Celebrating Advent

With the teenagers in our home, showing a real apathy to the Yule time spirit, matched with a little 4 year old with mounting excitement,I am drawn to this time of advent, hoping a gentle daily mix of stories, crafts, activities and occasional treats, will help lead little O into the holidays with a real sense of time and that little by little some festive magic will soften those cynical teenage hearts.

Mincemeat has been made ( and tasted, hence the huge grin  )

Recipe from Family, Festivals and Food.

Not a drop of brandy was to be found in the house, so Cointreau stepped in to save the day.

And a real treat, first ever visit to the cinema, complete with ice cream ( pink of course )

Then home, to a warm fire, glow of candles, jacket potatoes for tea followed by stories.

.........................................

I am using http://naturalfamily.50megs.com/custom2_1.html as a wonderful resource for our celebrating.

Awakening

Pots of beauty,

ready after a summers slumber

to bloom again.

At the Advent Fayre - Candle Dipping


ONE LITTLE CANDLE

(George Mysels / J. Maloy Roach)

It's better to light just one little candle

Than to stumble in the dark

Better far that you light just one little candle

All you need's a tiny spark

If we'd all say a prayer that the world would be free

The wonderful dawn on the new day we'll see

And if everyone lit just one little candle

What a bright world this would be

(Let's all light one little candle

Why stumble on in the dark)

When the day is dark and dreary

And your way is hard to find

Don't let your heart be weary

Just keep this thought in mind

(It is better to light just one little candle

Than to stumble in the dark

Better far to light just one little candle

All you need's a tiny spark)

If we'd all say a prayer that the world would be free

The wonderful dawn of the new day we'll see

And if everyone lit just one little candle

What a bright world this would be



Off the needles and into the shoeboxes

Our home, full of friends.

Teapots, jugs of milk and pots of coffee.

Cake stands stacked high.

China cups and saucers, pretty tablecloths.

Children running in and out,

trees climbed, rabbit stroked,

friendships rediscovered,

cakes devoured.

A pile of shoe boxes, bursting with gifts.

Colourful wrappings,

Bright smiles

LOVE aplenty.

Thank you x

Saying Hello to the Seals

Always a treat, a family tradition.

A Sunday afternoon in the Autumn with the seals.

Why these Mamas choose to birth on an RAF firing range ( RAF Doona Nook )

is a mystery,

but birth they do, in their hundreds.

Such a sight, a beach full of Mamas, Papas and their babes.

We stand and stare, delight in their beauty.

Admire their size, speed and grandeur.

A picnic in the car ( well it is November )

flasks of coffee, sandwiches and slices of cake.

A fluffy friend to take home and love.

And plenty of smiles.

Seven Days

This boy of mine, loves sausage rolls, so I thought it about time, he learnt to make them.

Another win !

We are loving our sock monkey ( please ignore my dirty windows ! ) here for some adventuring.

A blog giveaway from http://bwonderyears.blogspot.com/  thank you.

My wonderful view.

Sparkler fun.

Gathering round the fire with friends.

Autumn bouncing.

Lunch time goodness.

Joining Jacqui, with her wonderful Seven Days, sharing our week, days of family, fun and friends.

http://www.thebarefootcrofter.com/  she has a lovely giveaway happening now too.

This Moment - LOVE

Inspired by Soulemama.
A moment in time to cherish, an ordinary moment, a moment to be remembered.