The Strasbourg Christmas market: twinkling lights, festive teddies on shop fronts, steaming vats of mulled wine and wooden decorations, gingerbread and rum baba tasters to try out, a joyous whirl for the senses!
I was in Holland Park yesterday for the first time since my teens. I visited the beautiful Kyoto Garden which was an oasis of calm right by the chaos of Kensington High Street. I love the big green spaces of London
Hanging suet cakes on tree truck for woodpeckers and other woodland birds. Taking advantage of fresh snowfall for cross-country skiing, first trek of the season after dusk, beneath the waxing moon, shimmering Venus and brilliant stars.
The birds are enjoying the garden wreath we made for them with lots of fat balls, pine ones covered in peanuts butter and coconut shells full of mealworms. They give us so much pleasure every single day, they deserve an extra treat in these wintery times.
Preparing for my daughter’s 18th (eek!) birthday on Monday, and wondering where the time has gone. The Christmas snack table is well and truly open, I have had to replenish the Quality Street twice.
First snow of the season, beautiful, heavy, and glistening under the 2 am sky, lighting an advent candle, hanging the Swedish stars, singing along to Christmas carols as I drive, delighting in the safe arrival of Lia's 2025 Almanac
I've been filling the house with candles and fairy lights for winter, watching the weather change, hunkering down in the storm last night, and reading - lots of reading
At my local medieval abbey, I attended the Advent Sequence and stood in the dark listening to the choir. "People look East and sing today. Love the Guest is on the way"
A fast walk Eastwards through rush hour crowds from Drury Lane to a beautifully decked out Goldsmith’s Hall. Champagne, canapés, chandeliers and a jeweller’s fair.
The Christmas tree’s in a bucket of water outside, I’ve iced cake, the decorations are going up tomorrow, just off out this morning for a few more lights…
My first mulled wine of the season, shivering a little outside a pub as night fell - a cosy moment of sheltering from the shopping crowds. Also, I have very much been both counting Christmas trees and drinking with my colleagues 😁
The Strasbourg Christmas market: twinkling lights, festive teddies on shop fronts, steaming vats of mulled wine and wooden decorations, gingerbread and rum baba tasters to try out, a joyous whirl for the senses!
Watched a charm of goldfinches feasting on the buddleia seedheeds - a great reward for a ramshackle garden. A great week for planet spotting.
I was in Holland Park yesterday for the first time since my teens. I visited the beautiful Kyoto Garden which was an oasis of calm right by the chaos of Kensington High Street. I love the big green spaces of London
Hanging suet cakes on tree truck for woodpeckers and other woodland birds. Taking advantage of fresh snowfall for cross-country skiing, first trek of the season after dusk, beneath the waxing moon, shimmering Venus and brilliant stars.
waking before dawn is such a treat, the stars still out in that deep black sky and then watching it turn a gorgeous velvety navy.
Bringing home from my walk both a sprig of mistletoe AND some tiny hazel catkins, symbols of the dark and the light to come?
The birds are enjoying the garden wreath we made for them with lots of fat balls, pine ones covered in peanuts butter and coconut shells full of mealworms. They give us so much pleasure every single day, they deserve an extra treat in these wintery times.
Preparing for my daughter’s 18th (eek!) birthday on Monday, and wondering where the time has gone. The Christmas snack table is well and truly open, I have had to replenish the Quality Street twice.
Oh I remember the snack table from last year, love it! 😄
The Matchmakers are back Anne!
Oooh the snack table - #christmasgoals!
Right! They’re going on the shopping list! 😄
😁
First snow of the season, beautiful, heavy, and glistening under the 2 am sky, lighting an advent candle, hanging the Swedish stars, singing along to Christmas carols as I drive, delighting in the safe arrival of Lia's 2025 Almanac
I've been filling the house with candles and fairy lights for winter, watching the weather change, hunkering down in the storm last night, and reading - lots of reading
At my local medieval abbey, I attended the Advent Sequence and stood in the dark listening to the choir. "People look East and sing today. Love the Guest is on the way"
A fast walk Eastwards through rush hour crowds from Drury Lane to a beautifully decked out Goldsmith’s Hall. Champagne, canapés, chandeliers and a jeweller’s fair.
Spotted the first birds’ nest revealed now that most of the deciduous trees have dropped their leaves.
The Christmas tree’s in a bucket of water outside, I’ve iced cake, the decorations are going up tomorrow, just off out this morning for a few more lights…
Rediscovering the quiet joy of knitting; paying respect to deceased loved ones as I chopped, weighed and mixed the Christmas cake.
My first mulled wine of the season, shivering a little outside a pub as night fell - a cosy moment of sheltering from the shopping crowds. Also, I have very much been both counting Christmas trees and drinking with my colleagues 😁
Just saw someone ice skating on our neighborhood pond for the first time this year. It feels like winter is truly arrived!