Sunday 4 February 2018

February Light . . .



In February one notices all of a sudden that the days are drawing out . . . slowly lengthening.  It's been going on for a while, a minute here . . . a minute there, since the 21st of December . . . but now it is becoming much more noticeable . . .  I like the lengthening days.

There are moments in February twilight when the colour of the dusk deepens to a blue haze . . . and you are struck with an awareness of beauty that is half ecstasy and half sorrow . . . caught between two worlds. 

(source

There is a strange loveliness in a February twilight.  Familiar places soften into a fading mist of gauzy proportions . . . looking somehow less real . . . magical even.   It lasts but for a moment, not much more than minutes really . . . and before you know it that blue light has thinned out to grey and it is gone . . . the magic has evaporated and it is simply becoming night time.

I wait for that special light to appear each day so that I can hold it in my hands for the few moments that it is there.   It never appears in January or March . . . or any other month of the year . . . only in February.   In February it delights my soul and feeds my heart . . . this magic of nature . . . and I am grateful for eyes and a mind which are able to capture it.  


❈ ❅ ❄ ❆ ❇ ❈ ❅ ❄ ❆

They say we are to get some very unsettled and stormy weather this week coming up, perhaps even more snow.  This is the time of year when snow begins to lose much of it's novelty I think!   Like a guest who has outworn it's welcome we are eager to see it's backside . . .  We don't get much snow here really . . . so we mustn't complain.

It doesn't even really get all that cold . . . not much colder than -2 or -3 or -4 . . . and yet for some reason it always feels colder to me.   I have been here for 18 winters now and I can no longer imagine temperatures like -27 or -30 . . . but then again I think cold is relative.   If you are cold, you are cold, no matter how low the thermometer drops, it all feels the same. 
  

We're not going to church this morning.  Todd has been battling a scratchy sore throat for several days now and seems to have come down with a bad cold.  He's had a very rough night.  He just texted me from upstairs to say he is staying in bed.  Can't complain. He never gets sick, so if he feels rough like that I know he feels really rough. Poor baby.  He is not one to complain much about anything.  I will do my best to pamper him all day today.  In all honesty, after having had a couple of really good night's sleep, I didn't sleep too well last night  myself.  It seems I was awake every hour on the hour, but that could be because Todd was up and down all night and every time he passed my side of the bed he accidentally knocked my feet or summat. 


We have been re-watching Downton Abbey.  We just started watching Season Four last night, after the tragic happening at the end of the special where they went up to the Scottish Highlands for a fortnight and Mary went home and gave birth to George.  I was so sad (even though I knew it was going to happen) when Matthew was killed.  Even now, the second time around, I cried.  Yes I am an old softie.  I always had hoped that Mary and Branson would get together after that, but alas . . .  they did not. 

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day   . . . 

 
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.
  Start this day with a song.  
Cast your burdens to the wind.  
Dance in the new day's sun.  
Rejoice, for this day is a new beginning.  
It asks of you only that it be embraced 
and lived joyfully. ~Mrs M    •。★★ 。* 。 



 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Queen of Hearts Jam Tarts . . .  for my sweetie pie.  


This is the heart shape I used to cut them out from my old set of Tupperware nesting cookie cutters. Yes, I still have them! (and I use them all the time!)

Have a safe and blessed Sabbath day.  Don't forget along the way!


═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 

And I do too! 




14 comments:

  1. I noticed a few days ago that it's taken little bit longer to get dark outside.Yay it's a start!

    It's so cold again tonight that the dog looked at me like I was nuts, when I asked him if he had to go out and went back to sleep! Lol.

    The blue haze is actually pretty!

    I hope ur Todd feels better today Marie. It's no fun being sick and alot of rest is good.

    Cute hearts you made and a lemon meringue pie too! My oldest sister Sue use to make those pies alot. I made one only once and I was so proud of it that I bought it over my parents house and it was gone so fast. Lol. I guess I haven't made another one is bc I love to make bundts and cookies more. Sue always makes 3 or 4 pies for the holidays too.

    I have to get some molasses to keep on hand too. I don't use it
    much, so I never think of buying any.

    Love and big hugs to both of you!xo

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    1. Thanks Jan, he really feels miserable. I haven't tucked into the Lemon Meringue Pie yet. Waiting for good light. I have not made a bundt cake in a while. I always have molasses in the house. I have to buy it from an American supply shop these days and so I make it worth the cost! Love and hugs right back atcha! xoxo

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  2. Hi Marie, on catch up again today! Seem to have been so busy this past week. I like the idea of your sleep hypnosis cd, I keep trying different things but nothing seems to work for more than a few nights. I have been listening to my audio books the last few nights which have helped a little.

