Christmas

Today is already the seventh day of Christmas!  We try to observe the entire twelve days, so the tree and other decorations will stay up through January 5, I am still listening to Christmas music, and there are Christmas goodies floating around.

I try to time the planting of my amaryllis so it's blooming on Christmas Day, but this year I missed by five days.  Regardless, that gorgeous red is such a welcome burst of color at this time of year.

My 86-year-old mother has been paring down her Christmas decorations and parceling them out amongst her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She gave me this sleigh and reindeer a few weeks ago, which I remember from my earliest childhood.  Even the presents are old.  I'm so happy to have it!

The grandkids decorated wooden Christmas trees in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  It was a two-step process: paint the trees one week and add glitter, pompoms, and shiny snowflakes the next.  Hannah is my trusty sidekick and is always willing to lend a hand.

The nave of our church was even more beautiful than usual Christmas morning!  

Photo Credit:  Dave

I didn't take many photos Christmas Day (too busy!) but here's one of the table I snapped in a hurry~

We are unabashedly Lutheran.  Read about the symbolism of Luther's rose here.

Advent

A glimpse of Advent happenings at our house~


Advent is all about preparation.  This week I've been preparing by baking Christmas cookies.  Here, shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate and pecans or chocolate and sprinkles (for the kids!)~

It snowed last week and the pond froze over.

The grandgirls spent the night and helped us decorate the tree~

Hannah took them outside to play in the last of the snow.  I stayed inside and took this through the kitchen window where I could keep an eye on the baking cookies. :)

Catching Up

So much going on!  All of it good (thank you, Lord!), but it definitely keeps me hopping!  A brief recap~

The mixed herb jar was a belated birthday gift from my sister.  I don't have anything
like it and I love it!

This year's fruitcake.  This is Dave's favorite Christmas treat.

This year's Advent wreath

This year's first snow
Photo credit:  Elizabeth