OH!! Funny story...my friend (who is Jewish) went to see Santa with me when we were about 7. As we were waiting in line a talking Christmas tree (!!) was telling us that soon it would be Christmas and it would be in our house. My friend said, " No you won't." Tree said, "Yes I will." Friend said, "NO, YOU WON'T." Tree said, "Yes, it will be Christmas and I woill come to your house." After a few more go rounds my friend said, "No, I'm Chanukah NOT Christmas."

We had a great time. Her family would come down and help us decorate the tree, and we'd go to their house during Chanukah and help light the candles and eat potato latkes. (I WANT SOME NOW!!!)

Den if you can get here by Saturday you can join us for potato latkes. The whole family will be here so you can just blend in...no one would notice.
With Chanukah you always tell the kids that the presents are from Mom or Dad or Pop-pop or Auntie or whatever. No Santa thing or stuff like that. Just a time to give to each other to celebrate the miracle of the Maccabees and the miracle of the lights. I'll look for a website that has the story of Chanukah on it. There must be one.

Traditionally Chanukah was a time to play with dreidles...little spinning tops and eat latkes and donuts because they are fried in oil and it was the oil that lasted in the lamp in the temple for eight days when it only should have lasted one day...and kids were given Chanukah gelt...gelt is money in Yiddish. But, I assume, because of the close proximity to Christmas and the whole gift thing Chanukah evolved into a gift giving holiday. But, that tradition is fairly modern. Oh and of course each of the eight nights we light the menorah. Actually avant garde Jews call the Chanukah menorah a "Chanukiah" pronounced Cha (like your clearing your throat) new-key-yah with the emphasis on the first syllable where your clearing your throat!

The Chanukiah has room for nine candles. Eight for the eight nights and one as a gaurdian to watch over the others. That one is usually the highest and is called the Shamash...you light the Shamash and hold it while you sing the prayers and then use it to light the others. First night you light the Shamash and one candle, second night Shamash and two candles..etc. Until on the last night you light the Shamash and all of the candles.

Wow, thats probably alot more than you needed to know.
LoveSoozie

Wish I COULD join you Soozie!!!

No Soozie,
Don't stop there! I love hearing about it, and you tell it so well.
I too love potato latkes. I used to make them for the Jewish family I worked for . I always loved this time of year. So interesting!
Virginia

Okay Virginia and Den,
I'm dropped some latkes in the mail...hope they make it while they're still warm!
Love, Soozie

DH is forcing me to go out to dinner tonight-waaaahhh! This is one of the reasons I can't stay OP on the weekends!

He was supposed to take something out of the freezer for dinner before he left for work this morning but he "forgot" (yeah, accidentally on purpose I'll bet )

Soozie-PROMISES PROMISES!!!!!!! And for you and Virginia......Sour cream or applesauce? I prefer sour cream myself!!!

Mauvais-Your DH sounds a lot like me!!! Of course one CAN use tyhe microwave to defrost the dinner, but I always conveniently forget that until AFTER we've eaten out!!!!

Applesauce please Den! I love sour cream, but gotta watch those calories!
Virginia

I watch them too!!! As they slide down my throat!!!

Well, we ended ujp going to a Greek restaurant

I skipped the moussaka and went for a healthy marinated grilled chicken and shrimp brochette dish. I also managed to stop myself from ordering a dessert Whew!

YUM!!!!

Don't you have no-fat sour cream? It's quite acceptable once you get used to it.

I did end up buying fat free sour cream for the party and it was very good. I only tasted a bit but no one even knew the difference! I guess with the delicious greasy potato latke underneath.....

the party was really fun. everyone had a great time! I can't believe it's Sunday though...I thought that a four day weekend would feel relaxing but, I'm already exhausted and the work week hasn't even started. And we're having company for dinner tonight. Though, we all agreed to do takeout.

I think that I'm up a pound so today I'll be really careful with my food and I must, must, must get back to the gym. Here I am again. Anytime I break the pattern it is so hard for me to get back. Have to get there this week.

Chris, I know you didn't post here but while I'm writing...Welcome back! Girl you've been through the wringer! My prayers are with you and your father and father-in-law, and your children!!!!

talk to you later chickies!
Soozie

Happy Chanukah, sooz! And anyone else who is celebrating it!

Good Morning Ladies! This thread cracks me up! I guess maybe because I get to see everyone else struggle with what I think is a problem just for me! LOL!

If it makes anyone feel better, while I was fighting t lose the majority of the wieght DH was trying to be supportive & when he got sick of Chicken he would take the kids out to eat alone for some greasy pizza & fries. When I lost about 25 he was then really supportive, realizing that I was not just in this for a week then would quit. Well 3 weeks ago we went to my 15 year high school reunion. Now most of these people did not even see me at my fattest, but a few did. Anyway an old boyfriend (he did see me at a pretty big size) came up & gave me a hug & told me I looked great even better than in highschool! Then another old friend came up & told me that I looked better than all of the others there & look how fat all the cheerleaders are now! We laughed & I did say that I was worse than that last year at this time. Her husband laughed & told DH to look out, that the cheerleaders were looking at me with daggers & the jocks with lust. We all were just joking, but then I noticed a change in DH. When we go out now he holds my hand & makes sure that he is with me & attentive. He now also started to work out with me & is yelling at me for bringing home stuff that he doesn't want to eat! LOL! Now consider this is the DH that only weighs about 10 pounds more than he did when we met 15 years ago! Ok so now that I have rambled on, just remember this when DHs bring home those cakes, keep at it & someday it will be him yelling at you for buying him oreos! LOL!