Ever since we put up our noble fir tree in the corner of our living room two weeks ago, donned it with tiny white lights and ornaments full of memories from our childhood, our home has taken on a newly festive aura, radiating with Christmas warmth. But things got even more festive around here last night!
Our friends Chris and Rachel, who moved from Seattle to Indiana this summer, came back to visit family for a few days. We decided to help them see all of their friends in one place at one time: we provided the venue - and cooked up some tasty bites and spiked eggnog - and they invited the guests.
It was the last night of Hannukah, so Rachel brought her menorah. Once the house was full of people, we turned off the lights, Rachel lit all eight candles, and sang the Hannukah prayers - with the help of Chris and a few others with a print-out of the words to guide them.
With the tree and menorah glowing from different parts of the room, and a room full of old and new friends, it was a beautiful joining of multiple celebrations on one night of the season.
