The morning is cold with a spectacular sunrise that washes the sky with shades of red and orange…this is midwinter in all it’s glory!

I’m sat by the computer with coffee, as oftentimes I do in the early morning, uploading photographs and thinking of what I shall write for you.

There are times when I think to myself, “why continue writing this blog and forever taking pictures and waiting endlessly for uploads and…” but then I get a message, a letter, a card, an email and I am reassured about what I do…

This morning, the writing is done, not by me, but by one of you…my friends, who share this healing journey with me…a winding path, back to an understanding and love for, Mother Earth.

As we help to heal her and make peace with her, so, in turn, she does the same for us…

Dear Colette,

I do hope that this (long overdue) email finds that you are in good form and that all is well with you ? My illness`have been kicking up a bit , not allowing me into the garden as much as I would like , but , still , any chance I get I plan , I plant (myself and my youngest daughter Daisy have gone on a frenzy over the past few months of planting all kinds of seeds, chestnuts, acorns, even apple pips, we plan to give them as gifts to people who DO have the space to plant them , thank you for the inspiration!

Next year (Spring) my husband is building me a small veranda (based on your own…I hope you don’t mind we “robbed “ the design? I just FELL IN LOVE with it!) at the back of our little cottage , I plan to show people that you CAN have the country and self-sufficiency in the town! We do get the “they are cracked” looks , but sure, whats normal really?

I am sending you some photos to show you , our pantry is complete!

And I managed to make some blackcurrant cordial and jelly (all gone now) , also my yearly elderberry cordial , I still have some hips in the garden and hope to send “himself” out with a bucket this week so I can make so rose hip jam , lovely 😉

Our ducks are huge now , no egg as yet , but Spring will come, all things in there own good time ! And our Christmas tree this year is a little 3 foot dote in a pot , ready to go to its new home in the garden after Christmas , I`ll find a space somewhere says you , there’s always space!

My husband won the Irish Red Cross “Carer of the Year”

The presentation was last night.

He really deserves it! No other carer in Ireland I`m sure puts up with , “no , that doesn’t look right , move that pot there instead” or “will you dig me another pottage bed please” ? 😉

As I write , I have beside me Alice Taylor’s new book “The gift of  a garden” , like all her writing, its lovely and homely , if you get a chance I do recommend you read it!

We too are hoping it will be fine outside for the solstice , if not , we will make toast by the fire inside and tell stories by candle-light…

Do have a wonderful Solstice and Christmas season… bless you and keep you , and THANK YOU…when I am bed-bound, I read and re-read your posts , they give me SO much hope , in more ways than you`ll ever know!

Its like I am beside you walking in Bealtaine Cottage , soaking up the healing , and I can almost feel it running through my tired bones!

Take care , love from Tia and all in Moilligh Cottage xx