Christmas Memories and Zentangle #98

The First Sunday of Advent

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent..we are new members of the Unitarian/Universalist Church...and are throroughly enjoying the experience.  Both of us have gotten somewhat fed up with "organized religion" and have been looking for something a bit different, which we have found with UU.  We love the complete acceptance of all beliefs, races, political thinking, tolerance of all...creed, color, or sexual orientation!  

And this is our first experience with Christmas in a non-denominational setting.  Although the "birth of Christ"is not the main focus....the waiting for something and being open to change seemed to me to be the point of the Reflections (not sermons, just personal thoughts given).

I come from a Catholic upbringing and I do have some great memories of growing up in that church even though I have become somewhat disenchanted as an adult.   As a kid myself, Advent in the home wasn't that big of a deal...just on Sunday at church.  I loved the readings we would hear; and the idea of "preparation"   I did really like the idea and tried to set up the symbolic Advent Wreath with my kids...when I would remember!

So for the rest of this month, or until Christmas, I am going to focus on what is happening in the present and give my own "Reflections" about memories I have of times past!  As well as my usual postings of Zentangle challenges!! And other stuff!!

This week's zentangle challenge from the Diva comes from another designer Donna Hornsby with her tangle "Keenees". To see how to draw this tangle, go to her link.  And look how early I am!!!  This challenge just came out today!!

Here is my Challenge for the Week:

Challenge #98-Keenees

Merry, merry!

Christmas is fast approaching and I am actually almost through with shopping!  I have my Christmas cards all addressed and ready to go..then realized I have no stamps!  And living out in the boonies, I can't (or won't) dash into town to get some!  So they will have to wait until Monday to go out but that is still much earlier than my usual Post Christmas mailing!

Decorating was a breeze as we didn't put up a tree since we are going to the daughters' for Christmas....and didn't put up my one thousand and one Santas (maybe a slight exaggeration)...and haven't decorated cookies with the grands yet..but that may still happen as they have one more week of school.  Just have to do the wrapping, get stocking stuffer things, and I'm good!!!

My granddaughter announced her college decision over Thanksgiving...she will be attending University of Texas at Austin.  She applied to and was accepted by three colleges...UT, A&M and Tech...and UT won her over.  Her paternal grandad is Delighted!!!  He is a BIG alum and football fan; this is his third grandchild to go to college and the first to pick UT!

Busy week coming up: Sunday: brunch with the neighbors; Neighborhood open house; Monday: finish shopping; Tuesday/Wednesday: wrap and do some cooking; Thursday: table to decorate for the guild Christmas party; Friday: the party itself....and we always have a big show and tell so I am trying to get my "Larkin Van Horn Medallion Quilt" finished to take...so better go get busy!

One more little Advent trivia:

ADVENT HOUSE

This is a popular rendition of the Jesse Tree and is usually purchased in a religious goods store. It has windows to be opened each day during Advent, each displaying a feature of the coming of the Christ Child. On December 24 the door is opened, revealing the Nativity scene.