Fallalala-ala-la-la.
After the rain had subsided (and the guys had recovered from their failed attempt to leave town for a boys ski trip) we decided to celebrate the 1st of Advent THE RIGHT WAY!
It has has been on my calendar for weeks and I have been dying to go!
Ardenwood Farm invited to their annual "Christmas at Ardenwood".
Celebrate Christmas the way folks did 100 years ago, the old way, the right way.
We enjoyed so many wonderful activities and learned so much about the early years of farming and harvest celebration.
We started with an old -fashion marionette puppet show.
The kids (and I) had so much fun!!!
After the show we wandered down to the Barn where the "music man" (as L calls him) waited for us.
He was quite happy to have an audience. Because of the rain his "auditorium" was slightly under water but that didn't stop us from sitting there and listening to his wonderful songs.
Meanwhile the folks over at the open kitchen were handing out home made chocolate covered candy canes and were heating up the cider.
LOVED the "Exit" sign at the gazebo :)
We stopped by Father Christmas and had a nice, little chat with him.
Surprisingly enough he knew quite a bit about American Girl dolls and Kindle Fire.
The kids learned to comb/clean fresh wool,
the room was filled with sweetness and
... and felt rather warm and cozy.
Then the kiddos had a blast with the Christmas crafts,
and had to be dragged out to attend the traditional Wassailing (blessing of the orchard).
We started with caroling and then ...
... walked down to the orchard to bless the trees.
Wassailing tradition calls for dancing through the orchard with hot apple cider in your hands, spilling it all over the trees to bless them and pray for a good crop for the next year.
And so we did, sing and dance and smile ...
... following the pros and watching them twirl and spill and sing ...
We finished the ceremony with more Christmas songs and hot cider.
The Patterson House was our last check-point, where we were able to squeeze in a "last tour" before they closed up the house for the day.
If you read this and live near Fremont you MUST go and visit this wonderful place and soak up all it's history and spirit of the "good, olden days".
The kids LOVED every second of the tour and had questions over questions (apparently in 1900 kids were not allowed in the guest parlor and were not allowed to talk during supper "... be seen but not heard!".
Lulu joined the Lady Chorus for a quick "Jingle Bells" and was ALL SMILES :)
We spent all afternoon at the farm and left with a warm heart and big smiles.
What a wonderful way to start off the magical season, definitely a MUST DO AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
Happy Advent 1st!
May this season bring you joy and happiness!
It takes moments like this to remind myself to slow down, smell the roses (or better bake, smell and eat the cookies) and try to avoid the rush and the materialism of this time.
I get sucked into it every year and it takes a good shaking for me to SLOW DOWN and enjoy what really matters (always but especially during this time of the year), family, friends, peace and quiet.
... dreaming about Sugar Plum Fairies and watching Hyder watch you.
Time for secret makings ...
... and adding some Christmas BLING to the house.
Our beloved Solstice Tree is back in the prettiest of his dresses!
Old friends come back to visit ...
... and secret letters are written.
And silliness is the most important part of it all!
So be merry and happy, enjoy your little ones and big ones and if it all gets too busy and stressful, when the calendar is double booked with parties and get-togethers just stop and look into the eyes of the kids, listen to their stories and questions about the North Pole and Santa.
Listen to them talk to the House Elf (Hyder) to explain the naughty moments of the day and just get infected by them, infected with magic and mystery, holiday spirit and fantasy.
It's the most wonderful time of the year ... it truly is!!!
