Showing posts with label Seasons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seasons. Show all posts

Sunday, 5 November 2023

The Colours of Days

Hello Friends!

November sits, suspended midway between the glory days of Autumn and  the bone chilling cold of Winter; a no man's land of dull November grey when all the vibrant leaves of orange, yellow and red have fallen from the trees and branches brown hang down, empty, dull and bare, against a leaden sky where December snow has yet to form.


Light is scarce in the sky, a dull grey gloom wraps itself around the horizon and wild clouds scud across the sky.  Cracks in the clouds let slivers of silver light push through, a reminder of what once was, and a promise of what is yet to come.  Houses, curtains tightly drawn across windows, glow with light, beacons that guide us home.





We have time to stand and stare.  Our harvests are gathered home. We are ready for the winter hibernation that will come.  Let the season of hygge commence!
 

Wrapped up warmly against the chill and bitter wind, wearing our mittens and scarves, woolly hats and chunky Fair Isle socks, we take brisk, invigorating walks out into the Welsh countryside.  




Berry picking time is over. There is nothing left to harvest now other than a scant handful of late fruits that we leave for the wildlife, for the birds, for the squirrels, for the mice.  


If we are lucky, there are piles of leaves dry and crunchy through which we stomp and kick. But in this November gloom the rain has fallen hard. The spent leaves are a squishy squashy mess of muddy brown. Are they not in decay? No!  They are making the food for next year's plants.  The Circle of Life rolls on 


Soon , much sooner than we realise it will be December. The snows will come and all will look different again, dusted in powdery white.



And so the seasons turn.  The days that not so long ago were warm with summer sun, now cold and chill us to the bone with withering winds.  The time has come to withdraw inside. Let us sit by the fire cosy and warm with books and hot chocolate for our companions.  

My friends I have been doing more art. Here is my latest effort by an online course offered twice a year by the renowned Danish artist Ida Anderson Lang, called Wish Upon A Star. 


Until next time
Stay safe. Stay well.
Debbie xx








Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Is It Too Early?

Hello friends,

Warning: This post is photo heavy!

I bet you think I'm going to ask how early is too early for Christmas? Well, that's not my question. My question is, how early is too early to start decorating for Autumn? aka Fall if you live in America.

Meteorological Autumn begins in a few days on September 1st, while Astronomical Autumn is recognised as starting on the Autumn Equinox around the 22nd of September, this year on Saturday 23rd September, and ending on Friday, the 22nd of December with the Winter Solstice.

Those of you who know me well know that, although I love and honour all the seasons, Autumn is my favourite. I don't know why I love it so much. Maybe it's because I'm an October baby. Who knows? I love everything about it.  Even the bad weather!  I love the warmer layers of clothing. I love the softer lighting as the sun slips slowly lower in the sky. I love mittens and fingerless gloves, scarves and woollen hats. I love wrapping up warmly. I loved going out for long walks on frosty days. I loved stomping through crisply crunchy fallen leaves. I love closing my curtains on the darker evenings. I love the changing smells that waft from the kitchen. I love bringing out my blankets from storage and draping them on the sofa and chairs ready to use as the nights become more and more chilly. I love candles. I love hot chocolate. I love pumpkins. I love the wind, as it howls in the chimney. As long as everyone stays safe, I even like the sturdy winds that come with the Autumn storms.  I love watching Hallmark Christmas movies on the television.

So that raises the question. how soon is too soon to begin decorating for Autumn? Can I do it now, or should I wait until Astronomical Autumn in a few more weeks? Well, I think I already know the answer to this question. A few bits and pieces might start making their way out slowly; I won't go for the full on Autumn just yet, but it won't be long!

Here are a few photos of some decorating from previous years.

























We mustn't forget the pumpkins!





















I am rather fond of pumpkins. Of all sorts of pumpkins. You'll notice my handle is Rustic Pumpkin.  I have just put together an assemblance of these photos to have a calendar for next year, every photo will be a pumpkin!

So my friends,
Until next time.
Stay safe. Stay well.
Debbie xx