simple advent

i can't believe there are only a few days left of advent.  it's such a nice quiet and calm time of year.  such a wonderful excuse to say no to things, to stay inside the cozy warm house, to drink tea and read piles and piles of books snuggled on the couch.

but with only a few days left until christmas, i suddenly feel like this advent has been so simple that we haven't done anything at all!  our seasonal table is a bit spare--partly due to mary's absence.  we can't find her at all!  the poor donkey has been journeying all alone this season.  the kids don't seem to mind, though, and noah faithfully moves the donkey forward one star every day.  he moves the previous day's star up to the wall and has had a lot of fun designing constellations.

we have really enjoyed our new advent calendar, a lovely gift from grandma.  you can see it in the above picture.  each day has a little booklet that pops out, with a tiny excerpt of a very well-written account of the nativity story.  the kids both love reading the little books (especially isla, for whom tiny-ness has great appeal).  we made our own advent candles this year from rolled beeswax, and i really enjoy them more than the church-issued set.  they smell great.

the lovely luminary in the middle of the wreath was made by isla with help from christina, inspired by an idea in this magazine.  it was very simple and easy and is so pretty lit up with a tealight!