 Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light; The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.  Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow; The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. May your 2015 be happy and true!
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 Inspired by two of my favourite books of 2014 I have decided that JOY will be my word for 2015. Joie de vivre is a theme of Mireille Guilliano's book French Women Don't Get Fat and Does It Spark Joy? is a theme of Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying - both of which I've loved. See why here and here. I've chosen a word for each year since 2011 and had fun with Fitter, Free-Spirit, Lightly and Walk. Have you tried this? What will be your word for 2015? ..to the mournful boom of foghorns in the Firth of Clyde this morning as we drove through thick mist to the funeral of a friend. Then to the moving sound of two very beautiful soloist's voices at the church. And later in the day to the merry chatter of an excited four year old as he told us breathlessly about his adventures with his new presents -'myremotecontrolleddumpertruckandmyremotecontrolledexcavator!' Tonight as I write this I can hear the crackle of a log in the fire and the strident calls of some oystercatchers on the shore....(To hear their piping call click here and scrolling down a little bit click on audio.) They feed at night when the tide is out. What have you been listening to today? If I've not replied to your comment If I didn't get the link to your site fixed If I forgot to get back to the subject I started out on If I meant to write a comment but didn't If I didn't put up that photograph I mentioned If you've noticed any other 'loose ends' in the blog this year Forgive me! It's like that at the year's end when I realise that my to-do list for 2014 will just have to be abandoned now (secretly cheering!) - there are only 3 days left. I'll never do it. It's quite impossible. There's always next year....  ..to Lynne for the golden candles which look perfect in the brass chamberstick! Is it OK do you think to say thank you on a blog? Or on facebook or by e mail? In person is best when it is possible, and by phone is surely OK, but do you or your children ever now write thank you letters? Have you ever been even a little bit hurt when you have spent time and thought and money on what you hoped was just the right present to receive no thank you at all? Vicki Archer at French Essence wrote a piece called The Art Of The Thank You which obviously struck a chord with many many people (100 comments). Read it here. Thank you to whoever wrote this one - Thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever. I don't know where I first read this, but I do remember it was advising us to repeat it when things are hard! I have it pinned to the kitchen wall. I do know that the one time when it is perfectly correct to say thank you in a blog is when I say thank you to all of you for reading it. Thank you! Now I have a few little cards to write....  This exquisite sculpture was made by young Japanese lacquer artist Murata Yoshihiko. I am full of wonder that he achieved that magical balance that makes this creature seem so alive, sniffing the air and about to lift a foot. After achieving the form the artist then gave it thirty coats of lacquer!
Thank you all so much for reading this blog. I wish you a happy, peaceful, wise and loving Christmas.  ..the winter solstice. The days are now getting longer! Yay! We had two nights at Portavadie Marina on Loch Fyne, just an hour's drive away, walking (in the rain), reading, eating and imbibing in a Scandinavian style studio apartment. A treat, and back in time for Christmas. I can recommend it, and sites like www.itison.com and www.groupon.co.uk who offer really good deals on nice places like this.... ..a little time out! Back Tuesday.  .
I'm surrounded by lovely Christmas lights and decorations but the thing that really 'sparks joy' every time I look at it is this little bunch of daffodils... What are you needing right now? And can you work out a way of getting it? ....at the fact that I can do Difficult Su Dokus and without writing in little numbers! 
You will notice I have given myself a star.
And, ta-dah, I can even do Fiendish! 
If you knew how innumerate I have always been, you would be impressed too. Six year old Ross wanted to know how to do them, so naturally I had to learn. And I got hooked! I want to ask you..you probably often marvel at things your children or your friends can do, but are you marvelling at any of your own achievements? Do share.. Scottish Ballet have some marvellous short films on their website - this one (fourth one down) is just a few seconds long and will charm you, but there are also make-up tutorials for the Snow Queen, should you fancy being a snow queen over Christmas, and rehearsals, costume and set making and more.
