The days have sped by in a sort of twilight as we’ve approached the shortest day this week. Each day It has seemed it never become quite light , before dusk fell again and the birds silent for the night as we retreated indoors. This week I set up my alternative Christmas tree as we approach the Winter solstice and looked for a little bit of that special Christmas magic.
Making a little Christmas magic
We set out along the lane to retrieve a hawthorn tree that had been brought down by the gales that I had spotted in the hedgerow ready for me to decorate for a sitting room. I love the contrast between the twisted interlacing branches laced with collection of lichen my collection of golden cherubs and swooping birds; musical instruments and staves; moons and stars, that I have built up over the years. I added a few startling purple baubles and a bow or two after a little thought – because at Christmas time it is possible to be as “glitzy as you would like to be ……just for once!
A season to have fun and push away the dark nights as we travel forwards now with spring days ahead, ready to anticipate the long summer days. Here are some snaps that I took this morning – each year is different – last year I used some gorgeously smooth fig pruning with a hint of glitter.
I suppose we are all looking for a little bit of Christmas magic and as the years go by you have to admit that the first giddy infatuation of childhood will never return. Those early, early morning that presents appeared in the semi darkness at the end of your bed are gone but it can be replace by the measured magic of age. Taking time to set the scene, to trigger the imagination, to suggest a mood that is what will bring us a little bit of grown up magic at this time of year. In the mornings for instance, if I have guests I like to light the candles in the chandeliers overhead to cast moving shadows among the rafters and cast a soft glow over the dining room and make an experience just a little bit different to everyday life. 
Winter Solstice and Montol
In Penzance tonight they will celebrate Montol, to welcome the light back to the world with masked parades and dancing that I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs but for us – a warm home and a cosy chair will be fine tonight thank you!
Happy Christmas decorating back soon!!
