Almost my first act on December 1st is to put my Christmas wreath on the front door. I have a special hook permanently in the door and, indeed, for the past ten years have had a wreath which alters according to the season on the door. I like having a wreath there. I like the symbolism. When I was a child, I don’t remember ever … Continue reading The Wreath on the Door: Christmas Hygge through Christmas Hiraeth Day 1
Way, way back when I was a child, advent calendars didn’t have any chocolate pieces in. They were card, with thinly translucent paper behind doors that sometimes proved difficult to open. You could have winter scenes, with rosy-faced children on sledges or Santa working in his shirtsleeves to create rocking horses, pull-along wooden trains and dolls with improbably wavy hair or, as we used to … Continue reading Advent Calendars: So Much More than Chocolate.
December’s posts this year all share the theme of Mindful Christmas. There’ll be short posts each day encouraging us to pause and look at our celebrations in a more measured, mindful way. Every day has a concept heavily tied in to Christmas, and the plan is to look at them individually, examine what role they play in our own Christmas and, if we decide we … Continue reading Realism and Perfection: Mindful Christmas Day 16
Links will go live only when the scheduled post has been published. Day 1: Anticipation and Preparation Day 2: Conflict, Anger and Strength Day 3: Acceptance and Peace Day 4: Joy Day 5: Contentment Day 6: Love Day 7: Renewal and Cycles Day 8: Consumption and Indulgence Day 9: Creativity Day 10: Community and Belonging Day 11: Minimalism and Simplicity Day 12: Celebration and Tradition … Continue reading Mindful Christmas 2021: The Posts
River Cottage has always had a reputation for being ecologically aware, country-based and very proud of local food and customs. I know I’ve enjoyed watching the series, because the situation is about as far away from my modern, suburban house as I can imagine. I’m not a gardener, I don’t keep lifestock and I have every shop I need close at hand. That said, the … Continue reading Book Friday: Christmas at River Cottage by Lucy Brazier
Some weekends are made for quiet pootling, just a little shifting of location or a shuffle through some magazines. Others are made for having a list and checking it twice. In my determination to have Christmas sewn up, wrapped and ready to roll on December 1st, I’ve been getting a few things ready steadily during the month. Readers will remember that I’ve been making an … Continue reading December Journalling Prompts.
The Ber months are my favourite. I love this time of year, with autumn and winter bookending Christmas in a festival of good times, good friends and good memories for the future. I love living in the moment, of course… but that doesn’t mean I don’t spend a fair amount of time getting things ready for Chrstmas. The preparation for Christmas, to me, has always … Continue reading Once November hits… it’s a steady slide into Christmas!
If ever I go bankrupt, I want you to know that it will not be because of my extravangant spending on shoes, clothes, meals out or holidays. No, siree. If ever I go bankrupt it will be because my money, every spare bit of it plus a little extra, goes on books. Real books, second hand or new books, Kindle books or hardback. Books are … Continue reading My Bookshelves are looking full… Lining Up My Reads for November and December.
How to Hygge the British Way 