So last week I was feeling a little under the weather. Last Wednesday, I was originally planning to go to bed around 8pm. I decided to light one of those 7 holders of tealight candles in the room. Don't ask me why, I have no explanation for that. The candles usually go 3-4 hours.

Emily called to say that the OC was on and was about the only worthwhile thing to watch. So I watched that and talked to her on the phone some.

So I get to bed by 9pm, most of the candles are burning just fine. I get up around 1am and some are still going strong. Again, at 5am.

Finally, at 8am I am heading to work and still two have real flame still. Twelve hours later! From stinkin' IKEA tealight candles!

It's a Hanukkah miracle!

That's insane! Tealights don't burn for 12 hours!

That's why it's a miracle, my dear!

um, didn't anyone ever tell you you're not supposed to leave the candles burning while you sleep?? ;-)

No, the only lesson I've learned is that:

a ) you CAN burn tealight candles atop tunafish cans,
b ) and you CAN NOT burn them atop Advil bottles.

I did this some 6 years ago after I moved into my place... It was maybe a 58 degree night with a nice breeze, so I made a fire in the fireplace and lit a few candles around. Woke to see some light fire going on in the kitchen area, but went back to sleep in front of the fireplace...

Woke to find the Advil plastic bottle had melted, dropping the candle on my countertop and burning a little 1" hole through the countertop.

Thankfully by this point though Alanis had already taught me that "You Live, You Learn" so I didn't sweat it.

We learned from mom as kids not to burn candles in fine crystal. She thought it would look super pretty to have a little candle burning in a leaded crystal bowl she had and half way through dinner KERPLOOY! the dang thing exploded!!
~m

I'll bring the latkes!

THAT'S the miracle ... that the place didn't burn down.

Cher

what a beautiful story....heart warming.....one to pass down for generations to come.

"your great grandfather once burned tealights for 12 whole hours!!! they burned through the episode of OC, a very educational and intellectual show at the time, and the whole night long. it was a Hannukah miracle."

"tell it again, grandpa! tell it again!"