Colorado, USA here. Coming home from work in the dark was made a bit brighter one night this week, when I stepped out of the car to the sounds of an owl duet in my neighbor's tree across the street. We have several Great Horned Owls who frequent the neighborhood throughout the year, and though visually elusive they are vocal. Just had to stop to listen for a bit despite the temperature, it was a lovely moment of resetting from all the minutiae of the day.
Hello from Austin, Texas. My three seasonal things this week: 1. I bought the annual Jingle Jangle tin and pretzels from Trader Joe's this week. 2. The tree leaves are changing to red and gold this week (yes, December in Texas, so it feels like fall now). Everyone is speaking of mists, and we have a misty morning today as well. 3. I'm sipping coffee out of my Christmas mug, sitting in my office, listening to Christmas carols and looking at said mist out the window.
I too had to look up jingle jangle tin and I approve, and in fact just started on my Christmas snacks shelf earlier this week and included some pretzels, oddly as I imagine they are much less of a thing here in the UK than in the US.
It has only just struck me that I need a Christmas snacks shelf, and that the true meaning of Christmas is sitting around nibbling nice things in the evenings. Also bought us some nice chocs, in case no one else does…
The last few days here in Nottingham have felt very wintry: dark, cold (well into single figures now), misty, foggy. But the Christmas lights are all emeging from the gloom, both outside homes and in the streets. Light in the darkness. Our new blackbird friend - we've named him Nőel - is growing more confident. A visit to our parish church St Mary Magdelene (Lord Byron is buried there) for the Christmas Tree festival, where local organisations/schools/businesses each make a themed tree to vote for. The squirrel is back, leaping amongst the carpet of leaves on the back garden, digging away. The end of November bought sad thoughts too, as it would have been my Mums birthday, and i lost my Dad around this time of year. A walk in the misty bracing cold with Kate Bush's "50 Words For Snow" righted me.
Here in Ohio, USA we’ve been enjoying 1) blue jays! So many! Presumably out and about getting some late season snacks 2) bitter cold, but sunny mornings 3) after school tea with my kids and lots of Christmas books 💛
It has been a week in our corner of rural France when we finally had the cold starts demanded by the garlic we planted in the no-dig beds. Setting off for a 100 kilometre (fun!) cycle, route planning was based on sectioning the total into more manageable chunks, interspersed with coffee shops; one coffee shop - appropriately called 'Gateaux' - had a log burner we were reluctant to move away from. Loving the excuse to light our own burner in the old farmhouse we've bought.
Hello from Greensboro, North Carolina! My three seasonal things this week: Holiday blends of coffee, sipped while watching the beautiful cold-weather sunrises. A hawk sitting low in a tree, visible now that the leaves are gone. The last few gold, yellow, and orange leaves lit up by the late-afternoon sun.
I topped my bored feeder up and the squirrels are playing at being acrobats to get what they can from it, all while a young rat and magpies come to gather the crumbs beneath.
Thank you! I've just joined up to your Houseplants journal - I deffo need encouragement with mine! I prefer the garden it seems - only the plants that can be left survive it seems!
I loved your description of a magical Christmas in London, Lia. And Rachel’s memory of the Christmas shop windows. Gorgeous. My thing this week was bottling up sloe gin, crabapple vodka and cranberry vodka, all in decanters and gift bottles next to the damson gin that was ready a while ago.
Oh, yes! Your London event reminded me of my childhood visits to see the Christmas windows. We lived in London anyway, so we'd drive in after dark and join others making a quiet pilgrimage to the wonderful displays at Liberty, Selfridges, Hamleys and Harrods. Maybe it's this which subconsciously contributes to me now decorating my windows. I do it all year round but put more creativity into my winter windows.
My outdoor seasonal thing is the first proper winter swim. Monday's swim was still autumnal, not too many shrieks getting in, basking in a still warm sun after. On Friday the North wind doth blow, there was much shrieking and gasping and the grey weak light seemed to lay on top of us. Post swim, all rushed to get as many layers on before starting the winter dance of feet stamping. And yet despite the cold toes, the talk was actually of looking forward to even colder swims!
Gorgeous, I’d love to take the kids up to London to see the lights but don’t know if we’re going to manage it. And we’ll find in the swim! I went in the sea about three weeks ago and felt proud of myself but I see that was NOTHING.
The rosehips have lost all but their final few delicate green leaves so they are all thorns and tangled bright red haws; lighting the advent candle for the first time; gloves being absolutely necessary when you go out.
Colorado, USA here. Coming home from work in the dark was made a bit brighter one night this week, when I stepped out of the car to the sounds of an owl duet in my neighbor's tree across the street. We have several Great Horned Owls who frequent the neighborhood throughout the year, and though visually elusive they are vocal. Just had to stop to listen for a bit despite the temperature, it was a lovely moment of resetting from all the minutiae of the day.
I have no idea what they might sound like but this sounds magical! Thank you for sharing such a lovely moment.
Great Horned Owls! Had to look them up too... incredible creatures.
Hello from Austin, Texas. My three seasonal things this week: 1. I bought the annual Jingle Jangle tin and pretzels from Trader Joe's this week. 2. The tree leaves are changing to red and gold this week (yes, December in Texas, so it feels like fall now). Everyone is speaking of mists, and we have a misty morning today as well. 3. I'm sipping coffee out of my Christmas mug, sitting in my office, listening to Christmas carols and looking at said mist out the window.
