1st December. B is for Blogmas

 

There's always a lot to read in Blogland in the run up to Christmas!  So many people, myself included, make an extra effort to post daily so there's lots to read and some wonderful ideas shared.  I'm trying to do an Advent alphabet.  

Advent Sunday is anywhere from November 27 to December 3, depending on which day Christmas falls that year.  

Commercial advent starts today with the first chocolate being consumed from many a calendar.  I put my stable out yesterday (Advent Sunday) and today the first figure has appeared.  I won't be showing the stable every day but will give updates a couple of times each week.  And we just might follow the Magi on their journey.

So my Blogmas is sorted: an Advent alphabet and the goings on in the stable.  I will think about food, charities, socialising, and anything else which occurs to me.  I've actually worked out in advance the theme of all my Blogmas alphabet posts.  

So, here's the first view this year of my Advent stable.  Nothing strange or startling.  Just one sheep.

And being a big kid, I put a chocolate in each cupboard as well.  Happy Advent to one and all!

A is for Advent Sunday

 Don't believe what the Advent Calendar manufacturers tell you:  tomorrow is not the first day of Advent.  Today is.  It's the fourth Sunday before Christmas, the day to light the first candle on the advent wreath.  Commercial companies have made sure you can't open the first window on your "Advent" calendar until tomorrow.

I've brought my Advent stable into the house ready for tomorrow.  No figures out yet, though.  It's empty, a space where a wonderful story will emerge.

I'm the sort of person who starts Christmas preparation as soon as possible after Christmas because I want to let Advent be Advent: a time of spiritual preparation.  The Christmas tree won't go up for a couple of weeks yet.  Most presents are made and wrapped, cards are ready to be posted.  Most of the seasonal food is in the freezer.  The music is more, "O come, O come Emmanuel" than "Hark, the herald angels sing".  

So this Advent Sunday is the quiet day before the rest of the world realises that Advent has begun.  It's a day of faith and waiting on God.

November in the hibernaculum

 As Novembers go, 2025 has been quite good.  

I've been getting lots of lovely food made and frozen, some for Christmas and some just for those days when i feel rubbish and can't be bothered.  

I went swimming just once.  There must be at least three of us, and health and other commitments have got in the way.  

I went to a craft session making iris folded cards.  And another making a pottery tree (not yet painted).

I was treated to a couple of meals to celebrate my birthday (which was in October).  And I've cooked a couple of meals for friends.  

I had a couple of days away meeting friends.

I've done a lot of decluttering and have found a willing recipient for some of my fabric stash. I have also been quite good at maulifuffing.  

I made my annual visit to Donna Nook and checked on the seals.  They are still wonderful.

And amongst all that I have plodded on with Christmas preparations, met with friends on line, on the phone and face-to-face and stayed happy.

Thanksgiving

 

I hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving on this day has a wonderful time.

My family celebrated last night with a glorious meal of turkey (and lots more) followed by pumpkin and pecan pies.  I still feel a bit podged!  And I've been given leftovers to eat today.