Fast, Easy, Inexpensive Christmas Advent

 Happy First of December! If you're looking for an inexpensive (and fast!) last minute advent, all you need to do is take a trip to your local public library.  Our library has all the holiday books marked on the spine, so they're easy to spot.  Some libraries make it even easier and have all the different holiday books gathered in one area--thank you public librarians across the world.  I just went through and grabbed books that look appealing.  Some are about the nativity, some are more secular, and I even got some Hanukkah books to teach our kids about another religion's celebrations.  When I was little, I lived across the street from my friend who was Jewish.  I was always fascinated by the dreidel and the menorah and am excited to teach my kids about them. Simply wrap them up with wrapping paper and voilá!  Happy advent!  I "accidentally" got too many books, so we started two nights ago.  We read the first book at the dinner table.  Last night, we had just returned from getting our Christmas tree, and we read the second book in the back of the car.  It was kind of magical. I'm already dreaming of all the locations we can come with for our reading. :)

Meanwhile, back in the sewing studio, I'm giving this little sparkly number a make-over.  Well, not so much of a make-over as a needed alteration.  It was an inexpensive dress I bought a few years ago that is just a bit too short--both in the waist and the hem.  I thought of adding a layer of fabric below the hem, but decided it would look more cohesive to remove the skirt and add a shimmery black elastic in the middle, which is a whole lot more work, but I brought it with me on our Thanksgiving trip and had several hours leftover after I finished the unpicking. ;)  We will see if it turns out.  

One more thing, my post from yesterday still has active links until the 18th.  The sale isn't on any longer, but $99 for peace of mind is a pretty small price tag.  My very own Circle™ is on the way and I'll do a full review once I get it in my hands and have a chance to play around with it. Make that two more things. ;)  Don't forget about the $100 giveaway here. You can click through all the posts online and enter them all!!

Christ Themed Advent

Maybe it's because we lived in all-carpeted apartments and houses every time I was pregnant that I can't stand the smell of vacuums.  I admit to splurging on those scented vacuum bags to help mask the smell.  But that's when December comes into the picture.  We get our Christmas tree and all pine needles must be vacuumed.  Give that tree a hard shake before putting on the lights and trimming it with baubles and bells, then suck all the needles to make vacuuming happen more than frequently enough until it's time to change the bag again. ;)

This year we've started something new, a grand thanks to my mom.  She gathered 25 varying pieces of artwork to depict the life of Christ and printed corresponding scriptures on the back.  Instead of our regular scripture study, we take turns each morning reading one while holding a battery operated candle.  It's so wonderful to read about His life in such a condensed period of time, nudging my mind to think on Him more. I am hoping my mom makes these available for purchase next year because they are the very best type of count down to the celebration of Christ's birth.  I'll let you know when she does....;)

I came across this quote in a book I'm reading that really felt good: I am suspect of tidy history and squeaky clean people.  I believe Jesus Christ was perfect--not because He never got mad or always made everyone feel good.  He didn't.  He was perfect because He was the most grown up grown-up who has ever lived.  His responses to people and situations were consistently mature, principled, and selfless. -Neylan McBaine

He acknowledged that we all falter and make mistakes and lovingly encouraged us to be better.  It's hard for me to admit that the only person I can change is myself, because it hearts my heart to watch my children choose wrongly, but just as Christ allows us to make mistakes, he also made it possible to fix those mistakes, which is what I hope my kids will learn.  Nobody is a hopeless case.  There is hope enough to go around. :)