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Samantha Ann Roffe's avatar

Lia - get better very soon. Spotted extraordinary seed-heads in our town's beautiful park yesterday. Have a look on my story. A huge umbel self-seeded in a wild patch. But because we moved here relatively recently, I didn't see it in flower and am not sure what it is. XXX

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

I think you sent me a pic? Gorgeous. Hope you can spot them next summer.

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Samantha Ann Roffe's avatar

Yes I did Lia. I'm just hoping they aren't Giant Hogweed!

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Mo's avatar

the silhouette of a blue tit on the bird feeder against the dawning sky,

and

the hard frost persuading the canopy of lime leaves that at last it was time to let go, they fell like raindrops, gently landing all around me

hope you heal well

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Isnt it funny that so many limes are still hanging on when they were absolutely the first to start turning colour, here anyway. Beautiful imagery.

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Sam Gamblin's avatar

Hope you're feeling better soon Lia! I had a fantastic early walk this week, with thick frost making the leaves crunchy at last, dawn creeping over the horizon while the full moon set behind me. It was fabulous!

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

This sounds wonderful. I miseed the one really clear frosty dawn earlier this week. Must try harder next time!

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Lainey's avatar

Hope you are feeling much better soon x

Crispy white grass and the horses kicking up their heels in the fields.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

How lovely. Hope they dont get too cold!

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Chelsea's avatar

Yesterday was a blue bird day in Sheffield and I loved the contrast between the crunch of the frosty ground, all manner of leaves on the ground coated with icy glitter, and the suns warmth, peeking through oak trees that glow orange as the dead leaves still cling on 🥰

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Love that glitteriness. Our local oaks still have a few leaves now, such an unassuming colour, but like a soft sunset or something. Can't be long now.

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

We’ve had colds here too - lots of snuggles and ramen. We had a huge flock of starling in the cottonwood trees behind our house. Not quite a murmuration but so cool nonetheless. Full moonlight over a lantern lit path at our local park during their Christmas festivities. And yesterday a large hawk swooped low in front of my car while driving a quiet neighborhood street. It made my day. Be well!!💖

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Oh I love the sound of your moon with the lanterns, so christmassy.

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Anne's avatar

The moon, so ridiculously beautiful. And the annual ritual of unpacking and rediscovering the Christmas decorations with the Christmas playlist on. Hope you’re feeling better soon, Lia.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Gorgeous. Anne was it you who sent me a link to the Sheffield Carols? the email has vanished, would you send it again?

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Anne's avatar

Yes it was - will do

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Nina P.'s avatar

Covid here in Texas as well! I felt like the last person in America to get it. So seasonal living is also tough when you haven't really left your room. Mine: Jingle Jangle again (but the pretzels!) delivered by a friend, seasonal magazines also delivered by a friend (HGTV magazine, Allrecipes, and Magnolia), and watched a movie on Netflix "The Noel Diary" (cozy vibe, ridiculous plot, hot lead--Justin Hartley). I hope you've turned the corner and are feeling better.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

I have, thanks so much! Feeling much better, how about you? But that sounds a ridiculously cosy and Christmassy way to spend it, why didnt I think of a Christmas movie?? I watched The English on BBC iplayer instead which is...not festive and not jolly (but brilliant)

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Sam's avatar

The world looked white and deep frozen as I left cosied up in my down jacket and woolly hat for the dog walk this morning. Fractal ice crystals coated every surface. And then the sun peeked over the mountain. It only reaches us here for 45 minutes each day at the moment. Gold hit silver and the world glittered, briefly iridescent.

Feel better soon xx

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Gosh where are you and your mountain? That must be harsh, but yes I bet you appreciate the glittery sunlight all the more when you get it.

