Celebrating The Season

Yesterday I finally got around to making the Advent wreath for the Christmas holidays. I'm a few days late I know but better late than never.  I knew I had the candles around and I have evergreen growing in my herb garden under the guise of my rosemary bush.  I just had to go find my candle holders and wire.  Ta-Da!
Simple but it does the job.

When I was growing up Roman Catholic we had our wreath that we made in CCD classes but my father didn't like lit candles in the house.  So we never lit the wreath.  Little did I know that it is to be lit every night with a prayer led by the man of the house before dinner is eaten and the candles extinguished after the evening meal is finished.  Every night the same prayer for one week and the same candle.  Eventually all four candles will get lit for the four weeks and four different prayers will be recited.  The white pillar candle is to be lit on Christmas Day. 

I think I'm going to like a sit down meal every night with my soldier.  Do I really expect to get it?  Nope.  Today he is headed out to Portland, OR for a class.  I'm thinking that he most likely won't be home in time for dinner.  Good thing he packed a lunch bag.  Yes, that is J lighting the first candle of the season.

Last night I made chicken a l' orange with baked russet potatoes and green bean almondine.  Tonight I'm thinking a slow cooker meal might be the best idea since I've no clue when he'll be pulling into the garage.

I like the idea of this little ritual.  It some how brings us closer as a family.  It gives us that bonding time to have an actual sit down meal and makes him want to be there on time more often too.