Final Days of Advent

The theme of the Advent season is joyous preparation, waiting and watching for the signs of grace, preparing for the birth of the Christ Child, and for the re-birth of the sun. This is a time of light born out of the darkness, but only the very beginning, not anything complete. The solstice was the turning point- each day will get a little longer now until spring, and I can feel my own inner growing- a flicker of compassion, a butterfly of creativity, a tiny sprout of wisdom.

When I observe advent well, I find that I am mostly prepared for this final week- my house is fairly clean, shopping is almost finished, and the cupboards are filled with delectable food. I need to complete only a few finishing touches.

I need also to keep my focus on the Spirit of Love that guides me.

Agenda This Week:
1. Finish making and buying gifts:
Just a few more gifts to find, and just a couple projects to finish...

2. Make fabric bags:

Each year I make a few more reusable bags out of fabric. I found some Christmas fabric at our local recycled art supplies store, but any pretty cloth will do. I think everyone appreciates my wish to conserve paper, and they can save the bags to wrap their own gifts next year.

Materials:

• colorful 1/2” ribbon
• pretty fabric scraps

1. Fold a piece of fabric in half, and cut it so that it‘s the size you want, plus 1-inch on all sides for the hem. (For example, for a 12” x 12” bag, cut fabric to 14”x 26”.)

2. Hem the top and bottom edge of the bag, either by hand or with a sewing machine.


3. Fold the good side of the fabric to the inside, and pin the edges. Stitch the two side seams and turn right-side out.

4. Cut a ribbon at least 12" long. Stitch the middle of the ribbon to the bag at the seam, about four or five inches from the bag opening.

3. Bake gingersnaps:

My favorite spicy gingersnap recipe, adapted from Frannie Farmer.

Ingredients:

• 1/2-c. butter
• 2 c. sugar (plus extra to roll balls in)
• 2 egg
• 4 c. flour
• 4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2-tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. ground ginger
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2-c. molasses

Yield: 70 cookies-

1- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare cookie pans by covering with parchment.

2- Beat together the butter and sugar for about 5 minutes in a mixer, until very light and fluffy. Add the eggs and continue beating until smooth. 

3- Combine the dry ingredients in another bowl. Turn the mixer to low speed and beat in half the dry ingredients, then the molasses, then the remaining dry ingredients. 



4- Scoop out 1-inch pieces of dough. Roll into balls between the palms of your hands, then roll in sugar. Place the balls on the prepared pans, leaving about 2-inches around each, to allow for spreading.



5- Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, until they have spread and the tops are crackled, and they are firm to the touch. Slide the papers from the pans to racks to cool.



4. Final house cleaning:
I've been keeping the house clean this month, and doing some re-organizing to clear clutter. Now I want to do a little extra deep cleaning to prepare for my family, who are arriving on Christmas Eve day. My plan:

• Monday: Put away supplies from art classes, and clear extra coats off the coatrack.
• Tuesday: Clean the bathroom thoroughly.
• Wednesday morning: Vacuum the living room. Mop the kitchen floor.