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Sam's avatar

I'm in Deheudir Eryri (Southern Snowdonia), within view of Cadair Idris. Whenever the lack of direct sun gets a bit too much we can just pop around the mountain to some gorgeous beaches, so it's not all that bad :)

We woke to snow and glowing pink and peach skies on Saturday. It has since frozen as sheet ice. We've been putting out extra food for the birds. It must be rough for them as we've attracted a couple of ravens who would usually be far more wary.

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Ella Bragonier's avatar

Oh Lia - Hope you are feeling better! Here are my three seasonal things: The frost not melting on the rooftops all day even when it is sunny, and then in the evening the sunset spilling over them red-gold like Alpenglühen, you know? Layering merino socks and thermals under clothes to stay extra warm during those cold mornings. Sending and receiving happy post - Christmas cards, a little gift for a friend faraway, a St Nicholas Parcel of chocolate and handcrafted presents.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

I had never heard of Alpengluhen! What a wonderful word to pick up, I will be using that, thank you x

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Ella Bragonier's avatar

How wonderful - am honoured! I know it because it’s used in one of my favourite ever books, and it’s just one of those lovely words that you can sort of savour ☺️

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Rachel Goddard's avatar

Oh Lia, I hope you feel better soon, you are doing exactly the right thing so stay tucked up.

The seasons can still be seen through the window. I've had two crisp clear, blue bird day walks on the downs with the dog, crunchy frozen ground, a flock of talkative fieldfares, that particular winter light that gives photos an extra special quality. Then at the sea, after a sunrise full moon swim, we crunched back up the beach across frosty pebbles.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Oh wow that must have been FREEZING, but I bet you felt amazing afterwards.

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Sarah B's avatar

I hope you feel better soon. You're right though that it does feel as much part of the season as the lovelier things happening in the natural world!

My seasonal highlight of the week: yesterday it started snowing just before 9am. My colleagues crowding into my office to gaze out the window, exclaim and start talking about snow days were as much part of the wonderful seasonal moment as the snow itself, which settled in a thin layer and lasted in traces through the rest of the day. The magic of thick flakes brushing the window + the magic of (for those of us lucky enough to work jobs with Christmas closures) everyone feeling like work is winding down and you can spend a nice unproductive ten minutes being excited about the weather.

The moon has also been extraordinarily bright and round, and she has certainly brought in the cold!

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Yes, you've really captured that 'end of term' feeling we all get even if we're not in school!

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Shannon Morgan's avatar

Hope you feel better very soon! I went out to the shared garden this morning hoping for frost and found everything rimed and gorgeous. It's currently slowly burning off here in Belfast, turning into a low mist. Health and warmth to you and yours, and more delicious soup!

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

That sounds so lovely, hope it has continued to be pretty

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Orla Beaton's avatar

Definitely not too rubbish! This week I enjoyed a smattering of snow on my patio, it didn't last but so nice to see and seagulls dancing behind a tractor plowing the field as the snow fell. Quite magical. Get well soon Lia! Orla (Perthshire)

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Oh what a beautiful image, thank you Orla. We didnt get much snow here in Bristol either but Im surprised at Perthshire!

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Lee Roberts's avatar

Our first proper frosts covering the town in glittery white; a full moon riding high overhead before going to bed on its side using the horizon as a pillow; a visit to Lincoln Christmas market, where we listened to a brass band perform carols and festive pop songs in the beautiful cathedral; the sound of the gritting lorry in the evening; the first of many (small) festive roasts with trimmings; and our own lights and decorations finally put up.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Love that you are getting your mini practice roasts in, funnily enough we had one the other night and used up the last of last christm,as's spiced cabbage from the freezer, making space for the next batch!

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Yasmin Chopin's avatar

I was in Las Vegas this week and saw the space station twinkle in the night sky, very close to the full moon, and it was magical. This, with all the festive glittery colourful lights around and about, and I’m really feeling Christmassy. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Cor, this sounds magical.

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Anne's avatar

Las Vegas, the space station and the full moon... What an incredible combination!

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Really, the glamour!

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