Tag: outdoors
Yuletide Celebrations
Yuletide is an ancient celebration.
As the mist encircles the cottage this morning and the stillness of the air creates echoes along the hill, Midwinter seems very close.
This is traditionally a time for people to come together and celebrate the midwinter, with feasting, music and dancing.
I have been busy painting and decorating the cottage in preparation for this special time.
Even the old dresser has been given a much needed coat of paint!
Yule is traditionally celebrated over twelve days.
This is where the Twelve days of Christmas come from.
It is also traditional to have a Yule log which will burn all night, on the longest night of the year.
The barn is filled with logs for the stoves.
Most of the wood comes from fast growing Ash, a tree which grows easily here in the west of Ireland.
Light is important at this time and this is where the idea of Christmas lights comes from.
Opening the doors of the wood burning stove in the sitting room, allows light to fill the room.
There are many celebrations of light all across the world at this time.
We are drawn towards the light, in this time of darkness and mellow sunlight.
The winter will have reached it’s shortest day this week.
A time to celebrate, keep warm and look forward to the ascent towards Spring.
Make the most of this beautiful aspect of the year, wrap up warm and spent time outdoors.
There is beauty in every day…and it allows you to appreciate the warmth of your home.
Happy Yuletide, everyone!
The Ebb and Flow of Life at Bealtaine Cottage
Evening at Bealtaine Cottage and the the night is drawing in.
The sunshine of this morning ebbed and flowed all day, like the waves on the strand at Rosses Point, as the sun dipped in and out of rolling clouds that occasionally deposited rain.
Strange weather, but the day was passed in constructive ways.
I sorted out the recycling, washing out cans and finding all sorts of uses for them.
They make great tea-light holders, piercing holes in the sides using a hammer and nail to make patterns.
The one above sits atop the hot stove, filled with water and essential oils, that emits small wisps of fragranced steam into the cottage.
Vases were dusted…
…as the dogs played in the porch, rearranging their beds as you can see…
At least the continual drizzle keeps all growing and lush…
And the veranda means that I can enjoy the outdoors despite the weather!
Weekend Musings from a Permaculture Smallholding in the West of Ireland…and the weather is fab!
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I love cows…they’re such sociable animals, so am glad I don’t eat them! These belong to a neighbour of mine and are very well looked after by Tom Kelly, as you can see. When I walk down the lane, they are inclined to peer over the hedge at me, full of interest. If I had the extra land I would definitely think about keeping a cow…as a pet!
I’m continuing to fiddle around with this new format and try to get the blog unscrambled…bear with me! The image below was snapped on the north facing bank of the smallholding earlier. The cherry tree is in full bloom.
The Lower Pond surrounded by fast growing willow fedge.
From the Kitchen window on a good day, the world looks great…mind you the world is great, every day…well at least that’s the feeling that permaculture gives you!
I decided to go for a new theme on the blog…hope you like it!