My three things for this week are; Storms - huddled by the fire listening to the wind, a little scared of the damage it might be causing but luckily only a few branches and a greenhouse door destroyed. Snowdrops - lovely little flowers showing through along our drive bringing anticipation for the coming spring and The Moon - shining so brightly with an amazing halo surrounding it.
Last night was the first evening that I was aware of the birds singing and it felt almost springlike and as I walked in the churchyard the snowdrops were starting to emerge
Just setting off on the looooong drive back from Northumberland to West Sussex ( sob) so I’ll write more I later, but we leave clear pale blue skies, not too much howling wind and the remnants of a golden glow outside and inside! January in my home spot/ happy place here has been beautiful, wild, stormy, snowy, icy .....but snuggly, restful, calm and so restorative. Always leave part of my heart here ❤️
A sunny fresh day today after the storms earlier in the week, an unexpected flock of long tailed tits in the elder tree was a bit of a treat this morning. Hopefully they will return for the RSPB birdwatch this weekend. Most likely we’ll spot a fat wood pigeon hoovering up the seed scaring everything else away.
Dad was round last night for our annual Burns Night supper of cullen skink, haggis, neeps n tatties and shortbread! We are of Irish descent, but I went to Glasgow University and lived there for a bit after, so feel an affinity! And I just love haggis! I think all my snowdrops are in flower now, making it feel more springlike.
Your plans for future posts sound exciting Lia, always looking for ways to mark, celebrate the changes in the wheel of the year.
My daughter and I picked the wettest day to go to our local woods. With a “slap squelch slide” every step. In some of the steeper places it was just slide, the woods are on a steep bank with streams and water falls at the bottom. We crossed over the stream which we usually do but it was deeper and faster than it looked, less than an inch away from the top of my wellies!
Chasing the wolf moon, managed to see it out of my bedroom window when I got up yesterday only for it to be hidden by the time I got outside to take a photo, better luck this morning.
Hope your haggis (veggie of course) neep and tatties were nice, sadly not on the menu in my house. I’m the only one who likes them. Celebrated Burns night with poetry and a little drink ❄️
Wonderful Wolf moon this morning preceding blue skies and winter sunshine - walking my dogs and the riding my horse in the heathlands was a real treat today. I noticed buds on the oaktrees, admired the pretty snowdrops and enjoyed the coconutty smell of the gorse trying to bring some colour to the winter greys and browns with the promise of spring around the corner
I would love to celebrate burns night but there isn’t so much call for it in Germany. My seasonal things are: daffodils starting to be sold alongside the hyacinths and potted narcissi in shops, my hyacinth just starting to poke it’s blue head out. The snow melting and the weather being unseasonably warm to the point of being able to leave the house without gloves. The forced blossom on my desk finally starting to unfurl. Noticing the mornings getting ever so slightly lighter as I sip my strong coffee and wait for the tram. And, today the first snowdrops which made me cry in relief when I saw them, because it means even there that spring is on the way.
Another lovely read to reflect upon. Thank you Lia. This week for me has been all about birds. I've had so many special little encounters with the birds I meet on my walks and those that visit the garden and back yard. The noisy Robin who taught me that sometimes the beautiful things are right in front of you. I was looking up in the trees to find the source of song when instead it was right in front of me, all puffed up and singing its little heart out. Then there is Pierre the Blackbird who has started to visit my back yard and whistle to tell me its feeding time. Completely caught off guard by this little fella who always looks like he's just got up with his scraggy feathers and wild looking beady eyes. It's a joy to see and hear the birds every day.
Taking refuge over and over in those lovely flannel sheets, a hearty chickpea stew that caused a smile or two, the magic of snow angels with my 5 year old granddaughter, they will be imprinted in my mind forever
Burnsiana at our home where we gather declaim and feast -always beautiful to hear the poetry of life from such creative friends -music , language ,candlelight , wine , whisky and in the stormy days a sense of hope through kinship .The light is returning and rituals ease me into the New Year -remembering the chink of glasses on a night of frolics and fun 🙏💥
A lovely Burns night with friends - a new veggie haggis recipe that was a real treat. Removing last year’s hellebore leaves, the flowers emerging quickly now. And the snowdrops, my favourite flowers!
What a gift it is to read through all your comments and though I am on the other side of the world there are still many things that tie us together. At this time, I am enjoying blue skies during the day and crystal cold nights all in subzero temperatures. I have never had the opportunity to try haggis, but my husband is busy this week making potato sausage from last year's potatoes before they go to seed. In the wee hours this morning I watched a cow moose, and her two calves browsing on our willow trees under the wolf moon. I also spent time listening to our classic radio station as they celebrated Robert Burns day. All in all, I feel that January has slipped by me rather quickly. Makes me wonder if the whole year will be like this.
