Liturgical Lifestyle | TMI Advent

1 // an Advent calendar (not made by me and not currently in use)

2 + 3 // DIY wreath/crown of greenery

4 // simple lights

5 // winter wreath from Aldi, with pine cone missing

6 + 7 // the Advent imp

8 + 9 // adapted Advent wreath

In the first week of Advent, we have:

• decked the halls with greenery and wintry things
• prayed the St. Andrew Christmas novena 
• lit and prayed the Advent wreath
• talked about Jesus's birthday
• ordered Christmas cards
• took a "Chrismtas photo"
• listened to Haley's playlist
• cast on for a Christmas stocking for Roan

I didn't have plans other than doing the Advent wreath, and even then I didn't have an Advent wreath here, and couldn't find an affordable one on Amazon, Etsy, or available for purchase from our local parish (how I got our original one--a robust and gilded thing, so pretty!).

Lighting the Advent wreath was an important part of prepping for the Christmas season in my childhood; even with all the in-fighting about who would do the readings, who would light the candles, who would blow them out, and who would choose which carol to sing afterwards, I can't imagine not carrying on the beloved tradition in my own family.  Memories of family melt-downs for years to come--you're welcome, boys.

So far, we've kept up with it two nights out of five.

The week of Thanksgiving, I ordered candle clips and candles, waited around, got tired of waiting, bought a pine wreath and put it on the table with a large pillar candle in the middle for an improvised Advent wreath, made a lazy version of this, and finally added the candle clips when they arrived in the mail today from Estonia (neat!).  Will possibly make a second, thicker wreath for the candles and clips, maybe.  I'd like to know where I can buy some grapevine around here (or steal it?).

This is the third year since I've heard of the St. Andrew novena, first year attempting to pray it.  Forgot it last night.

Next week, we might try:

• Saint Nicholas Day
• the Advent wreath with more regularity
• adding some carols
• reading a Christmas book or two
• doing something nice (first thing that comes to mind is visiting a retired person's home, hmmm, not sure how that'd work out with Afon)
• putting together little thank you gifts for Afon's helpers and social workers
• mailing Christmas cards

My expectation of accomplishing any of these things?  I'm keeping it low and happy at around 10%!

I really enjoy seeing how others "prepare the way of the Lord" in Advent.  Each family's tradition is different, and whether I'm rearing to adapt customs as my own or am satisfied to enjoy it from the sidelines, I want to see your Advent, too!  Really!

Belatedly linking up with Like Mother, Like Daughter.

The Highest Form of Thought

We've all got colds, so I'm going to be over here eating toast with cranberry chutney and slices of mature cheddar and dreaming about left-over turkey sandwhiches.  There's no Thanksgiving in Wales, so I have to live vicariously through others: print out these for last minute place-settings, make ornaments, or string them together in a banner.

Have a warm and friendly Thanksgiving, m'kay?

Liturgical Lifestyle | July

The dog days are upon us, and they are stormy, as Saint Swithin would have it.  This bishop of Winchester died July 2nd, but in the Anglican Church his feast is celebrated on July 15th.  It rained on both days.

St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day if thou be fair
For forty days ‘twill rain nae mair.

There was no hope for us.

It's meant a lot of slow, careful driving to and from school in the downpour, dashing into the store under lead-weight raindrops, and only just getting out to the pool in time to pack up and leave again.  Thanks, Saint Swithin.  You're the best.  ;)

Indpendence Day was rained out, but Afon had a lot of fun jumping on the trampoline (and maybe I did too, shhhh), and then we went to Sonic and continued to be in the rain while Afon lolled around on the concrete.

Saint Benedict's Day was the 11th, and since the Benedictines are our resident monks, we were able to visit the abbey to offer a little prayer.

July 13th was Saint Mildred's memorial, and this book on the {Life of St. Mildred} is free and fun to read.  Just right for little mouthfuls of rainy summer afternoon reading.  I'm bookmarking it as one of my future favorites.

Roan also turned six months old on the 14th!  I love having a January baby.

The rest of the season was stuffed with saints' days, but we had our hands full with baptisms, aunty visits, summer plans, and a stomach bug.

Early August is a time of penance in preparation for Mary's Assumption, but we've no plans to fast this year.  What do you and your family usually do to observe this solemnity?

Independence Day 2015

Happy Independence Day to my fellow countrymen!  And for the rest, no hard feelings.  ;)

By the way, whether you're lying out by the pool or waiting for the fireworks to start at the barbecue, G.K. Chesterton's {What I Saw in America} is some insightful reading.  Have a great holiday!