Happy Advent

My favorite time of the year. We are getting ready for Christmas and there is so much tradition and so many memories. And you know that we both find happiness in the simplest things. 

As you can see, James felt much better after his (thankfully short) hospital stay. But we are making fun of him: two years ago we spent Christmas in a hospital, this year it was Thanksgiving Holiday. 

First Sunday of Advent was November 30. Time to start decorating. We started Saturday with the Chrismon tree. James was a big help. In years passed he was always the one to assemble the "fake" trees and put the lights on. So he did it again.

I wished you could see it in  person. All the christian symbols are such a joy.

There was a reason that this tree had to be up. I had scheduled the yearly Chrismon lesson for church members who wanted to learn for Sunday. Because there were only 4 "students" and they lived convenient close to me, we agreed to change location for the lesson. This year for the first time we did it at our house instead the church. Our friends enjoyed seeing our tree. As always, the large ornament each one had made was for the church tree and they got a small one for their home tree. 

Since we were supposed to be on our trip in Europe (got cancelled, see previous blog) we ate more out than usual. Got to have fun! 

Thursday 12/4 we found a new to us restaurant "Con Salsa Venezuelan Cuisine" on Mountain Road. Only 8 minutes by car. It is known as a food truck place but we were in a freshly built simple room which was very nice. The food was very delishes but what we had ordered was quite messy to eat. Next time we will order the bowls. Yes, we will definitely eat there again.

And the pre-christmas decorating continued. I found two matching vases in the right size in a shrift store cheaply which is great. And I had not even looked for them but was just accompanian a friend. The fresh greenery branches always made my crystal vases messy and difficult to clean. 

James is very good unwrapping the nativities. These hand-whittled wooden figures were made for me in East Germany when it was still under communistic rule. So many memories.

On the mantle on the other side of the fireplace is the Mexican nativity every year. We have to be careful. Those figures are very breakable. We are always guessing because it is not that clear to us which figure is which character in the story.

The second tree up and decorated is what we call our "German tree". Pretty much all the ornaments are made from stroh. That's what we would do as children in Germany every year ... make stroh stars. Confession: most of these are actually from IKEA, some we even bought in Singapore (which had two IKEA places on that little island) when we lived there. But there is a stroh pig which we had found in Prag...

... and this new one in the middle we had bought on our Christmas Market trip last year. It is actually made with wooden shavings and pictures Kurrende singers in the middle (or Sternesinger). 

In the evening Caleb had his first band concert. James and I did not go but received photos and videos from Sarah. Needless to say we regretted not having gone ourselves. I guess our age is acting up.

Next day (Friday 12/5) the first real snow of the season. Looks pretty but it is hampering plans.

A little late we decided to use the advent calendar puzzle again which Helen had gifted to us 2 years ago. We had to catch up a few days but James was eager. We started on the dining room table but that was not comfortable for him. His back didn't like it. So we tried different ways.

Saturday the 6th we had signed up for the church wine club event. This time it included a painting lesson. I had suggested to James to try it and he had reluctantly agreed. He did actually very well and may be even enjoyed it. 

The "puzzle situation" is quite comfortable now. No more complains. Having its own place is good so one can work on it for a little while here and there.

And just when the snow had thawed away we got another dose. But even when we have not all "that white" it is so sooooooo cold lately. 

At the time of this writing the snow is gone again, it is still very very cold but there is promise of it getting warmer again at the end of this week. Yeah!