Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Winter

Winter has come.
Tapping at our window panes with frosted branch like fingers. Laughing her freezing north wind breath. Was she  impatient to shake out her snowy cloak and air it of last years remains which Spring prevented her from emptying? Or does she have a new cloak to show off with?
We have only had sprinklings of snow here, but the wind has the bite of an ice dragon and the ground is as hard as stone.
I think Jasper has glimpsed that ice dragon ?
Willow is not that bothered, she just wants to sleep until Spring.

   Ice is too cold on paws.


 A glimpse of Autumn not so long ago. A leaf trapped in Winter.

 (In case you are wondering, I did put fresh water in for the birds after I took this photograph of the bird bath this morning.)
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Now, because it is the first day of December (officially winter in my eyes)  and because I promised one not so long ago. .... it's time for a giveaway!
 Among making other bits and pieces, I made a special mini hanger. Ideal I think to hang on a Christmas tree?

 The toadstool measures 10cms x 6cms  and has sparkly beads and bells hanging from it.


To win this, all you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment. I will send this toadstool to anywhere in the world to the first comment out of the hat. I will draw the winner next Monday (6th)
Good luck! :)
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PS: I forgot to mention before. I have an original painting 'Wearing A Robe Of Gold' for sale in this open exhibition here. It's still on until mid December so there is time to pop along if you are in the area.

77 comments:

  1. Not only is it cold outside, it's snowing on your blog too!

    I'd advise cats to stay indoors. (Not, from the looks of it, that yours needs any encouragement!)

    Esther

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  2. Brrr, stay indoors kitties, it's much too cold to be outside! :) Wonderful photos & the toadstool tree decoration is so lovely - the hare is a perfect touch. Hope you're having a great week.

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  3. Good to hear you replenished the bird bath after the photos. As I get older the more I love winter for the clarity of the air, the cool winter evenings and yes, woodsmoke drifting on frosty air.

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  4. Beautiful ice, cozy kitties, and adorable toadstool. Stay warm!

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  5. I am sure the snow will reach you soon - I can send some your way if you like! Here in Edinburgh the snow is about a foot deep and I had my first proper snowball fight of the year after lectures this morning, but now I'm sitting inside, looking out.

    Your cats are wise; snow is not so good between bare toes :)

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  6. I'd heard from my family that the UK had had snow. It's funny that you guys have had it before us this year. Raining cats and dogs here in Virginia today. Lovely giveaway. :0)

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  7. Oh my, i love this hanger so much!! And the snowflakes falling on your page, and the new winter music, and your pictures of course! <3 :)

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  8. hello Karen,
    I'm fond of your work for a long time, your world is so poetic. I try my luck for this superb toadstool:)Please take a look on my illustration website and blog if you've a little time to it :http://amandine.labarre.free.fr/
    http://amandinelabarre.blogspot.com/
    and please forgive my poor english (I'm french)
    Have a great evening and sweet dreams :)

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  9. Hello Karen

    I love the ice photographs, how beautiful! Would love to be entered into your giveaway please, your hanging is lovely!

    Sending love
    Julia

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  10. It's so pretty! I follow your blog on my google reader, love to see updates. :)

    @mollylaurel on twitter

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  11. the cats look very cosy, please enter me in your giveaway x

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  12. What a beautiful hanger, Karen – yes I think it's perfect for the Christmas tree! I know how you're feeling from the cold – here it's -17 C with the wind chill! Anyway, I'm a regular blog follower, so hope I'm in the running for the giveaway!

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  13. Cats always look so entirely self-possessed and elegant, yours are no exception! Cats look like they know something we do not. Beautiful kitty cats!

    Winter is here, in her gown of frost and snow.

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  15. Ok I admit it, I only came on here to have a chance at winning that amazing mushroom, but have now spent over an hour reading your blog and intend to follow it from now on! Lovely words and beautiful pictures that make my soul smile =] Thankyou!

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  16. Such comfortable cats! Beautiful toadstools too ... love the hare! Lou x

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  17. Lovely little hanger.

    I always make the "outside" cats come in when the temperatures drop. Right now, here in Alabama, we're having cold temps--37 degrees--but no snow. Because we're in the Sunny South, everything shuts down with even a little snow. What an inconvenience, but it does save some auto collisions because some nuts think it is a good time to try sliding down the street in their vehicles. The bad side of this is that our heating system went out yesterday. Cold and rainy and the repairman wouldn't come until the rain stopped. Maybe today, they told me. Woke up to 55 degrees in the house but sunshine outside. He was just here to look over the situation. Guess we'll have heat by the end of the week. Certainly hope so, since it's supposed to be only up to 40 or so.

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  18. Oh your photos are beautiful Karen and so are your gorgeous cats! I love your giveaway, especially as it has one of your hare pictures on it x

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  19. We have rain, rain, rain here these days. Winter is slower to take hold than usual. Kitty Pasha doesn't like ice to walk on NOR relentless rain. He is snoozing after a few jaunts outside.

