Christmas anticipation...

The last few days before Christmas are always a highlight. Perhaps even more exciting than Christmas itself as we are all full of anticipation. I am enjoying a more simple Christmas this year. I did not do as much decorating as usual but still find our home to glow in a festive light...

Above the hutch a garland with my lit branches twisted among it while the mirrors on either side of the hutch have a small wreath hanging from a gingham ribbon. Just the right touch.

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

I placed a small quilt on the table with my urns. The arrangement this year is layered ivy, grapevine and berry wreaths, pine branches and red amaryllis. I placed red and black ornaments in a gold and red bowl. My books are softened by a piece of lace and a pretty white Christmas tree candle.

I use candles to decorate all through the house and out in the garden. I love candles glow in the evenings.

"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

It makes no noise at all,

But softly gives itself away."

~Eva Logue

My pictures ledges are now filled with my beloved collection of framed vintage postcards and some stitched items I have made over the years.

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~Harlan Miller

My patchwork wreath had to be on our coffee table this year. It brings back memories of my quilt group's fun Christmas in July evening each time I light the candle.

I have always wished I had a mantleplace but creating a Christmas arrangement on my fireplace screen gives me a chance to add some festive cheer to the woodstove.
The laundry room in our home is also our cloakroom. Since people walk in here to hang their coats, I like having it looking cheerful. The village gives a magical glow where most stop and take a good look as they come and go. I did not get out all my nutcrackers this year. A few are in the living room and these in the laundry room. I added two winter floral arrangements in the room and also filled my clothes peg pail with pinecones.

"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved."

~Augusta E. Rundel

The music playing Gaudete is actually a Christmas carol written back in the 16th century. I have had people comment that they too love to listen to Gregorian Chant and thought it would be fun to include this on my blog this year. Here is the text in both the Latin and in English translation. Sometimes, reading what the song says gives you a greater appreciation of the music. Enjoy!

Translation from Wikipedia

Latin	English
Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!	Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born Of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!
Tempus adest gratiæ Hoc quod optabamus, Carmina lætitiæ Devote reddamus.	The time of grace has come That we have desired; Let us devoutly return Joyful verses.
Deus homo factus est Natura mirante, Mundus renovatus est A Christo regnante.	God has become man, And nature marvels; The world has been renewed By Christ who is King.
Ezechielis porta Clausa pertransitur, Unde lux est orta Salus invenitur.	The closed gate of Ezechiel Has been passed through; Whence the light is born, Salvation is found.
Ergo nostra contio Psallat lam in lustro; Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.	Therefore let our gathering Now sing in brightness Let it give praise to the Lord: Greeting to our King.