from thanksgiving to advent

Thanksgiving day was an odd one.  Mike had to work and an attempted family dinner without him fell through somewhat last minute, so instead I invited some of our closest friends over for a Thanksgiving breakfast.  but in the morning, Claire woke with a fever and so that plan was also cancelled.  her fever came and went and eventually topped out near 103 and kept us from visiting papa at the station as well.  and so, we spent the day, just the two of us, making the best of it.  I made the cider doughnuts anyway, we watched bits of the Macy's parade online,  I prepped pies while she napped on the couch, and stuffing was prepped fireside while we watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.  I was both very aware of the many, many things for which I am so grateful, and a little bit sad about not having my home filled with loved ones.

the following morning papa came home and we started over.  Claire was back to feeling good and decided she wanted to lead us through a paper turkey-making project.  we cooked, there were carols, and the house filled with smells of turkey and pie and deliciousness.  my dad joined us for our belated dinner and it was lovely, and later we walked to a dear friend's house with leftover doughnuts and pie and visited for a bit.

that weekend I picked up jenga and blokus from the thrift store, and we passed a fair number of hours playing and laughing, we three.  a dollar and fifty cents very well spent.

and then, it was time to set up the advent calendar and spiral (the beautiful spiral I got in trade from Kim, and we love it!) and dive full swing into December.  we decorated the spiral with shells, crystals, and bones for the beginning of advent, and just last night switched it out so that it is covered with plants (aside from the first part, which has favorite bits from the previous week left).  we are enjoying lighting a new candle each night at dinner time and reading the simple Steiner verses:

"the first light of advent is the light of the stones
the light that shines in seashells, crystals and in bones.

the second light of advent is the light of the plants
plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance."

her simple little paper pocket advent calendar went up as well- and she looks forward to checking in the pocket first thing in the morning to see what I've written down for the day.  usually, it is something for us to do together.  sometimes, a service project, and occasionally I will put a little treat in there.  I made this three years ago and she remembers it well and so looks forward to it each year. (and so do I!)

cheers from our house to yours!