Thought For The Day - Part Four

'The Advent moon shines cold and clear.

We watch and wait.'

Christina Rossetti

Today we light the first candle of Advent ~ the candle of hope.

Thought For The Day - Part Four

Advent

This Advent moon shines cold and clear,
These Advent nights are long;

Our lamps have burned year after year

And still their flame is strong.

Christina Rossetti

Christmas Countdown

The countdown towards Christmas is well underway and I was late hanging up my Advent calendar pockets.  I'm really like a child at Christmas when it comes to opening little treasures or the doors of my Advent calendar: it fills me with joyful anticipation

I actually have four Christmas countdowns on the go.  I will enjoy the countdown to Christmas even more when I get to the end of this week, as I'm taking some much-needed time off.  Friday can't arrive soon enough!

Thought For The Day - 5

 This Advent moon shines cold and clear,

These Advent nights are long;
Our lamps have burned year after year
And still their flame is strong.

Christina Rossetti

The beginning of Advent and the start of the preparations for Christmas.  In the kitchen, I've been drying oranges which will form part of our Christmas decorations.  I love to have naturally scented additions to our Christmas tree, as they make Christmas much more memorable.

 

My angel chimes are out in preparation for the season and the light of the candles shines out in the darkness.  The Advent nights are long, but indoors, it is cosy and warm.

Advent

 

The first day of December coincides with the start of Advent this year.  Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for Christmas.  We had hoped to attend a carol service this afternoon, but the weather turned nasty and with an hour to wait for the start of the service and a long drive home, we changed our plans. 

 

 

 

This was the view from our kitchen window this morning.  It was a cold, frosty night and a winter sky greeted us at dawn.  There are a few traces of snow just visible ~ we've had a few dustings in the last week or so.

We did return to Sherbrooke village last night for an Old Fashioned Christmas dinner hosted by a celebrity chef and then we had a Victorian afternoon tea today.  Both events were thoroughly enjoyable.  I'm hoping to find another carol service to attend before Christmas.

The Christmas countdown snowmen and the holly window hanging are the latest editions to my Christmas ornaments, purchased during our recent visit to Glad Tidings.

Santa Express From Vermont

Yesterday we awoke to not quite a winter wonderland, but more of one of those dismal snow-squally days when the roads are slippery and the wind is gusting strongly.  Although this was not our first snowfall of the season, we have yet to have one of those crisp, bright mornings when it looks all pristine and I am inspired to go out and take photographs.  On days like this, the priority is staying upright and not falling over when walking or skidding off the road when driving.

Some Christmas cheer was awaiting when I got home from work in the shape of a package from Vermont.  It seems like a very circuitous route to order an advent calendar which was made in the UK and have it delivered from the US, but I can only assume that Santa's GPS was malfunctioning. 

 

I am a child at heart and still take great delight in opening those little windows on the days leading up to Christmas.  Christmas just wouldn't be the same without one. 

Stir-Up Sunday

Traditionally, Christmas puddings are made on the last Sunday before Advent.  Each member of the family takes a turn at stirring the pudding and make a wish.

Last year, I made two Christmas puddings, experiementing with different recipes.  This year, time is short and so I've cheated.  I bought a Christmas pudding in Marks and Spencer during my recent trip home.

The best Christmas pudding I can remember was Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Christmas Pudding, which I bought a couple of years ago.  It was delicious.  Sadly, like so many good things that I find here, it disappeared from the shops and I haven't been able to find it since. 

I'm still on the look-out for a really tasty store-bought version and will continue my search until Christmas.