Snow Flurries and Life at Home

Despite the winter months, cold winds and snow flurries,

tiny viola flowers still bloom in a sheltered spot on my balcony near the kitchen.

I occasionally pick a few to enjoy within my home.

I did go out for a walk one day after a light snowfall and loved the powdering of snow

on the leaves.

A short burst of swirling flakes looked so pretty.

I took this photo from my balcony.

One shopper walked home briskly with her red umbrella.

To see a real snowstorm, go back to 2016

when we had an amazing amount of snow

HERE

The blue fairy didn't get put away with the other Christmas decorations.

She's a graceful presence on my little round table.

Potted plants bloom in my living room.

This lovely hyacinth which is still part of the New Year's arrangement that

I showed in my first blog post of the year.

Yesterday,

a new Amaryllis bud started to open

... and today all the petals have unfolded.

I've been inventing new and delicious salads

This one is a mixture of lamb's lettuce (rampon in French).

avocado, crunchy Topaz apples, Cheddar cheese and red bell pepper.

Sprinkled on the top are a mixture of ground seeds:

flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, chia and sesame seeds.

I like my dressing simple: Rapeseed or olive oil, a little mustard and lemon juice.

This is also the perfect time of the year to enjoy colourful crochet patterns,

like these popcorn flowers in happy colours.

In these winter months, there are plenty of lovely things to enjoy.

Colour is very important when it's grey outside

and trying out new, healthy recipes.

I hope that you're also finding some joyful colour in your life!

Looking on the Bright Side

In the normal course of everyday life,

there can be times when we may feel discouraged, disappointed or saddened.

We often have our mind set on something in particular which falls through,

making us feel let-down.

Allowing the difficult moment to pass, 

and creating the necessary space or distance between our emotional response

to an actual situation, allows us to dedramatize things as we see them in the moment.

In other words, letting the negative feelings fall way when things don't go as we'd hoped.

From that moment on, we're able to reconstruct a situation

without labelling it as good or bad.

Turn the page, rewrite the story, create something new and

accept what has happened, or in some cases, what has not happened.

This is all about looking on the bright side of things and adapting to new situations as they arise.

When I look at life, which is a mixture of light and shadows,

I can see that the shadows help us better see the light.

"The darker the night, the brighter the stars"

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

February is here with longer days and more light.

The florists are selling little pots of spring bulbs which bring joy into any home.

This last little narcissus flower smiled at me bringing me sunshine into my day.

Bunches of tulips are available in beautiful warm shades

just waiting to fill my prettiest vase.

and it's a joy to capture their lovely lines with my macro lens.

 These days, I'm watching four hyacinth bulbs develop in a little box.

I love these buds getting ready to unfold.

So happy soaking up the sunlight in front of the window

and opening a little more each day

bringing colour and happiness into my life.

Besides photography, crochet always puts me in a marvellous mood.

Joyful colours, the act of creating something new,

sometimes to make gifts, sometimes to decorate my little home.

I made this colourful heart-shaped wreath a couple of years ago.

Right now it's bringing cheerfulness to all who pass and also for me

every time I come home!

So if you're feeling just a little glum today,

for whatever reason,

just stand back from it all

breathe slowly and deeply

and create a new situation for yourself.

It works every time!

This time last year, it was snowing.

See HERE

Slow Living

Admiring the elegant green needles on this pine branch and the

fluffy fresh snow,

my thoughts turn to how it is so easy to fall into a pattern of a frenetic

lifestyle in the fast lane.

Taking the time to notice how nature creates beautiful still life

arrangements, like these seedpods, leaves and moss fallen after the last snowfall.

Slow living is all about taking the time to savour and fully engage with life.

Just as snowfall slows down nature.

Mindful walking brings our attention to small details.

It makes us more aware and connects us to the present moment.

I noticed these beautiful reflections as I meandered where my steps took me

on my walk.

This scene made me think of the seaside. The wet sands, 

the receding waves leaving shiny reflections of the blue sky.

In fact, this scene was created by melting snow on a country road.

We notice more when we slow down. 

We take the time to see the splendour in the simplest things.

If I had been rushing along, preoccupied in my thoughts, I wouldn't have noticed

the shadow of a tree on a house as I walked up the hill away from the town centre

to be closer to nature.

Further up the hill, I saw how the trees were reflected in the windows of this wooden house.

