My lamb and beef stew is quietly cooking away. I'll be making tri-color couscous and salad to go with it, and a guest is bringing a cake. We have wine and beer as well as soda for the table. Which I need to clear off and put a tablecloth on.

We delivered our mishloach manot bags together, knocking on neighbor's doors. Three times, we were invited in to chat for a bit. The last time, at my husband's teacher's house, I got to sit and chat with the lady for awhile over a cup of coffee.

Meanwhile, the streets are full of people - kids and adults - in costume. I wore mine (just my school uniform) last night. I saw a walking Purim basket, I saw brides and princesses and a VERY impressive Queen Elizabeth I. I saw ninjas, pirates and police officers. I saw a little girl dressed as a maid, and another dressed as a cheerleader, and neither of those costumes were sexy or offensive in anyway. The cheerleader's skirt covered her knees. It was all very adorable.

I'm feeling very connected to everything, which is nice.

(Oh. I gave my husband a present - a glass kiddush cup. It's a plain glass cup - no paint, no appliques saying "Borei Pri Hagafen" - that screws into a graceful blue enameled stem. Yes, the cup is *replaceable*. The stem has some gems but it's relatively simple and, well, what's a more appropriate gift if your anniversary falls on Purim? Especially since we've been using regular wine cups to make kiddush - we've been drinking good wine, which is a shame to pour into silver.)