Small Moments Of A Wiltshire Christmas

We recently visited Avebury Manor and seen it all decked out for Christmas. I hadn't been inside the manor for years, so it was lovely to revisit.

Each room is decorated as a different period in the Manor's history. I loved the Tudor room.

Although not so keen on the boars head. It wasn't real though, just papier mache,  so that was okay. 

The kitchen was gorgeous too, filled with sugar and spice and all things nice. Gingerbread, sugared mice, golden coins and marzipan fruit. These were real.

I spied a few letters to Father Christmas too. 

It's lovely to get out and see the old houses decked up for the festive season.

Here at home the wreath is on the door and I've given Mr Fox a mistletoe crown.

Things are looking sparkly with the return of the low winter light reaching into the windows and playing rainbow chase on walls. Each year I seem to appreciate it a little bit more than I did the year before. 

And it always takes my breath away and makes me sit and just be, which is so important in this mad and crazy world. 

Of course it's handy too if there is a mince pie ;) 

When the short days light has said it's goodnight, the room twinkles yet again. 

From pine scented branches.

And glows around royal crowns.  

And then in the morning, again. 

A brand new day begins within a single raindrop sparkle.

Wishing you all the most peaceful and magical Christmas time.
X

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,

'Tis the season to be jolly,

Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,

 Troul the ancient Christmas carol,

See the flowing bowl before us,

Strike the harp and join the chorus.

Follow me in merry measure,

While I sing of beauty's treasure,

Fast away the old year passes,

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!

Laughing, quaffing all together,

Heedless of the wind and weather,

~Thomas Oliphant

It's that time to deck our halls with boughs of holly, ivy, mistletoe and this year I've added some old mans beard too because it's so pretty and is worthy of a place at Christmas time. My little dining room counts as the hall and it's again turned into a bit of a woodland winter grotto. A place to take my cup of tea in the morning when the low winter sun casts it's rainbows on the old walls and doors. My place to sit in the quiet and dream up ideas for the coming new year. 

Old tree beard suits the old mans beard I think.

We are almost ready here for the celebrations to begin. 

Gifts are wrapped.

And candles burn as the hours tick away towards the end of another year. 

I still have my Christmas cards to deliver and mince pies to bake, but that will wait until tomorrow now.  
After being in a busy supermarket earlier, it's quiet now. Outside the window, in the space of 10 minutes I have heard a tawny owl screech and a fox bark and it's reminded me of the importance of simplicity and regardless of all the madness us humans create for ourselves buying things that we don't need, the most beautiful gifts are often free.

Thank you to all that have bought from my little Etsy shop this year. You have been truly awesome and at times blown me away with the support that you have given my tiny place on the web. I am so truly grateful and honoured that people all over the world will be waking up on Christmas morning and maybe opening a small something from Moonlight And Hares. :-)

Wishing you a most peaceful Christmas and wonderful magical winter time!

Karen
x  

The Shortest day.

And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us – listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!

~ The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper The dark is already closing in here. It's been a rainy day with soft drizzle so I haven't seen the sun properly on this the shortest of days. We are all here inside though cosy with our own sparkle and lights. My son has returned from University and daughter and husband have finished school and work now for the festive break. There is food to bake, a 17th Birthday to celebrate and gifts to wrap before the 25th. In between time I shall sit by the fire and watch the flames dance and enjoy the quiet moments between the busy ones.       

Wishing you a Happy Winter Solstice and a very peaceful Merry Christmas.

~xXx~

All ready for Christmas

I have just finished delivering my Christmas cards and am now almost ready for Christmas. I have a glass of cider by my side, mince pies to make and a few more presents to wrap, but I thought I'd take the time to share some images of my village all ready for Christmas on it's eve, because the doors and windows always look so pretty.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!  x

December days

  Early morning of mist and sky of silver.

Out on a walk the other day to see the annual Christmas tree festival at the Abbey, I saw roses in bloom. I love this pink against the colour of stone.

The carvings stand out even more so in Winter. When the garden is quite bare, how wonderful it would be, to have stone sculptures and to enjoy the colour and pattern as the stone ages and lichens make their home upon it.

 The apple tree looked very festive. 

Our home is also looking very festive now. The tree is up and most of my Christmas shopping is almost done. I still have to bring the holly and Ivy in, but I always do that on the 21st.

                                                                             ~*~

Over on the Facebook page there are only a few more days of the advent post left now. Here's a few of the latest pictures.

December 12th was a sketch that came about when I was listening to music and just doodling really. At the time I was listening to a song called 'Staralfur' by Sigur ros. In Icelandic I believe it means 'Staring Elf' although I think he may be more gnome-ish? I love how music can make a story appear on paper.  You can listen to the song here if you like. :)

December 14th was an older sketch which you may have already seen on here? I'm not sure if I shared it before? Anyway here it is again with a little extra magic added.

And today's picture was a small painting that I did yesterday, just playing around with one of the previous sketches.