The last Sunday of Advent brings PEACE

 … and just like that, the fourth candle is lit on the Advent ring, all four candles burning together & a reminder that there is little time to Christmas. 

The four candles are for:

                      HOPE, LOVE, JOY, PEACE

I have a central candle to burn on Christmas morning with our breakfast when we are together.

These candles have provided quiet, reflective moments each week, the passing of time reminds one of the empty chairs & thankfulness for those with us. 

 Have a blessed last Sunday of Advent. 

I hope you find some quiet, peaceful time amidst your day.

Thank you for stopping by, reading, commenting or sharing. It is appreciated 

Dee 🎄🕯️⛪️

The JOYful third Sunday of Advent ...

I love how the four candles of Advent quietly mark the approach of Christmas. Each candle a reminder that preparations are needed to make the festive season run smoothly. It is also a reminder of the  reason for the season, something that is forgotten in the commercial rush. 

The JOY candle joins the first two of HOPE & LOVE, a reminder to spread positive messages in your wake because many people do not look forward to the festive season for various reasons. 

I often join friends or host friends for supper before Christmas when we are all spread out. Celebrating the JOY of friendships, fellowships & support. We treasure our time together before returning to our own family time.

The JOY candle is a reminder to find Joy this week. 

It is also a timely reminder for quiet time, for stillness when the pressures get loud for more & more. 

I like to take time away to enjoy the traditional elements. 

Yesterday I took a woodland walk, to breathe in the pine scented air, to pick up some fallen branches ahead of the winter solstice in a few days. 

It brings to mind to carol of The Holly & the Ivy - a reminder that our ancestors were connected to the seasons & their observances of bringing in greenery, of holly used in modest homes as decoration & symbolism of renewed life, of  yule logs kept burning or lit from a central one. These were important observances that gave hope in mid winter. 

JOY in stepping away & appreciating simpler times. 

Thank you for stopping by & visiting, it is appreciated

Dee 🌲 🌳🍂🪾

The first Sunday of Advent slips in quietly as HOPE

Some things arrive quietly, almost unnoticed but not insignificant.  Advent is one such thing, a reminder that we have but 4 Sundays to Christmas.

For many, the frenetic season of excess is in full swing but Advent brings a reminder to just pause, take stock & remind yourself that commercialism can be sidestepped, it is optional. 

I struggle with the excesses of the season, the idea that more is more in everything from gifts to food. 

I am from a generation where life was simpler in Africa; slower, no 24 hour shops or round the clock tv.  That is how I like the season - authentic, simpler but still meaningful. 

I grew up attending Sunday school & church, singing in the choir. I know all the words & the rituals that ground me & consider myself spiritual. It is very personal, I find my peace in quiet places & in still Abbey ruins locally. 

However, I do return to carols & observing rituals at Christmas, it anchors one in the collective observances. 

My Mothers paternal grandfather was German / Prussian & she instinctively observed some of the traditions from her Father who still carried some of the Teutonic ways of his ancestors. 

My Mother used to travel across Johannesburg to a specialist deli shop to purchase Advent calendars for my daughters long before they were mainstream. 

These were imported but she loved this ritual of giving them to the girls & enjoying their pleasure in opening the windows that all had religious symbols on them. 

Years ago, I bought fabric 'East of India' ones that I filled with small chocolates I purchased for the daughters; the little pockets means you have to be mindful of what will fit in. It was always the start of the season for me, the calendars filled & delivered to university residences & homes where the daughters were.

These fabric calendars were filled & passed to the grandchildren this weekend ahead of Advent. 

It is more personal selecting chocolates to fill each year than just a shop bought one. 

Today, I added greenery to my Advent ring from our garden, a few sprigs of holly from our little bush, some ivy & the starlike flower stems from the fatsia japonica. 

The first of the 4 candles will be lit as the sun fades today. Each week it will join the next until they all burn on the last Sunday. I have opted for creamy white & gold candles this year.

