Chanukah

Stop me if I start to knit this!

It's the Chanukah Holiday Sweater!

Oh...forget about this weekend's calendar! We're all too busy with Chanukah and Christmas planning to even think about going on a field trip! If you are so inclined, take a look at the L.A. Weekly Calendar; the L.A. Conservancy Events and the L.A. Times Hotlist.

I'm never too busy for Stitch 'n Bitch meetings though! I'll be at the Original Farmers Market this Saturday from 10am to noon for our once-a-month WeHo SnB. At 3:30 I'll be at the Fairview Branch of the Santa Monica Library for yet another SnB meet-up! Of course, I'll be working on holiday gifts at both of these meetings.

Garland of Stars for Christmas

I've been crocheting little 5-pointed hearts for a Garland of Stars for Carol's and Thane's holiday party this coming Sunday. I've also decided to crochet some 6-pointed stars for a Chanukah Garland for our archway between our dining room and living room at home. I hung a few stars on my lamp at the office with paperclip hooks. I think they're quite effective.

Chanukah @ the Office

Chanukah starts at sundown on Friday night. From Wikipedia: From the Hebrew word for "dedication" or "consecration", Chanukah marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the forces of Antiochus IV and commemorates the "miracle of the container of oil". According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.

So, it's all about the miracle of the oil and cooking food in oil for our family feast. Our traditional family Chanukah foods include brisket or roast chicken, potato pancakes (latkes, fried in oil) with sour cream and homemade applesauce, some sort of green vegie; mandelbrot and pound cake for dessert. People with Jewish heritage from the Mediterranean countries also enjoy a dessert called Sufganiyot, which are really doughnuts, fried in oil.

Happy Chanukah everyone! Hope you accomplish all of your gift-buying and pre-holiday plans this weekend!