Of the new year that is. We were very busy making cookies and knitting up a storm. And typical me, gifts were completed and out the door before I could take pics of them. I will be back regularly in the new year. I miss capturing our days, but the holidays will do that to you!

And with that, we are off on a another adventure to fulfill a promise to our son.

I had picked up this kit last year and found it a few days ago! I just had to get it knitted up for the kids for the holiday season. No, it is not a Santa in long johns! He is the Tomten from two great books, The Tomten and The Tomten and the Fox. They are so sweet and about this little Tomten who takes care of a farm when all the people and animals are asleep. Lovely picture books – you should check them out! :-p

We started a great new tradition for the beginning of Adventlast year and I really do look forward to it. After dinner, we decorate the Christmas tree. We sing our two Advent songs and light our Advent wreath. Then we sing our Starpath song and start Mother Mary on her journey around the Starpath. After that we enjoy a special dessert – tonight’s was apple crisp with some maple whipped cream. It is simple and sweet and a lovely way to usher in the holiday season.

To kick off the advent season, we head out to nature to collect greenery and other natural goodness for our advent wreath. After we come home, the kids and I work to create our little wreath. As the weeks go on, we will remove what is dried out and add new fresh bits from around our house or other nature walks. I always love this hike – the entire little family goes. You can feel the excitement brewing for this special time of year to begin.

The hike was great! Wonderful grey weather. We saw lots of insects – butterfly, moths, and these bugs on a cactus that the kids insisted I take a picture of. We ended up in this cool spot where the kids played before we left. Sadly, they found bits of glass and decided to pick up as much as they could find. It is sad to see how people treat these beautiful places.

All in all, a great hike with lots of goodies for our wreath!