Walking along the beach at Bamburgh and feeling the cold on my face, then a sudden hail shower as Lindisfarne disappeared in the distance. Feeling really alive and invigorated and then home to a log burner and hot chocolate.
Not much snow but lots of ice so haven't ventured out very far this week. The first of the indoor hyacinths has raced into flower on the bathroom windowsill- a rapidly widening slash of brilliant bright pink, then the petals uncurling and releasing their spicy fragrance.
The blue hyacinths in my living room have grown very tall, and are all leaning at alarmingly different angles, but the scent has overpowered the usual cabbage odours.
Rain and snow followed by a rapid thaw has left the river flooded and the adjacent meadows are now lakes. My ‘Usual Spot’ is inaccessible this week. This means our regular fog walk is inaccessible too so we have diverted. Walking through tangled trees covered in moss, and finding the odd few with interesting fungi. We were lucky enough to see a male bullfinch, sat high in the sun showing off the start of his breeding colours.
Bundling my two little girls (8 and 4) up with thick coats, hats, gloves and scarves every morning before school. Tiny needles of ice on the roof of the car. Scraping ice off the inside of bedroom windows! Turning the heater on at dinnertime as our poorly insulated rental house dining area is so cold. Admiring the sparkling frost coating the field and Bluebell Woods by our house.
Enjoying lots of cozy cabin meals during a week up north with my family - bolognese, beef stew and looking forward to green pozole tomorrow night. It has been a perfect week away to kick off the winter months.
A wintry week all round. Heavy rain, wind, ice, frost and a little snow... But also, those glorious bright, clear, sundrenched, chilly mornings wrapped up in big coats then home to a hot breakfast and thick socks... 4 robins gathering peacefully around feeders, territorial disputes put aside when food sources are limited... Putting plates in the top oven to warm up before tea... Our dog actually refusing to walk WITHOUT his coat!... Fairylights rearranged but not yet put away... Feeling the lengthening days and the promise of spring...
It's been a bit of a difficult time just lately and I am hugely fatigued today, so it's good to take a moment to reflect on the week and remember the 'glimmers' - and it's always a pleasure to read other people's. Thank you everyone - hope the weekend treats you well.
Yes! We did a second take :0D. It was really cold and frosty though. Thank you, I get flare ups periodically. Taking it easy. Hope your day is going well x
We had a lot of snow followed by sub zero temperatures, which means we are surrounded by thick compacted ice now and it is proving difficult for some things. We have been forced to retreat but that has meant finishing my first book of the year, making spicy parsnip soup and one thing I have loved from this week is that my 9 year old son hasn't been able to get in the playground at school as it's an ice rink so he's been learning how to play chess ☺️ Of course the obligatory sledging when it first fell too!
Squeezing into 4 layers of clothes, and heading out with a skittish dog, who loses her mind at every frozen puddle. Pawing at it, licking it, completely obsessed with this new version of her world. Walking along a high ridge in the cold blue light and seeing the sky change to warm tangerine as the sun comes up, and an unexpected feeling of pure hope.
We’ve had lots of bird activity this week, my efforts to cut the enormous bay tree have been prevented again by collared doves moving in, and lots of sparrows and blackbirds have appeared out of nowhere. Like others, the lovely snow has turned into thick ice as we hit sub zero temperatures in Lancashire, beautiful but absolutely treacherous!
Getting views of a beautiful snowy blizzard in Cornwall from the inside of a vosy fire lit pub. Nota bad start to the year. Blustery walks on the cliff tops spotting seals bobbing in the sea whilst wearing 5 layers of clothes ourselves
Lots of snow here over the weekend which looked glorious, thermals and snow boots and a lovely local walk. Not so nice now we are struggling to get anywhere near 0. Difficult and a little scary trying to get to work so early. A week of mixed feelings, the passing of a dear colleague whose smile I won’t forget and the arrival of my first Ffern fragrance. ❄️
Nature desperately needs this cold snap, and it brings it's own beauty. These clear skies have brought wonderful stargazing, with the waxing moon, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn all bringing comfort on a bitterly cold but beautiful early evening walk. I also wrapped up, thermals and all, to begin the rose pruning. Peaceful, meditative work under blue sky, with just the birds for company.
On Sunday, woke up to a thick blanket of snow with chunky snow falling from the sky and went out for my walk, determined not to be detered. Now at the end of the week, though it’s mightily freezing (-5 this morning!), the sun is making a statement that brighter days are ahead.
Walking along the beach at Bamburgh and feeling the cold on my face, then a sudden hail shower as Lindisfarne disappeared in the distance. Feeling really alive and invigorated and then home to a log burner and hot chocolate.
I was in that area just before Christmas and saw Lindisfarne. I hadn't realised it was so close to the coast. So lovely there.
Not much snow but lots of ice so haven't ventured out very far this week. The first of the indoor hyacinths has raced into flower on the bathroom windowsill- a rapidly widening slash of brilliant bright pink, then the petals uncurling and releasing their spicy fragrance.
I‘ve just returned home to our hyacinths blooming, as well. I can smell them right now while I‘m texting this.
The blue hyacinths in my living room have grown very tall, and are all leaning at alarmingly different angles, but the scent has overpowered the usual cabbage odours.