    We went to Blackpool yesterday as George wants to change the car and thats where the one he wants is. He's put a deposit on it so we'll be back up to Blackpool again this week to pick it up, just hope it's not on the day when the snow is expected!

    Hope Todd is feeling much better really soon and that you don't catch it. Lot's of love xxx

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    1. I find listening to any audio with a soothing voice is helpful Kate. I tried free apps, but they jarred more than helped. The cd I bought is quite good, also Paul McKennas I can make you sleep is also very good. I also use it sometimes. I hope you have good weather for your trip! Love and hugs? Xoxo

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  3. I started Downton Abby reruns too. It one thing worth watching again and I could find anything else to watch. I got through most of season 1 in one day. I hope Todd feels better. There is a lot of flu and colds going around here, but so far I've stayed healthy. It's starting to snow again here and it's to get very cold again...Yes snow does loose it's welcome, but we have it through March yet.

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    1. I hope you stay warm Pam. One thing we do know about this time of year the snow won’t last! Spring is not too far off! Xoxo

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  4. Have a good nesting day looking after your patient:) It's snowing here and actually gorgeous..apparently we will have an early Spring..I'll start seed in March..maybe too early yet again!

    We can only transplant outside end of May..lots of chores await..fence painting.. gardens..more leaves..planting..lol..I'm happy stitching right now:)

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    1. I hope you do get your early spring Monique. Over here they say not to cast a clout til May is out. Apparently there is a risk of frost until then! So like you, no transplanting until the end of May! I love the thoughts of your Stitching! You make such pretties! Xoxo

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  5. Hi Marie~

    I'm so sorry that Todd is under the weather...I hope it's not the flu, and I hope you don't get it. I've been sick with the cold bug for over a month. You will get some extra prayers from me.

    I love your February thoughts, and your photos are gorgeous! February really is a transitional month, not quite winter and not quite spring...kind of like us...wonderful!

    When I'm cold, I'm cold! It's all about keeping my feet and my shoulders warm; if they are warm so am I.

    I love that you are watching, Downton Abby again. I like to do that, too. It seems like there is always something I missed the first time around. I'm also a softy, I cry when I watch, The Wizard of Oz, and I've seen it hundreds of times!

    I love those cute little nesting cookie cutters! I still use Tupperware that I got as wedding presents. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without...right!?

    Your quote is perfect! We do get a new chance at a new day when the sun rises!

    Love you sweet friend, again, blessings for Todd.

    Hus and Love,
    Barb

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    1. Thanks very much Barb! Your prayers are very much appreciated! I am hoping he will feel better today. He seems to have slept better last night anyways! I love Tupperware but don't have any over here, except for those cookie cutters that I somehow managed to keep and bring over. Tupperware never wears out so expect the ex's missus is using mine. Using my stuff did not seem to bother her as I noticed one day when I went to pick up my son. One of my rabbit dolls was sitting on her shelf. Myself, I couldn't use my husband's ex's stuff. I would want all my own, but then again, we are all different! Love, hugs and blessings to you. I hope you can shake this awful cold you have soon! xoxo

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  6. Marie....
    I love that the days are staying lighter for longer periods of time. I actually just took notice of that yesterday as I headed out the door in the early evening and it was still light - yeah.
    I haven't noticed so much the blue twilight but the sunsets and sunrises have been stunning.
    Sorry to hear that Todd is not feeling well. And I'm sure, that you did pamper him all day, making him feel much better, even if he really wasn't.
    I have never watched the show Downton Abbey. Guess I need to look it up on my Roku and watch it. I don't usually watch a lot of television, unless I get into something good.
    Your heart tarts look so yummy. And for those cookie cutters.....you made we want to get some so I hopped on E-bay and found some to purchase.

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    1. Oh Marsha, you would love Downton Abbey. There is nothing unsavory about it. Its just a lovely show, and there is NO swearing or nudity or real violence in it! We love it, even Todd. So happy you were able to get some of the cookie cutters! Yay! xoxo

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  7. I do pray that your sweet hubby gets better quickly. These coughs, flu and other winter stuff is not fun at all. I have had a dry cough for many years that keeps me up at night. It does come and go but is for various reasons. I have bad nights with it and I always feel worried that I am keeping my poor husband up. I am like you, I function much better with a good nights rest.
    Your February thoughts were poetic. I loved them. I need to notice the twilight more.
    Hope you have a wonderful week dear friend and that Todd gets better and you don't get sick.
    Sending prayers,love and hugs your way!

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    1. Thanks very much my dear friend! I am praying I don't get it as well. But I do know colds love to share themselves with others! Love to you and Roger! xoxo

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