12 December 2011

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



13 comments:

Julie Harward said...

Loved this post...what a sweet little alcove to place Mary and baby Jesus in..beautiful nativity..tree...such cute boys, oh my gosh! Have a wonderful December..it truly does only come once a year, although we can keep Him in our hearts always. :D

Bluebells and Lavender said...

Love your post...wondered where you'd got to...your cottage looks lovely....we do need to be still and remember the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place...

bichonpawz said...

This is so beautiful Tia!!! Your cottage is MAGICAL I tell ya! Absolutely precious!!! I just love all of your beautiful touches!!! Blessings to you Tia!!
xo
Jeanne

Leslie said...

What a beautiful Christmas post. We've had a lot going on this last few weeks so it's been kind of hard getting into the spirit. Your post reminds me what the season is all about! Gorgeous...

Happy Holidays!

enthusiastically, dawn said...

Wow. I love your beachy , faith filled blog! We live on the East Coast, all the way over in the smallest state of RI. I am @ 2 minutes from the coastline. I love the pictures, and the warmth and beautiful reminders of faith that are evident in your cottage! Please stop by and visit me at Beneath The Surface: Breath of Faith. Merry Christmas, Dawn

Unknown said...

Beautiful post, Tia. Sometimes with all the hustle and bustle we forget what this time is all about. Your home looks lovely and I just bet you are a whiz at Scrabble !!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

The beach cottage looks lovely, Tia. Happy holidays to you and yours -

bichonpawz said...

Hi Tia!
Just stopping by to say Merry Christmas!!
xo
Jeanne

Rachel Cotterill said...

I hope you had a fantastic and restful Christmastime :)

Jenny said...

Oh Tia, your decorations are glorious. I love the 'Rejoice' banner especially!

Your family is so gorgeous.

Do you know the song by Amy Grant, "I need a Silent Night"?

I think that has become my battle cry for the Christmas season.

Every time I felt like I should just do a little more, I made myself play that song.

Hugs and blessings and all kinds of Merry and Bright wishes are heading your way from Arizona!

Unknown said...

Your decorations were gorgeous and the tender, anticipation of advent is so evident in your post. Here's to you and yours this holiday. May the joy and peace of Our Lord be with you all year long and always.
Rosemary

Oliver said...

Hi,

I saw your comment on Gaia Health and thought you might enjoy this video about Simon's home: http://youtu.be/l8b80dXMgME

Regards, Oliver@naturalhomes.org

Amy said...

You have such a beautiful family! Stunning...Really! And I LOVE that gaggle of boys...Trouble with a capital T;) Have a healthy and prosperous New Year!