Eighth and Final Night of Chanukah, Chanukah Collection and Annie Coe's Heart

Okay, you are saying finally, or sof col sof in Hebrew, finally the last night of Chanukah!

See DH and me lighting the Shamas, the middle candle used to light all the others. And then DH starting a small bonfire under the menorah (candle holder) not

a normal part of the celebrations You can almost hear us reciting the Barucha, the blessing, over the eight candles that represent eight days found oil lasted in the ancient temple that was expected to last only one night. This is called Nes Gadol. A big miracle! And you'd think this is it, it's over after tonight...but not quite. Remember those gifts I made for my little grandchildren? That big pink snake and that stuffed buffalo guitar? Well, they are still in my closet waiting to be given to them on CHANUKAH! However, their schedule of activities for December Calendar was SO FULL that we are having to put off that family celebration until sometime next year... hopefully EARLY next year, like in January. But I am still waiting for a date to be offered up. So you may see candles lit one more time when ever that occurs! Just so you know. I love bringing out my collection of Judaica much of which belongs in the Chanukah Holiday. Like these glass draydels, tops that spin, for playing a specific Chanukah game. I also have a box of wooden and plastic draydels somewhere needed to be found before the kids come next. This gold menorah I acquired recently when my cousins were cleaning out my aunt and uncles home for them to move into assisted care. They gave me this smaller of their several memorahs to add to my collection. I'm not sure when I acquired these two. The ceramic one in the back and the metal one in front hold birthday sized candles.

I think I got the back menorah on a trip cross country one year so we could light it in

our motel room. And the one in front I found at a thrift store.

My girlfriend Patty gifted me with the other items shown here.

This plate and the draydels, the spreader knives, the salt and pepper draydel set, and the candy dish are all from Patty. That silver cup is my Kiddush cup from my Bat Mitzvah at age 12.

My daughter used it at her Bat Mitzvah and at her wedding.

I love this music box, also a gift from Patty, and my grand kids love it too.

When you wind the draydel on top it plays

the draydel song! Which they know and sing along to.

And that is that about Chanukah

until our family party!

*****

The next piece is a gift from Annie Coe, one of her wonderful ceramic hearts she gave me

when I purchased another heart for a gift to my older grand daughter from Annie's ETSY store. I like how the red leather neck string formed a heart shape on my counter top.

And the words: "Love Your Life" epitomize how I feel and try to live

each and every day.

Thank you Annie.

And do visit Annie's ETSY and make your own wonderful purchases.

They are so nice and very reasonably priced.

Perfect for Grateful Thursday, don't you think?