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29/12/2018

What we do in between the showers.

After days of rain, although dry today - the air is thick with moisture.
The ground oozes and creaks as water moves through the saturated earth. 
Springs and streams burble joyously regurgitating their watery loads.
 We follow a damp muddy farmland track through glistening wet fields. 
The hedges and copses look sparse in their winter garb while the old trees seem to reach up 
and scratch the thin sky.
As we walk, we talk and relish the solitude.
Our path keeps leading us to and away from the railway - although still used, is quiet today. 
Strewn along the way is evidence of things from a more industrial past.
Sitting on the edge of a dried oxbow lake, 
we drink tea and eat mincepies as we watch Youngest and Moss play. 
The scars on the landscape just hint at the history of the valley. 
Shadows left from a Roman villa, lynchets, dried river beds, ancient hedgerows and tracks.
  
The canal is also quiet. A few ducks rest on the far side. 
A row of geese preen before settling down for the night.
One narrow-boat moored up, gently chuffing out a strand of smoke into the cool air.
As the light fades, the temperature drops and the sky becomes fiery.
My feet are tired, as am I 
but I feel elated,
feel whole
feel alive. 


I hope that this week of chrimbo-limbo
has been good to you
and good for you.

blessings x

18/12/2018

Things we do

There are somethings that never change yet are never the same. 

Our chrimbly card delivery walk is a perfect example.  

Ever since we moved to the village (17 years ago ... where does life go?) we hand deliver as many cards as we can. The week before,  cards are written, wreathes made, then on the Sunday, we wrap up and walk out.

The route is initially dictated by the addresses we need to deliver too and over the years it has altered slightly. The weather also plays a major factor in our choice of path. One winter we galloped round in torrential rain, we left the boys at home and just took a giddy dog. There have been delivery days through deep snow and sledges, dank grey skies days with boys wrapped up warmly, bright blue brittle icy days or gentle, thin blue cold finger days.

Sunday was this year's delivery day. We were only three plus dog this time. Wrapped up against the cutting breeze we set out, past houses with jolly lights and doors decorated with wreathes. A handful of cards dropped off we jumped over puddles (Moss jumped into them) up the stone steps and up up the hill to drop another. We turned off the road down a narrow 'secret' pathway, snaking its way down below the cottage gardens, popping out by the chicken pens. Down another muddy track, through a field, Moss playing playing, never tiring - asking for more.

Across the main road, up into another field, up up that hill, step into another sneaky path behind a row of terraced houses. Drop off a wreath and cards, chat and leave best wishes. Onwards up the hill, up up and on to the playing fields at the top of the village. Dogs and their walkers making the best in the break in the weather, filled the space. We walked diagonally across the huge field entering another farmland track. Slip and slide our way down another muddy field and re-enter the village from the far side. Time to start delivering cards again. 

Daylight is fading, homes are switching on their lights, making the street look cozy. Trees twinkle through windows and fairy lights adorn front gardens. More cards left, nearly home. We've been out for almost two hours and we are so ready for a mug of tea and mince pie by the fire.

Time to switch our tree and lights on. Another festive ritual completed and there is a slightly damp happy dog fast asleep toasting her toes by the fire.

Wishing you all a love filled festive time,
where skies are blue - whether they are icy cold or brilliantly warm,
blessings xx

15/12/2018

Festive Advent Calendar doors 16 to 20

Carols

Bow
A small piece of yule cake, wrapped ready to slip into a pocket as we go out for a walk.

Wintery Scene

Tree before and after
At small 'twig tree' before and after :)

Star
Mincepie - nom nom nom


The next five are.....


Sleigh
Nativity Scene
A Christmas Carol from YouTube
A Christmas cartoon from YouTube


Julie of Julie's Journal & Scrapbook

10/12/2018

Festive Advent Calendar Doors 11 - 15

Joining in with Julie of Julie's Journal & Scrapbook's Festive Advent Calendar 2018

Festive Chocolate

Festive Jumper
When you ask your son (who's at uni) to send a photo of his festive jumper,
and he sends 19. It takes all your motherly instincts and restraint to NOT share immediately
but to crop off his face and string them together in a slide show.
For your amusement.
You are welcome!!

Red and Green

Candles/candle light

Wrapped
A Princess in hiding. 
'Wrapped' in a bag that usually holds
decorations.
You can't see her - can you?
Good - just like she likes it :)



The next five are.....
Carols
Bow
Wintery Scene
Tree before and after
Star



06/12/2018

Festive Advent Calendar Doors 6 - 10




 Festive themed shop window

Snowman - real or otherwise

Stocking 

Wreath

Xmas stamps
(or rather the results of using them)

The next five are.....
Festive Chocolate
festive Jumper
Red and Green
Candles/candlelight
Wrapped


02/12/2018

Festive Advent Calendar Doors 1 - 5


Treasured Decoration


Festive recipe

Hand made card

Festive pet


Family tradition - mince pie eating competition
Himself vs the world
(world usually comes second) ....
He has been known to eat over 300 during a December.
So now you know (chortle)

The next five words are ....
 Festive themed shop window
Snowman - real or otherwise
Stocking
Wreath
Xmas stamp