Across the water.......

Well, dear souls, the male guardian and I have just returned from a trip across the water to Ireland. For ''tis here that my dear brother has lived and worked for many a year. Now, what a welcoming and polite people our Celtic cousins are, so friendly and warm. We had made the trip at my brother's invitation and took the time to join him on a somber yet joyous occasion. And, oh what an occasion, for it did last a number of days. We met friends and family of both my brother and his wife and enjoyed a few days of warmth, chatter, tea and food aplenty. There was much laughter and celebrating with such joy and warmth that 'twas a pleasure to be part of. It was good to catch up with some of my nephews and nieces who are scattered far and wide across various countries that form Great Britain, meet my brothers wife's family and also friends of my brother and his wife. Where ever we went the Irish welcome was to the fore. 

We all stayed at a country house hotel that accommodated us with aplomb. Why, they got used to large gatherings rearranging the furniture to enable tea and a good old gossip. Tea, coffee and firewater, when the occasion and time were right, of course, featured aplenty. Breakfasts lasted for sometime but they did not bat an eyelid. The food was plenty and most delicious, catering for one's every need.

It was so good to see my brother and his wife so happy with their extended family in their own environment. It gives one a warm feeling indeed to see, and great comfort to know, that all is well in their corner of the world..

 The male guardian and I have now returned to our own little humble corner of the world, greeted on arrival to a most frost laden carriage and white hore frost on awakening this morn.  Wherever one goes, however warm the welcome, there is, indeed, no place like home. 

Bleak mid winter....

A belated Happy New Year to you all, dear souls. 'Tas been a busy period of professional toil and thankfully the male guardian and I now have a few days off together. 'Tis bleak mid winter weather with frosty mornings and pinchingly cold air but, as you know, I do so love winter. We are hunkering down, the log burner ablaze, hale, hearty meals and warm layers. We fully intend to embrace the Nordic way of life for the next few days with hot steaming mugs of something warming, woollen blankets, and peaceful, restful habits. Oh, the joy of rest days in the winter where one does not feel too guilty to read a book, enjoy a film or just be, without thinking of the many little jobs that keep one busy during warmer seasons. Winter is such a delightful season in which to hunker down, the frosty ground and icy wind lending weight to the need for shutting everything down and just being.

One can embrace one's woollen attire once more, with a scarf or pashmina wrapped artfully about one, woollen tights and faithful boots to keep one warm. Why, my dear late mother's cashmere comes into its own at times such as this, light yet eminently layerable and warm, oh so warm.  Those woollen hats that have taken concentrated effort to produce in a plethora of colour combinations and styles, come out to dazzle. Bliss my dears, such bliss and oh, so much easier to pull one's wardrobe together during this cold season.

''Tis, however a difficult time of year for birds therefore we save some of our orchard produce for the birds to nibble on plus enhance their feed with fat, seeds and the like to ensure they make it through the season. A most enjoyable sound they do make as they twitter away and a delight to be able to count the variety of visitors to our humble country home.

My dear antipodean dwelling twin is enjoying temperatures of  30 plus degrees more than dear old Blighty and I am sure they are delighted as I am with their weather. Shorts and poolside living no doubt to the fore for them. Well, dear souls, I am off to check the larder to ensure a plentiful supply of  

rib sticking winter foods are in abundance for our hunker down. Take care......