The Reith Lectures on BBC this year are by one of my heroes: Dr Atul Gawande. Four lectures on The Future of Medicine, each about 40 minutes long. He has a brilliant mind and is a great communicator. He is the author of The List Manifesto - a surprising page-turner of a book. Limitless time can be spent browsing Makers - short films (in a rather odd disjointed format) about strong, influential women. Why don't we all know about this site? I chanced upon it and enjoyed this one on Diane von Furstenberg who talks about being intelligent and feminine... Can you make, or take, time to watch any of them this busy season?  Made in autumn when we cut back the golden hop  Gypsophila £1.50 a bunch (I used less than one bunch)  Working in one direction, tucking bits in - no wiring needed, keeping it loose..  I added battery lights which I had already.  and hung it on the door.   Ancient and modern in Coppergate.  Religious..  and secular.  Hundreds of chirping pied wagtails came in to roost at the St Nicholas Fair.  Dog outside posh shop!  Yes, it's real ice. Lucky Kate and Ben had taken over a favourite coffee place (Gray's Court) for the day, but we didn't mind! There are so many lovely coffee places in York. Music in ancient churches, walking the walls, eating out with friends and blue skies and sunshine - what more could you ask of a winter week-end?  There has been a lantern in All Saints Pavement since around 1400 guiding people to the city from the (then) surrounding forest....
I LOVE York! (Goodnight Bill.) ...that you can suggest some ideas for grown-up Christmas reading? Maybe Karen over at Cornflower Books will have some? I'm prompted to think about this by Julia's comment yesterday. She says that the magic of Christmas for her is seeing her grandchildren's delight in all the preparations and in them being told stories. As she's not going to be with them this year I wondered if she has enough of the child in her to do it all anyway, just for herself. I can easily think of grown-up decorations (lots of candles), heirloom china if you have such a thing and have not just given it to your daughters as I have, food and drink (alcohol!), but I was a bit stumped when it came to stories. Audio books might be nice. I've never tried them - have you? Nice being read to. Christmas At Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons comes to mind. Any more ideas? I'm also hoping the storms abate as I set off on a 250 mile journey to York tomorrow (add another 80 miles if the ferry isn't running   This last photograph might qualify for Thirteen Ways Of Looking At Rain - Five.
Looking closely. I like the tiny reflections of the red gate. Perhaps you might have time while I am away to browse Simply Christmas (see sidebar). There are a lot of posts in this category, about keeping it simple, making ice candles, and about children's Christmas books.... Hoping you have a good weekend.  ..said Penny in the comments on this post. Which got me thinking what is the magic of Christmas? For me it's the idea that we have a mid winter festival that is wonderful. (Winter would be long and drear without it!) The smell of the candle (St Eval orange and cinnamon) which I only use at Christmas, the singing of children at the Clic Sargent concert, red berry lights on a dark green tree, this light at the wee triangular window at the very top of the roof welcoming us home when we've been out, pine boughs indoors and small groups of favourite things that only come out at Christmas The magic sometimes just happens, though I think you have to be open to it to feel it, (and perhaps be able to shut out the wildly commercial aspects - easier I'm sure if you live out in the countryside and have no TV) and sometimes you just have to make it yourself...light a candle, seek out a concert, read something seasonal, put up some little twinkly sparkly thing.... What makes Christmas magic for you?  
raindrops
13 Ways of Looking At Rain - Four From the inside looking out. Have you noticed that raindrops show up light on the dark and dark on the light? And that, surprisingly given that the light comes from above, they are light on the bottom and dark on the top? (Refraction.) These are the kinds of things you notice if you draw and paint! Never bored, even on a pouring wet day.... 