My three things for this week are; Storms - huddled by the fire listening to the wind, a little scared of the damage it might be causing but luckily only a few branches and a greenhouse door destroyed. Snowdrops - lovely little flowers showing through along our drive bringing anticipation for the coming spring and The Moon - shining so brightly with an amazing halo surrounding it.
Last night was the first evening that I was aware of the birds singing and it felt almost springlike and as I walked in the churchyard the snowdrops were starting to emerge
Just setting off on the looooong drive back from Northumberland to West Sussex ( sob) so I’ll write more I later, but we leave clear pale blue skies, not too much howling wind and the remnants of a golden glow outside and inside! January in my home spot/ happy place here has been beautiful, wild, stormy, snowy, icy .....but snuggly, restful, calm and so restorative. Always leave part of my heart here ❤️
A sunny fresh day today after the storms earlier in the week, an unexpected flock of long tailed tits in the elder tree was a bit of a treat this morning. Hopefully they will return for the RSPB birdwatch this weekend. Most likely we’ll spot a fat wood pigeon hoovering up the seed scaring everything else away.
Dad was round last night for our annual Burns Night supper of cullen skink, haggis, neeps n tatties and shortbread! We are of Irish descent, but I went to Glasgow University and lived there for a bit after, so feel an affinity! And I just love haggis! I think all my snowdrops are in flower now, making it feel more springlike.
Your plans for future posts sound exciting Lia, always looking for ways to mark, celebrate the changes in the wheel of the year.
My daughter and I picked the wettest day to go to our local woods. With a “slap squelch slide” every step. In some of the steeper places it was just slide, the woods are on a steep bank with streams and water falls at the bottom. We crossed over the stream which we usually do but it was deeper and faster than it looked, less than an inch away from the top of my wellies!
Chasing the wolf moon, managed to see it out of my bedroom window when I got up yesterday only for it to be hidden by the time I got outside to take a photo, better luck this morning.
Hope your haggis (veggie of course) neep and tatties were nice, sadly not on the menu in my house. I’m the only one who likes them. Celebrated Burns night with poetry and a little drink ❄️
Wonderful Wolf moon this morning preceding blue skies and winter sunshine - walking my dogs and the riding my horse in the heathlands was a real treat today. I noticed buds on the oaktrees, admired the pretty snowdrops and enjoyed the coconutty smell of the gorse trying to bring some colour to the winter greys and browns with the promise of spring around the corner
I thought I lost them, but there they were, right in front of me, the pink little flowers of the winter cyclamen...
Slipped off the main drag at Hyde Park Corner to walk along Rotten Row in the grey, morning mizzle.
I would love to celebrate burns night but there isn’t so much call for it in Germany. My seasonal things are: daffodils starting to be sold alongside the hyacinths and potted narcissi in shops, my hyacinth just starting to poke it’s blue head out. The snow melting and the weather being unseasonably warm to the point of being able to leave the house without gloves. The forced blossom on my desk finally starting to unfurl. Noticing the mornings getting ever so slightly lighter as I sip my strong coffee and wait for the tram. And, today the first snowdrops which made me cry in relief when I saw them, because it means even there that spring is on the way.
Another lovely read to reflect upon. Thank you Lia. This week for me has been all about birds. I've had so many special little encounters with the birds I meet on my walks and those that visit the garden and back yard. The noisy Robin who taught me that sometimes the beautiful things are right in front of you. I was looking up in the trees to find the source of song when instead it was right in front of me, all puffed up and singing its little heart out. Then there is Pierre the Blackbird who has started to visit my back yard and whistle to tell me its feeding time. Completely caught off guard by this little fella who always looks like he's just got up with his scraggy feathers and wild looking beady eyes. It's a joy to see and hear the birds every day.
Taking refuge over and over in those lovely flannel sheets, a hearty chickpea stew that caused a smile or two, the magic of snow angels with my 5 year old granddaughter, they will be imprinted in my mind forever
Burnsiana at our home where we gather declaim and feast -always beautiful to hear the poetry of life from such creative friends -music , language ,candlelight , wine , whisky and in the stormy days a sense of hope through kinship .The light is returning and rituals ease me into the New Year -remembering the chink of glasses on a night of frolics and fun 🙏💥
A lovely Burns night with friends - a new veggie haggis recipe that was a real treat. Removing last year’s hellebore leaves, the flowers emerging quickly now. And the snowdrops, my favourite flowers!
We are celebrating Burn's night tonight and I can't wait!
What a gift it is to read through all your comments and though I am on the other side of the world there are still many things that tie us together. At this time, I am enjoying blue skies during the day and crystal cold nights all in subzero temperatures. I have never had the opportunity to try haggis, but my husband is busy this week making potato sausage from last year's potatoes before they go to seed. In the wee hours this morning I watched a cow moose, and her two calves browsing on our willow trees under the wolf moon. I also spent time listening to our classic radio station as they celebrated Robert Burns day. All in all, I feel that January has slipped by me rather quickly. Makes me wonder if the whole year will be like this.