Christmas Decorations are up!

The front hall rectangular bowl has pine cones and mercury glass ornaments with the brass jingle bell.

The Christmas rose bowl with a red candle is sitting there greeting guests as they arrive.  I have replaced the real candle with a red battery operated one.  This was a gift from my sister who sent it from Germany.

The white ceramic tree works all year long and fits right in at this time of year.

I set up the large metal nativity scene for the first Sunday of Advent - Nov 30th. 

The candle holder in the front is my alternative Advent wreath since I just did not have the space for the large glass one. It will get spruced up next year but for this year I am just glad I have it up.

I set up my fluted tea cups as tealight holders which works well.  I put a crackled glass holder at the top for Christmas Day.  

I put real candles in the Advent Wreath and make sure I blow them out when I leave the room.

Here's the Christmas Tree all light up and decorated.

It looks so good.  

It was nice to open the boxes of decorations I have not seen since 2023. 

They are mostly glass with a few wood ones as well.

Some are ornaments we receive at our large family get together which we celebrate every other year.

There are a couple of very old ornaments which we had as kids.

It sits in the middle of the conversation corner between the 2 yellow chairs.

I have several nativity sets.  My large one is still packed so I pull out this medium one which sits nicely in front of the folk art painted fold out stable.

I added string of battery operated fairy lights and the green ceramic Christmas tree I found on sale at Superstore a couple of years ago.

The Reason for the Season.

I have several fireplace DVDs.  I chose this one for this year because it makes the TV look great and there is the option to only the fire crackle and no music.

I had it on went folks came to visit.

The Silent Night wax warmer from Scentsy which I received as a gift from my niece is putting a cinnamon scent in my place.

I love how it makes light marks on the wall at the back.

The wax plate is generous and wax lasts a long time.

Scentsy Cinnamon Vanilla is my favorite. After checking current scents I see it is still available.

I will check in my new town if there is a rep nearby.

I now have Mom's Christmas Candelabra.  I just love it.

I have it set up in the window in the craft room.

I will investigate getting LED bulbs for it. I can color them with alcohol ink to make them yellow.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

This Christmas featured 2 big events in one day.  First in the morning was the 4 Sunday of Advent.  We light the LOVE candle.  

We are so loved by God that He sent His Son for each one of us.

May we truly take that in.

I spent most of the afternoon and evening on Christmas Eve with my sister, her husband and my brother.

It was a casual affair where we browsed food - shrimp, ribs, and pyrohy like Mom used to make them.

We caught up on our lives with all the good and bad and it was lovely.

We had blueberries, honey and cream for dessert.  

I headed home about 9pm with  my heart full.

Late on Christmas Eve we lit the Christ Candle which is the middle one.

I just love the sparkle that crackle glass brings.  

Unfortunately, one of the inserts is broken and so I plan on replacing this Advent Wreath next year.

I will keep my eyes out.

I spent Christmas Day at home.

I purchased sourdough cinnamon buns from Freesons for breakfast. They were delicious.  They came highly recommended and did not disappoint.  

Turkey with all the trimmings was on the menu for supper. 

This was the first Christmas without either Mom & Dad.  I missed them a lot.

I headed to my sister's and brother-in-law's on December 28th to have turkey with them.

It was a good drive with good temps, little traffic and a pleasure.

I decided that I would stop and visit a thrift store to get soup bowls to match my white dishes but they were closed till Jan 2nd.

This is how much snow was on the ground for Christmas this year.  Not a lot at all.

The deer came to visit in their neighborhood and I got a decent shot.

They always have a natural tree.  It is covered with personal ornaments each with it's special memory.  I don't think there was a commercial bauble of any type.

The Nativity under the tree with a stable of olive wood made in Germany and the Avon white pieces of the holy family and the additional members of that night.

I did not remember that we have the same Avon white set.  Mine has few pieces.

The birthday party was great.  

This is one of the gifts received.  A vintage Fisher Price tool bench with all the accessories.

A bench press, a drill, a hammer, wood that cuts on the table saw.

All in working order after 20 years in service.

It will be enjoyed for a few more years.

I rode with my sister and brother in law which was appreciated.

It's great to have like minded family that value something vintage and would prefer those to consuming something new and not as well made.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The second Sunday of Advent and lighting the PEACE candle.

The second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. 

This second candle recalls that after all of the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might finally be peace on Earth – Jesus is coming, and so is his Kingdom of Peace. 

So fitting for our world today.

On Sunday I attended the Steve Bell concert with my sister and brother-in-law.  They have seen him 2 times before and this was my first time.

The Alliance Church was about 80% full. His concert in Calgary was a sell out.

The music was good, the company was great and it was a wonderful evening.  Driving home late at night was made better by the fact that there was no snow or ice and the temperature hovered just about 0C.