Our bedroom window looks onto the forest, and I have a desk here. It's where I like to sit and think, and write with pen on paper. All the time watching - the weather, siskins and crows. And the odd heron that flies by. Are you watching anything? Your speed as you drive along? Your flocks by night? Children getting excited about Christmas, passers-by, your tongue perhaps? Or the time.. ..by this lovely book I found in the Oxfam shop (deposited about thirty books, bought only one!).  Prettily packaged by Oxfam It is written by Rebecca Otowa who was born in California, grew up in Australia and married into a very traditional Japanese family.  A lovely volume with beautiful end-papers. It gives a little bit of an insight I think into Marie Kondo's thinking (see here). A delightful find. I'm considering doing our Christmas shopping this way every year! We went to Carluccio's late afternoon and I took a good look round their beautiful shop with a list in my hand. Then we had a leisurely and delicious meal while waiting for the special shopping event to start at 6.30.  Generous trays of beautiful freshly made food were carried out from the kitchens, mulled wine was served, hot chocolate to die for, and samples of tiny sponges in limoncello, panettone, and other delights. The staff were charming (Glasgow branch - they always are) putting our bags aside and sitting me down at the bar with more mulled wine while Barry fetched the car.... It was busy but not packed. There is a fabulous choice of beautifully presented good food and wine, from 50p for chocolate ladybirds and £2.50 for chocolate coins to hampers for £75. Things which you might not buy for yourself, and consumable, make acceptable presents for everyone I hope. (Do you think Carluccio's might sponsor me to write this? Only kidding!). There is no need for a hard sell approach with this food - it sells itself. Oh and there was 10% off.. So, next year, and perhaps every year, I think this will be the way we shop for Christmas. We might ask the family to join us for the meal as part of the Christmas treat.... Consider it done. Are you considering doing anything differently this Christmas? ..a little snowy blog break.  Have a good weekend! Taking care crossing the road/taking the time to see friends/taking the shopping home/taking great photographs/taking someone out for a treat/taking the Christmas decorations down from the loft/or taking some time to yourself....what are you taking? I was very taken with Cath's metaphor - her house as a vessel (which could be a jar or urn but which I envisaged as a sailing ship). It made me think of all the 'stuff' in the house as ballast - too much and you sink, just enough and it provides stability in stormy weather. Then there's the journey, and safe havens and harbours and anchors, and of course everything 'ship-shape' inside....ie in it's right place and working! This is the kind of thing that Lucille puts under the heading of 'how to derive entertainment from mundane chores' See her Hokusai in the Car Wash - love it! I would have put the music 'Sailing By' on this post if I had time to figure out how to do it without you having to look at ads first....but sorry, I'm going Christmas shopping and to party at Glasgow School of Art. (New dress!) Maybe tomorrow..  Sifting and sorting boxes and bags of ornaments, letters, notebooks, garden designs, dissertations, newspaper cuttings, and I don't seem to know what season it is either! Tomatoes in the greenhouse, daffodills, summer flowers painting and an advent calendar! I hardly know whether I'm coming or going... If you fancy some spring blossom early and in the wrong season, now is the time to pick some branches of flowering currant (as in the vase). They will open in a few weeks and the flowers will be white or pale pink, not the usual bright pink.... Hop over to Cornflower to see something utterly charming and definitely in season! ..what could be seen as the negative sides to all this clutter clearing. When the clutter is gone the need for some redecorating shows up more. On the other hand it will be easier to do without the clutter.... For people who really love shopping it must be tempting to start all over again. So called 'clutter' could be a welcome distraction from some serious problems. Kondo puts it thus - When your room is clean and uncluttered you have no choice but to examine your inner state. You can see any issues you have been avoiding and are forced to deal with them. And - When we honestly confront the things we own, they evoke many emotions within us. For me this inner work, this 'dialogue with myself' is part of the reason for doing it, but I can see that might not be the case for everyone. Is it right for you do you think? Then, as some of you have hinted, there is the BIG scary question - Who am I without my stuff? Well I'm not getting rid of it all, so Scarlett like, I'll think about that tomorrow! 
Tomatoes? December?
The Box of Nice Things giveaway went down very well! I forewarned family by email that I would be giving away nice things (so that they could brace themselves to say no thanks if they didn't want anything - I made it clear there was no obligation!). They took about half, including two sets of ancestor's wedding china. Lovely! While we were doing this in the study I noticed that the lit shelf in the bookshelf wall had gradually filled with books..  That's not the idea at all!  That's better.  But where to put the books, which I still want to keep?  Time for another cull..... I still find books a bit hard to do, so I revisited my own Simply Organise blog posts and (though I immodestly say so myself!) I found some good ideas there, which motivated me to get on with the task. I roasted some chestnuts, poured a glass of wine, and tried out the 'Does It Spark Joy' test. It works. It takes time. But it does work. Have you tried it? |
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