Stargazing Sukkot Party

This little get together is the perfect low-maintenance way to get together with friends to celebrate the feast of Sukkot. Grab some blankets and head outside to gaze upon the stars and to remember the promises of YHWH. That's all you need. Decorations, snacks, and pillows are all optional and can be whatever is doable or desirable to you.

So this banner is just paper letters and yarn. It's lightweight and easy to put up and you can make any verse or a chag sameach or happy Sukkot into a banner.

I used a trunk, some suitcases, and a crate for table space. You could go without or take a coffee table outside or use a picnic table.

These cupcake toppers though.

These are the best kosher marshmallows I have found! They are vegan and kosher, available at Trader Joe's.

He knows the stars by name. -Psalm 147:4

Four Species Lemonade.

So this is a globe...of the moon. Strangely fascinating.

Star charts can offer some education into what you're looking at. The Gospel in the Stars is a neat read to learn of constellations representing Biblical stories and prophecies.

This party idea would also work well for Yom Teruah, and I think something like this could be a good introduction for friends and families that don't celebrate YHWH's feasts.

Chocolate einkorn cupcakes. I don't really like frosting, so there isn't any.

Have a beautiful Sukkot!

My Favorite Sukkahs of the Year

I saw so many amazing sukkahs this year! It was just incredible to be able open my inbox or browse Instagram to see photos of YHWH's feasts being celebrated around the world. I wanted to share with you a few of my favorites from this year, one for each night of Sukkot. I wouldn't mind celebrating the Feast of Booths in any of these!

From @elysamary I love the pretty lights and the menorah here! This is also shows that you don't need a huge yard or campsite to make a sukkah, it's totally doable on a patio or deck.

From @shalohamama This tropical sukkah is getting turned into a climbing structure for vertical gardening.

From @queenlioness333 I just love how she incorparted foliage and flowers into the vertical walls, don't you?

From @greenmomma4 Isn't this so elegant?

From @greenmomma4 Another shot from the inside. This looks so cozy and like the perfect place to stay warm on a chilly Sukkot evening.

From @theclimbingtree Doesn't this look like a place where you could hang out for hours? 

From @profuselyprofound The prayer shawl look I thought was a really unique take on a sukkah. Lauren said this was set up in a sanctuary where 24 hour prayer was happening!

From @madisonthompson It's not hard to imagine a lovely evening out here. Flowers and candles are a combination that's hard to top.

Which one was your favorite? Share your photos by tagging me on Instagram or using #sukkahgoals!

Sukkot Stuffed Recipes to Try

In most of the world Sukkot falls on the time of the final ingathering of the crops for the year. Gardens are emptied of the last of the tomatoes and peppers before the first frost, and huge fields are being harvested. Most of us are very far removed from the sigh of relief much of humanity surely felt at the end of an abundant harvest. While it is a blessing to live where an abundance of food available year round, we do miss out on noticing much of YHWH's provision. 

One way to remind ourselves that YHWH meets our needs is through the Sukkot tradition of stuffing vegetables and other foods. This shows that he not only gives us good things but generously 'stuffs' us full. Serving a meal of something stuffed is a good talking point of what (besides food) that YHWH has faithfully provided. Give one of these recipes a try this week!

Chili Stuffed Spaghetti Squash from Making Thyme for Health

Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from Will Frolic for Food

Pad Thai Spring Rolls from A Beautiful Mess

Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas from Cookie and Kate

Vegan Stuffed Poblanos from Minimalist Baker

Butternut Feta Hand Pies from A Beautiful Plate

Veggie Fajita Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from How Sweet It Is

Chipotle Pumpkin Enchiladas from A Beautiful Mess

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers from Minimalist Baker

Broccoli Rabe and Black Bean Quesadillas from Cookie and Kate

Pineapple Boat with Sorbet from The House That Lars Built

Almond Butter Baked Apples from Making Thyme for Health

Which of these doesn't look fantastic? I'm thinking it would be a great night for Mexican food in the sukkah. :) And that pineapple boat with fresh sorbet or ice cream? What dreams are made of! If you need inspiration, take a trip to a local farmers market. You could also stuff your favorite fillings into manicotti or apples into a pie. A very happy Sukkot week to all of you!

Ridiculously Simple Sukkot Decoration DIY

Step 1:
Get a large sheet of paper in a dark blue or black. If you can't find a huge sheet like mine, use poster board or several sheets of regular size paper. The exact size doesn't matter, just get it however big you'd like. I used masking tape to secure it to the wall I wanted to decorate.

