Snowdrops

"The beautiful Spring came; 

and when Nature resumes her loveliness; 

the human soul is apt to revive also."

Harriet Ann Jacobs

The delicate Snowdrops have pushed their way through the earth, and have brought life back to the the paths in the back woods. Little clusters of them have popped up all over the yard. Some are tucked among the hedges, others surround the base of the neighbor's fruit trees.

I picked a tiny handful to bring inside, and placed them in a small glass that makes an appropriately sized vase.

They really do bring with them a sense of hope, that soon the grass with be green, and the gardens in bloom, and Winter will be long gone.

We've also spotted some Crocuses too.

The Beginning of Advent

Today is the first day of Advent.

A counting down the days to Christ's coming. A celebrating of Christmas - Christ with us.

As a family, we're following along with the beautiful new book by Ann Voskamp.

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

And early this morning, we snuggled in bed and began at the beginning.

"Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot -

yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - 

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord...

In that day the heir to David's throne

will be a banner of salvation to all the world.

The nations will rally to him,

and the land where he lives will be a glorious place."

Isaiah 11:1-2,10

We've picked out our Christmas tree, and most of our shopping is now done.

I also made an advent calendar from an old ladder and some muslin bags for Willen to follow along with.

Each bag has a few small bits of Lego in it. The point obviously isn't about the gift each day. But for a 5 year old, it's a little surpise to look forward to each morning, after our reading. 

Our project for today, in light of the reading of the promised shoot, we were to plant some grass or wheat to watch grow over the next few weeks. I had purchased some Paperwhite bulbs at the nursery the day we picked out our Christmas tree, so we planted those to watch instead.

Some where potted in soil in antique pots.

Others are being forced in little vintage glasses.

They're tucked around the house to remind us of this beautiful promise.

And so begins our counting down to Christmas. I'm praying God uses this time to work in my own heart, and especially in the hearts of our beautiful boys. That this Christmas would be a celebration of our Saviour, and the great love he has for us.

You can follow this link above to read more about Unwrapping the Greatest Gift.

Winter Bulbs

At this time of year, with Thanksgiving come and gone, and the stores filled with everything for the holiday season, I have the urge to start decorating the house for Christmas. Especially if there's been some snow. However, putting up a real tree now, and keeping it in good condition until at least all of the Christmas festivites are past is nearly an impossible feat.

During this mid-season time, I start to add little bits of Christmas decor around the house, while trying to keep our home from seeming like it's completely decorated for the holidays. It's actually quite nice, because it gives the house a bit of a change, without much effort.

Urns were arranged with fresh boughs on the front steps where the cold air will keep the greens fresh for much longer. Inside, my Paperwhites and Amaryllis are in bloom. A couple natural wreathes were hung as well, one of pine cones and the other a real Boxwood wreath.

(While there may appear to be a tiny grey mouse running across my floor, under my cabinet in the mirror, rest assured, it's not. It's in fact one of Hudson's toy hippos. There's always something I don't see until later!)

Some white Lilies also fill the house with their perfume scent.

While I will soon force some winter bulbs myself, I brought these ones home from the shop.

I also brought home two of my most favourite scones, chocolate pecan. We shared them at breakfast the next morning.

We've also been enjoying watching our Amaryllis grow taller each day, and burst into these grand, ruffled blooms.

One after the other, they unfurl.

Our first one is now in full bloom, and the second cluster of blooms is beginning to grow.

The Living Room and Hints of Spring

I feel like the living room has finally settled into place.

After all that came with Christmas was put back into storage, the room felt somewhat empty.

It wasn't long before it was feeling cozy again.

I've even, slightly early I might add, added a few bits of Spring.

Wishful thinking.

My Hyacinth has just started blooming, filling the room with it's floral fragrance and it won't be long before the Crocuses start unfolding as well.

I also tucked a small nest under a glass cloche I received from my sister for Christmas.

Are you ready for Spring yet?

Saturday Morning Coffee with Biscotti and A Good Book

 

While browsing through an Italian grocery shop this past week, I couldn't resist picking up a package of biscotti.

 

These traditional Italian cookies are the perfect pairing for with a morning coffee. And I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Saturday morning than with a cup of coffee, a Cappuccino Dipped Biscotti and a book I picked up at the library yesterday.

 

My Hyacinths are still in bloom. These are the second blooms.

 

These biscottis are the best I've tasted in a very long time. They are perfectly crisp, but still hold their own when dipped in coffee. These are Cappuccino Dipped with Almonds, but I also tried the Chocolate Chip Dipped in Chocolate. They were delicious as well!

 

The book is called Simple Country Wisdom by Country Living.

 

 

It's "501 old-fashioned ideas to simplify your life" and as you can see from the table of contents, it covers just about everything.

 

I wasn't the only one enjoying the treat. He snuck in and knew exactly what to do!

 

 

Willen absolutely loves our trips to the library and loves to read. This is one of the things I love about him. He can pick up a stack of books and easily sit for an hour, quietly reading to himself. It's something we've really tried to encourage. His closet in his bedroom is his Library.

 

 

The last of my Daffodils are still blooming as well.

 

They've almost finished, but they've brightened our entrance for a couple of weeks.