Sunday

Celebrating Advent Our Way

     Christmas music softly drifted through the house as we dined by candlelight.  We were beginning our new tradition of an Advent Wreath.  Each Sunday leading up Christmas, we would light a candle and read Bible verses about the real Christmas Story.  We lit the first candle before we all sat down to a hot meal.  I smiled as all five of us began to savor our time together.  It was perfect.
      Yes, that's exactly what I pictured as I made a list of things I'd like to do this special season.  Instead, this first Sunday of Advent, I found myself in the store buying a small pre-lit green foil tree.  I had decided to trade the Advent Wreath for a tree.  I swapped the candles for 24 miniature books that paraphrased the Christmas Story.  Why? Well, honestly it was because I bought the small books a few years ago and we'd yet to use them.  Also, I loved the idea of a small tree in our family room.  The fact that it would eventually be covered with book ornaments only made my decision easier.  You see, I have a bit of an obsession with books.   Perhaps if I was a bit more honest, the real reason was that I was only planning on an Advent Wreath because it seemed like the thing that we should do.  It's taken me a while to learn that should is a tricky word.
      As a mom, there is no end to the things that it seems I should do for my children.  One of the best lessons as a parent is learning what we should do for our families.  As I thought through what an Advent Wreath would look like for my family, I realized there would likely be lots of squabbling over who got to blow out the candles.  Not only that, but my kiddos would likely only be thinking about or actually trying to blow out the candles while we were trying to get them to focus on the verses.  Sure, they might have surprised us and sat like angels, but there was still a greater chance that the wreath would lead to more frustration than the "Book Tree." 
     So, this year we've have our little tree, our big tree,  stockings and a few other simple decorations.  The kids and I are also writing in thankful journals most days to help us stay focused on our blessings during this season when everywhere we look there are messages telling us to buy more and more.  Also, in an effort to shift away from the candy-filled calendars, each of the kids has a small toy advent calendar.  This may seem like a lot to some and perhaps it is, but it works for us this year and that's what matters.  So what if two boxes of decorations stay in the basement waiting to make an appearance another year.  They might be just right the year we do decide to do an Advent Wreath.  Keeping it a tad more simple will help us spend more time with each other and more importantly, spend more time reflecting on the real meaning of Christmas.  Now that sounds like something we should do!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

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The Italian slopes are also a great alternative if you enjoy skiing. And like a wise traveller, you must also book an accommodation in advance to better maximize your time in the Italian slopes.

Skiing Italy is almost certainly the option of those in search of winter vacations with sun and fashion but often unnoticed as a ski holiday location versus neighbouring France, Switzerland and Austria. Italy comes with fantastic ski areas, idyllic alpine communities and upmarket skiing. To put it accurately the Dolomites Superski spot offers probably the most runs of any sector anywhere in Europe. Ski housing in Italy is customary, comfortable and sometimes in conventional village residences or some great early hotel. Primarily, ski lodging in Italy is tremendous value. Discover what makes ski housing in Italy special.

Travel around

Airline flight times are a little longer contrary to other Alpine locations. Milan, Turin and Bergamo can be contacted within just two hours, Venice and Brescia take a little longer. Even so transfer mileage to most ski resorts to help you still get through to your ski accommodation in under 5 - 6 hours from the UK. Ski transfer companies are readily accessible at all air terminals. Most often (if you don't drive to Courmayeur), driving a car will be a less helpful option. Car route times is often as long as 14 - 16 hours based upon your ski vacation destination in Italy.

Ski Housing in Italy

Italy happens to be identified for great catered accommodation and fine foodstuff. In Italy there's a simple good mixture of hotels and ski chalets and several living spaces. You will discover minimal purpose-build blocks and discover mostly demand a small stroll or a ski bus to go to ski lift and ski slopes. Italy is also endowed with awesome historic hotels, many boasting substantial terraces that you can like your lunch or apres-ski under the sun. Many of the so-called Pensions (larger B&Bs) recently improved to hotel standard, adding fitness services along the way. Catered ski lodging in Italy quite often comes with impressive cooking. Italian cuisine and in particular the various pasta meals are the ultimate skiing diet.

Skiing

There are several well known ski areas in Italy and many very large interconnected ski areas like the Milky Way composed of Cesana, Claviere, Sansicario, Sauze d'Oulx and Sestriere and presenting 400km of piste. The Dolomites Super Ski Area comprising Selva Val Gardena, Val Di Fassa, Folgarida, Madonna di Campiglio, Alta Badia, Arraba, Alleghe and Cortina has more than 1200 kms of pistes, but not all interlinked. Regardless of whether you're a skiing newbie or a professional skier, you will in all probability acquire slopes to cater for your needs.

Ski Housing Expense

Ski accommodation in Italy is usually good value and mostly more cost effective than neighbouring France, Austria and Switzerland. Very cheap cost preference is frequently other possible traditional exclusive B&Bs and Pensions delivering half-board deals. Eating out is not high-priced and fine Italian food is easily available in many of the conventional eateries and mountain refuges. If you have dinner out at night you will need to budget £15 for dinner, £4 for a pint and £2 for a soft drink.

Find to find your ski lodging in Italy. You finalize on single, quick request form, Your requirement is contributed with all appropriate and signed up ski accommodation companies. Managers can send a quote and you may select the one which may match you. Even if it is not ski housing in Italy.

There are other ski destinations indeed, but to ski in Italy and to savour the food and ambiance of the country is more than enough to give the Italian slopes a try.