Rain and snow followed by a rapid thaw has left the river flooded and the adjacent meadows are now lakes. My ‘Usual Spot’ is inaccessible this week. This means our regular fog walk is inaccessible too so we have diverted. Walking through tangled trees covered in moss, and finding the odd few with interesting fungi. We were lucky enough to see a male bullfinch, sat high in the sun showing off the start of his breeding colours.
Bundling my two little girls (8 and 4) up with thick coats, hats, gloves and scarves every morning before school. Tiny needles of ice on the roof of the car. Scraping ice off the inside of bedroom windows! Turning the heater on at dinnertime as our poorly insulated rental house dining area is so cold. Admiring the sparkling frost coating the field and Bluebell Woods by our house.
At this time of year good insulation comes into its own. Wishing you warmth and good vibes, Amy.
Enjoying lots of cozy cabin meals during a week up north with my family - bolognese, beef stew and looking forward to green pozole tomorrow night. It has been a perfect week away to kick off the winter months.
Nice, tell me what green pozole is.
It’s a Mexican chicken soup with hominy and tomatillos in it 😊
Oh, that’s new to me. I had to look up hominy as well. I’d love to try it, (except I don’t eat meat). 😊
A wintry week all round. Heavy rain, wind, ice, frost and a little snow... But also, those glorious bright, clear, sundrenched, chilly mornings wrapped up in big coats then home to a hot breakfast and thick socks... 4 robins gathering peacefully around feeders, territorial disputes put aside when food sources are limited... Putting plates in the top oven to warm up before tea... Our dog actually refusing to walk WITHOUT his coat!... Fairylights rearranged but not yet put away... Feeling the lengthening days and the promise of spring...
It's been a bit of a difficult time just lately and I am hugely fatigued today, so it's good to take a moment to reflect on the week and remember the 'glimmers' - and it's always a pleasure to read other people's. Thank you everyone - hope the weekend treats you well.
And we thought it was unusual to see 2 robins feeding in close quarters ...
Hope things are settling for you Amy, and that the beautiful things you describe are helping you find your strength again x
Thank you Anne, that's very kind :0) I hope you are having a nice weekend so far x
4 robins! that is amazing! and sending a hug to your fatigue.
Yes! We did a second take :0D. It was really cold and frosty though. Thank you, I get flare ups periodically. Taking it easy. Hope your day is going well x
I've got 2 male blackbirds hopping along side by side atm like best mates.
Me too, glad you're taking it easy x
Love that, Mo. Think I read somewhere about blackbirds grouping together more in the colder months. Take good care :0) x
Sun basking, I sit with my coffee by the window and the low, mid morning sun casts the long shadows of magpies flying across the table.
We had a lot of snow followed by sub zero temperatures, which means we are surrounded by thick compacted ice now and it is proving difficult for some things. We have been forced to retreat but that has meant finishing my first book of the year, making spicy parsnip soup and one thing I have loved from this week is that my 9 year old son hasn't been able to get in the playground at school as it's an ice rink so he's been learning how to play chess ☺️ Of course the obligatory sledging when it first fell too!
Chess is good for the brain. Hope he keeps it up.
Squeezing into 4 layers of clothes, and heading out with a skittish dog, who loses her mind at every frozen puddle. Pawing at it, licking it, completely obsessed with this new version of her world. Walking along a high ridge in the cold blue light and seeing the sky change to warm tangerine as the sun comes up, and an unexpected feeling of pure hope.
Lovely x
We’ve had lots of bird activity this week, my efforts to cut the enormous bay tree have been prevented again by collared doves moving in, and lots of sparrows and blackbirds have appeared out of nowhere. Like others, the lovely snow has turned into thick ice as we hit sub zero temperatures in Lancashire, beautiful but absolutely treacherous!
Getting views of a beautiful snowy blizzard in Cornwall from the inside of a vosy fire lit pub. Nota bad start to the year. Blustery walks on the cliff tops spotting seals bobbing in the sea whilst wearing 5 layers of clothes ourselves
Woke this morning to a sunrise consisting of ribbons of pink wrapping around icy rooftops - felt I could have been in Norway!
Lots of snow here over the weekend which looked glorious, thermals and snow boots and a lovely local walk. Not so nice now we are struggling to get anywhere near 0. Difficult and a little scary trying to get to work so early. A week of mixed feelings, the passing of a dear colleague whose smile I won’t forget and the arrival of my first Ffern fragrance. ❄️
That smile must be a lovely memory x
So sorry for your loss Sally Ann. Hugs. Xx
Thank you
Nature desperately needs this cold snap, and it brings it's own beauty. These clear skies have brought wonderful stargazing, with the waxing moon, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn all bringing comfort on a bitterly cold but beautiful early evening walk. I also wrapped up, thermals and all, to begin the rose pruning. Peaceful, meditative work under blue sky, with just the birds for company.
Yes such night skies this week!
On Sunday, woke up to a thick blanket of snow with chunky snow falling from the sky and went out for my walk, determined not to be detered. Now at the end of the week, though it’s mightily freezing (-5 this morning!), the sun is making a statement that brighter days are ahead.
After our snow vanished quickly my son found an abandoned huge snowball that we rolled and jumped on!
On my morning walk to my parents I have witnessed a spectacular sunrise almost every morning