Thursday, December 21, 2017

An Eightfold Spendor

Kindle the taper like the steadfast star ablaze on evening's forehead o'er the earth, and add each night a luster till afar an eightfold splendor shine above thy hearth. ~ Emma Lazarus

We're quickly hurtling toward Christmas but Hanukkah has come and gone. I get a kick out of staging some photos of each of the eight nights that the menorah is lit. Those images are below.

Hanukkah night one
On Hanukkah, the first dark night, light yourself a candle bright.
I'll you, if you will me invite, to dance within that gentle light.
~ Nicholas Gordon
Night Number One: A last minute purchase of a few cheap candle holders from the dollar store to act as a glittery turquoise backdrop for the first candle.





Hanukkah night two
A candle is a small thing. But one candle can light another.
And see how its own light increases, as a candle gives its flame to the other.
You are such a light. ~ Moshe Davis
Night Number Two: My Hanukkah candles match the ivory tones of a candle-lit lamp and a picture frame featuring my much-missed Skittles.





Hanukkah night three
The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle. ~ Robert Altinger
Night Number Three: An odd little collection of items - a bedazzled little gecko, a tiny jar with a collection of feathers and a gold-dipped rose from a love long ago.





Hanukkah night four
Why Hanukkah is better than Christmas: It's much quicker to clean the wax from your menorah than it is to vacuum all the pine needles. No reindeer poop to shovel from your roof. And nobody will send you a video of dogs barking "The Dreidel Song."
Night Number Four: Anyone for a cup of tea? Here's a cup just for you and some sugar if you wish. All three pieces are second hand finds.





Hanukkah night five copy
In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it "Christmas" and went to church; the Jews called it "Hanukkah" and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hanukkah!" or to the atheists "Look out for the wall!" ~ Dave Barry
Night Number Five: Settle in for a night of reading and munching on mandarin oranges.
(I cheated a bit here. For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook where I have already confessed, see if you can figure out what the cheat is.. and maybe why)





Hanukkah night six
My family wasn't very religious; on Hanukkah, they had a menorah on a dimmer ~ Richard Lewis
Night Number Six: Remembering my Mom on this night. The figurine and vase were hers. Each take up their own place of honour at my home. The humour in some of these quotes is a nod to my Dad. Eye rolls are most appropriate.





Hanukkah night seven
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~ Buddha
Night Number Seven: More yard sale and thrift shop finds. A bowl with a fat candle, a lantern with tea light and an alarm clock - just because.





Hanukkah night eight
May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind. ~ Unknown
Night Number Eight: On the last night, a little bit of whimsy. A candle-lit Kokopelli mirrors its smaller self on the turquoise clay tealight holder. Watching them play, is a wood sea turtle with shell that allows you to hide small treasures beneath it. The latter two are from yard sales but the larger Kokopelli was a gift.





tree
Tree decorating with cats: O Christmas tree, O christmas tree, your Ornaments are history!
 ~ Unknown
And this little tree provides the mini lights you see behind the menorah in most of the above photos.

For those who celebrate, I wish you a belated Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Solstice and a very Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing the seasons (at least in part) with me.

37 comments:

Marie Smith said...

Such beautiful collections for the holiday season!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I thoroughly enjoyed each night of the Menorah lighting, but oh how I love the shot of the Christmas tree. Beautiful. Wishing you blessings this holy day season.

messymimi said...

It looks like you had a beautiful Hanukkah, and i am very glad. May the new year bring you many blessings!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Merry Christmas to you.You are very creative in setting up these scenes.

Birdie said...

Pictures are stunning! What a beautiful space you have created.

Hilary said...

All beautiful my friend........here's to 2018, right around the corner.

stephen Hayes said...

Thanks for sharing these glorious pictures. I hope you're having a wonderful holiday season.

Karen said...

A season of beautiful light for all.
I always consider the Solstice to be the beginning of the true New Year as our days grow longer. We lit the tree tonight and finish all the Christmas preparations.
When my children were young, we respected all faiths. We celebrated Hanukkah, Divali, Christmas and the traditional New Year. Now that they are grown and gone on to their own lives and traditions, we are just two old people lighting our lights against the dark.

