Thursday 20 December 2018

Midwinter





There can be no mistaking that we are now just a day away from Midwinter. The days have been dark and the weather so gloomy, we have been desperate to seek out as much daylight as  possible. This last week, more than most, we have endured a run of grey skies and damp misty mornings. In fact, on Monday morning it was so very dark, Lily was questioning the time we were setting off for school. A  low mist hung in the valley and it seemed as though it never managed to get light all day.

The weather has also been wild.  I never did get around to making a festive door wreath but I'm not concerned. In fact, if I had hung one on the door, I would have  been amazed for it to have withstood some of the howling gales and lashing rain which have been battering us here in the north. The kind that keeps you awake at night hoping all the roof tiles will still be intact by the morning. Small branches have been scattered across the  roads and I even had to stride over a fallen tree earlier in the week.

At the weekend, we went for a walk through the woods. This short circular route is one of our favourites, possibly because it was one of the first ever walks Lily managed all by herself when she was a toddler and also because it is close to home. Even when the weather isn't so great, we can be back home, warming our toes by the fire before we know it. It all seems quite effortless now, seeing as little legs keep growing all the time, but it felt good to blow away the cobwebs and there is still beauty to be found there, even in these darkest of days.



I'm happy to say the Nativity went well. Lily remembered her line and gave a beaming smile of pride when she delivered it. I was so very proud of her too as, even though she was nervous, she was brave enough to put herself forward for it in the first place and played her part beautifully. What a star!

The last week of the school autumn term has finally arrived and with it has come a deluge of Christmas activity. There is some event or other happening every day and, along with my own Christmas preparations, I am doing my very best to avoid feeling pressured and becoming overwhelmed because, no matter how hard I try, it is so very easy to fall into that trap at this time of year. 
Therefore, on Monday I took myself off for a walk. I had the morning to myself and usually I would have spent the time tidying the house or wrapping presents but I made a conscious decision to take some time out, to switch off and relax for a while. It had been a long time since I had been for a walk all by myself. Not to go shopping or even to work, but a walk for the sole purpose of walking, and I had forgotten how much I enjoy it.
It was a dark day but, as I headed up the hill away from home, I broke free of the mist clinging to the floor of the valley and, as I reached the narrow lane, the silence was welcoming. I briefly lost myself in the stillness of the morning, only to then jump out of my skin at least three times as squirrels suddenly scampered across the path in front of me! So much for relaxing, but I made a new friend....


My Christmas preparations are all but complete now. There is just the small matter of gift wrapping and the food to buy, so I am sure it will all be sorted in time, although, there is a strong probability I will have forgotten something. Once the weekend arrives, however, I am looking forward to relaxing and enjoying this festive season.
J. X

44 comments:

  1. The other day Evie told me that it wasnt morning yet as it was still dark outside :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder if it was Monday, as it certainly seemed as though it was still night time as we journeyed to school. X

      Delete
  2. The weather has been very gloomy here too but a lovely walk always seems to blow away the cobwebs. How lovely to see squirrels even if they did make you jump and the horse is really handsome. I'm sure you were as proud of Lily as she was of herself, well done to her. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to laugh, Eileen. I had just switched off completely when the squirrels came scampering across the lane and startled me each time. They were very cute though. X

      Delete
  3. I really struggle with these dark, damp days and welcome the solstice arriving. I know it doesn't make much of a difference for a while but just knowing that the days are getting longer, albeit by a couple of minutes each day, really helps. Well done to Lily, one of the highlights of Christmas for me when my kids were little was watching the nativity and I really miss it now. I don't think there's a Christmas goes by that I haven't forgotten something so you're not alone. It's never that important though, what you haven't got you make do without.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The dark days, along with a hectic schedule at this time of year, can begin to wear me down, but I am mindful of this now and do what I can to alleviate my gloom. Even little things, such as switching on the fairy lights if I'm home during the day, can lift my mood.
      The Nativity was lovely and I'm so pleased Lily got to play a part in one again this year. X

      Delete
  4. Well done, Lily. It takes a lot of courage to step up like that! No wonder you are so proud of her.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Weather here today is wet and gloomy. We have the added sadness of the 30th Anniversary of Lockerbie plane tragedy this week too. If the plane had been on time, I possibly wouldn’t be writing this reply as we are on the flight path that it would have taken. I will find a time for quiet reflection, as I have done each year since it happened. I am still making Scandi style decorations for our handmade wooden tree but mostly I am looking forward to some time me with my husband of 47 years, and our 43 year old daughter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A terrible tragedy. Time spent with loved ones is so precious, Catriona. X

      Delete
  6. Glad to hear the Nativity went well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is that time of year when I wake up and cannot tell what time it might be until the clock tells me! Good idea to go off for a walk and have a breather - we should all do that it is good for the soul. My neighbours wreath has been in and out all week depending on the weather - bit like a weather man!
    Have a lovely Christmas with your family x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is so gloomy, although I don't know why I seem surprised by this. I just wish I didn't feel so lacking in energy and tempted to hibernate. I must say I'm rather glad I didn't hurry to make a wreath this year, given the battering it would have received. X

