Frosty days and abandoned lists

Musings from my week - 17th December 2022.

This week, a combination of icy weather and illness has forced our family to slow down. We’ve stayed home, we’ve stayed warm and we’ve rested. I think it’s exactly what we all needed.

In the absence of school runs I spent my mornings sat by the window, sipping on tea, watching the birds in the garden. The cold-snap must mean food is much harder for them to find and they’ve been visiting my feeders almost non-stop. As well as my regulars, Gary the Robin (long story but Rob isn’t very original is it?) Barrie the Blue Tit and Mr and Mrs Blackwell the Blackbirds, I’ve spotted a song thrush, some coal tits and some other unfamiliar, but very welcome faces. It’s amazing how attached to them I feel, like a little extended family.

Everywhere outside has felt like something out of a fairy tail. Crisp and white and temperatures I don’t remember feeling in a very long time. After a few days of hibernation I ventured out for a walk with the dogs on Thursday and it was so incredibly beautiful. Frost covering everything, glistening in the golden glow of the sun, the lake completely frozen. It was magical.

I’m very grateful for the evergreens, grasses and deciduous shrubs giving my garden some winter beauty and structure too. When I look back at old photos, it’s at this time of year I can really see how far the garden has come. I’d love to make even more of the winter garden, I like to be outside even when it’s cold so putting the garden to bed isn’t something I want to do. My Pinterest board is filled with gorgeous festive displays but for this year, some fairy lights and a few baubles and ribbons will have to suffice. Like many things on my to do/wish list for this Christmas I just don’t have the funds or energetic capacity to do any more right now.

It’s only one week until Christmas. Nothing has been wrapped, my house feels chaotic and the list of work I’d wanted to complete is eyeing me from my desk. But Christmas won’t be perfect, even if I do all of those things. It will be wonderful I’m sure, but perfection is something I’ll never achieve so I’m giving myself full permission to let go of the self-imposed deadlines and just do the best I can. I’m grateful for the people in my life and the roof over our heads. Anything else really is a bonus.

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Before I sign off for the festive break I want to say a heartfelt thank you for reading, supporting my work and believing in me (even when I don’t). I’m excited to see where Musings and Mondays will take me next year and I’m so very grateful to you for choosing to share the journey with me.

If this time of year is difficult for you in any way please know you’re in my thoughts and my heart.

I’m taking a break from these journal entries for a couple of weeks but will be back in January. Until then, I wish you a Merry Christmas all the very best for 2023.

Claire x