This holiday thing had me clean my house a little deeper. OK, I admit it, it’s not the holiday thing, but Liana’s boyfriend’s parents coming to visit. As usual, I had grand deep-cleaning plans and even contemplated finishing up chores long since deserted mid-task, like painting the ceilings. But as time runs out and I’ve done fun things instead, like knitting, I’m getting more and more tolerant of the state of our house. If ever there was someone who took the concept seriously about clean house or fun with friends, it’s me. Friends win each and every time. So I will not be remembered as the German with the clean house, a myth anyway, but as someone willing to expose her cleaning shortcomings.
A little frantically, things are stuffed into the garage. This time from the front garage door. The access from the kitchen is kind of almost blocked. Sure wish I could start purging, but instead I told a Hanukkah well wisher today: sure I embroider and cross stitch, so apparently I’ll inherit what she didn’t manage to throw away. As you can see, I’m helpless and the situation is hopeless. Let’s move on, nothing to see here.
I decided to put the random number generator into action for Hanukkah. Tonight, one of you will be a winner of 2 chocolate truffles. If you win, you’re still in for the cowl and 5 truffles and the chocolate bark. The big prizes will be revealed on December 22 or 23.
Ta-da! It’s Ginna! We’ll talk flavors soon, and perhaps a visit?
And as a bonus, here is our prayer for the first night of Hanukkah (written by Ellen Bring and adapted by us):
With this candle of Peace and Justice, tonight, we light the candle of respect. May respect burn brightly in our hearts and manifest in our daily lives.
In this time of the miracle of Light, let the message, the mission and the action be enlightenment. May humans open their hearts and immediately cease their war against other animals, Mother Earth and each other. May we cease our ignorant, arrogant, unconscious and violent ways, and become our highest selves, filled with love and respect for all who are here, committed to gentle coexistence with Mother Earth.
May those beings who are suffering be released from their pain and terror.
May those beings who are unjustly imprisoned and enslaved be freed and unshackled.
May those beings who are anxious and scared know peace and courage.
May those beings who are cold and hungry know warmth and plenty.
May those beings who are lonely and depressed know love and joy.
May those beings who are lost and abandoned be found and loved.
May the waters run pure and free; the flowers bloom; the trees grow old; and the Earth renew and reclaim herself.
May the Light of the universe shine upon everyone and everything, and through everyone and everything, so that all beings experience their highest, truest selves.
May kinship with all life blossom and flourish in our hearts, and may peace and justice for all living beings and things be now.
Thank you for this. It is beautiful.
Oh and I’m so glad friend fun wins over a clean house
Thank you for the prayer, this first night. Your generosity of spirit is the gift, and that goes to Stephen as well. L’chaim!
Oooooooooooooooh, I’m so excited!!! I never win anything, but now I have. Thank you, Marianna. You mean I have choices as to what kind of truffles I get to shove in my gullet? I’m not picky, actually.
And I can’t wait to see who wins Zuzu. This is all so much fun.
Thank you x 1000.
Amen! and many blessings to you & your family this season!