It's The Third Week Of Advent are You Ready?

For the Christ child who

comes is the Master of all;

No palace too great no

Cottage too small.

It's the third week of Advent.  Are you ready?  I'm trying to still my heart and prepare for Christmas here at the cottage. Do you find it as hard as I?  Why are there so many functions, so many obligations, and while we're discussing this, why is there so much traffic?  Peoples of the world, I have a suggestion for ya.  Have your parties after Christmas.  December is already full.

 I am yearning to cozy-in and be quietly surrounded by peace.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.  And the angel departed from her.

Don't get me wrong, the sparkling lights and the crisp winter air are alluring to me.  I love to deck the halls decorate the cottage for Christmas.  I get excited for every wreath, every creche, and every candy cane.

Each evening I go about lighting every candle and then before bed I blow them all out again.  I love rituals.  We eat all our meals on our Christmas china this time of year and inevitably one of my kids asks me, "Where did we get this stuff?" Wha, whaat?  I love traditions.  Yesterday we planted poinsettia's along our front walk way.  I've hung candy canes in magical places for my grandchildren to find on Christmas Eve, right after dinner, right before they get in their car, which will happily satiate them on their way home.  That's correct.  I had five kids of my own, lets hope all that wisdom I earned, not go to waste, and my white sofas we all live happily ever after!

This bubble light is my most favorite Christmas decoration.  It has such a pretty, soft glow and it reminds me of when I was a little girl and many of the lights on our tree were bubble lights.  Do they still make these for the tree?  I need to get out more.

The tree is up, the mantel is dressed and so we go about enjoying in anticipation the Advent of Our Lord.

Advent is a time for reflection and anticipation!

Finals are in full swing which means my boyo will be home from school soon.  I hope he loves his bedroom Christmas tree.  I filled a jar with things that he loves and dropped a starlit tree inside.

He's a Graphics and Fine Arts major so  he's gonna love the staging of his very own Christmas tree.

Last Christmas he came home and made a tent in his room.  It was pretty cool until a candle he lit almost burned the cottage down.  He's gonna have to enjoy his room outside the tent this year no matter how much we and the dogs all loved visiting him in there.

 I don't think there is a nook or a cranny that I leave Un-Christmassed.  Yes, I said un-Christmassed, (it's a real word).  Just ask my husband who refuses to play scrabble with me anymore.  I don't cheat.  I just happen to know a lot more words than anybody else.

 I have no treater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  Aint that the truth?

The greatest gift you will ever receive will never be found under a Christmas tree.  It is far too valuable to be stored in any other place but in the depths of your heart.

 A gaggle of hooligans up to shenanigans.

 My Honey Heart and her handsome daddy.

Give me those eyelashes my pretty, pretty, princess!

It is good to be children sometimes,

and never better than at Christmas,

when its mighty founder was a

child himself.

"Charles Dickens"

Just one more thing; happy 1 month Anniversary to my daughter Kate and her new husband Justin.  May your first married Christmas be as blessed as you have made us this year.

To all my friends, family and dearest bloggy friends, may this Advent Season find you at peace.  It's been a busy year, so while I wait for Christmas I think I'll go take a nap.  I'll be dreaming of you and wishing you Blessings!

Love you more than Christmas,

Tia