Purim

Purim was our first Jewish Holiday as man and wife – and what a fun one to start off with. Now, the KoD is more conservative than I am, so donning an Elvis costume was not something I was going to be able to convince him to do, but he enjoyed the fact that I got into the spirit of the holiday. Now, I dressed as my version of a goth, but was mistaken for Cher or a hooker (not quite sure where to go with those…)

Ok fine, here is a pic…….the wig was awful…..but I had fun going in to the local grocery story and wine store to pick up last minute supplies for our Purim dinner dressed like that. People looked twice. I just swaggered and smiled and left them shaking their heads.

So Purim night we went to shul to hear the megillah, it must have been the hottest ticket in town, because in the ladies section there were a ton of women who had no seats and stood through the whole thing. Now remember, the day immediately preceding Purim is a fast, the Fast of Esther. Those who fast cannot break the fast till after the megillah is read. Standing to hear megillah in a hot stuffy room – it shouldn’t have been a surprise that someone fainted. But the poor girl was so embarrassed.

After megillah was over we went home to break our fast while the oldest of the clan, being all of 13 and a half went out with his mates to collect for tzedakah. He promised not to drink nor smoke, nor do anything he knows I don’t approve of. He kept his word. Prince HockeyFan went to a purim party in school and had fun and got to go to bed late.

I managed to get 4 out of the 5 males in my house out to shul by 630 in the morning, and the littlest prince didn’t awake till 830, so it gave me 2 solid hours to cook in preparation for the festive meal. I made the most delicious brisket – marinated in Jack Daniels and some other condiments, and slowly cooked for 4 hours on 300. The house smelt divine. I also made a chicken soup, chicken schnitzel, mashed taters, sweet potato soufflé with marshmallows (first time making it, was divine) and a bunch of salads.

The littlest guy and I ran to a megillah reading that Sir Julius, the Flying Dutchman, holds in his house for a few select people, and after we ran some errands. Once we had all reconvened back at the palace – we planned our route for delivering Mishloach Manot. The kids made finishing touched to their costumes – Prince Lenny was a Breslovver Hippie, Prince Squiggy, in keeping with the broken leg and crutches, was a pirate, Prince HockeyFan was the Karate Kid, and Prince ChatterBox was a businessman – and off we went.

I was so glad to have KoD here to navigate the streets – the madness and mayhem out there was astounding. NY assertive driving definitely helped! Plus I didn’t get stressed!! Kids running into the street without looking, horse drawn carriages clippity clopping down our one way streets, groups and gaggles of young male people traveling in drunken packs collecting from all and sundry – even coming up to car windows when the cars were in motion. I know it’s a happy holiday, but do the teen boys have to get drunk and / or stupid?

We spent a merry couple of hours delivering and receiving our gift baskets and oohing and ahhing over costumes. Then it was back to the palace to finish up the food preparation (for me) and to overdose on sugar (for the princes). I must say that having the KoD around to help in the kitchen was awesome – and I felt no need to chase him out for getting underfoot. He was totally helpful. Yes the kitchen is my domain, but I don’t mind sharing it. (Plus he washes dishes – definitely a keeper!!)

Our guests arrived at the appointed hour and a marvelously joyous time was had by all. A lot of wine was drunk (amazing how my wine glass stayed full no matter how much I sipped. Interesting theory I have on that, but I shall keep it to myself) and a lot of laughter and frivolity and singing of Broadway show tunes followed. The food was absolutely astounding – and the birthday cake was enjoyed by all.

All in all, it was a wonderful holiday, a happy happy happy day – what a way to celebrate – with family and friends and loved ones. We are all so blessed!!

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