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
A beautiufl hawthorn tree came down in the gales this year but I saved a little to decorate our guests sitting room. A big branch was cut and carried home to be carefull wedged into a pot loaded with rocks. This pot in turn was hidden within a traditional wicker basket.
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 well – because at Christmas time it is possible to be as “glitzy as you would like to be ……just for once!
2014 Winter decorations
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.
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. So now is the time to create a little Christmas magic all of your own.
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.
Winter Solstice and Montol
In Penzance tonight they will celebrate Montol, to welcome the light back to the world with masked parades and dancing. 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!!