We had supper at Swiss Chalet before the concert which is the first time in nearly 4 years that I have eaten there.  The food was delicious as always.

I bought this book a couple of months ago for .50 cents.  It was after I had started with my Inktober challenge and I recognized that I needed to improve my drawing so I could do better ink and watercolor pieces.

I read the first 5 chapters.  That is the basics, now I will have to read and to exercises so that is no longer bed time reading.

I will have to get a sketch book and work on this.

When I was at the reception for the Christmas Store there was a table which had not been filled when I visited earlier with my friend.

The pieces were glass which is my weakness. There were small glass pieces made by Joe DeWitte.  There was a gorgeous acorn but it was less versatile than this small golden yellow flower.  Check out those tiny perfect water drops in the center of the flower. 

I still have to decide how I will display and use it but it means I can have flowers on my table all year long.

Totally happy!

I decided to revisit Greenland Garden Center this week. What a difference 5 weeks makes.  The shoppe was so empty compared to when I last visited.  They have moved a huge amount of inventory in that time.

I was truly amazed.

There was still a nice collection of Christmas decor to make a few shots possible.

The fresh flowers and plants were really nice.  Check out that Christmas cactus.

On Saturday I went to my aunt's house to make our traditional meat pies called tourtieres.

The meat is a mix of beef and pork with potatoes and onions then slowly cooked with wonderful spices.

She made a double batch of pastry dough and we made 8 small pies. The bit larger ones are for her and the 4 smaller ones for me. They turned out really great.  She froze enough meat to make a large pie when she is ready to host her family.  

We had omelette for lunch with no alcohol white wine and had a great visit.  It was a great day.

I attended the Women's Christmas event at church this week.  It was a small group with a wide age range.

It was a last minute thing.  I just got the details a couple of days earlier. 

There were a few ladies I had visits with which was wonderful.  There was snack food and games.  Minute to win it games went on for a long time and there was drama between a few of the participants which showed some immaturity. Disappointing.

There were wonderful door prizes. I chose this jam set with beautiful small jars, a plate and spoon.  Fig, apricot, orange, raspberry and black cherry are a few of the flavors.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

It's the first Sunday of Advent.  I placed my advent wreath on the pine secretary this year as furniture shifted when the sofa was removed from the living room.

I added pine cones in the cylinders this year with a small bird perching on a branch in the front.

The first candle is lit which is the candle of HOPE. 

The first candle harkens us back to Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ and all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus.

I had police cars all over the block this evening.  I was not able to discover till Monday what had happened.  There were many crusiers and officers on the main road which had been closed to traffic. 

Turns out that police were called when a man armed with a knife was approaching people on the street. A confrontation occurred and a police officer discharged his weapon, killing the man. An ASIRT investigation continued into the early morning hours. A TV crew from one of the local news station was on the scene for a while. 

That is totally scary!

We had a bit of snow fall overnight.  There has been very little snow fall this fall.

With the temperature hovering near freezing it disappeared by weeks end.

The Paris Bookseller by Kerry Maher is the book I finished this week.  It is a novel based on a real woman named Sylvia Beach from the USA. When a young woman opens her shop - Shakespeare and Company in 1919 on a quiet Paris street in 1919, she has no idea that she and her book store will change the course of literature itself. 

Her bookstore becomes the hub for English book readers and writers.  Famous writers spend time in her little shop and she becomes friends with many.  James Joyce, the Irish writer is one of these.  When his book Ulysses is banned she takes a great risk and publishes it under the the auspices of Shakespeare and Company.  

She was very loyal to Joyce and went over and beyond to get his book published but the writer was not appreciative. He could not pay his rent, had marital strife, and health issues which consumed him.  Eventually, he did repay the debts owed and the money due her from books sales with a short thank you note. It was a very interesting book.

It was the time of year again to deal with a low pressure tire warning on the car.

It was much less stressful this year knowing what I had learned last year.  I headed off to the service station, put my money in the machine and topped all the tires to 35 psi.

At least it was not -20C like last year.

All is well!

I discovered these cookies this week. I do love ginger and they deliver a great taste.  I am not a fan of a gingersnap and after talking to my sister it was suggested that there may not be any molasses in these.  I believe that is the difference.

It makes a nice end to a meal and they can be in the house and I will not eat the whole box in a sitting.  That is what I need,

Loving them.

They were on sale as well so that is a bonus.

We had our opening of the Christmas Store on Saturday.

We had good attendance.  I met and spoke to quite a few folks from our group. 

I believe several folks left with bags in hand so that is a good thing.

I enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate which was very good along with some beautiful short bread cookies.  There was a nice variety of flavors of hot chocolate and tea and some other holiday goodies.

It was a very good time.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The Second Sunday of Advent. 

The second candle is the Candle of Love.

God is LOVE!

