BRRR!!!!

The high today here was three. Three. Crazy. I was born and raised in Phoenix and I am not sure I've completely acclimated to this yet.

I went outside on the porch for a few minutes while the boys were napping just to get some fresh air. I didn't last long though. It was much nicer inside.

Onion soup simmered on the back burner most of the day for a cozy supper tonight. I made some chai tea concentrate from a new recipe for a gift for a friend. All in all, the house smelled delicious.

We are reading and hanging our Jesse Tree ornaments up each day and ending our evenings with Advent. The boys are busy acting out the story of Jesus' birth with their own Nativity set. Who knew they had the "Cars" movie cars in Bethlehem, otherwise known as Buffaloham? I love it all.

I have not had a lot to write about, as you can tell by this post, but am just keeping busy making Christmas gifts and hanging out with my guys. We're drinking lots of tea and snuggling in around the fire. It is a quiet time. Well, as quiet as it can be with the boys!

Hard to believe Pumpkin turned four. He is pretty excited about the whole deal and loves to tell everyone. He is such a funny guy.

Dumpling is quite a kick, too!

Well, I am tired and off to read a bit of Anne of Avonlea before heading to sleep. A new friend is coming over for tea tomorrow and I am so looking forward to it! Hope you are enjoying your December---and keeping warm!

Off on a Tangent

Ok, it is the day before Thanksgiving. I should be baking. And I guess technically, I baked something.

I decided I wanted to do a Jesse Tree with the boys this year, but did not have any of the ornaments. I've seen some done from paper and some from felt. this morning I decided to make the ornaments out of clay. I've got 10 done, 15 to go!!!!

Basically, there is a Scripture reading for each day of December leading to Christmas. Each ornament is a symbol of an Old Testament story. I found a link with a chart of readings and ornaments/symbols. (I'll post the link later as I am not in a regular internet browser right now.) I am excited about this.
***********ADDED: Here's the link: JESSE TREE INFO.

Now, I need to make the relish and do whatever is on my list for today. The sweet potatoes and pumpkin for pie are baking away at least. Hope you are all having a great day and remembering what really matters about Thanksgiving. I keep reminding myself. :)

Advent Begins Today!

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. This year we are planning on incorporating The Advent Book into our evening Advent celebration. My sister and her family have been using this book for years. This is our first year (Thanks, Mom!) with this book. It is a beautiful volume (read: expensive) that we expect to enjoy for years to come. I do know that Janna was able to find it at her library, so do look for it.

Tonia has posted about Advent today with lots of good links. Joanne has written as well, including a wonderful set of bookmarks for evening readings that I will be tucking into our Bible by our book and Advent wreath.

I know that there are traditional colors for the candles that many people use. I just made our wreath out of a variety of materials and candles--even the ones from trying to do Advent before. I knew it might not all happen if I waited until I got it all perfectly together! In other words, you can do Advent yourself, just use what you may have on hand. I think it is more important to focus on Jesus' coming than on what everything looks like, although I do try to make it look nice. :)