      Delete
  8. Glad to hear all went well at the nativity, enjoy your weekend and have a Happy Christmas, xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats to Lily! So glad to hear the Nativity went well for her. Earlier in the week, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the last minute Christmassy things I needed to do, but I've slowly been checking them off my list and I'm feeling more relaxed for that. A few gifts to wrap and school party for my daughter's class at school tomorrow then it's two weeks off for Christmas break. Looking forward to going out to dinner at a German restaurant on Saturday night and relaxing a bit. I'd also like to stop by a Christmas shop and buy a new ornament for our tree this weekend. And maybe a little more baking and church on Sunday. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Julia. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed at this time of year, but lists can certainly help us to get a sense of perspective and it feels oh-so-good to check things off. It sounds like you have a lovely weekend planned. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas too. X

      Delete
  10. Well done to Lily and to you for your relaxed approach to Christmas. Lovely midwinter scenes, such beauty in those bare branches. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas. B x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara. A very Merry Christmas to you too. X

      Delete
  11. What a pleasing post to read. Here in Yorkshire we have had those dark days but without strong winds and the dark days have been interspersed with on or two pleasant sunny ones.
    Dark days I find depressing but then a sunny one cheers me again.
    I'm glad Lily did you (and herself) proud in that play - incidents like that remain with one for life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pat. I hope we might get some brighter days here this coming week. X

      Delete
  12. Well done to Lily - so pleased the Nativity went well :)

    Your photographs are lovely to see, even in midwinter there is so much to see and enjoy.

    Hope you have a lovely Christmas.
    My good wishes

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jan. And a very Merry Christmas to you. X

      Delete
  13. Congratulations Lily!

    Yay for getting most of the Christmas stuff done early.
    I can feel the cold winter just by looking at your photos. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nil. I hope I've got most things covered now. X

      Delete
  14. Glad your Lily enjoyed the Nativity. All presents have been bought and delivered and cards, now my husband and I are just going to relax and do nothing until next year after the year we have had!

    Julie xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julie. You sound very organised. Relax and enjoy yourselves now. X

      Delete
  15. Glad to hear that Lily did well in her play! Quite an accomplishment to go on stage and perform! Please tell her that we are all very proud of her.

    Lovely photos! You did great, going out walking in cold weather! It has been unusually warm for this time of the year, here (it topped 80F, today!), but Saturday is supposed to be "cold" (highs only in the 60s). Sounds like you are almost all done with Christmas preparations! I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Bless. I will be sure to pass on your good wishes to Lily.
      The weather isn't actually all that cold at the moment but the damp makes it feel as though it is. I don't mind though, as I always make sure I am wrapped up well. X

      Delete
  16. Your photos are so lovely!
    I actually find comfort in the dark, dreary days.
    Is that weird??!!
    Something about being cozy, I suppose.
    Have a blessed Christmas, my friend. : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Billie Jo. I alternate between loving the cosy dark nights and being ready for some Spring sunshine. X

      Delete
  17. Such a lovely post. Well done to Lily. Love your new friend too! Here’s to a peaceful and relaxing weekend x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you CT. I think my new friend is rather handsome. I hope you have recovered from your eventful week. X

      Delete
  18. Going for a walk by yourself does wonders for recharging the batteries doesn't it. Congratulations to Lily on her performance, how proud you must be. xx Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really enjoyed it, Susan. Hopefully I won't leave it so long next time. X

      Delete
  19. Well done Lily, and well done you on taking some time for yourself. I think we mothers/Santa's elves are very bad at doing that at this time of year, and a little self care goes a long way. Your photos are very evocative but I'm afraid I have a little niggle: the solstice marks the first day of winter, not the middle. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It might have only been a walk but it did me the world of good. I'm never very good about prioritising myself.
      I'm sorry for your niggle, but Midwinter is another term for the Winter solstice. X

      Delete
  20. Glad to hear that Lily enjoyed playing her part in the Nativity. It really does bring a lump to the throat, doesn't it? I can't remember when I last went for a walk alone, but I do like spending time on my own; in fact, I very much need it and sometimes go for a drive because I want to. It's a nice thought that the shortest day has passed, even if we won't notice a significant difference for a while yet. Have a wonderful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Eloise. It is always lovely to watch a Nativity, even more so when a child of yours is playing a part.
      I couldn't remember when I last went for a walk alone. I won't leave so long until the next time, however. I really enjoyed being able to switch off for a while, that was until the squirrels startled me. X

      Delete
  21. Wising your a relaxed and happy Christmas with lots of fun times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Julie. A very Merry Christmas to you too. X

      Delete
  22. I agree that a walk on your own can be really relaxing - you can just enjoy nature. Your pictures are really nice - the one of the lake and the bright sky above, I thought was beautiful. And the friendly horse too! Have a happy Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jacqui. I hope you enjoy a lovely Christmas. X

      Delete