Both the cake and Sue's pumpkin look fantastic. Sounds like a wonderful party.
Sunday night, driving home, the almost full moon looked spectacular!
It was cold enough this week for the pond at work to freeze. The ducks and moorhens looked a bit perplexed, then the heron broke the ice and found a tasty snack beneath.
Fairy lights, and trees are appearing. It's starting to look a lot like Christmas....but first it's our wedding today. After seventeen years together we've decided to make things official. Maybe there'll be a flurry of snow to add to the magic ❄️
The snow fell here in Sheffield and the temperatures dropped, so quite a lot of it is still on the ground in our north facing garden. The water from the cold tap really is cold. I’ve strained and bottled my spiced damson gin and the almond paste is going on the Christmas cake this morning. I’ve been wearing my lovely warm Canadian jacket for the first time this year. It was given to my grandmother by Canadian friends in the ‘60s and it always helps me to remember her.
I always think it's a shame the water comes out colder in the winter than the summer! I love the story about your Canadian jacket, hope it serves you well this winter :0)
The plus side of more dark hours is seeing more of the stars and moon, it's been an excellent week for that. Our first hard frost finished off the nasturtiums, has been very satisfying clearing them away and mulching.
We had a fair amount of snow and cold in Worcestershire and so the log fire has been brought out of hibernation. Woollens I haven't worn in months got a nice, snowy outing and we saw a stonechat. My first one! Christmas presents are starting to arrive and I'm planning on when to brave the attic for the decorations
Today is the first day of Winchester's Christmas market and I am going into the city on the bus, while the fare is still capped at £2, for bratwurst and gluhwein. I will raise my glass to the happy couple and everyone who finds their soul mate today.
No snow here - just a flurry of sleet, which pushed the teens at school into peak unteachability. Fairy lights around computer screens, the odd mince pie making an appearance in the staffroom and the constant hum of the leaf blower before morning registration.
We had to extend our break in Wales due to the heavy snow. It’s magical here with veils of mist hanging over snow covered mountains and pink skies. We’ve been sledging and walking and making the most of it all. Heading home today.
Sounds like a lovely party Lia. It's turned from Autumn to Winter overnight in South Birmingham. Extremely cautious walking in the park, under fiercely blue sky, and with air so cold it makes your teeth hurt! The trees, even the oaks, are almost bare, their bones newly revealed for the dark part of the year. The garden still holding on to patches of snow.
Warding off thoughts of December. Narcissi bulbs for indoor planting were larger than expected so I have an experiment on the go. A pot planted in compost and a large jar with pebbles and water.
What a wonderful theme for a party! It sounds absolutely perfect. We had a lovely walk earlier in the week: "Autumn and winter in the same day" as my stepdaughter put it. Thankfully, we had our twig stove to warm our hands and make the tea. Then suddenly the snow arrived. It doesn't stay pretty for long here in our little town on the North Yorkshire coast, but seeing the post van slowly creeping down the road after the fresh fall felt very seasonal - nostalgic somehow; melancholy in its way. I once heard the period of time from 21st November to 21st January described as 'the longest dark' in the northern hemisphere. But whether to lean into it or look for the light? A bit of both I suppose. Stay warm and well everyone. Thank you for creating this space Lia.
Listening to "how to winter" while I work, snow, sleet, hail and hard frost outside, morning walks along the riverbank watching the ducks and moorhens as the mist slowly evaporates.
Your cake looks lovely Lia, and I spot Sue’s pumpkin 🎃. We’ve had snow and crackling frost here, then sleet and golf ball hail - the heated blanket is out for the first time. I think the snow has tipped people over the edge and there’s a few Christmas trees in windows already on our road.
This week the weather finally settled into late autumn, wearing a light down jacket or coat everyday, shaking my head at the snows in the UK and western Europe and wondering how climate change can be denied, getting ready for Thanksgiving and then the fast cycle begins to New Year. Oh, and my 2025 Almanac from the US seller came shamefully mangled so back it went and another will be sent from another seller.
This week I traversed the Atlantic. With one foot in the USA and the other in the UK, I wrapped presents on two continents and helped decorate two Christmas trees.🌲 🌲 With Christmas films on the TV, Christmas music in the malls, and snow - fake snow in Las Vegas, the real stuff in England - there’s no escaping that festive feeling.
Picked the last few rosebuds still hanging on even after the first frost.
Braved the first flurries of snow to ride my horse on the heath and was rewarded with the soft fluffy snowflakes which strangely didn't seem to make us wet at all.
Both the cake and Sue's pumpkin look fantastic. Sounds like a wonderful party.
Sunday night, driving home, the almost full moon looked spectacular!
It was cold enough this week for the pond at work to freeze. The ducks and moorhens looked a bit perplexed, then the heron broke the ice and found a tasty snack beneath.
Fairy lights, and trees are appearing. It's starting to look a lot like Christmas....but first it's our wedding today. After seventeen years together we've decided to make things official. Maybe there'll be a flurry of snow to add to the magic ❄️
Congratulations! I hope you have a wonderful day and yes, wishing you magical flurries of snow, how gorgeous x
Congratulations, have a wonderful day!
