Today is the Winter Solstice or the Shortest Day! The day with the least hours of daylight in the whole year and as I type this at just after 4.00 pm it is dusk although as we have had freezing fog for a couple of days now it is hard to know when it is daylight!!
Today, during the day the temperatures here have been about -10 deg C and tonight they’re now predicting some places in N.Ireland may drop to -20 deg C. We make Narnia seem warm!!!
I thought of where I would like to take some photos to mark the Shortest Day but where else would I do it other than in one of my favourite places, ‘my park’!
Now even though it’s absolutely freezing there is no doubt that everywhere is stunningly beautiful.
These fellows are very glad to see the human visitors at the moment!
Some people arrived at the same time as us carrying a big bag of bread and the geese arrived from everywhere.
They’re such attractive birds, very intelligent and extremely funny. 🙂
The photos above were taken in the garden this morning, it’s amazing how the frost makes the ordinary totally beautiful!
Below are the patterns the frost has made on the glass in my greenhouse, so pretty.
I find the Shortest Day a very hopeful day, a day when things begin to change for the better. We’ve climbed to the top of the hill (a slippery hill at that) and now it’s all downhill to longer days and warmer weather. Second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour the days will lengthen and I can’t tell you how much I look forward to that. To garden days and greenhouse days, to flowers, bees and sunshine. Happy days! 🙂
While I’m on the subject of greenhouses, just look at this little lot, thriving away in my greenhouse with the help of a paraffin heater.
My sweetpea for next summer, now if that’s not hopeful, I don’t know what is!
Stay warm folks, only 4 more sleeps!! 🙂
15 comments
Hi Vivienne, we have matching blogs today-LOL-great minds…?! Thank goodness though we are not as cold here as you are. Your temperatures are pretty grim. I agree it’s so good to think that the daylight is coming back again after tonight…but I still think the snow is fab! A white Christmas is on its way.Lovely to see those sweet peas waking up in your greenhouse.
4 more sleeps indeed…take care,
Love Jane x
I’m with you on this one – wonderful to realise we have reached the summit and now it’s all downhill. Even if the weather is dire at least it will be lighter from now on! It is dire too where you are isn’t it do hope you are managing to keep cosy indoors at least? Those frost patterns are so beautiful – we used to see them a lot inside the bedroom windows but these days with central heating and double glazing we don’t often get the chance so thanks for sharing them!
Jane
Stunning photo’s. A lovely post.
Such beautiful photos – I love the stately timeless look of your lovely park in the snow, and I haven’t seen frost patterns on glass windows in many a long year – these are so wonderful. Lovely to see the green shoots at the end and to look forward to the joys of spring!!
Btw I made your fudge recipe – it’s so gorgeous and my son in law said it was the best he’d ever tasted! Thanks for sharing it! Keep warm in those incredibly low temperatures. Helen x
Make sure to stay warm! Love the pictures of the geese they are beautiful and I can’t wait for spring. I love looking at your beautiful flowers.
What beautiful photos Vivienne – especially the geese and the frost patterns :0)
Only 4 more sleeps – Woah! Need to bake me some more mince pies to leave out for Santa.
Take care and stay warm.
x
Ahhhhhh! Only four more sleeps!
Lovely pictures, especially the park and the frost.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and that you manage stay warm and cosy.
Much love x
I love it when we pass the shortest day too. Things can only get brighter!
It feels like a beginning, and I’m so very ready for that. Some warmth would be good, but at least now it feels as though we’re heading towards it.
Beautiful pictures again Vivienne.
Take care,
Pam x
Hi Viv, Wow! it is a bit cold the photographs display it beautifully. I love the geese we get tons of babies at the stream in the woods, they tottle along following there mums.
We haven’t had such a bad winter so far waiting for a large snow to drudge thru the woods. So far not much here temp. 30 degrees today rather warm. Thank you for the gorgeous pictures and for respectfully visiting my blog in return. I do so appreciate your comments.
Curl up and stay cozy warm…Hugs, Dani
Gosh it is very Narnia-like:)Love the geesies
Happy new year:)
xxx
Wowee Vivienne gorgeous photos!!!!
Love those geese.
Have a lovely Christmas!
Clare xx
Such beautiful, beautiful pictures though I can imagine the reality of a ‘Winter Wonderland’ is not so warming.
Happy solstice and keep huddled.
Merry Christmas
Nina xxx
Oh my, what a winter wonderland! Lovely photos and a thoughtful post. Such promise in those little seedlings.
Have a wonderful holiday and a joyful new year!
I love your park in the winter. But then, I love winter. It’s the quiet, resting time when wrapping up in warm blankets and shawls feels good, hot tea or spiced cider warm us from the inside out, and stillness replaces the movement of summer.
Winter is my favorite, and I am in love with the frosty cobwebs.
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