    Lovely hanger... and the photo at the top of the last post looks really cool with the animated snow falling in it! I just might need a little animated snow on my blog.
    Happy December!

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  20. The snow has finally reached us on the Isle of Wight and more is promised tonight! So I await a magical morning :))

    Always your blog is a place to escape for me. There is always beauty and enchantment here. The little hare toadstool is a delight I would love to give a home to :)

    btw did you see this yesterday?
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1334368/Agoraphobic-hare-pet-saved-farmers-plough.html. A wondrous Winters tale :)
    XXXX

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  21. Winter has reached here as well, though we rarely see snow here in the South. I'm looking forward to snuggling with my new kitties soon! Love the toadstool and would love to hang it on my tree!

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  22. You have such a poetic way with words - love it and the photos are great too. The snow flakes falling on your blog add to the wonderful feeling of winter you have portrayed. I would love to win the beautiful little toadstool - the words ring so true to me and it is such a beautiful little piece of art.

    Jane x

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  23. Yes, it feels like Winter here also. I must confess to loving it. Your post captures its magic perfectly.

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  24. Cold here too. Love the toadstool. The sleeping bunny is precious.
    Cenya

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  25. I visit Moonlight and Hares daily. The music is so soothing and the pictures and paintings an utter inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all.
    Judi

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  26. Love the blog!! The photos are amazing . . . .you are so creative!!

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  27. I look at your blog more often than you post new things just because I like looking at your artwork again and again.

    Happy Winter!

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  28. It is snowing here in Ontario, everything is getting an icing sugar dusting. All the better to show off the Christmas lights.
    I would love to own a little piece of your magic. Thank you for the opportunity.
    Take care.
    Jodi

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  29. Beautiful description of winter Karen! Loving the snow here in North Wales!!
    Fingers crossed for the draw!
    Dan
    -x-

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  30. Lovely little hanger! We have a lot of snow in Yorkshire and today snowed in. Keep warm and toasty and enjoy your hazelnut baileys! xx

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  31. Your art and blog always transport me to magical worlds - the mushroom hanger is beautiful.

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  32. Winter is beautiful. Your toadstool looks wonderful! :)
    I want to say that I love your blog, I use to come in here to read your posts or just listen to the wonderful music on your playlist.

    I hope you have a wonderful christmas!

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  33. Loving the pictures of winter, as down here in New Zealand we are entering into the first stages of summer with some really blistering days.

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  34. My cat has suddenly gone from feral to home-loving: spends most of his time looking disgusted at the weather from his spot on the bed! Lovely toadstool giveaway.

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  35. Lovely photographs - we have loads of snow up here in Newcastle - pretty but a pain when it takes over two hours to get into work. Love your Jasper - I've also got a cat called Jasper - a lovely ginger boy named after a cat painting by Gertrude Halsband.

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  36. Our little cats just sit and watch the snow fall - they can't understand it. My boys are in seventh heaven of course. Its all so beautiful when you don't have to go outside for more than logs. I would love to win your lovely toadstool to hang on our tree. Karen X

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  37. I love your blog, it is such a calm spiritual place to visit. Your artwork is amazing, I would love to be enterred for your giveaway. Thanks xxx

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  38. dear sweet cats =^.^=
    and lovely poetic writing

    happy dec. 1st xxx

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  39. I am still waiting rather impatiently for a little snow. I long for it now. Your kitties look so cute, staring out at the cold. Thank you for offering such a lovely gift! I love the hangars I currently own. :) Hope you thoroughly enjoyed the first day of December. Theresa

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  40. Oh its so lovely! I'd love to be entered!

    Please do stay snug and warm!

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  41. Happy winter to you Karen!
    I'm obsessed with mushrooms and they are constantly appearing on my paintings. ;)
    This hanger is beautiful and I would love to hang it on my tree!
    Thanks for this awesome giveaway! :)
    Take care!

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  42. Beautiful pictures and words...as always...we are snowed in....the school has been closed all week so plenty of knitting getting done...

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  43. Sigh, I am feeling nostalgic about winter and already wish summer was over...we have just sweltered through the hottest and driest November on record, our dams are at 30% and severe water restrictions are in store for the next few months. I love your blog, and sometimes visit even when I've already read your latest post, just to be soothed by the beautiful music! All your hangers are beautiful!

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  44. Beautiful words and pictures, Karen.

    I, too, always feel that winter begins at the start of December. This year here in Munich, the snow started pretty much on cue, and hasn't stopped. It's still that magical first snow: iridescent white lying thickly and silently over everything.

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  45. Your home looks so cosy up against the cold scene outside the window. :) I love the curled up hare on the toadstool hanging,I feel like curling up at the moment! xx

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  46. Lovely photos, especially the curled-up-cat. I'm off to work out how to get snowflakes on my blog too.

