Austrian Thanksgivings & Christmas Preparations (7QT)

It's been a full week here in Austria!  I can't believe it's the end of November, the beginning of Advent, and that the students (and all of my Ministry to Mom helpers - eeeeek!) will be gone in less than two weeks!!  Here's the latest with our life happenings in 7 Quick Takes:

1) Found our Christmas Tree!

Last weekend, we went to a tree farm in the small town next to us and "marked" our Christmas tree.  You bring a ribbon and simply tie it around the tree you want (see our red ribbon in the photo below).  You then return closer to Christmas to cut it down and pay for it.  It Austria, the tradition is that the Christmas tree is brought into your home and decorated on Christmas Eve.  Some children believe that the 'Christkind' - described as a golden-haired baby, with wings, who symbolizes the new born Christ - decorates the tree.  The Christkind also brings presents to the children on Christmas Eve and leaves them under the tree.  (Perhaps we could put a pair of wings on Francis and have him pose as the Christkind??)

Our own traditions - a blended American/Austrian mix - are still a work in progress.  Knowing we have a tree out there though, definitely helps Ellie (and me) with the Advent virtues of waiting and anticipation as we draw closer to Christmas!

It kind of looks like Francis was trying to mark the tree in his own way...

2) I'm 17 weeks pregnant now!

I don't remember my baby bump being this big at 17 weeks in the past.  It may have something to do with the fact I spent 10 days eating my way through Rome and Assisi earlier this month :)

Because they don't do a 16 week check-up here, I've been anxiously counting the weeks between my 12 week and 20 week appointments...only 3 more weeks until I get to see baby again (and hopefully find out if it's a boy or girl!!!)

3) Thanksgiving Day in Austria

Austrians do not celebrate our American Thanksgiving Day - the students still have classes, Ellie has Kindergarten, the stores are open per usual, etc.  But at night, the students, faculty, and staff all come together for a Thanksgiving meal and then head off to the "Austrian Ball."  There was one turkey (for 200+ people) presented with sparkles and students singing God Bless, America.  Our table was served chicken and chocolate cake for dessert.  Everyone wears their "trachten" (traditional Austrian clothes).  Here's one of our Christmas card outtakes...   

At the ball, there are group dance lessons intermingled with performances by professional "slap dancers."  Francis absolutely loved clapping along as he watched in awe.  (Lederhosen and Crocs - he's got style ;) 

4) Real Thanksgiving Celebration 

On Saturday, we gathered together with the other faculty, staff, and religious for a real, traditional Thanksgiving celebration!  We had plenty of delicious, home-cooked turkey and pies!  I was in charge of making the pumpkin pies.  I'd never made one before.  They don't sell canned pumpkin or evaporated milk here.  But, fortunately, several people had brought cans of pumpkin from the USA for this occasion.  And my neighbor who has lived here for 25 years told me which milk/creamer (Kaffee Milch) to buy as a substitute.  The only unfortunate part about my pies was getting the centers to fully cook.  They both eventually got there, but as you can see in the photo below, I had to remove a bit of the top I burnt in the final minutes.  But with enough whipped cream on top - everything tasted great!

It was such a lovely day of being together with our neighbors/good friends. As we celebrated this American holiday, I realized our family is unique in that all of our family members were born in the USA (although this will only remain true until our baby arrives in May).  Our neighbors are from Austria, Germany, Slovakia, England, Hungary, Colombia, Poland, and Ireland. 

5) Schallaburg Castle Game Weekend

After Mass today, we drove to another town 40 minutes away to visit Schallaburg Castle.  On this weekend, they filled the castle with over 100 board games for families to try out.  We had a great time playing games, baking and eating gingerbread cookies, making ornaments, and watching a marionette show (you know, like they do in The Sound of Music).  And everything was free!

6) Advent is Here!

Happy Church New Year!  It was great going to Mass this morning and seeing all of the purple decorations out and the huge advent wreath.

At home we're trying a few new things this year.  Because Ellie will turn 4 in February, I feel like she can really understand and do even more this Advent.  I made an Advent/Christmas paper chain that will take us through Advent (purple & pink links), Christmas Day (white), and the 12 Days of Christmas plus a few extra up until the Feast of the Baptism of Christ (green).  I tried to mark a few of the Feast & Saint days along the way (St. Nicholas, Immaculate Conception, St. Lucy, Holy Innocents, Holy Family, etc.).  

We also added a Mary/Jesus candle in the center of our Advent Wreath.  It's a white candle, representing Christ, covered with a blue cloth, representing Mary.  Right now Jesus is hidden inside of "pregnant Mary" and on Christmas Day we'll remove the blue cloth and light the candle.  Simple.

Finally, we've introduced the "straw for Baby Jesus' manger" idea.  The idea is that every time Ellie does a good deed (leads a prayer or is helpful or kind to a family member) she gets to add straw (brown construction paper) to Jesus' manger (old cornstarch box).  On Christmas Day we'll hopefully be lying Baby Jesus in a soft, full bed of straw.  Day 1 went pretty well -- Ellie loved filling the manger, and Francis loved dumping it out afterward.... 

7) Online Resources for Advent

For the third year in a row, I'm using HolyHeroes.Com during Advent.  Ellie remembered watching the daily videos about the Jesse Tree or other Advent lessons last year and was super excited when I told her she could start watching these YouTube videos again!  If you sign up for their Advent Adventures, they'll send you an email each day with a link to that day's free activities and videos.  It's really easy to use and I've learned a lot from it as well.

Our family (ok, mostly Brian and I) are really excited about ReedemedOnline.Com Advent Series.  You can sign up to receive a daily one-minute video from Sr. Miriam James Heidland, Andy Lesnefsky, Fr. Dave Pivonka, and Dave VanVickle.  With the email you'll also get a short reflection to help you understand more fully who Jesus is.  The videos can also be viewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Wishing everyone a blessed Advent!  Happy New Year!

For this post, I'm linking up with Kelly from This Ain't The Lyceum, so please check it out for more 7 Quick Takes!