Midwinter

Last night we celebrated the Winter Solstice.
In some ways it reflected last year's celebration.
We cooked a special dinner, decorated the table, walked
out in the crisp night with our lanterns then woke to special
presents, from King Winter.

This year for me it has coincided with a period of much
internal change and reformation. It finds me amidst a time
of re-defining my sense of self. Of journeying in to find
the strength of who I am, the light within myself.

I draw breath and let things fall apart a little, to allow a
new way of being to form. I find myself so very open and
almost cradled by the beauty of winter, which reveals itself
in such wispy wonder. Cobwebs shining with dew, the soft
velvety blue of the early morning sky.

May this Midwinter be a time of solace and reflection for you.

A time of welcoming fresh changes and new direction.

Happy Winter Solstice!

::Cabin fever::

I had been waiting for a day like this. A rainy Saturday, when
we could justify spending a whole day inside, getting cozy and
doing all those winter-ish things. You know the luxury of
Pyjamas till 11am and no where to go, just listening to the rain.

So I lit the fire, washed all the woollies and hung them about
the place to dry.

Then set about making chocolate brownies, with the usual

helpers.

Which were keenly enjoyed with hot chocolate and

marshmallows, shortly there after.

I indulged in a bit of knitting by the fire.

And my shawl got a tiny bit bigger.

Then we roasted chestnuts on the top of the fire.

A cozy little picture of domestic goodness really......

But do you want to know the awful truth? By 3pm it

became apparent that for all concerned we needed

to get out of the house. Know that feeling??!

And so we did.

Am I the only one who has days like these????

The sneaky wood.

I really think, there is something so important, in fostering
a sense of place for children. To take the time to invest
something of yourself in the natural world as you find it.
To find special names for spots you treasure, to watch them
change through the seasons and in a way become a part of
your own family culture. Not to necessarily own these places
but to feel akin to them.

For us the Sneaky Wood is a bit like that. Sneaky,

because when you would least expect it, there you are....

in a little wood, of the bona fide English variety. Not huge,

but just enough to give a true sensation of woody-ness.

I love how when you are 4 and 7, the thought of this, on a

cold Autumn day is incentive enough to make you run like

the wind.

And then of course there is The Secret Island, which one day

we might have to introduce you to as well. Ssshhhh!