Welcome!
Today I'm linking up to "What I'm Into" which is hosted by Leigh Kramer at Hopefuleigh. Now and then I put up a "Quest Notes" post, which is essentially the same thing as "What I'm Into", so this morning I thought, why not join in the fun?  |
| My husband and I have cut down our own tree every year since we were married in 2001. |
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| A very special job. |
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| Our hero. |
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| When you wait until Dec. 23, most tree farms will give you free stuff. We walked out with the giant wreath on the right and a wreath making kit -- as well as complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, of course. |
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| The Christmas tree at the top belongs to my 3 yr. old. And he's reaching for more cinnamon candy! |
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Here's what we ended up reading for our Advent Literary Countdown. The larger books contain classic Christmas chapters. The only one we never got around to opening was Little Women! Alas! One of the best! Oh well, maybe next year. The titles highlighted in green are the titles which kept our attention from beginning to end, warmed our hearts and enriched our minds -- they are the books we will reread next Advent.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson
The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams
Christmas Around the World, Lesley Sims -- This just skimmed the surface. We all wanted to know more.
Samantha's Surprise: A Christmas Story, by Maxine Rose Schur -- My boys were bored with this one.
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens (abridged and illustrated) I adore Dickens, but my kids couldn't hang with this. We read one chapter.
The First Christmas, by Lynne Bradbury -- Too cartoonish.
A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck (Chapter 4, "Away in a Manger")
Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder (Chapter 4, "Christmas")
Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery (Chapter 25, "Puffed Sleeves")
Silent Night: The Song and Its Story, by Margaret Hodges
The Nativity Story (a companion book to the film from New Line Cinema)
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend, by Julie Stiegemeyer
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr, Seuss
"The Night Before Christmas", by Clement Moore, illustrated by Tomie De Paola (We also shared copies of the same poem illustrated by Tom Browning and Mary Englebreit which I picked up from the library. Next year I think we'll try the Tasha Tudor version.)
"The Little Match Girl", by Hans Christian Andersen (The copy I have is from 1967. Next year I will try to obtain the version I linked to -- illustrated by Rachel Isadora.)
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, by Robert Barry
A New Coat for Anna, by Harriet Zeifert
Once Upon a Company, by Wendy Anderson Halperin
"The Gift of the Magi", by O. Henry, illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
Stranger in the Woods, by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
A Cowboy Christmas, by Audrey Wood -- Think sappy TV drama.
Jesus' Christmas Party, by Nicholas Allan
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| A few years ago when we lived in a tiny 2 bedroom farmhouse, I hauled our scroll saw into the dining room to make these cutouts. Now I use them for our Advent reflections. |
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| I won this at a "white elephant" party! I could not have been more thrilled/surprised/grateful! It was hand woven in Kenya! It now serves as storage for our wooden Advent cutouts. |
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| My mother-in-law has always kept us well stocked with snuggly Christmas PJs. Right after Thanksgiving I put them in a central location. My toddlers especially love to put on their PJs mid-day and cuddle down with a sippy cup of milk. |
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| My treasures: This is the first year that my oldest two kids (ages 9 &10) completely surprised me with gifts they picked out and purchased with their own money. How delightful! |
I finished The Return of the Native today. The Classical Quest Synchro-Read on Facebook has really helped me to stay on track with my reading goals during this busy season. A big thank you to everyone who chimed in with encouraging words and insights!
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season! I'd love to hear about your festivities.
Blessings to all!
