Hello Friends!
. . . a £20.00 Amazon gift voucher!
On a page I follow on Facebook they asked the following:
So….at its most basic level - how do you “winter”? Do you do anything in particular to keep yourself feeling brighter at this darker time of the year?
Here's my reply:
I don't think of myself as enjoying winter yet somehow it is my most self pampering season. I withdraw, like the year, as if preparing in hibernation to blossom the following spring. I complain loudly how much I loathe the darker days, the longer nights, and the clocks changing, but then I dance for joy on the Winter Solstice and celebrate the returning of the light. My cottage becomes a cocoon of comfort, with blankets and throws, scented candles, hot chocolate and mince pies, fresh picked greenery decorates my door and vases, books wait their turn on the table by my easy chair in front of the fire and I prepare to indulge as I recharge and restore my aching body.
I feel like I've won a Pulitzer Prize!
Anyone who knows me will know that this is me, not some romanticised, inspired scrivening in a vain effort to win a voucher, but really and truly me. It's how I roll. It is my true being.
At one time, I would have declared it my favourite season, but in recent years this changed to reflect my love of Autumn. Now, my thoughts change again and I find beauty in each season in turn. Having Parkinson's also impacts as it changes what I can appreciate, or how I appreciate it.
As the days close in and night falls earlier with the passing days, so the candles appear in greater numbers. I have loads of tea light holders and my favourite tea lights to burn are these Prices Sentinel 8 hour tea lights.
They burn cleanly, no sooting, and burn for at least 8 hours. They can be put out and they relight well, unlike many that once extinguished that's it. I recall the original version of these "nightlights" when I was a child. I had one in my room every night and for safety they came in a cardboard outer which was placed to burn in a shallow dish of water!
They are very useful for tabletop food warmers to keep food and drink warmer for longer in the winter when temperatures drop quickly.
I recently found these even bigger, longer burning ones
II think I might spend my voucher on this
I like the brand, and they are a fraction of the price of Yankee Candles at around 30% less! Additionally, they are a British company, established in 1830 {although they went into receivership in 2003 and were bought out by an Italian company} and they hold a Royal Warrant.
On the other hand, I need a corner punch for my latest crafty makes, blog following in a few days. Oh! I have choices, and choices is not a good thing for a Libran to face.
Other things that bring me comfort in the months of hibernation are plates of delicious home made food and treats
A bowl of nourishing, warming soup
A yummy cake
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Bara Brith and Butter
Irish Soda Bread
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A Chocolate Brownie
and my newest love, a gift received this week for a belated birthday present, a tall tin of Fortnum & Mason's Toffolossus biscuts! They are scrumdiddliumptious!
There are stacks of books aplenty in my cottage, some like this one a charity shop find!
or a stack of interesting titles
Some of my favourite blankets
A parcel in the post! Beautifully packed . . .
A favourite pair of socks
Pinecones and candles
A comfortable armchair
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the list goes on!
of course, I used to go out gardening and walking, but no longer, however I shall shortly share some of my library of winter photographs which I know you will enjoy!
How do you survive winter?
Until next time
Stay Well
Debbie x
What a lovely post. Well done for winning the voucher - it was well deserved. My first winter on my own, so not quite sure how it will pan out. Lots of sewing and reading and some family history research, a covering of cats, hot soup, home made bread and a cake or two. A good drama on the tv, and some archaeology, history and antique programmes.
ReplyDeleteI like candles but some are over-fragranced for me. What did you spend your voucher on in the end?
Thank you. You will get through the winter, and you have a good assortment of things to be getting on with to occupy you there. I am starting to not cope with fragrances. Yankee aren't what they used to be. Voucher is now in my account waiting!
DeleteI'm not surprised you won the voucher as that is a lovely written piece - warm and comforting and beautiful photos as always- I like the book pile best of course!.
ReplyDeleteI used to dread winter but like many other things I can now accept it and just stay warm inside.
Fragranced candles give me a headache so I don't have them and don't usually have any at all - unless we get a power cut.
