Merry Christmas!

Holly, Mistletoe, (Thank you Eva) Pomegranate and Xmas card Painting Western tragopan by Joseph Wolf (1820-1899)

From our cozy rustic country home to yours . . . here, there and across the seas in Sweden! 

Merry Christmas! 

For Katarina's Blooming Friday.

Spinning Tilting Towards Winter Solstice Sunlight Painting Clouds

The Most Dramatic Sunrises Occur Near the Winter Solstice

Waning Moon at Sunrise

A Mirror to Our Sun

Wide Angle Shot Makes the Mount Holyoke Range and Mount Tom Much Smaller and Farther Away Than Reality.

This Image Side by Side With The One of Mount Tom Below Would Reveal My View More Fully

Gathering Greens from the Blueberry Field

Carrying White Pine Seedlings Up the Hill

Half Way Home Coming Through the Apple Gateway

Each year I thin out white pine seedlings growing within the blueberry field and use the greens to celebrate the Winter Solstice and Christmas. It is quite a chore to carry the pine boughs and seedlings up the hill to the farmhouse. I am thankful for all the help I have in this ritual. I love bringing the fragrant green pine boughs inside, for it makes me feel closer to the forest and the verdant color helps to make up for the absence of green in the landscape.  I usually cut a Christmas tree from the forest on Christmas Eve. 

We . . .  in the Northern Hemisphere . . . have made it through the darkest day. Tomorrow our days begin lengthening and the sunrises I see from my windows, appearing to rise over the Mount Holyoke Range, will slowly start to move more left climbing and cresting over  Carey Hill. Each day . . . inch by inch . . . minute by minute . . . we will enjoy more sunlight. 

I so wish that our wide world and all its life could be enveloped in Joy and Light. 

Happy Winter Solstice! 

Christmas in Rustic Simplicity

Christmas Eve . . . Going down into the forest . . . finding a 'Charlie Brown Christmas tree'. 

Quirky and wondrous . . . the spirit of the forest fills our inner environment.

'The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.'

Chestnuts were roasting . . .  and popping (be sure to carve an X on top of each!) . . .  on a open fire.

Christmas sun rise painting the eastern sky. . . 

while the moon sails towards the western horizon.

Magnolia and pine branches touched by golden light.

Yule log cake. 

And so today . . . to many . . .  is the third day of Christmas. Three French hens are welcomed by two turtle doves and a lonely partridge . . . there are a few feathers flying along with cooing and squawking . . . making for a jolly time in this rustic little farmhouse. More gifts will continue arriving up until January 6th . . . the Epiphany. It is interesting to ponder the meaning of the Twelve Days of Christmas . . . you might enjoy this link and one explanation. We finally have snow. . . it is frigid and blustery outdoors. Safe Travels. Peace on Earth . . . and within her . . . Goodwill Towards ALL Men, Women and Children. Joyous Days filled with Love and Hope!