Advent, Advent

It's a children's song, a popular tune this time of year... Advent, Advent, one candle burns...though in German it rhymes!

First Advent was a week ago, and as usual, or many of the first Advents we've spent here in Germany, we were with René and family.  The gathering this year was a bit smaller, or a different configuration.  We used to have a pretty big group, but that was before Mutti died, before Monika and Lex moved to Curacao, when First Advent didn't conflict with Rima's parent's visit to home in Lebanon.  Regardless, it is festive.

 Rima is great at decorating and that includes the stocking I made for Amina a few years back.  But what's this?? Someone's been nibbling on the stocking, it seems.  Yes, Mr. Mouse. I'll take it home and put some patch there....

 Then there's food.  Of course.  Let's start with a soup - a beef broth with noodles and veggies and egg.  It's steamingly wonderful.

Other foods followed - breast of duck, potatoes, red cabbage.  By then, of course, I am too much into eating to remember the camera.  I think it is an annual affliction.  It's delicous, of course.

The whole time, I am sitting across these three ladies - Maya, Amina's godmother (and life-long friend of Rima's), Amina and Rima.  Not a bad view at all.

Neighbors and friends were already dropping in for late coffee and cake and chatting when we had to head out, back home to get ready for Monday and the week ahead.... including another get together next week  since we have to visit the Christmas market in Bremen.