Midnight mass at the Abbey and all the choiristers looked angelic, until they revealed they were all wearing tartan pyjamas underneath and were in fact, just kids fighting to stay awake.
We’ve had flu here, so it’s been a really odd Christmas, but a restful one nonetheless. Recovering slowly in time for my big 50th birthday tomorrow, I’m embracing the next decade of my life!
Still very grey here, but warmer. 23rd December did not feel perceptibly longer than 22nd, but poking my head outdoors at 3am for cat-related purposes, there was that lovely pre-dawn quiet burbling from the birds And so many stars it took my breath away..
I was thinking that when I looked out on Christmas Day, it was so quiet the wildlife could almost be enjoying the peace when all the humans are sat at home feasting.
A foggy walk along the Leeds Liverpool canal near Skipton on Boxing Day, grey and a bit ‘boring’ but then a flash of iridescent blue and we watched a kingfisher land on the tiller of a barge, it then played a chase game with us, flying one or two boats ahead, wait till we caught up then flying ahead again until we ran out of boats and it disappeared into the distance. On the way home the fog lingered in the valley but as we climbed up to the tops we saw the most beautiful sunset and the fog looked like the sea, the hills were the islands and the sun was setting on a lovely day. And I have my almanac ready for the new year x
An eerie walk in yesterday’s fog, taking photographs of the graveyard through spiders webs glistening with dew. A squirrel doing acrobats on our garden wreath, enjoying the peanuts. My new almanac is ready and waiting.
Walked out into the garden early on Christmas morning, teapot in hand. Nasty, dripping Bristol morning. But I was met by a barrage of singing. Robins, fighting it out in song. I listened to the nearest, the one I could see. He never repeated the parts of his song. I say ‘he’ for convenience as female robins also sing. It quite took my breath away.
A new swan appeared on the pond at work. It has a ring on it's leg so we know it's not the one that lost it's mate in the summer. Wonder if it will stay?
Getting creative mixing leftovers from our midwinter feast and Christmas to make tasty twixmas food.
Almanac 2025 gratefully received and ready to read.
Mistletoe hunting in nature & bringing it in to deck the house letting it inhabit a sculptural head so creating a mistletoe goddess to celebrate nature from outdoors indoors 🌿 candlelit evenings & fires plus wonderful food & gatherings + the somatic of spice throughout the houses from all the cooking somehow elemental & far from the consumerism of this time of year 🙏🔥 & the almanac a joy to share 💥
That’s a lovey pub scene! Spent Christmas Day baking for when public transport resumes on Boxing Day. ‘High Society’ and ‘Some Like it Hot’ on the telly, I raided the freezer for the last of the wild plums, for a frangipane tart, and put an Italian beef stew in the oven on low.
Midnight mass at the Abbey and all the choiristers looked angelic, until they revealed they were all wearing tartan pyjamas underneath and were in fact, just kids fighting to stay awake.
Oh how sweet
We’ve had flu here, so it’s been a really odd Christmas, but a restful one nonetheless. Recovering slowly in time for my big 50th birthday tomorrow, I’m embracing the next decade of my life!
Sorry for your ill Christmas and happy birthday for tomorrow! xx
Wishing you a speedy recovery to enjoy your big birthday!
Happy birthday for tomorrow Cathryn, hope you’re feeling much better and have a lovely day! x
Happy 50th Birthday Cathryn! Hope you're feeling much better x
Happy 50th x
Sorry about the flu....but wishing you well on your birthday and the New Year!!
Same. COVID too 😔
Happy birthday for tomorrow - hope you're recovering well. X
Hope you are feeling much better by tomorrow Cathryn. Happy birthday to you!
Still very grey here, but warmer. 23rd December did not feel perceptibly longer than 22nd, but poking my head outdoors at 3am for cat-related purposes, there was that lovely pre-dawn quiet burbling from the birds And so many stars it took my breath away..
Ah the birds are sensing it…
I was thinking that when I looked out on Christmas Day, it was so quiet the wildlife could almost be enjoying the peace when all the humans are sat at home feasting.
Salad and salmon lunch at the garden table, swim in the sea, cliff top walk, other migrant families doing the same. South Island, Aotearoa.
Amazing xxx
Good morning & happy festive season, I was so glad to receive my almanac on Christmas morning, some lovely reading ahead for me , Horray .
Oh how lovely to hear!
A foggy walk along the Leeds Liverpool canal near Skipton on Boxing Day, grey and a bit ‘boring’ but then a flash of iridescent blue and we watched a kingfisher land on the tiller of a barge, it then played a chase game with us, flying one or two boats ahead, wait till we caught up then flying ahead again until we ran out of boats and it disappeared into the distance. On the way home the fog lingered in the valley but as we climbed up to the tops we saw the most beautiful sunset and the fog looked like the sea, the hills were the islands and the sun was setting on a lovely day. And I have my almanac ready for the new year x
There’s a Mistle Thrush singing loud and clear, high up in a tree in our road this morning.
Wonderful
Happy 'twixmas' .. so pleased to receive the almanac as a wrapped gift to myself 🙂
Ah fantastic! Hope you love it x
I did the very same thing :)
A fresh dusting of snow, bitterly cold temperatures, extra seed and suet for bird friends, nubbins of Advent candles
An eerie walk in yesterday’s fog, taking photographs of the graveyard through spiders webs glistening with dew. A squirrel doing acrobats on our garden wreath, enjoying the peanuts. My new almanac is ready and waiting.
The smell of home made mince pies baking in the oven wafting through the house! Shop bought has nothing on home made!
Also the smell of boiling sprouts (not so pleasant!) and mulled wine (much better!)
Cannot wait to crack open the almanac and hopefully the interminable gloomy skies will clear up for some stargazing...
Yum mulled wine....what is your recipe?
Cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, but it’s vanilla pods from Réunion are what sets it apart from regular mulled wines!
Thank you!!!
Walked out into the garden early on Christmas morning, teapot in hand. Nasty, dripping Bristol morning. But I was met by a barrage of singing. Robins, fighting it out in song. I listened to the nearest, the one I could see. He never repeated the parts of his song. I say ‘he’ for convenience as female robins also sing. It quite took my breath away.
wow!
Bird feeders aglow with Goldfinches, Bull finches and Long Tailed Tits. Lots of hyperactive squirrels too!
A new swan appeared on the pond at work. It has a ring on it's leg so we know it's not the one that lost it's mate in the summer. Wonder if it will stay?
Getting creative mixing leftovers from our midwinter feast and Christmas to make tasty twixmas food.
Almanac 2025 gratefully received and ready to read.
Mistletoe hunting in nature & bringing it in to deck the house letting it inhabit a sculptural head so creating a mistletoe goddess to celebrate nature from outdoors indoors 🌿 candlelit evenings & fires plus wonderful food & gatherings + the somatic of spice throughout the houses from all the cooking somehow elemental & far from the consumerism of this time of year 🙏🔥 & the almanac a joy to share 💥
That’s a lovey pub scene! Spent Christmas Day baking for when public transport resumes on Boxing Day. ‘High Society’ and ‘Some Like it Hot’ on the telly, I raided the freezer for the last of the wild plums, for a frangipane tart, and put an Italian beef stew in the oven on low.