I just wanted to backtrack a little-- last week we went to Chicago to visit with Stephanie's family for Chanukkah. Her family has a huge to-do about Chanukkah, with a traditional dinner, the traditional opening of the presents, and a lot of other events. While we were there,we had a very busy social schedule, which was a lot of fun-- a synagogue visit to the huge Chicago reform visit Sinai, where they worship on Sundays and on the second night of Chanukkah they lit all of the lights because it would be more beautiful... I mean, why not just worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster because you find it more festive? (And of course, the secret thrill of being touched by his noodly appendage.) We also went to the first birthday party of Stephanie's best friends daughter Lana. It was held at a traditional Russian banquet hall, which was in a strip mall area in the Northern Chicago Suburbs. The food was lavish, and the party was fun (although I don't speak Russian at all, and that was the main language spoken. Lana translated all of the many toasts for us.) I got some very thoughtful gifts from Stephanie's parents, including some old clown posters that are going to look great in the kitchen!~-- errr... well, my studio, if I can ever get it finished.... One of the things that was pretty interesting is that just about everyone at the big Channukah dinner had read our blog, and knew all sorts of details about the house that I'd forgotten that I'd written down. It was nice to be among our family and readers...