Happy Friday...the day after Thanksgiving. (I don't really like the term "Black Friday". It sounds so dark and melodramatic!) I woke up this morning with the resolve to put away all things fall and Thanksgiving in the way of decorations, and do laundry and put away the Thanksgiving tablecloth, towels, napkins, and anything else that looked like autumn, and then start preparing for the Christmas season.
I pulled a box out from under the bed in the guest room, not remembering what was in it, and this is what was there, carefully packed away from last Christmas! It was a gift to us last year from my sister in law, and I had forgotten that I had put it in that location! So I was happy to find it and put it out as our first Christmas decoration of the season! I'd say it's THE most important decoration...the Nativity of our Lord!
It's a beautiful snow globe that lights up and the figures are illuminated. It is so beautiful!
What a perfect way to prepare for the celebration of the Advent of our Lord!
Actually, a little earlier in the morning hubby and I decided to take an early morning walk, as it was scheduled to rain later in the day and get much colder. We decided to do our woods walk today. I love the fragrance of the woods in morning, don't you? So fresh and piney scented...
This pine cone just speaks Christmas to me...
I love taking pictures of my hubby walking on ahead of me in the woods. I bet if I went back through my photos over the past 10 years, I could probably find at least 10 pictures in different locations. But this one will do fine for now.
Well, maybe one more: Here's one from 2021, on the walking trail in our little old historic part of town...which is the other walk we like to take now and then.
And just one more, I promise, walking down the road to our old house in Salt Springs, in the Ocala National Forest. We walked that road every morning and most every evening while we lived there. Here hubby is wearing our son Matthew's special jacket...the one thing my hubby asked to have from Matthew's personal things after he passed away in 2014. So this is a very special picture.
But I digress...sorry about going down that little rabbit trail...one thing leads to another when your brain is kind of scattered like mine is! LOL.
Let me get back to where I was going with this post! Now where was I? Oh yes! Christmas is coming!
After cleaning up the fall decor and putting everything back in the shed, I said I only wanted to put out a few things that I already have stored in the house. We will get the rest of the many tubs of Christmas decorations out of the shed probably next week, as it is a big job and I don't really feel like overdoing it right now. We will put up our tree then as well. So today I found a few little things just to add a little bit of Christmas and change the mood of the house from one season to the next:
Of course I still have the sweet little church set out that had a pumpkin patch for October, but now it is decked out and ready for Christmas!
"The Cabin" is getting its first snowfall of the season...and is getting ready for another
"Christmas at the Cabin". If you haven't read that story yet, you might want to read it HERE. Of course, it's a story that is well worth reading over and over again...
"Christmas at the Cabin". If you haven't read that story yet, you might want to read it HERE. Of course, it's a story that is well worth reading over and over again...
And here's the other "Cabin" scene, with the skaters out on the pond already
Mr. Snowman is enjoying all the snow too...
And I've had my first official cup of "Christmas Tea" to usher in the season...
That's all for now as far as decorations go. It will be a work in progress probably for the next three weeks. This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent, which to me is the official start of the Christmas season... Let's sing this wonderful old hymn together, which is perfect for the beginning of Advent...
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Verse 1
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Verse 2
Joy to those who long to see Thee
Day-spring from on high, appear.
Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,
Of Thy birth, we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing
News, glad tidings of a birth;
“Go to Him your praises bringing
Christ the Lord has come to earth!”
Verse 3
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end.
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
Verse 4
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Words: Charles Wesley, 1744 (Verses 1 & 4)
Mark Hunt, 1978 (Verses 2 & 3)
Music: “Hyfrydol” by R.H. Prichard
5 ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’
6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.
Haggai 2:5-7
Have a blessed Advent season as we prepare for "The Desire of All Nations", Jesus Christ, to make His entrance. Wouldn't it be wonderful if He chose this Christmas to make His long awaited 2nd coming? I'm ready, are you?
Happy Advent!! I got started on some decorations today, too. Fall is put away and I have a few things out but intend to hit it hard tomorrow. Love & hugs!!
ReplyDeleteI really like your new nativity and your village pieces.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of pics of Bob walking in front of me too, so I understand. You're right, the one of him wearing Matthew's coat is very special.
We put out Christmas decorations today too.
I might have upwards of a hundred photos of bob walking in front of me. I had the Long lens on my DSLR and we used to go out to the preserves and the beaches and in a few of them he is holding my camera case or camera, we would still be doing that but he can't walk more than 10 minutes now and is unable to carry anything as it would make him fall over. I am glad I have the photos. IF I remember I might show a few. I see Mari husband is Bob and that made me think of our SS class in the early 90's, there were 30 of us in the couples class and five of the couples had husbands named Bob. 15 couples, 5 Bob's and the teacher was one of the Bob's.
ReplyDeleteYour little village is amazing and so beautiful. as is the newest snow globe lantern.
Beautiful my friend. Hmm...now I am wondering where our Nativity is...it was not in the many totes. I suppose I ought to look under the beds as well, smiles...pretty sure I packed it separately from last year. John wearing Matthew's coast, precious my friend. Dave has a pair of Liam's boots he wears.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful day my friend. Stay warm.
Thank you for taking us along on your walk. John's heirloom jacket must feel like a hug when he puts it on. I don't wear it often but have one that belonged to my mother that feels mighty precious.
ReplyDeleteThat Nativity globe is so pretty! I bought one to gift my son and family -- but love it so much I'm wrestling with the urge to keep it myself!
Thank you so much for sharing your wintery treasures. Like Andy Williams sang, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Happy Advent, Pamela! We started yesterday to put some of our Christmas items out, but will decorate the tree little by little. I really can't believe that tomorrow is the first of December. Where did November go? I enjoyed your photos of John on your various walks in different seasons, too. Enjoy every day of this glorious Christmastime!
ReplyDeleteThe “glitter globe” of the Nativity is really nice. Yes, what a great way to begin Christmas decorating!
ReplyDeleteYou have such pretty scenes for this season, and just the right kind of snow — fun to look at but not have to shovel! ha-ha!
I enjoyed the video of the song, and especially these words:
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end.
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
See you soon!
It is such a joy to see and read of someone celebrating Advent. I love that carol. We will probably sing it tomorrow. It is rather cold up here. Yesterday, it was 0 degrees wind chill, almost end of January weather. Roger didn't make it up here today. Terribly cold weather where he lives. Hope to see him next weekend. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela. I love your Christmas decorations - especially the beautiful nativity in the glass globe. Beautiful. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and that you enjoy the week ahead. See you again soon!
ReplyDelete