"The next day, the second day of December, we all, even John, even Daddy when he got home from the office, made Christmas cookies."
– The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas
My favorite line comes a few pages later, however. "After school Mother discovered we'd eaten up all the first batch of Christmas cookies, so we made more."
Because that happens too, we will be having several such days between now and Christmas. #readingthroughadvent
Best-tasting cookie icing here
Favorite project this week was the winter trees against the snow and sky. The children cut a undulating edge off the blue paper and glued it over the white. Then they used sharpies just below the snow line and "grew" up a tree trunk and branched off. To make fatter trunks they began again near the base and ran the line alongside the first. Gray pastels beginning at the bottom of the tree and fading down and left gave the illusion of shadow. One child had a wonky shadow which gave us the chance to discuss direction of light probably more effectively than if they had all been 'perfect.' White pastel made the moon and falling snow.
It was an easy art lesson that gave a lot of bang for the buck. The finished work was really nice! #makeart
"For Mrs. Sharp's family, the holiday excitement begins as soon as the Thanksgiving turkey starts simmering on the stove for soup. Then we put away the everyday china to make room for the Christmas crockery and bring out the Advent Box.
"Advent Box, Mrs. Sharp? Is this another old-fashioned Victorian tradition?"
No, dear readers. Advent is one of the oldest celebrations of the Christmas season, dating back at least 14 centuries. The Advent season–the four weeks preceding Christmas–is traditionally set aside for spiritual preparation before the Nativity of Christ. Mrs. Sharp likes to think that Advent is the doorway through which we enter into a joyful Christmas.
And the Advent Box is just a cardboard box, clearly labeled "Advent" (to distinguish it from the hundreds of "Xmas boxes" in the attic). It contains all the books, supplies and materials Mrs. Sharp needs early in December in order to celebrate Advent.
Do you observe the season of Advent in your home? Victorian families did, for the many colorful customs that surround its observance–the Advent calendar, wreath and candles, as well as mini-festivals such as St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and St. Lucia's Day (Dec. 13)–all added to the children's understanding and appreciation of Christmas."
Although the lower level remodel is eating up a good deal of our time right now we are enjoying our Austin family style advent doing some bit of preparation each day along with our special advent prayers. This weekend's particular task is to be certain we are prepared for St. Nicholas' feast day Tuesday. Now is the time to ensure there are chocolate coins and candy canes for the shoes as well as the makings for a simple craft gathered up.
It should be understood that everyone in the family has a present for everybody else; these presents should be precious, though not in terms of money, as they should not be bought, but home-made. This is quite a task in a large family, but fingers become skilled in handicrafts of many kinds block prints, wood carvings, leather work, needle work, lettering with beautiful illuminations, and clay work. All these, and one's imagination, are called upon to create many beautiful, useful things, which could not be bought for money because they are made not only with the hands but also with the heart.
– Around the Year with the Trapp Family
Do we do this perfectly? Not even close. I am sharing my favorite advent and Christmas reads though because they give me a vision.
Starry Sky Journal 