A park in monochrome with added colour for interest

Today we ventured out for some fresh air. Luckily we found a disabled car space very close to where I wanted to be.

Although we are currently snowless(thankfully) there is some all around us.

 I love pictures like this where it looks as though I have been snapping in black and white.

 with slight tints of copper

 and moss green

 It reminds me of old photo albums, a frozen moment

 Glimpses of other places as you turn a corner

 Then home and the start of a one pot dinner. We found some candy beetroot yesterday in Booths and I thought it may add a little colour and taste to the savoury bean pot . Lots of different vegetables and beans and 3 tiny hot chorizo sausages sweated with ginger and garlic to begin

 The flowers are all in full bloom now and add a little colour to the Buddhas dark corner

 When you are sitting of an evening they release their perfume, just a slight aroma permeating the house.

Yule part 1

It is the eve of Winter Solstice and the moon is full. The cold took my breath as I stood by the back door to welcome the Lady Moon

Winter Solstice- the longest night and shortest day. A time when the world seems to hold its breath waiting for the wheel to turn and the light to appear.

Made especially special  by the Lunar eclipse tomorrow morning , starting at 5.28am

I think we will have clear, cold skies for this very special rare event, the first time it has coincided with the Winter solstice full moon for over 400years.http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/dec/20/lunar-eclipse-winter-solstice

I will be watching and waiting for the eclipse.  I think these past few days have been a waiting period, anticipating the full moon, Yule, Winter Solstice and the return of the light.

It is very cold here and we do have snow and lots of ice but nothing like many of our friends across the country so we are very lucky.

At this time I reflect on the past year, the successes and the failures in things I've done. I think of what I've learned from both. I look forward to the return of energy with each lengthening day.

I give thanks for all the things I have in my life and the people who mean so much to me.

I thank the Goddess and the Holly King for who I am and where I am. For the creativity they inspire within me and for the joy it brings.

I wish you all a merry Midwinter, Yule, Winter solstice or what ever celebration has meaning for you. May the return of the light bring you joy.

It has been a while

It has been a while hasn't it?
Apart from the health stuff and the aged parent fun and games we have had a trip to darkest, or should that be whitest, Essex?
We visited family and also an azure friend:) More on that anon.

Mr Mog's aunt is finding it hard to cope on her own. Hardly surprising as she is well over 90.
Her nearest relatives are Mr Mog's mum, Mr Mog and his sister. All over 6 hours away on a good day.
This will soon change as aged aunt has decided to come and live near us:)
Last week we travelled in this

taking a goodly while to get there.

Aged aunt pleased to see us, as we were her. We are now trying to arrange her transfer from house in Essex to care home near us. Not easy with official bodies I can tell you and certainly not for aged aunt to do on her own. What is it about officialdom that they can't simply help an old lady to be near family? Why do we have to jump through hoops and more?

No matter, it is in hand.
While visiting we took a trip along Clacton sea front and I thought you would like to see some pictures.
Despite the blustery damp day it was great to see the beach and pier etc.
Love the name of this place:)

Spring is well on it's way despite the blizzard.






This garden was fundraising for the Air ambulance and it was packed with statues of all styles and sizes.

From pirates to gorillas, this garden had them all.
As for the azure friend? BW kindly invited us to spend a night there and it was great to finally meet her and Mr BW:)

and still the land is white

And still the land is white and the frost and ice grow deeper and harder by the minute.
It hasn't thawed at all around us but we do at least have the main roads clear which is a bonus.

We managed to get out today for some much needed fresh air especially in my case. We went to the local park.
As you will be able to tell from these pictures it is a winter wonderland.
Always seems strange to me to see the seaside so white, normally the salty sea air keeps the snow away or melts it speedily.
Despite the heavy snow there are signs that the lady is wakening from her winter sleep. These catkins danced in the frosty air.
On some trees you couldn't see if there were buds or not. Just snow, more snow.
We took food for the creatures of the park, they still need to eat. We melted some suet and added various seeds and some bird crumble mix we were given for Yule, poured it into ramekins that were lined with cling film. Mr Mog placed these on the front step while we had breakfast and by the time we were ready to go to the park they were firm and cold. The smaller birds will appreciate these. We also took monkey nuts (peanuts in their shells) and sunflower seeds for the squirrels and larger birds.
The ponds were well frozen and no sign of the ducks.
There had been a few creatures walking across the ice though as you can see:)
It would appear that the forecast is for more of the same this weekend (sigh)

I can't see us getting very far at all. But as long as I can get out to the park at least then it is enough to quash the cabin fever:)
To be honest when it looks as beautiful as this then the park is perfect for us. It gives fresh air, beauty and a sense of well being from the sights and sounds.
When the country seems to be held to ransom by extreme weather it does make you realise that the Goddess and her consort are not averse to showing their power after all. We are but a part of the land, not the main reason for it and this shows us so.
Man may think he is clever but the Lady Nature is far superior to him:)
Not many people about either, mainly dog walkers and one party of toddlers and their carers, I suspect from a nursery.
I do love the peaceful scenes of nature's beauty, untouched by us.
Winter wonderland indeed.
There has been knitting at the Moggie household. I wanted to make Mr Mog some more socks as several pairs of his are wearing out fast. Sadly much as I love hand dyed yarn unless it has added nylon or mohair or acrylic then socks wear out much more speedily than commercial ones.
These hopefully won't because (gasp) the yarn was an acrylic, mohair,wool mix.
It seemed only right to photograph them against the snow outside.
Do you like?