Decorations and gifts

The darkest time of Winter is upon us. Inside and outside lights abound to chase the darkness away.  Fairy lights twine around trees, doorways, staircases, sometimes whole houses, they shine from almost every window, wherever you go. Fires are lit to warm our hearths and hearts.

I know many folk don't like the long dark nights that winter brings, but I have always loved it and celebrated it's difference to the other months.  I can't imagine living in a place without obvious seasons. I love winter equally to Spring, Summer and Autumn and feel glad that each one has their own beauty and gifts to bring to the cycle of the year. 

Winter's dark evenings I feel are balanced with the bright low light in the day. Her silver skies, frosty dawns and of course her whiteness of snow. 

This morning I was up earlier than usual and as I put the kettle on to make my morning mug of tea I noticed out of the window a low mist lying in the field. So after finishing my drink and a slice of marmite on toast I decided on a morning walk hoping it would be a great opportunity for photographs, as it looked so pretty. 

The mist still hung about the river when I got to the field.

To my right, the frosted grass was flooded with ethereal light. 

Beautiful winter sun. 

Revealing nature's own December decorations. So much more perfect than anything sparkly for sale in the high street shops.

Delicate spider webs draped in the tiniest almost frozen water droplets formed a necklace between the burdock seed heads on the river bank.

Gold from the heavens shining on jewels of the Earth. More precious than any jewellery to be opened on Christmas morning.

I walked in this morning sun for a long while. Soaking up it's brightness in my bones, feeling as if my very heart was being charged. I took deep breaths inhaling the icy air. It was filled with the smell of leaf, branch, soil, animal, fruit, stone, feather and water, all blended into an exotic morning scent. Better than any designer perfume in a bottle. It was a good start to my day. 

                                                                                 

                                                                                   ♥