I've my January food treats to look forward to - that will get me through
Thank you. I admit fragrances are starting to get to me too, and I find myself using aromatherapy oils more and more. January will be here all too quickly and you can tuck in to the treats!
DeleteFirst of all, congratulations! Your writing is wonderful and I love the thought behind it. I'd like to read that Country House at War book and is Vanessa and her sister about Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf? Your charity book find looks wonderful. I wish I could send you the scented candles people give me. I can't use them for the most part so I pass them on to my daughter-in-law but I love the idea. Mostly unscented if real ones or the battery ones now. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes it is about Vanessa and Virginia. I have a few books on the Bloomsbury Group. I find myself burning more essential and aromatherapy oils nowadays. Battery candles are so useful, aren't they?
DeleteGood morning or good afternoon to you! Thank you for the lovely post! ❤️
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on winning the voucher. You conjure up lovely images and feelings in your piece, so no wonder you were a winner!
ReplyDeleteI survive winter by lighting the log burner and reading lots of books. I do like a nice smelly candle but the men in my house moan and groan at the mere sight of one, so I get my smelly fix from my citrus cooks' candle (which is acceptable for some strange reason!) and using cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg etc when cooking.
I also try to get outside in nature when it is sunny, which is a great mood enhancer.
Thank you. I used to simmer a pan of cinnamon and orange peelings on the stove, which is great if you remember to keep the water topped up!
DeleteWell done. Your prose expressed how I feel about winter. A brisk walk, then snuggle down with hot drinks, rugs and books, comforting soups and stews with dumplings, porridge, toast and jam.
ReplyDeleteI make a bara brith when I do a Sunday pot roast. I use a teaspoon of treacle and white sugar to save a few pennies. For variety, sometimes it has malt extract instead of sugar, or some honey, a grated carrot to eke out the dried fruit, or the rinsings of the marmalade jar, and the zest of an orange for orange and sultana. This week I added a grated apple which went down well.
Thank you. Winter definitely calls for comfort food! Your Bara Brith sounds a lot like mine, which is moving into the realm of when is a Bara Brith not a Bara Brith! I often soak my fruit in Guinness and add dried cranberries, blueberries and chocolate chips, sometimes nuts. It's a good, basic recipe to play with.
DeleteCongratulations on your well deserved writing about winter! I've always enjoyed your way with words my friend. Cozy winter days can be my most productive ones. I love gardening but coming inside in winter leads to more time spent in the kitchen. Also time for more strenuous jobs that are forgotten in warmer seasons are accomplished. I enjoyed seeing your stack of books--some of which I must check our library. Take care and cozy on!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I miss gardening outside in the cold winter months. There is much to do even in December and January. that feeling of a mug of hot chocolate and a shortbread biscuit, well earned after an hour working outside cannot be beaten for comfort. I hope your library can oblige you!
DeleteMany congratulations on this win.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a wonderful way of writing plus your photographs ... always lovely to come and visit your blog.
Each season offers something different doesn't it.
My two favourites are Autumn and Spring.
Wishing you a good weekend ... perhaps you may spend some time pondering how best to use your voucher.
All the best Jan
Thank you so much. Yes, still pondering what to buy!
DeleteEnjoy your weekend and keep warm in these plummeting temperatures!
I'm so happy for you, my friend. Congratulations. You have such a way with words, and photos, too. I look forward to hearing what you finally decided to use the voucher on. I'm a Scorpio, but I find myself tired of making decisions. lol
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely, I love the comfy chair and blanket, makes me feels warm just looking at them. I used to hate/loathe Winter, but in my old age, have learned to appreciate every season. Some better than others, of course. But Winter does have it's treasures, if we look hard enough. ;-)
Congratulations on your win! What you wrote was really lovely, and I cant think of a nicer way to spend the season.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying all your foody photographs too, especially the chocolate brownie - it looks very indulgent. Xx
I usually read more too. We wrap up warmly as Ruby needs her exercise it mean we go out walking when otherwise we would hunker down.
ReplyDeleteWell done for your win,