The year has not turned out the way I planned.  I am grateful that getting together this year is safer.  

I look forward to seeing my friends which I have only been in touch with by phone, text and email.

Again, reading from the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.

I will bless you. Abram leaves and takes his family to Canaan.  

You will be experienced as a blessing to the extent you have first experienced yourself as blessed. God is good and says I will bless you. Slow down, breathe, be to see the good.

Christmas decorating has commenced.  I am grateful that the box of Christmas decorations was not packed in the spring with the anticipation of moving.

I found the star wreath I put together last year.  I had hoped to change the decoration at the top but alas it will not happen this year.

This wreath hangs on the outside door where my neighbors can enjoy it.  We have quite a few in the building with Christmas decorations out.

The Secret Hour by Luanne Rice was finished this week.

A mystery story with parallels happening in the lives of the characters.

John O'Rourke lost his wife and now is juggling the care of his 2 children - eleven year old Maggie and fourteen year old Teddy. As a lawyer he is representing a man who is accused of killing several women in the area. The general consensus is that he his guilty and John catches grief, harassment, and threats because he is defending this man.

Kate Harris is dealing with the loss of her younger sister Willa, who just disappeared 6 months ago.  A recently found postcard has brought her to this small town from Washington DC. Her sister mailed the card from the inn on the edge of the ocean here. 

It was a good book with a twist at the end which brought the story full circle.

This is one of my favorite casserole dishes.  I received the dish for Christmas from my neice and it's just right size.

This recipe is Herb-baked Fish and Rice.

It is a quick supper when I am busy with crafts and don't want to spend a lot of time on cooking.

I just use whatever veggies I have on hand.  In this case it was cherry tomatoes and broccoli.  I add some lemon vinaigrette on the fish and coat with Parmesan cheese. Always brown rice.  Delicious.

My lastest version of a essential oil diffuser.  This one hangs on the rear view mirror of the car, on the Christmas Tree, or anywhere you want a bit of scent.

I am sure glad I bought these felt balls at my local craft store in October.  I went recently to see if I could purchase another and this Christmas the decor is pom pom garlands.  

I expect the trend will be something new next season so I just let go the idea of repeating this years concept and look forward to new things in the new year.

With my Sunrise Stained Glass Window packed away I decided to hang this bright snowman in the window instead.

He was with the Christmas box.  The sun was shining bright the day I took this photo and his nose glowed bright.

It is hanging in the dining room window where the east sun comes up so late at this time of year.

I am grateful that I can enjoy it for a little while in the mornings.

The gold geometric wreath has moved from the living room to the bedroom door to make room of the Wall Christmas Tree.

I just love this wreath so it hangs on the wall all year long.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The first Sunday of Advent. The season of waiting, preparing, anticipating.

This is my Advent Wreath set up with purple glass beads below the 4 candles with white under the candle in the center which is lit on Christmas Day.

I love glass and this is a sparkly wreath that helps me to have a happy heart while I wait.

 

The first candle is represents hope. The promise of the coming of Jesus through the many years before He arrived.

So many people waited, hoped for the light to come to the world.

Fervently anticipated the coming of the one who would bring salvation to the world.

This is my go to book for the Advent Season.  It is written by a Canadian author Ann Voskamp who is well known for her books.

As I read for the first few days of Advent here are some of the points that stand out.

He begs us to spend the the attention of Advent on 

     the little,  

            the least, 

                   the lonely,

                         the lost.

Do you fit into the adjectives?

             Do you have someone close who does?

                          Do you see someone in your daily life who does?

Pay attention to those who have been placed in your sphere of awareness and influence.

You alone were formed by a huddle of hearts: Lets make human beings.

The Three Persons of the Trinity - Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit gathered close together to imagine you and me.

And God in three persons, uncontainable affection, knelt down and kissed warm life into you with the breath of His love.

Amazing to me which fills me with gratitude of my life despite the uncontrollable circumstances that living on this earth brings with it. 

Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs is a book I finished recently.

The main character Kate Livingstone return's to her family's lakeside cottage, a place of simple living and happy times. She hopes that her shy son Aaron will blossom here with the quiet life at the lake. No TV, no internet, warm weather and plenty of fresh water in this remote part of the Northwest.

The neighbor JD has escape to the remote place to find peace from the media frenzy following his actions preventing a terrible tragedy in Washington, DC.  He wants his life back where he can work, play and enjoy life without cameras, reporters and curious strangers.

Callie is a teenager who has been in the foster system for too long an wants out.  She is "adopted" for the summer by Kate who gives her a glimpse into life with a family. with Aaron a younger brother, Kate a substitute mom and JD as a father figure she grows into her teenage years supported, loved and respected. 

Of course, they all have been living in an idyllic world which healed wounds then the end of the summer brings reality but they are all able to handle it better.