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  47. Winter has quite definitely got a brand new cloak and is shaking it out with a good deal of energy here! The ice dragon is not far behind her - it is forecasting -11C here for tonight. I think Willow has the best idea:)

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  48. Hello Karen, such a sweet giveaway, thank you for offering. Have had your music playing all morning in my cosy little nest at home...so lovely xxxx

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  49. I love following your blog, all the beautiful pictures and poetic writing. Wise kitties to sit and watch the snow, my three hate the wet white stuff on their paws. We have had a good sprinkling here in Cambridgeshire, turning to ice in places but so pretty on the open fields.

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  50. I love your cat, he wants out? but how long will he stray in the frozen wilderness beyond the glass before the comfort of a warm fire and a cosy rug call him back.

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  51. Lovely read as always and our Willow also tip toes out and runs back in and onto her warm blanket where else would she be lol :)Happy December

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  52. Hi Karen - I found you recently through Gretel Parker's blog and just wanted to say hi.

    Staying inside and cuddling the cats (or the old dog in my case) is definitely the best thing to do when it's so cold outside!

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  53. Love the toadstool and would love to win it even more. Would like to see you make a greyhound/lurcher hanger.

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  54. Wish my kitty was as content to stay in - he just wants to go out but it's soooo cold here - the wind is glacial - staight off the North Sea from Russia I think.
    We love your work - to win the toadstool would be winter wonderful

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  55. Hi Karen,

    Happy winter! As always, I am enchanted with your blog and your work. Love the little hare in the toadstool. :)

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  56. Your pages are the most beautiful and magical i have come across. You were actually the reason i signed up and stayed to Eblog so that i could continue to delve in and be taken away to such pretty and wonderful sights.
    Combined with the ethereal music, beautiful pictures, poetic words and your talent for craft and art makes your journal one of if not the best.
    I really crave to find more like yours because i could view for hours! lol
    :-)

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  57. Your artwork appeals to me! It reminds me of the artwork of Hannah Willow, which actually is how I found you....and you also are based from the same location! I am actually rather curious as to if you and her are are the same person....

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  58. Hello Karen! The other day I saw a beautiful hare in the forest and thought of you and your magical hares :)
    I LOVE the toadstool hanger, your work and blog are always sooo inspiring! And your kitties are lovely ♥

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  59. Here in the Mid Atlantic coast of the US we just got the cold, but no snow as of yet... I love your work, and follow the blog faithfully. Thank you for sharing!!!

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  60. Your cats have the right idea Karen, curled up cosy in blankets while the snow comes down outide! I've been following my cat outside today watching his poor little cold paws on the snow!
    Such a beautiful Hare hanger, truly a treasure <3 xx

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  61. It's a lovely little ornament. I am a follower; I'd love to win!

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  62. I love your blog, your words are beautiful! as are your photos. It is summer here in NZ , and I can't help wishing that one day we could have a winter Christmas snuggled up beside a cheery fire, dark outside and cosy indoors with candles and hot food . Would love to be entered in your draw, your paintings and hangings are exquisite.

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  63. i like your mushroom and your blog. peace and joy to you!

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  64. I follow you on Twitter and I'm a fan on Facebook but I haven't visited your blog itself in a while. I had forgotten just how gorgeous it is. And the mixpod music player is incredible. Could listen forever.

    We got quite a bit of snow down here on the Sussex coast but it rained and the wind blew and now it seems like a figment of my imagination.

    Your mushroom hanger is gorgeous, as is all your work. Am, needless to say, hoping my name gets pulled out of the magic hat.

    Wishing you a very happy December!
    @robin_intheuk

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  65. Ooh, beautiful pictures, Karen! We've had tons of snow, highly unusual for us this time of year. A whole week off school!

    Hope you get snow soon. Nothing like snow magic. C x

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  66. came here from Old Pit Potions, and am in awe, it's so magical...

    love & laughter

    Shullie

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  67. your bunny s so precious! When my bird bath froze it got cracks in it aughh.. I love you sweet toadstool. Your photos always are so beautiful.

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  68. I have bunny & little dog it has been 25 to 40 & they run outside do their buisness the bunny has a problem with the rain the dog the rain & cold...your toad stool is too wonderful. It would stay out all year in my home.

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  69. Your hangers are all beautiful.

    I maintain that this time of year I can be deemed sensible... I have 7 cats. I'm never short of a furry, purry hot water bottle when I go to bed!

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  70. Oooh please include my name in the hat!

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  71. I'm following, please enter me in the giveaway I love your work soooooo much! Deb x

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  72. lovely work Karen...love the little toadstool xxx Suzy

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  73. I'm with Willow on this one.
    love
    Lyn
    xxx

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It's great to hear from you! :-)