Winter thoughts . . .

Brrrrr . . .it's very cold this morning and the wind is howling down the chimney.  We have no snow of course.   I don't remember a Christmas yet that I have spent here in the UK with snow on the ground.  I do miss the snow at Christmas time, but I am quite happy not to have it the rest of the year.

I love that first snowfall of the year. We don't get a lot of snow over here, which makes it even more special. There is magic watching those first few tranquil flakes float down . . . first a few and then a few more . . . flakes falling faster and faster and with purpose. The stone walls silver over and puddles glass over as all begins to wear a mantle of white. The trees cast feathers of snow from their branches as the inside of the house takes on a luminous glow . . . whilst outside the sharp etchings of November begin to blur . . .

 

The cold weather brings more birds to our feeders  . . . we fill them each day now . . . with cracked seed and nuts, millet and mealy worms . . . stale bread from the table and fat balls of suet. The trick is so get up high enough so that Mitzie can't get at it. The air rings with their chatter . . . tits, nuthatches, sparrows . . . a pair of goldfinches, our resident wood pigeon and a lone blackbird. If we are lucky the robin comes along . . . seemingly unafraid of human companionship. He often is our companion when we are out digging in the garden . . . always only a few feet away waiting for a fat worm to appear between the tines of our garden fork . . . but there are no worms today . . .



They are all hungry and waiting for our ministrations, which we happily apply. Little heads popping in and out of our frozen hedge as the sun begins to gild the top of it's frost covered greenery. The hedge flutters with the beat of a thousand wings . . . and it makes me wish that I had wings that I too, could beat . . . winter has arrived . . .

Winter came down to our home one night 
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow, 
And we . . .  we were children once again. 
~Bill Morgan, Jr. 

   

Fading is the month of dramatic sunsets. The air fills with the sharp smell of burning wood, wet earth and rotting leaves . . . now laying crisp and frozen beneath our feet, whilst the wind picks up a tang which sets our blood to a quicker rhythm. Our steps are brisker, wanting to get to where we need to go . . . quicker, braced for the cold. Noses tingle and fingers burn . . .



As the sun grows smaller so too does our world diminish in size. Life now centers around the hearth . . . there is much to do in the garden . . . but for now it lays quietly waiting . . . brooding beneath the leafless trees. It is as if nature is whispering . . . time to rest for a bit, sleep and wait . . . tis time now to slow down . . . Winter is on the doorstep . . .

Of winter's lifeless world each tree 
Now seems a perfect part; 
Yet each one holds summer's secret 
 Deep down within its heart. 
~Charles G. Stater  

I'm going to bake my mince pies today and gingerbread men.  I got a new gingerbread man cutter.  It's for a shorter, fatter gingerbread man.  I might stamp some words on them . . .  we will see how it goes.  I am tempted to stamp "Bite Me" on them, but although it would not be meant as rude, it might be seen as rude so I won't.  Maybe I will just stamp some Christmas words such as Joy and Peace and Love . . .

A thought to carry with you through today  . . .




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 "And when we find him, will we be prepared 
as were the wise men of old 
to provide gifts from our many treasures? 
They presented gold, frankincense and myrrh. 
These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. 
From the treasure of our hearts 
Jesus asks that we give of ourselves: 
 'Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind' 
(D&C 64:34)."
~Thomas S Monson
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Baking in The English Kitchen today  . . . . Lemon Meringue Cookies.   Delicious!

Have a fabulous Saturday.  If you are out and about go safely.  It will probably be manic out there today.  Last Saturday before Christmas!

Don't forget . . .

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