Most of my time the last several weeks has been spent counting just how many days I have left to take radiation treatments.  But now I have decided to stop this counting and count the days till Christmas. 

 

Sunday marked the beginning of Advent and I encourage all of you put together your Advent wreath.  I always put mine on the dining room table and light the candles each Sunday counting down the time till Christmas will be here. The wreath contains four candles, three violet colored ones and one pink one. 

 

Light one violet one each Sunday until Dec. 20 and then light the pink one.  All four candles will be burning at this time.  On Christmas Eve, change the candles to all white and light them for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

 

Advent is about waiting for the Savior to come.  On Dec. 8 we observed the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which just happens to also be the birthday of my sons, Mike and Marty.

 

During the Christmas season send Christmas cards to cheer up lonely neighbors, pray for our men and women in the Armed Services, repair a relationship, say a kind word and be sure to decorate a tree for the light is a symbol of Christ.  What a wonderful way to get ready for this blessed holiday.

 

We did have our annual Pita Piata baking party. This year we baked them at my daughter Lisa's house. I can truly say that for the first time in over fifty years I did not roll one piece of dough.  I am so proud to say that my sister Cathy, my daughters Lisa and Leslie and my granddaughters Holli and Miranda did the work while my sister Joan and I made sure that all was getting done properly.  I am so proud that this very special Christmas tradition started by my mother and grandmother  continues on for our youngest generation.

 

By the way we had four generations in attendance this year with my great granddaughter, Avery, making an appearance. 

 

The Pita Piata's were delicious!  Now if nothing else gets done, I will enjoy the holiday.

 

Another first for me this year in that we had my first family Thanksgiving dinner away from my home.  My children and grandchildren took me to the Bridgeport Conference Center and as usual, they did a great job. Dave was not with us this year as he went to Ohio to spend the day with his son Dave and his family.

 

There are so many social events going on this month and I encourage you to attend as many as you can.  Of course there is the Holly Ball, The Traditional English Christmas Tea at the PWA and many presentations of Christmas music throughout the area.   Support these events for much hard work has been put into them to provide us with something special for Christmas.

 

A special birthday wish to Mike and Marty (8th); Holli and Hunter Queen (2nd) and to Miranda Lang (15th) as they celebrate this month.

 

Keep in touch and be sure to get ready for the holidays.  I love hearing from you and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."