Congratulations on your winter wedding! 🙂 🎉
So many congratulations. Have a wonderful day. X
Congratulations! Hope you have a beautiful day <3
Congratulations, hope you have a fabulous day!
How wonderful for you both! Hope you have a fabulous day 💖⭐️🫶
Congratulations - wishing you every happiness and some gentle snow!
A very short lived teaser of snow, chunky flakes falling and settling oh so briefly, before melting…
Stars twinkling intensely as though they are shivering in the icy wind…
Yes such stars!
The snow fell here in Sheffield and the temperatures dropped, so quite a lot of it is still on the ground in our north facing garden. The water from the cold tap really is cold. I’ve strained and bottled my spiced damson gin and the almond paste is going on the Christmas cake this morning. I’ve been wearing my lovely warm Canadian jacket for the first time this year. It was given to my grandmother by Canadian friends in the ‘60s and it always helps me to remember her.
I always think it's a shame the water comes out colder in the winter than the summer! I love the story about your Canadian jacket, hope it serves you well this winter :0)
Thanks Amy 😊
I was disappointed to so narrowly miss the snow in Sheffield!
The plus side of more dark hours is seeing more of the stars and moon, it's been an excellent week for that. Our first hard frost finished off the nasturtiums, has been very satisfying clearing them away and mulching.
We had a fair amount of snow and cold in Worcestershire and so the log fire has been brought out of hibernation. Woollens I haven't worn in months got a nice, snowy outing and we saw a stonechat. My first one! Christmas presents are starting to arrive and I'm planning on when to brave the attic for the decorations
Today is the first day of Winchester's Christmas market and I am going into the city on the bus, while the fare is still capped at £2, for bratwurst and gluhwein. I will raise my glass to the happy couple and everyone who finds their soul mate today.
No snow here - just a flurry of sleet, which pushed the teens at school into peak unteachability. Fairy lights around computer screens, the odd mince pie making an appearance in the staffroom and the constant hum of the leaf blower before morning registration.
This is so atmospheric! Thank you
We had to extend our break in Wales due to the heavy snow. It’s magical here with veils of mist hanging over snow covered mountains and pink skies. We’ve been sledging and walking and making the most of it all. Heading home today.
Oh what luck…
Sounds like a lovely party Lia. It's turned from Autumn to Winter overnight in South Birmingham. Extremely cautious walking in the park, under fiercely blue sky, and with air so cold it makes your teeth hurt! The trees, even the oaks, are almost bare, their bones newly revealed for the dark part of the year. The garden still holding on to patches of snow.
Warding off thoughts of December. Narcissi bulbs for indoor planting were larger than expected so I have an experiment on the go. A pot planted in compost and a large jar with pebbles and water.
What a wonderful theme for a party! It sounds absolutely perfect. We had a lovely walk earlier in the week: "Autumn and winter in the same day" as my stepdaughter put it. Thankfully, we had our twig stove to warm our hands and make the tea. Then suddenly the snow arrived. It doesn't stay pretty for long here in our little town on the North Yorkshire coast, but seeing the post van slowly creeping down the road after the fresh fall felt very seasonal - nostalgic somehow; melancholy in its way. I once heard the period of time from 21st November to 21st January described as 'the longest dark' in the northern hemisphere. But whether to lean into it or look for the light? A bit of both I suppose. Stay warm and well everyone. Thank you for creating this space Lia.
‘The longest dark’, I love that!
The North Yorkshire coast, gorgeous place.
Yes, we’re very fortunate to have the coast and moors so close by :0)
I feel plans for a trip to Whitby coming on 😀
Lovely Whitby :0D
Listening to "how to winter" while I work, snow, sleet, hail and hard frost outside, morning walks along the riverbank watching the ducks and moorhens as the mist slowly evaporates.
Today the cleats have come out though....
Your cake looks lovely Lia, and I spot Sue’s pumpkin 🎃. We’ve had snow and crackling frost here, then sleet and golf ball hail - the heated blanket is out for the first time. I think the snow has tipped people over the edge and there’s a few Christmas trees in windows already on our road.
Mmm, Lia, your baking skills look to be 11/10.
This week the weather finally settled into late autumn, wearing a light down jacket or coat everyday, shaking my head at the snows in the UK and western Europe and wondering how climate change can be denied, getting ready for Thanksgiving and then the fast cycle begins to New Year. Oh, and my 2025 Almanac from the US seller came shamefully mangled so back it went and another will be sent from another seller.
Oh boo. I hope you can find a better one.
This week I traversed the Atlantic. With one foot in the USA and the other in the UK, I wrapped presents on two continents and helped decorate two Christmas trees.🌲 🌲 With Christmas films on the TV, Christmas music in the malls, and snow - fake snow in Las Vegas, the real stuff in England - there’s no escaping that festive feeling.
Picked the last few rosebuds still hanging on even after the first frost.
Braved the first flurries of snow to ride my horse on the heath and was rewarded with the soft fluffy snowflakes which strangely didn't seem to make us wet at all.