Linda said...

Very pretty! Happy holidays!

Tabor said...

Missed your lovely photography and glad to see this. Such a treasure of vignettes You have a wonderful collection of things. You motivate me to try some still life photos as these gray days start getting shorter.

DJan said...

I saw these each day on Facebook, but I have enjoyed the story behind them so much here, and you have, once again, brightened my day with your lovely pictures. Thank you so much. :-)

Out on the prairie said...

happy holiday, they all snuck up on me

Unknown said...

LOVE these, what a great idea to stage each day differently, and each one is so beautiful!

We've got a Christmas tree, which I have mixed feelings about. I grew up with them, so to me they say "family" and "seasonal celebration," but I can't say I've been Christian since I was about 5 or 6 years old. Would it be cheating for us to do a Menorah next year if we're not Jewish? It seems a lovely tradition but I wouldn't want to offend anyone.

Or, well, there's always Festivus...

Rita said...

Oh, these were wonderful! It was fun just to see what you set up each night. Lovely!! Happy everything backatcha!! ;)

waldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssek said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family
and a happy new year
Greetings Frank

Barbara said...

I loved following this on Facebook and how you staged each one differently. Each one is beautiful! I wondered about the gorgeous bokeh in the background!! Thank you for sharing these with us. Wishing you all the best in the coming year! xoxo

Cloudia said...

Each of these tableaux sings to me in so many details that tell me we are kindred spirits [ as if I din't already love that!]
and yes: Remembering Tina Forrester. Wishing you dreamy holidays, Sis

William Kendall said...

Very creative! Happy Holidays!

sage said...

Beautiful photos! I love the brightening light as the candles multiple and pierce the darkness

Small City Scenes said...

Ah beautiful. I do love the red Menorah candles and I did roll my eyes at "menorah on a dimmer".
I did see the face in the clouds and wondered if anyone would see it and would remark. You did! You win the prize of your choosing. Peace Joy and/or happiness
MB

Rick Watson said...

I know I sound like a broken record but your decorations are beautiful;
Merry Christmas:

ellen abbott said...

love the little dioramas.

Existe Sempre Um Lugar said...

Feliz ano 2018 repleto de oportunidades, saúde, esperança e prosperidade.
AG

Joanne Noragon said...

Thank you for the tableaux. So happy to have found you.

Becca said...

I love your menorah pictures from each night. I always take some as well, but I think you have inspired me to up my game next year!

Shammickite said...

Happy 2018 to you Hilary, this will be a good year! I'll be in touch.... getting a new hip installed in January, so will be stuck at home for a couple of weeks recovering, but after that I'll be able to meet up with you, as promised!!

photowannabe said...

Beautiful treasures.
Happy New Year Hilary.
I haven't been by your blog for way too long.
I have missed your fantastic photography.
I always love your quotes that go along with your photos.

photowannabe said...

I would also love to follow you on FB. Is that possible?
Suzan Leander Batz

Linda said...

Such beautiful pictures. I hope you had a joyous holiday and a very happy New Year! Many blessings in 2018!

Daryl said...

i love your staged menorah photos ... this year somehow i never managed to get it together to light the candles tho the menorah took its place of honor on the mantle in front of the 'seasonal' cards we received

Wendy said...

You did a lot of work creating this! I felt I was right there celebrating with you! Love the candles and all the trimmings.

All the best for 2018!

Will check you out on FB.

yaya said...

Such a thoughtful and beautiful post. I'm a bit late to wish a happy anything but how about a Happy New Year! I wish you all the best in 2018 and many, many more fabulous photos to share!

Lady Fi said...

How gorgeously festive! Love that first shot.

Dan said...

I’m always impressed with the depth of thought that go into your photo shoots.

Happiness, Joy, Peace, Calm, Enlightenment, Compassion throughout the year!

Jenn Jilks said...

These were wonderful to see pop up on Facebook! You have such a knack.

Terra said...

Your candle photos are stunning and made me smile.

Cloudia said...

Wishing you well