Looking down, I paused to enjoy the sight of this tiny feather joined by a fallen leaf

on the paving stones. The naturally artistic arrangement was certainly worthy of my pause!

Finally I get up higher where I can see tall trees in all their majestic winter beauty.

This beautiful old oak with gnarled and twisting branches

stretching out to embrace the blue of the early February sky.

The days are getting longer

and all my senses are awakened as I hear the first birdsong of the year.

Sometimes we cannot get out into nature, but we can bring some into our home.

I picked these Chinese Lanterns from a pot on my balcony.

I marvelled at the lacy patterns and structure on their surface.

Noticing how abstract art can be created by gazing at ice-cubes in a bowl.

Some shiny marbles near the window drew attention to themselves in the light.

A tiny narcissus flower in a pot in my home is just coming into bloom.

I like to take the time to enjoy the beauty in shape, texture and colour.

I know that for many people, life is hectic.

The fact of going out to work each day and constantly looking at our watches

is all part of life in the fast lane

and often after work there are meals to prepare and children's needs

to be seen to.

But it would be so beneficial to take just a few moments, if we cannot manage more.

To include perhaps 15 minutes in our day to just to be

instead of constantly conjugating the verb 'to do'.

Early mornings can be used to bring calmness into our lives

Deep breathing exercises do wonders to relieve stress.

Getting up earlier to enjoy peaceful moments

before the rush of the day begins.

I have been meaning to have one day a week when I switch off everything.

That means my computer, my telephone, the television and the radio.

One day and one evening of the week where I can enjoy

the simplicity and quiet without all these distractions and noise.

It will be my goal during this month of February.

Do any of you offer yourselves this special day of peace during your week?

In the meantime, I welcome the quiet moments, going about my everyday occupations

slowly and mindfully (most of the time)!

This includes the preparation and the eating of a meal

and sitting down at the table to eat.

Immersing ourselves in nature , especially for us town-folk, is so beneficial.

Going to the park or taking a bus out of the city

into the peaceful environment to enjoy the trees, the plants and listen to birdsong.

At the end of each day, it's good to observe how I have lived this day.

Have I been rushing from one thing to another

or have I taken the time to slow down and really live

the precious moments as they constantly arise and pass?

It's never too late to finish the day with 

a little personal time to unwind. 

This doesn't mean constantly checking our mobile phones

or switching on the television!

The Slow Movement is being mentioned more and more.

Are we really listening?

It's time!

***

Ding Dong Merrily on High

This is the week before Christmas

when the frenzy in the air is very tangible.

Sometimes, it's just good to find a quiet place to sit

and take the time to breathe...

maybe light a candle

a red one is so festive.

The presents are wrapped and the bows tied

I'm so glad I did everything early.

What about my new hand and arm cast?

Red for Christmas. What else?

Just to be a little silly, I'm going to wear a tinsel bracelet

on Christmas Day!

Since there won't be a Christmas tree this year,

I've bought some cheerful fairy lights to create

several luminous and festive corners around my home.

A sparkling butterfly in memory of a sweet loved-one

departed much too early.

A bowl of Christmas baubles on a small table

This glass container, containing tinsel and shiny baubles

will have added fairy lights in red and white 

to be the centre-piece on my Christmas table

I love my living room at night

all lit up

as pretty as any Christmas tree!

The Christmas elves are already in place in the entrance.

They have been a tradition for more than twenty years.

The homemade truffles will have to wait for the New Year

before I make them again.

I was just able to finish crocheting the front door wreath

on the last day of November.

That was lucky!

I am unable to make my usual Christmas crochet gifts and decorations this year,

but fortunately I have some snowflakes left over from previous years.

As soon as the afternoon light starts to fade

those little lights come on.

Scintillating evenings just for me and a good book!

Those little bells again, just because they're so joyful!

and the sweet sound of children's voices.

Please click below on the name of the Christmas Carol:

Ding Dong Merrily on High

It just goes to show that we can still create a festive feeling with very little

and with just a bit of imagination!

I wish you all a very heartwarming and beautiful time with your families.

Sometimes, not all members of a family can get together, but we can phone and

exchange emails and have special thoughts for all those who have

other obligations or cannot be with us.

In the meantime, whatever you do, and whoever you're with, 

may you have a joyful heart to share!

I'll be taking a blog break over the holiday period until sometime in January.

Be well

Be happy

Remember to smile

to someone who may need it!