To Bathe

I washed my ever longer hair and self today before going out. It is not something I do when it is as cold as it is now, esp with long wet hair and open pores. It feels very vulnerable to the elements. I have been a bit chilly since. My hair takes so long to dry since I do not use a hair dryer.
But I wanted to be clean before X mess eve and going to Hexham to begin the celebration with Noah. We are cooking together tomorrow a leg of lamb and veges, gravy, chestnuts, brussels, minty peas, wow the works! On Christmas Day we celebrate at Sheep Cottage with salmon cooked in a Swedish way and X mas pud, giving gifts and staying warm and cosy.
This year per usual we do not overdo the holiday thang. We eat together, share a few gifts, a fire, serve the cats chicken in front of the fire, a walk, a read, chatting and maybe a game...Very relaxed and that is the way I like it.
It is so beautiful outside with all the white snow, it really adds to the mood and makes it much lighter out.
Only the cats spend too much time indoors because of the cold and they get cottage fever.
Well the X mas wash made me think of bath rooms and it is something I dream of. Apart from the library, and the country kitchen I dream of a bathroom where I could soak in a bath tub for hours!
So I decided to post some inspirational pics.
Light candles and count your blessings.

Lighter and brighter

Every time I pass Stanley I just stop and gaze. What a magnificent flower. Orchids are quite amazing. I never lived with one before and this is such a treat for me. Esp as I cared for it for 4 years not knowing which kind it was and trying to give it the right TLC.
Stanley is in the kitchen with the window that faces north. It overlooks an orchard of trees and the Cooper's farm house.
As we prepare for the holidays, bringing in holly, stacking some logs, enjoying the white snow outside, I am waiting to listen to a radio programme on Li Yuan-chia in the next hour.
I wish you all dear readers a very good holiday break, and do not forget each day from now on will be lighter and brighter.

East Wind

The East wind from Siberia brings snow and cold temperatures too.
Happy Holidays to all creatures large and small.
Mr Bunny is eating green parsley in the garden while the cats are all warm in their baskets on the windowsill.
I shall make hot tea soon and eat a mince pie or two...

Stanley

A few years back when visiting Stanley Kunitz in his NYC apartment I was given a small orchid to take home with me. It was not in flower and needed TLC. Stanley had an extraordinary number of indoor plants, his window was filled with greenery climbing high.
I carried the orchid back carefully to the UK in my hand luggage.
When we got home I found a north facing window in the kitchen and took care of it. Since I did not quite know which kind it was I had to guess about the care. I called the orchid Stanley and I waited. Waited and cared and cared and waited. Now in time for the solstice 4 years later it has a flower! First it was a bud for weeks then each petal opened so slowly I could savour it totally. One amazing flower. Thank you Stanley for teaching me patience.

First Snow

Snow for breakfast, then for elevenses, lunch, tea and supper! I love snow.

Too much to laugh last night

Apparently so. Upon my return from London I had massive chest pains and had to be rushed to the doctors for an ECG!
Apparently I had laughed too much while in London! Go figure.
It was a good trip it really was. I love seeing my bestest friend Paul Martin. I have known him for so long I cannot count the time.
My chest still hurts and so I have very tangible memories from my trip south.

This time of year all I can think is COSY!

Cosy time in cutey-land. Seriously it is true that being cosy is a priority in these dark, chilly wet days of the Northeast.
I think library, warm red, music, computer nearby for work, hot tea or cocoa, purring cats, later in the evening a fire and candles.
I am library obsessed and I have always felt at home in them. I remember as a child sitting on the floor and looking at some of my fathers amazing books. History books mainly, but also art, and archeology and my favourite a tartan book of Robbie Burns!
Noah has that too, he always seeks out the library where he lives and spends time there and utilises it well. Reading all the books in it! Heby,Sweden, L.A., Cambridge, Ma., Hexham, London, NYC,...
We need to support their existence wherever we live.
I have found some pictures of delicious libraries above.