Step 2:
Use white acrylic paint to add stars to the top of the paper. You can go for the regular star shape or the more abstract version like me. Think: fuzzy circles. Bonus points for including constellations.

Step 3:
Paint your landscape. Triangles for mountains, with a couple of sukkahs in the middle for me. You can add trees, a river, city skyline or whatever else you want.

Step 4:
When your paint is dry tape leaves around the top to represent a sukkah. I used ferns from my yard.

There you have it. A simple piece of Sukkot decor you can easily make yourself for little or no cost.

Chag Sameach Sukkot!

What I'm Doing During Sukkot

I hope everyone's Sukkot is off to a great start! Ours started with a congregational gathering that was lovely, and building our sukkah (I'll share pictures later). Today's weather has been rain, which is a great reminder of how temporal a sukkah and indeed, our existence is since ours isn't waterproof! Hopefully it dries out soon.

Our culture's holidays are all one day and that's what most of us think of when we think of Scriptural based celebrations. A lot of building up to the big day and then a flurry of people, parties, rich food, and presents, and then back to work the next day. However, Sukkot is an eight day celebration and we're meant to enjoy all eight days of it! While only the first and eighth days are no-work days we should still celebrate the entire time and do things that reflect that this is a special and set apart time. Even if you are working this week take some time to enjoy this time that YHWH sanctioned as joyful.

So here's what I'm doing this Sukkot:

Spending time in the sukkah. Scripture does tell us to spend this time in a temporary dwelling. If you made a traditional sukkah or are using a camping tent or something in between, be sure you are dwelling there at least part of your day. Eating meals in the sukkah is a simple way to do something to distinguish this time from the rest of the year. It's also a great place for your Scripture study and prayer time.

Taking a trip to the farmers market. I believe in eating locally for all the normal reasons from supporting organic farmers to cutting down on fossil fuel usage, but the most significant reason to me is the understanding it gives about the word of YHWH. Scripture has deep agricultural roots from the Garden of Eden to the Olive Tree to the tree that bears fruit each month. We miss something when we don't realize that Sukkot is about celebrating the harvest. Appreciate the miracle of YHWH's provision by visiting a farm or seeing what's in season at the farmers market. Go to an orchard and pick apples or pears. Talk about how YHWH provides for our needs each season.

Praying for the Ingathering of Israel. The picture of Sukkot is celebrating the harvest of our gardens and farms. The harvest, of course, is when I go to my garden and select the good fruit and bring it to my home. YHWH promises to do the same and regather Israel (both the Northern Kingdom and the people of Judah) back to him. Prayer that His people would turn and teshuvah to him is extra special during the time of Sukkot.

Star gazing. Sukkahs are traditionally made with imperfect roofs of tree branches so the occupants can still see the stars. It is a reminder of YHWH's promise to Abraham, "Your descendants will be that many." Grab a star chart or a book on astronomy to learn more about the earthly heavens.

Listening to this song on repeat. Obviously. How do you not love Sukkos Style? I reeeeeallllly wish they would do the full song.

Giving what I can. Sukkot called for a huge offering of animal sacrifices, "beside your vows, your terumah offerings, burnt offerings, grain and drink offerings, and shalom offerings." (Number 29:12-40) Because of Yeshua we no longer need the sacrifice of animals, but I think the amount of giving YHWH expected of the ancient Israelites should tell us something. Consider giving extra to your congregation or learning of other ministries that you want to support.

Inviting friends over. This is a great chance to show others the joy of celebrating the Festivals of YHWH. Ask friends over for dinner or coffee and share what you're doing during this time. Invite your Bible study to gather in your sukkah.

Making dessert. This is a feast after all! I don't take the time to prepare fancy pastries very often but I am going to try a couple of new recipes this week. Sukkot is a joyful time and a good dessert will emphasize that and help make great memories to look back on.

What are you guys up to this week? Whatever it is, have a very happy Sukkot!

Free Printable for Sukkot

Hi everyone! I thought it would be fun to share a printable as we are getting ready for Sukkot.

Have you seen the Sukkos Style parody from The Maccabeats? The inspiration for the printable comes from their clever lyrics. I wish they would remake the whole song! 

As they are commonly known, the Four Species come from Vayikra 23:40: On the first day you are to take the fruit of the citron tree, palm frond branches, twigs of myrtle trees, and willows of the brook, and celebrate in the presence of YHWH your God for seven days.

The printable is free for your personal use. Decorate your home or Sukkah by clicking here.