Chill December brings the sleet, Blazing fire, and Christmas treat.
Merry Meet
dear friends! It’s Sun day evening. I’m in my jammies by a roaring fire with some coffee and Bailey’s next to me, some soft holiday music playing, and I felt the muse come over me …… so here I am writing in my blog 🙂
Winter is here! I would swear that I heard the actual “click” of that old Wheel turning into place. We had such a warm, long Autumn season and it was really lovely. But Winter is here in all her glory! It’s flurried snow a few times now but still no real accumulation. But it’s very cold, brisk, breezy, dark…all the things I love about this time of Year. My boots, sweaters, hats, coats and gloves are getting good use. Jammies go on as soon as it’s dark..and yes…that’s quite early lol. Candles are burning late into the nights and the woodsmoke hovers over the yard scenting my outdoor Moon-viewing jaunts so wonderfully! Something is almost always stewing on the stove or slow-cooker. Warm drinks are at hand always and I have to say that my Yule shopping and preparations are nearly done…..except for wrapping of course. I did my Yule cards as well and they’ll go out in the next day or two. Do you still do cards? I know so many don’t anymore. I get why, it’s a job, not that cheap, and many don’t reciprocate or send out at all. But for me, there’s something about doing them that just feels right.
I do want to say a word before going on about my beloved Smoky Mountains. You all who read here or know me, know how much those mountains mean to me. They are my heart and soul…my home away from home….and watching the horrific fires tearing through them just broke my heart. The loss of of nature, human and animal lives and the loss of homes and businesses was just so overwhelming. I couldn’t stop crying. Too many lost loved ones. I’m just going to say that the damage could have been even worse as bad as it was already. I am heartened to see that many acres were not burnt and I know that Mother Earth heals Herself and the mountains will recover. Please think of donating to Dolly Parton’s My People Fund, or to the Friends of the Smoky Mountains. and Pray and light candles for those who lost so much. Thank you…..
Yule or Winter Solstice is coming fast and I relish it arriving. While the holidays are all about the hustle and bustle, Yule is a quiet time for me. And I always relish it and usually really need it! In recent years, my holiday shopping has been scaled down and I focus on a few quality things for each person in my family. But I DO have three wonderful grandchildren and have so much fun buying for them. But we do our best to focus on being together and appreciating those Hygge moments. Hygge….a Danish concept of coziness, joy, family, food and a complete sense of comfort and wellbeing. That is what my Yule is all about! It’s searching inward for that sense of joy and peace and comfort in the midst of what can be chaotic..Christmas. It’s looking back on your year and deciding what is kept or thrown out. Of what can be made better, or what can be cut out, what can be better done, and what didn’t get done at all that should have! It’s connecting with Mother Earth, Goddess and/or God. Of being still and listening. Very Hygge.
If you aren’t familiar with the word Hygge. (pronounced Hoo gah) ..you should look it up and read about it. I did for a very good reason, as I had never seen or heard the word before! I recently had my DNA done and discovered to my great surprise that I’m very Scandinavian! I truly had no idea! 40% Scandinavian at that! The 39% British/Scottish/Irish I knew about and the 21% Southern Europe was a little surprising , but I really had NO IDEA I had so much Scandanavian blood in me. Who knew…I’m a Viking! lol. So of course, being me, I now have lots to learn. I have immediately ordered books from History, Lifestyle, Cooking and even Christmas books. While researching books I came across the word Hygge, looked it up and thought “well now, THAT explains my need to nest, be cozy, keep my home warm and pleasant and comfortable.” Apparantly it’s in my DNA! 🙂 I’ll talk more about this in future posts I’m sure. For now, Back to Yule…..
I love to walk in the Winter. Bundling up against the cold, putting on my winter boots and mittens and off I go. Wish I could get more walks in but again, we make our choices and one of mine is to make time to do this more often! I love the bare, stark trees, the sounds of the birds and watching the ground critters digging for and burying food away for the Winter. I like to collect things along the way…..bits of greenery, pine cones, feathers, rocks etc etc. I have a big wooden bowl that holds my treasures when I get back home. Then coming home to a warm home, warm blankets, warm fire and warm drink…well it’s just Bliss!
This is how I’ll spend my Winter Solstice night. Quiet, peaceful, contemplative and cozy. I’ll relish the longest night of the Year….and I’ll look forward to the return of the Sun and knowing the days will lengthen again. But not yet…we have lots of Winter to go…and for that I’m grateful!!
I’ll be back soon with recipes and more. I suggest you enjoy the holidays..all parts of it you may celebrate. Keep it simple, happy, peaceful. It doesn’t have to be materialistic, chaotic, or even dare we say…awful! LOL. Make good choices, change things up, re-evaluate what traditions you love and discard those you don’t. And I will say, I know many families face challenges this time of year…. especially THIS year. The presidential election has been especially polarizing. I have seen friends and families torn apart by their differences. If this is the case..make the decision that you will embrace the differences and love them anyway OR keep your distance this year until things calm down. Perhaps a rule…no talk of politics when you’re together ? 🙂 Whatever works for you to stay positive and joyful is OKAY!
Have a fabulous week and remember to take time for yourself!
“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man
the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!”
– Charles Dickens
Blessings and Love,
Autumn
My Moonlit Path..... 