It's the eve of Winter Solstice, when we burn a candle to symbolically let go of all the things in 2023 that have been negative for us... tomorrow stone circles all over the UK and beyond will be visited by those who want to connect to the elements and Nature and acknowledge the Winter Solstice. Here's my Winter wreath - if I was going to a stone circle, I would wear it like a crown :)
I have a list of promises to myself for 2024:
It's that time of year when I am observing nature, looking for any signs of green, new shoots, footprints of little animals, birdsong, the allotment is a great place for that - I saw six beautiful roe deer glide across my plot early one morning recently, magical! I have also spotted the odd starling - a rarer sight in the UK these days, heard song thrush and robin, found silvery snail trails on my kitchen windows and seen some fabulous early morning red sunrises. It's these small things that make me happy.
What inspires you during the cold bleak Winter months? are you a windowsill gardener with an amarylis about to flower or do you have tubs crammed with Spring bulbs outside your doors? I planted 200 small Spring flower bulbs in my lawn this year, ambitious as we have really heavy clay soil (and weeds) - I hope they come up as crocus and miniature narcicus will be such a lovely sight.
I go swimming twice a week, our pool is staying open either side of Christmas - this Tuesday it was almost empty and I had a massive lane (third of the pool) all to myself. The showers were super hot and I brought some little hotel bottles of toiletries saved from recent travels and made it a mini spa day!
I'm off on an adventure today - will tell about it soon.
I love your wreath! And beautiful promises. Nature will always inspire me.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Nature is full of inspiration and little rewards of beauty.
DeleteSuch a pretty wreath.
ReplyDeleteThank you B, I am adding to it, it's a work in progress :)
DeleteAn inspiring post. Thankyou, and Blessings Be xx
ReplyDeleteThank you GZ, blessings/Merry Meet
DeleteWhat a beautiful wreath and I think it would be wonderful crown too!
ReplyDeleteYour promises for 2024 are very inspiring, I should take a leaf out of your book. Haven't gotten around to planting Spring bulbs yet. I'm afraid I'm mainly a good weather gardener :-) xxx
Hi PP, if you've left it late, there will be some in garden centres already potted and ready to bloom, nothing wrong with the easy option if challenged for time :)
DeleteYour wreath is beautiful Betty & would make a wonderful crown. What a wonderful tradition ... to burn a candle for the winter solstice & let go of negative things that happened ... I think I might need a rather large candle Betty.
ReplyDeleteI love your list of promises to yourself & think I shall sit & write one for myself.
I have just come inside from mowing some lawns here - it is only 9.30 in the morning & already stinking hot. Summer is not my season & I have been thinking alot about it lately & I feel that a winter Christmas like you have, is more appropriate for Christmas. I can think of nothing better than lighting the fire & being cosy with the family over Christmas. We will possibly eat out on our deck but honestly - it is hot out there too. So now that I've had my complain, I shall go make an iced tea!! Enjoy your adventure Betty. x0x
I guess if we are looking at the Christian traditional Christmas, Jesus was born in a hot place and your climate is more authentic! I often wonder if people in hot countries have roast turkey and all the trimmings in sweltering heat :) Yes, I needed a large candle to burn off my negativity, you're not alone .
DeleteMorning Betty! I'm just about to do my workout before tuning into the English Heritage's Winter Solstice live feed from Stonehenge at 7am - the dark days are over!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful wreath! I made mine yesterday but haven't hung it up yet, it was so windy I thought it might end up a few streets away.
I absolutely love your promises to yourself and your positivity, I could have written them myself. I'm envious of you being able to swim over the Xmas holiday, ours is council run and closes today till the New Year.
Happy Solstice! xxx
Happy Solstice!
DeleteWell I would have to say that Buckspiss is my greatest inspiration during the winter months ;) Oh Betty, your wreath paining is beautiful!!!! xXx
ReplyDeletethanks Lulu, I love a bit of Buckspiss myself although we have a much ruder name for it!
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