Thursday, 14 November 2024

I Won . . .

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

I

I 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


A bowl of porridge topped with fresh homemade cranberry almond relish


A mug of  Spiced White Chocolate with Pumpkin


Bara Brith and Butter


Irish Soda Bread


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


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

4 comments:

  1. 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.

    I like candles but some are over-fragranced for me. What did you spend your voucher on in the end?

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  2. I'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!.
    I 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

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  3. First 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.

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  4. Congratulations on winning the voucher. You conjure up lovely images and feelings in your piece, so no wonder you were a winner!
    I 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.

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