Today Is Winter Solstice

Thanks Dawn, what a cheering thought!

Yes, and good job too ! Thanks for the reminder Dawn, it will be nice to see it getting a bit lighter :)
It was my parents' wedding anniversary lol ... I always thought what a daft day to get married :D

My OH has been going on about it for the past 3 days ... can you tell he doesn't like Winter very much!

Bless him Shirley, it’s a sign of better things. Hywel my parents married 22.12.56!! Mum said it was thick fog, hmmm weird time to wed like you say.

Mine got married in the 40s Dawn. They went to London on their honeymoon but the train got stuck in snow, so they stayed in a different hotel for one night and then came home !

it is my brother's anniversary today too. they have been married 20 yrs. When I mentioned it was gloomy because it was the shortest day he replied 'yes but the longest night!' what more could one say ;o).

my OH loves the fact it is going to get lighter from now on :o)

Lol Hywel. My mum and dad went on the train for their honeymoon in Clacton, I think they got there in the fog.
Haha Seaburn. I guess getting married at this time of year has it's advantages.
I'm with your OH Seaburn, my Dad always said you notice about the third week in January, not long to wait

Hoorah! Spring is around the corner, a long corner though.

Be interesting to see when spring does arrive next year as the garden thinks it already is in some spots.I know one shouldn't wish time away but I cannot wait...

I must be the only one who likes the darker nights. Curtains drawn; a nice fire; mulled wine; a good book and a cat, while my husband watches GP Behind Closed Doors and tries to diagnose before the doctor does!!

Three cheers as far as I'm concerned - the shortest day is a cause for celebration to me, its about the only day of the year I make myself an alcoholic drink, even if I'm on my own, and within two weeks, we'll all notice (if we're watching) that the days are, indeed, getting that bit longer. Pity it gets colder at the same time, but you can't have everything!

Eirlys, your home sounds a lot like ours. It’s nice to snuggle down I agree, but it’s the mornings that get to me in winter. I’m sitting here now at 7.10am and it’s still dark, I hate it, I love summer solstice when the birds are singing early in the morning. We’ve got a lot of winter to come yet sigh.

I made my 'Sun Cake' again Dawn. I like to celebrate the Solstice in my own way. It has become a neglected festival in my opinion. Squeezed out by the early Christians who wanted to subsume the pagan festivals with their own. I love Christmas, but I think its a pity that the more ancient nature festivals have been forgotten. It seems such a great idea to celebrate and give thanks for the return of the sun ....especially as Jesus definitely was not born in December!

Totally agree with you Karen, oh yes, I remember your sun cake, I think it's a brilliant idea to celebrate them, when I speak to people in general about solstice, they look at me like I'm crazy, I like to make the most of summer solstice especially ?

lol...I won't ask how you do that Dawn! ;)

Haha Karen, running round the garden naked? I wish I had the body for it.

I am always happy when we have got past the 21st December .........roll on snowdrops, primroses, bluebells I say!!!

"Oh here we come a Wassailing among the leaves so green." I found that as a child I liked the darkness of morning and early evening...it was so lovely to come home to a warm kitchen, with Mom bustling about. Eggnog and tea, with buns and homemade bread, cooling. Tea spiced with cloves, and pumpkin pie... ahhh. So cozy. Spring will come, she will!

Happy memories Lori

Idyllic Lori! :)

My other half makes a point of telling me this every year..I don't hate the winter, I hate being cold, we live in a very cold house, being old and poorly insulated especially when the wind is in the North North West....

Dotty, I’m guessing your wood stove keeps you warm and has made a huge difference I couldn’t live without ours now. We bought loads of loft insulation a few years ago when it was cheap, our loft has nothing in it now except about two feet high of the stuff.

Same here Dawn......the wood burner has been a life saver....the plants in the conservatory are really enjoying the benefit.......unfortunately so are the whitefly and the greenfly!! lol

Darn aphids cashing in

Lol!!