Hello ,

 

For me the holidays really start with the first Advent Sunday. When I was a little girl in Germany, my mother and grandmother would wind beautiful wreaths from pine trees, decorate them with holly and little red apples and then sit 4 thick, red candles on the wreath. They represent each of the 4 Advent Sunday. We'd start by lighting just one, adding one more each following Sunday. Of course the fact that Sunday afternoons also meant it was time for Christmas cookies and my grandmother's Stollen sweetened the deal. 

 

I'm enjoying sharing these special family traditions with my husband and daughter this time of the year. How about you? Do you have special traditions from your Childhood that make this time of the year special?  This week's newsletter is full of things to do and Holiday recipes. 

 

This week's featured article is about planning a simple cookie exchange.  As it gets closer to Christmas, we are all looking for ways to enjoy a less stressful holiday.  Combining two holiday events - making cookies and visiting with friends and family - into one event can really help with lowering the stress level! Be sure to scroll down and check out this article.

This week's quote and story are both reminders of the what this time of year offers us, and what we have to offer during this time, as well.   Please take a moment to read and enjoy.