...sit down, don't fall down!
...Paul's big contribution! Well, that, and "crowd control" - all those unruly greyhounds...
The finished product part 1...
...and part 2, shifting right - although Lana is totally embarassed to have a Titans stocking and it may well behoove her not to, given their embarassing performance yesterday. Cortland Finnegan was formerly her #2 favorite behind CJ, and, well, after this the honeymoon is OVER!
Our Nativity scene! We wait in joyful hope for the coming of Jesus! I was on the lookout for another "nicer" Nativity secene, but after making this arrangement this year I kind of like this one after all. It's just "not what I grew up with" (Mother's Nativity scene is sooo pretty!)...but I guess that's OK!
Even the mailbox is gettin' with the season! I don't know how this will stay. I did it with elastic double-knotted and a hair elastic, of all things - the bows on either side twist-tied together - the magnolia leaves came from the magnolias outside my building at work, the Sisters were so gracious to let me have some for decorating and also for our Advent wreath at church. The mailbox needs a fresh coat of paint - maybe in the spring - I also dream of a mailbox with a tiny space for a planter (like this)... anyone know of a handyman that could help me with it? :)
Here's our china cabinet. I'm kind of proud of how this whole thing turned out. I didn't take down anything that's normally up there, I just put other things in front of it. With the cabinet under the TV, I took everything down - but that area needs a decor facelift, and I need to really think about what I want up there.
...PLUS...drumroll, please... you can see my now complete set of the twelve days of Christmas champagne flutes! They are in the top shelf and not very visible - but I know they're there. Oh, I know they're there :)
...and the table is set! We did our first reading/lighting of the first purple candle in the Advent wreath last night. We used the form found here, and here's the information for the first night if you're interested.Blessing for the Advent Wreath:
O God, by whose word all things are sanctified,
pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath
and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts
for the Coming of Christ,
and may receive from thee abundant graces.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer:
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins;
and be a Redeemer to deliver us;
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ,
desire of every nation,
Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell among us.
Scriptures:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke 1:26-38
Isaiah 7:10-14
Matthew 1:18-24
