Advent Wreath Centerpiece


I woke up this morning in a full blown panic. It suddenly occurred to me that, despite the fact that it was only November 27th, there was no way in the world I could get everything done before Christmas.  Nutcracker performances, school concerts, Sunday School plays, piano recital, three sports schedules, piano lessons, room mom, ballet, luncheons and women's events loomed before me, not to mention the inevitable decorating, shopping and Christmas cards!  I'm not sure, exactly, how this fall got away from me, but it did.  My self-imposed deadline of all gifts bought, wrapped and shipped by Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I haven't even started!


As I paused to look at the calendar, I was reminded that today is the first Sunday in Advent.  I took a deep breath, and decided that even if I got nothing else done, I would make something meaningful:  An advent wreath centerpiece. I love to keep our advent wreath on the kitchen table. This is our prominent spot.  This is where our family gathers. As we light the appropriate number of candles each evening before dinner, we can reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.


I love to create a different, fresh centerpiece every year.  This year I arranged everything on a round, silver platter.  I placed four red candles around the perimeter, filled the platter with fresh cranberries and added fresh magnolia leaves, which I cut from the tree in our yard.


Of all the things that we frantically do, sometimes it's the simplest of things that mean the most.


As I light the candle of Hope, I'm going to try to remember that this year.
I'm not responsible for saving the world.
Somebody else already did that for me.

Visit HERE for some daily advent devotions.



THIS POST MAY BE LINKED TO: MONDAYS: MOUTHWATERING MONDAYS, MADE BY YOU MONDAY,MINGLE MONDAY , HOME SAVVY A TO Z, BEDAZZLE ME MONDAY TUESDAYS: TALENT SHOW TUESDAYS, MUSHKI LOVES MY STUFF TUESDAYS AND THE TABLE, TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAY,TWO MAIDS A BAKING, TIP JUNKIE ,GET YOUR CRAFT ON, CRAZY SWEET TUESDAYS!  TEA PARTY TUESDAY  MANDY'S RECIPE BOX WEDNESDAYS: SHOW AND TELL, WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY, THIS CHICK COOKS, LADY BEHIND THE CURTAIN, GINGER SNAP CRAFTS,  THURSDAYS:  IT’S A KEEPER THURSDAYS, STRUT YOUR STUFF, FULL PLATE THURSDAYS , CHIC & CRAFTY PARTY, THRIFTY THURSDAYS  FRIDAYS: I’M LOVING IT, FOODIE FRIDAY, GROCERY CART CHALLENGE, FOOD ON FRIDAYS, FRIDAY POT LUCK, TATERTOTS AND JELLO,  SWEET TOOTH FRIDAY,  SHINE ON FRIDAYS, FRIDAY FAVORITES,  FUSION FRIDAYS,  FRIDAY FOOD , BACON TIME SATURDAYS:SWEETS FOR A SATURDAY SIX SISTERS STUFF, CRUMBS AND CHAOS SUNDAYS: NIFTY THRIFTY SUNDAY, AWELL SEASONED LIFE

Comments

rebecca @ beurrista said…
What a wonderful, meaningful tradition. A friend just sent me a link for advent readings through the month, and you've inspired to get some candles into action too.
November 27, 2011 at 6:06 PM
karanmi said…
Beautiful wreath. I love doing up an advent wreath too each year. Just makes the real meaning of the Christmas holiday shine through all the commercialism of the season too.

I used to do mine on a log too . cut one edge flat so it sits good and then hubby would drill me four holes that held my candles. Decorated it with a few sprigs of pine and holly . Took up less room than a wreath when we had all the kids at home.

Karan
November 27, 2011 at 8:23 PM
Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said…
When I was young we did advent wreaths, and lite candles. Yours is very pretty. I love the part about not saving the world because someone already did. That is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing at Sunday's Best. Now following.
November 27, 2011 at 9:54 PM
Janet said…
Well said, Simple Girl! How do we pile such high expectations on ourselves? :-)
November 27, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Emily said…
Your advent wreath is beautiful! I'm really enjoying your blog and am your newest follower.
November 28, 2011 at 4:32 PM
Natasha in Oz said…
Beautiful wreath and beautiful post. So glad I found your post via Sunday's Best.

I am hosting a Christmas Series at my blog and the first post is about Advent on December 1st. Please pop by if you have 5 minutes to spare.

Blessings to you this Christmas season,
Natasha.
November 28, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Butter Bean Soup

Image
Happy New Year!  We are off to a cold start! It's so cold that the Governor cancelled school for the entire state! That never happens. Up here in Minnesota, when it gets cold, we just pull up our snow pants and pull down our hats.  In the South, they say it's not the heat, it's the humidity.  Up North, we say it's not the cold, it's the wind.  Windchill temperatures (what it actually feels like), are said to be -40 to -50 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the coldest it's been since 1996 - just shortly before we moved to Atlanta.  Hmmmm…… it's all coming back to me now.  Nevertheless, my 16-year old says it's a great way to start second semester! When it's cold outside, there is nothing I love more than making soup. Soup is the perfect excuse to stand over a hot stove on a cold day. You can hold soup in a coffee mug and let it warm your hands. You can sip soup in the same mug and let it warm you from the inside out. There's a reason for ...
Read more

Dr. Seuss Snacks!

Image
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.  I admit it.  I love Dr. Seuss!  A collection of these sing-song-y rhymes was the first thing I put on the bookshelves of our very first baby nursery.  Four kids later, I now have talents that include being able to recite The Cat In The Hat from memory! In honor of the late great Dr. Seuss (He would have been 107 on March 2nd) we are making these cute snacks!  Absolutely no skill or talent required! Simply start with a box of blue Jell-O..... and divide into four clear plastic cups. (The fish have to have a place to swim!) After the Jell-O has set, have the kids add their own fish!  (Swedish Fish, that is!) Ella's kindergarten class gets a Dr. Seuss party after they have collectively read 107 books! Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Read more

Groundhog Pudding Cups

Image
Now that we are back living in The North, I'm starting to remember why, prior to my life in The South, I had only had a handful of pedicures and didn't own any sandals.  Exposing one's feet presents health risks.  Like frostbite. Groundhog's Day (February 2nd) is just around the corner. At this time, as legend has it, the groundhog will either emerge from its hole on a sunny day, see its shadow, get scared, and hide leaving us with six more weeks of winter, or it will emerge on a cloudy day, see nothing noteworthy and predict an early spring.  Sunny or not, a package of Pepperidge Farm Milano's was all the inspiration I needed to celebrate the impending season. When I first saw these cookies in Family Fun magazine, I immediately tore out the page. How cute are these groundhogs?  The actual assembly is a bit tedious, but the eager anticipation of the recipients makes it all worth while. Begin with some Milano cookies.  Use sliced almonds for ...
Read more