit.
T.W. Said,
December 13, 2009 @ 5:24 AM
Wow, you’re really busy! Thanks for having our sister over! A happy Chanukah to you and the family!
(very interesting link- I love reading about her, since I don’t remember her.)
lion of zion Said,
December 13, 2009 @ 7:20 AM
“So far he’s only called me twice with questions, less than I expected.”
that can either be a good sign or a not so good sign
mother in israel Said,
December 13, 2009 @ 4:27 PM
It was a good sign. My only complaint was that the produce he picked out was too good-most fruit not ready to eat except apples, which I wanted for sauce anyway.
mother in israel Said,
December 13, 2009 @ 4:27 PM
Thanks, TW! Glad you enjoyed it.
mother in israel Said,
December 13, 2009 @ 6:01 PM
Steve, when I posted that your response did cross my mind–all the way through to the end.
mother in israel Said,
December 13, 2009 @ 6:02 PM
Robin
“Low-key sounds pretty busy in your house.”
That pretty much sums up my life.