                     The first candle is for HOPE 

Today, pause & take stock of how you want the festive season to be & don't forget to add in some thankfulness too. 

Thank you for stopping by, it is always appreciated 

Dee 🕯️🎄✝️⛪️

Festive pancakes on a peaceful Advent Sunday ..

Do you find it is so hard to co-ordinate schedules of various friends this time of the year? 

Get togethers are very random - a pub for lunch, a quick mooch with lists, a breakfast if lucky & even pancakes first thing on a Sunday morning so you can both complete the festive lists. 

It is the last Sunday of Advent & the fourth candle for PEACE will light our breakfast. It will burn alongside HOPE, LOVE and JOY, important symbols this time of the year in a world that is still in turmoil. 

The table was set the night before so the fruit can be prepared & the pancakes made first thing in the morning. The poinsettia table cloth & red chargers go well with the things already on the sideboard.  

Early morning pancakes made (I didn't do a photo as we all got talking) but tea, fruit juice, pancakes, lots of fruit & a choice of yoghurts made a healthy choice ahead of the festivities. 

The 4th Advent candle was lit alongside the other three & it was time to catch up with each others busy lives.  The hyacinth in the green vase will not be ready for Christmas but then the pleasure in watching it is something I enjoy. The greenery came from our lovely walk in Wales last weekend & it is perfect for winter when it is traditional to bring in greenery - the words of the famous carol - The Holly & The Ivy comes to mind ... 

Have a blessed last Sunday before Christmas, 

Dee 🎄🕯️🥣

A JOYful third Advent Sunday ...

 How quickly the candles are lit - today is the third of the four candles lit, just one more Sunday to Christmas. 

The first two were for 

HOPE

LOVE

This one is for 

JOY 

May you find it in all you do today, go gently amidst the noise of the festive preparations. The commercial demands can become too loud so step away & take in the things that bring you joy. 

Perhaps it is that first cup of tea in the morning, it might be a welcoming text amongst friends, it might even be a card from a neighbour to wish you & yours well. Embrace the little things - they matter. 

JOY

Joy does not arrive with a fanfare,

on a red carpet strewn with the flowers of a perfect life.

Joy sneaks in, as you pour a cup of coffee,

watching the sun hit your favourite tree, just right.

And you usher joy away,

because you are not ready for it.

Your house is not as it must be,

for such a distinguished guest.

But joy cares nothing for your messy home,

or your bank-balance,

or your waistline, you see.

Joy is supposed to slither through the cracks of your imperfect life,

that’s how joy works.

You cannot invite her, you can only be ready when she appears.

And hug her with meaning,

because in this very moment,

joy chose you.

Donna Ashworth

What brings JOY in to your life or do we create our own joy? Tell all ... 

Thank you for stopping by & spending some of your precious time here, 

Dee 🎄❤️🕯️

The foraged swag is done ...

I love to have fresh foliage on the wreath on the front door. These are some of the previous ones 

2011, 2012, 2016, 2017 , 2018,  2019 , 2022 

Then there is a small matter of the wreath for the front door.  It is tricky because our door is black & the fresh greens don't show up very well. 

We ventured to one of our local woods to forage for some greenery.  No one mind a few branches being taken for a wreath so we are always mindful to pick up branches or only take what we need. I love the soft woodland floor, spongy from all the fallen leaves over many years. It is a joy to just wander around & find some suitable greens. 

My enthusiasm doesn't match my wreath making skill - I really need to do a course on how to do it properly. However, it all seemed to be ok in the end. I fortunately had picked up some pinecones too that I wired in place. This overly generous pink ribbon & bows had been a recent charity shop purchase with the door wreath in mind & so it was a relief to have something ready. 

I think it looks just fine - the plants in the planters by the door will get ribbons & baubles so it will all look rather festive soon. 

I hope your thoughts have turned to the advancing festive season too. Thank you for your time, do stop by again & share your projects & websites with me, 

Dee 🎄