My wheat bag sprung a leak.  It's not surprising as I have touched most winter days for years. 

When I have sore muscles, aches and pains, the heat brings comfort and healing.  

Sometimes I just need a bit of warmth to fall asleep.

It had been repaired many times and now the inside bag just needed to be replaced.  It had to be 100% cotton but I found a white pillow case that would do the job.  The thread has to be 100% cotton as well. The seam in the middle was a change I made during one of my repairs but I decide to keep it.

It is back in service!

I decided recently that I needed a scrap bowl on  my kitchen counter as I prepared my meals.  With the garbage under the sink I was always opening and closing the cupboard door and it was a hassle.

This way all scraps go into the bowl then I can empty it into the garbage pail once.

I like the idea.

For now I have relegated one of my medium bowls to this use.  We shall see if something else comes along which would work better either color wise or size wise.

Another good idea.

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani is another book I wrapped up last week.

This was a great book.  Not the boy meets girl, fall in love and a happy ending type of simple romance stories.

This story is starts in the Italian Alps at the turn of the twentieth century when Enza (girl) and Ciro (boy) meet in her tiny village on the occasion of her youngest sisters funeral. Ciro was hired to dig the grave. They have an immediate connection but life gets in the way.

There are trips to America for both of them before they meet again. He comes to America to apprentice as a shoemaker. He learns his trade well, innovates ways to increase the income of the business but sees no benefit as his mentor's wife pockets the profits. He goes to war and meets his future business partner.

Meanwhile, on the mountain things become difficult for Enza's family and she convinces her father to travel to America so they can earn good money to build a house on the small piece of land they own.  She works as a seamstress in a factory in Hoboken for a while, then she meets a girl Laura at the factory who will be her best friend for ever.  After a scary incident at the factory they decide to take the leap to New York to find better jobs and better accommodations. Just in time they are invited to join the team at the Metropolitan Opera House.  They do well. 

When Ciro returns from World War I he finds Enza waiting outside a church on her wedding day.  He speaks to her and pleads his case, fortunately for him, he has always had her heart and she says yes.

They move to Minnesota to set up a shoe making business with his army buddy Luigi.  The set up 2 shops a few miles apart.  Life moves on, children are born, Christmases are celebrated, wonderful summers are enjoyed. Visits from Laura and Enza's father take place.

Life changes again, some return to Italy, some stay in Minnesota, children graduate from college and then a big trip is planned to visit the house house in Italy which was built by the hard earned money Enza and her father sent home for years.

A truly wonderful story and it read very easily.  I was up late into the night a couple of times.

I finally bought an audio player so that I can play my music while watching my exercise video on the TV.

It plays CDs and music on USB which is great. It also will record from the CD to the USB.  I spent a morning a few days ago organizing all my CDs into categories and boxes.  They have all been labeled so it will be easy to find what I want.

I decided to buy a USB stick which will be dedicated to music on this machine.  My exercise music for 30 minute, 40 minute and 60 minute routines has been copied to the USB.  I am working on my favorite Christmas music at the moment. 

Advent Wreath - 5th Candle - Purity

Today on Christmas Eve we light the 5th candle in the center of the wreath which is the Purity or Christ candle.  The time we have been preparing for is here!  Rejoice and celebrate.

From Ann Voskamp's Advent Book - The Greatest Gift.

The time came...  He has arrived!

God always wants to be with you.  God comes as a babe because grace is weightless.

God with us - Emmanuel.

All of conquered heaven and grateful earth echo tonight with the heart cry of the God Child - I did it for Love.

Merry Christmas!

Advent Wreath - 4th Candle - Peace

Today we light the fourth which is the Peace candle. 

Let us remember the Prince of Peace.

From Ann Voskamp's Advent book - The Greatest Gift.

There is no need to produce or perform or perfect - simply become a place for God.  That is all.

The being with is always the gift,  not merely the doing for.  Spending time is more important than stuff.

I have just put up my small ceramic tree, the nativity and a few ornaments and lights.  Just don't need the stuff anymore.

I have focused on people this season rather than gifts and producing stuff.

Advent Candle - 3rd Candle - Joy

The third candle in the Advent Wreath is Joy.   It is also sometimes called the Shepherd's candle as they were the ones to come, see the Child and went about telling the news of great joy.

From Ann Voskamp's Advent book The Greatest Gift for today.  We are made to worship.  We bowed to something.

We create idols to worship in our lives that do not give life but rob us of life.

Take time this season to slow, to be still and wait Advent will whisper - There is one God.  Let us leave the wrapping, decking and the performing  and come in awe of God.

O Come Let Us Adore Him.  Let the Joy of the Christmas enter our spirits and help us to express our joy.  Sing hymns, dance in the living room, look at nature, or find a way to be joyful just for the sake that the Child is coming.