Today is the last day of Succot, sorry to say, and I've been working hard to photograph my succah, as well as keeping the family fed and happy, and preparing for the next holiday, Simchat Torah, in which we actually leave our succahs, come into our disorganized homes and celebrate the Torah, like in a big way, with lots of dancing and singing. Lest I digress, I just wanted to share wtih you my all time favorite centerpiece, a staghorn fern! I've been using this very staghorn fern, planted in soil, on my dining room table since Shavuot, namely in May, and I still love it.
I'll admit, when I finally spotted a staghorn fern at a nursery that I had never been to, of course I had to have it, and dreamed of mounting it on a board. But, I think I'm just gonna have to treat myself to another one, as this ones looks so great on my dining room table. It is currently growing in the long and narrow direction, which makes the proportions perfect and not annoying to those seated near it!
I had wanted to share more photos with you, and take out that fan in the background, but my computer is protesting on account of being just packed to the gills, so another time.
Wishing you all a beautiful Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Ah, and just for the record, here in Israel those two holidays are on the same day, whereas in the rest of the world they are celebrated on two separate days, which means that all the Torah observant Jews around the world are now preparing for another three day holiday, as Simchat Torah for them goes straight into Shabbat. Living in Israel is a beautiful thing, and it is even more beautiful knowing that I'll have Thursday night and Friday to get ready for shabbat!
Where ever you live, wishing you all the very best, and especially on this special day, which I forgot to mention is Hoshana Raba, a day for serious prayer. According to the kabbalah, this day, Hoshana Raba, is the day in which the heavenly decisions regarding the coming year are written finally. So if you need to beg for something, now would be the time! My boys and husband were in the synagogue from around 2am until 10 am doing spiritual work for our entire family.......I would have loved to make it to the morning prayer service at 5:40 am, but needed to sleep to replenish strength to cook and get the house together for some more guests! My 14 year old son just walked in having made the trip to Meron after being awake since 2am, so I'm off to great him, all the bes!