Advent

This was our first year doing an Advent spiral and an Advent garden.  Last year, we planned the spiral with our playgroup but between weather and illness, we never were able to hold the event.  Thankfully, it worked out this year because it was magical!

 

It was warm, but with a mist/light rain the entire evening.  It made for tough picture taking.  This is the spiral all lit up at the end of the walk. 

 

Spiral before we started 

 

 

Apple candles for each child to light and place on the stars in the spiral 

 

Holden and Ana's walk 

 

Kenna's walk 

 

Mama and Meema's walk 

Our Advent garden was truly beautiful.  It was something Ana looked forward to all day, each day.  A special moment after dinner to shut the lights, light the candles, and read the next story from "The Light in the Lantern". 

 

I wanted something to hold all the treasures of the 4 kingdoms, so I made a simple wooden box from birch plywood to fit the top of the piano.  I dyed some flannel for a backdrop, added some silk fabric, and a beautiful angel and stars made by a friend.  Our perpetual 'tree" would hold treasures in the coming weeks as well.

 

Week 1 - Mineral kingdom.  The candle holder is in place, with stones for the path.  Holden added some gems from his collection. 

 

Hanging agate slices

 

Week 2:  Plant kingdom.  We added some flowers and a tree, along with moss on the other side of the candles.  And late last week added beeswax stars hanging from our branches.

 

Christmas Eve - Animal and Human kingdoms now added - Mary, Joseph, the donkey, and some wildlife. 

 

Merry Christmas!