Tuesday 22 December 2015

Midwinter

I can't believe it's a year since I made a midwinter post. Time flies, doesn't it? The days are short now, and it starts to get dark in the middle of the afternoon. This photo was taken in my garden this weekend just after 4 o'clock as the light was fading on a sunny afternoon, and the moon was already high in the sky.





 For me there's something magical about the winter solstice, when the hours of daylight are at their shortest, and I mark it with greenery and candlelight. It's a time of imagination, reflection and introspection, as well as looking forward to longer, lighter days. How welcome they will be! The winter-flowering honeysuckle which grows by our back door is already in flower and smells wonderfully sweet. I added it to my midwinter arrangement, a mix of whites and greens.





I have treated myself to 'The Mistletoe Bride' by Kate Mosse, a collection of ghostly, wintry tales, just perfect for snuggling up with by the fire on a dark day. I'm easily spooked, though, so not great for bedtime reading I think.



I'll leave you with these midwinter lines (although the weather we have at the moment does not reflect what's described here, as it's rather milder): 

'In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
water like a stone'.

Christina Rossetti


10 comments:

  1. Hurrah for longer days! I love your Midwinter arrangement and I remember borrowing that book from the library this year - it's perfect for this evening; I don't know about where you are but it's decidedly stormy here at the moment. Hope you enjoy it. xx

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  2. I do love your photos, they look very ethereal. "In the bleak midwinter" is one of my favourite carols. I hope you have a lovely Christmas! xx

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  3. In the bleak midwinter was my Gran's absolutely most favourite carol IN THE WORLD, this winter is a rather moist and mild affair - lovely midwinter post and photos :)

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  4. Wonderful. I absolutely love the winter solstice as well, and your candlelight and greenery are perfect. We tried to be outside for sunset today, but the driving horizontal rain drove us home. CJ xx

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  5. I recognize myself in this post - I don't like the early dark, I have The Mistletoe Bride in my bedside pile and I love Christina Rossetti :-) Happy holidays.
    Amalia
    xo

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  6. Love your mid-winter arrangement, candles bring a real warmth to the house at this time of year. Hx

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  7. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas. I always welcome the length of daylight increasing. 'In the bleak midwinter is my favourite carol too! Sarah x

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  8. In The Bleak Midwinter is my favourite carol. I learnt it when I was in the Infant class at school 56 years ago now and I have always loved it. It certainly doesn't feel like typical Christmas weather here at the moment, very mild, wet and windy. Happy Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful day. xx

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  9. Lovely flower arrangements and a good book too, enjoy. Hope you had a good Christmas and wishing you a good New Year and 2016 :)

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  10. Looking forward to the longer days, even though it feels like winter just begun (first day with slightly colder temperatures today)!

    Happy new year!

    Take care
    Anne
    Crochet Between Worlds

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