Preparation, Lights, Snowflakes and Joy!

 Hello out there! The weather has been wonderful during this first week of Advent. Cool mornings, sunny days, star filled nights and the winter wind blowing the leaves from the trees. I'm wearing my fluffy red sweatshirt that says, "holly jolly" in white letters and that is how I feel today! I looked back on some of my blog posts from previous December years. Although each year is full of different activities the thread that holds each story and every memory together is love. 

Our home is full of twinkling lights, an Advent Wreath and statue as a centerpiece on our kitchen table. Nativity Scenes, my snow family set, and memories fill our home. We even have a leg lamp! We went to see that movie, A Christmas Story, when it first hit the theaters, the day after Thanksgiving in 1983! And we've watched it almost every year since then! 

Tomorrow is the Second Sunday of Advent

Some ideas for gifts, meals, activities, reflections and peace during this season of preparation!

1. Gifts - I'm not a crafty gal. I love to bake and write stories and I do like to make snowflakes (the kind you cut out from folded paper)! My older grandkids usually ask for gift cards. That's fine, but it's not very personal. I decided that I would hand write a couple of their favorite recipes with their name at the top and signed from, "The Nana" and add a favorite memory or story about them. I'll probably pick a cute folder to put the recipe, story and gift card in - that will be from, "The Pa"! Maybe tape a picture of us from Christmas past on the front. Definitely tape one of my snowflakes on there somewhere!

Use your gifts and talents to make your gifts extra special!

2.  Meals - I made a big pot of potato soup earlier this week. My new favorite topping is "Crispy Fried Onions" the kind you put on top of green bean casserole - Yum!                                                                  Taco night can be a fun way to get your family involved - Cook the meat and get everyone to pick their favorite toppings; cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, taco shells, tortillas, and/or chips!                  Buy a chuck roast and cook in oven or crock pot - makes great burritos for busy nights or add vegetables for a more traditional meal; potatoes, petite carrots, mini bell peppers, jalapenos, etc.

3. Activities - It sure gets dark early! Go outside and look at all the stars, find constellations, look at the moon, etc. Buy a holiday themed puzzle - I've learned to look at the box and make sure I'm getting the kind with regular pieces! The puzzles with weird shapes just aggravate me! We all like to work on the puzzles. Designate a "Movie Night" and pick a family favorite, make hot cocoa and popcorn! 

4. Reflections and Peace - Begin and end your day with prayer! Daily devotionals full of scripture, meditations and prayers are a blessing for every day of the year! We're a Catholic family and the daily devotional we use is, "Magnificat' and "The Word Among Us" is another great devotional. Be honest with yourself and with your family - write out a budget for gifts and stay in those guidelines. 

The following scripture is from the evening prayers in our Magnificat on the Second Sunday of Advent

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage our hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. Amen.

Peace and blessings to you and yours during this beautiful season of Advent!

 Jesus is the Reason for the Season! 

Count your blessings everyday and give thanks to God - He loves us all so much!

Bye for now, Sharla