Celebratation

Celebrating is a great way to kick off winter and in December we certainly made merry! This included many-a-birthday, the first good snow, coming babies, solstice, Advent and Christmas, New Year, and relatives in from far.

One warmish day, we dug up a little cedar and brightened her boughs with natural decor snatched from along our road.

Each Sunday, at home or visiting friends, we gradually lit the Advent candles and savored the mysterious but real coming of God present with us in human blood, sweat and tears. We had the piano tuned and sang loud.

Spending time with so much family was a luxurious element to the celebrations. After recent travelsome years, being 'home' after being 'away' still holds a novel comfort (and re-entry). And now, having a family of my own is a real gift.

During all the festivities, I didn't use the camera much. But one we captured was one of our nieces in her first pile of leaves. I raked them in October and we dumped them on a blanket in our living room for her present. The Fall season where she lives doesn't include colorful and falling leaves, so I thought we should introduce her to that fun.