Colette O'Neill

Preparedness

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Midwinter has passed, and with it, the counting down of the days towards the light.

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Visitors have now left and the cottage seems eerily quiet…somewhere in the stone walls I can hear a mouse scrambling about.

The cats are sleeping off their party food, including creamy custard from the sherry trifle, and are ensconced on top of the straw bales in the barn.

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This was my first opportunity to get out into the gardens and observe the flow of the water through the ponds after all the heavy rain of recent days.

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The weather has been very warm with heavy rain.

The temperature has stayed around and above 55F day and night.

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Despite the midwinter, there remains plenty of colour in the gardens.

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Dogwoods of red and lime green, willow and evergreens merge to make a colourful picture, especially in the winter.

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The weather experts are fore-casting possible snow and hard frost after Christmas and before New Year.

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The worst of the weather is yet to come, as so often is the case in December.

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The warm weather has seen the continued growth of Fungi, one of the beautiful aspects of decaying wood.DSC00261

I have watched the cost of food escalate this year, so am mindful that this is a good time to start preparing food-grow areas, such as raised beds.

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The small potager beds here at Bealtaine continue to give food through these darks days of winter.

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If you have not yet started a compost heap, then section off a corner of the garden for that too.

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There’s masses of leaves still on the ground, so just bagging these up will give you precious leaf mould in the growing season!

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I want to take this opportunity to say a huge “Thanks” to all of you who have posted cards, presents and donations over the past week.

I am overwhelmed by your love, kindness and generosity.

Bless you XXX

9 comments

  1. In this season when joy, and gatherings of friends and family are of great importance, my spirtual sisters and I have had to say good by to a wonderfull woman. Dana died suddenly peacfully at home last Monday. It is my wish and request that all will send a loving thought to send her while she journeys, we know not where, yet nothing ends just transforms.

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  4. Happy Solstice and the time after….sharing your beautiful garden with me throughout the year is the best present I could ever receive any time of year….I am grateful that I am blessed to see the Bealtaine Cottage changing of seasons throughout the year….sending many blessings and thank you for the beauty of nature that you share with us…Barbara

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  5. Reblogged this on Divine Timing and commented:
    Being an avid fan of photography and the way “a picture is worth 1,000 words,” I love the way that Colette’s photos always speak straight to my heart and soul. Blessed Solstice to you!

    Reply

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