Had to look up what a Jingle Jangle tin was - it looks amazing! And all the better for coming from Trader Joe’s. Made my day 😄
Oh, the Jingle Jangle!
I too had to look up jingle jangle tin and I approve, and in fact just started on my Christmas snacks shelf earlier this week and included some pretzels, oddly as I imagine they are much less of a thing here in the UK than in the US.
Jingle Jangle is the best. I have a Christmas Snacks shelf with a post-it on it that says "NO!" for my family. :o)
It has only just struck me that I need a Christmas snacks shelf, and that the true meaning of Christmas is sitting around nibbling nice things in the evenings. Also bought us some nice chocs, in case no one else does…
I like the way you're thinking. :o)
The last few days here in Nottingham have felt very wintry: dark, cold (well into single figures now), misty, foggy. But the Christmas lights are all emeging from the gloom, both outside homes and in the streets. Light in the darkness. Our new blackbird friend - we've named him Nőel - is growing more confident. A visit to our parish church St Mary Magdelene (Lord Byron is buried there) for the Christmas Tree festival, where local organisations/schools/businesses each make a themed tree to vote for. The squirrel is back, leaping amongst the carpet of leaves on the back garden, digging away. The end of November bought sad thoughts too, as it would have been my Mums birthday, and i lost my Dad around this time of year. A walk in the misty bracing cold with Kate Bush's "50 Words For Snow" righted me.
Beautiful thoughts indeed, thank you. I love the Christmas trees starting to appear and all the lights on our high street. Gorgeous.
Here in Ohio, USA we’ve been enjoying 1) blue jays! So many! Presumably out and about getting some late season snacks 2) bitter cold, but sunny mornings 3) after school tea with my kids and lots of Christmas books 💛
Lovely to hear from Ohio! Thanks for joining in. The idea of lots of blue jays seems very exotic from here.
It has been a week in our corner of rural France when we finally had the cold starts demanded by the garlic we planted in the no-dig beds. Setting off for a 100 kilometre (fun!) cycle, route planning was based on sectioning the total into more manageable chunks, interspersed with coffee shops; one coffee shop - appropriately called 'Gateaux' - had a log burner we were reluctant to move away from. Loving the excuse to light our own burner in the old farmhouse we've bought.
So evocative! I am picturing you with your big piece of cake by the fire, all pink cheeked from your bike ride.
That picture literally exists!!
Ha ha wonderful
Hello from Greensboro, North Carolina! My three seasonal things this week: Holiday blends of coffee, sipped while watching the beautiful cold-weather sunrises. A hawk sitting low in a tree, visible now that the leaves are gone. The last few gold, yellow, and orange leaves lit up by the late-afternoon sun.
Beautiful. And hello North Carolina! Intrigued by holiday blends of coffee, with cinnamon etc?
No, it’s not flavored, just more full-bodied. Kind of the difference between a pale ale and a black ale, or between a Pinot Grigio and a Cabernet.
I topped my bored feeder up and the squirrels are playing at being acrobats to get what they can from it, all while a young rat and magpies come to gather the crumbs beneath.
Gah the rats… glad they birds are getting done at least!
Thank you! I've just joined up to your Houseplants journal - I deffo need encouragement with mine! I prefer the garden it seems - only the plants that can be left survive it seems!
I loved your description of a magical Christmas in London, Lia. And Rachel’s memory of the Christmas shop windows. Gorgeous. My thing this week was bottling up sloe gin, crabapple vodka and cranberry vodka, all in decanters and gift bottles next to the damson gin that was ready a while ago.
Oh well done I bet that was soooo satisfying.
Oh, yes! Your London event reminded me of my childhood visits to see the Christmas windows. We lived in London anyway, so we'd drive in after dark and join others making a quiet pilgrimage to the wonderful displays at Liberty, Selfridges, Hamleys and Harrods. Maybe it's this which subconsciously contributes to me now decorating my windows. I do it all year round but put more creativity into my winter windows.
My outdoor seasonal thing is the first proper winter swim. Monday's swim was still autumnal, not too many shrieks getting in, basking in a still warm sun after. On Friday the North wind doth blow, there was much shrieking and gasping and the grey weak light seemed to lay on top of us. Post swim, all rushed to get as many layers on before starting the winter dance of feet stamping. And yet despite the cold toes, the talk was actually of looking forward to even colder swims!
Gorgeous, I’d love to take the kids up to London to see the lights but don’t know if we’re going to manage it. And we’ll find in the swim! I went in the sea about three weeks ago and felt proud of myself but I see that was NOTHING.
The rosehips have lost all but their final few delicate green leaves so they are all thorns and tangled bright red haws; lighting the advent candle for the first time; gloves being absolutely necessary when you go out.
Gorgeous. I love an advent candle. Must get one next year.
My running eyes and white fingers say it's winter now
Oh dear, yes same… the joy of the season eh
*bird feeder 🙈
Sounds beautiful
Sounds so magical!
Ah a local! Love Arnos vale, that sounds amazing, what a perfect fit.
How strange I wonder where your sparrows went, presumably temporarily. But great you get such a show of birds.