December 2024 - A Seasonal Diary
A seasonal diary of nature spots and little moments
“Wisdom comes with winters.”
Hello December
Why is December such a blur? I thought it was meant to be magical? Whilst there were small glimmers of pure joy and excitement a lot of the month flew past in a sleep deprived panic. So much to do and not enough time in which to do it. I purposely closed my shop a week before Royal Mail declared the last guaranteed post with hope of spending some time crafting and Christmassing and soaking it all up before the big day. This did not go to plan, the commission list and life admin continued right up until the 24th. Next year I will achieve this elusive balance I keep looking for. I promise myself.
I suffered this year with Christmas Envy. Social media at this time of year can be somewhat of a stick with which to beat myself. I had to remove the apps, that week in-between the years where everyone is existing cosily as a family I found HARD. I had a commission due for early January so I still had to work any spare day or time I could find and of course the farmer still has to be at work too. It can feel if I look through the lens of social media that everyone else is having fun and I am not - a dangerous thought trail to go down, especially when I have SO much to be grateful for. And what a learning curve. Next year all commissions and orders will be sent out by the 10th so I can focus on the personal rest and stagnation that is meant to come with the arrival of winter. Next year I want to really celebrate the winter solstice, buy less, make more and begin the hibernation process I know we are supposed to have.
I have very few photos of anything that happened before December but I do have a few snaps from the inbetweeness. The farmer joined me and the boys for a walk in the woods, this is so rare to have all 4 of us aimlessly wondering without him needing to dash off to check a calf or whatever else it is he does with his work time. The catkins are out now, small and tightly packed but here none the less. There was a pig at Sledmere that looked exactly how I felt that day so I snapped her. The boys ran in the field, that was nice. So cute in their little overalls so I snapped them. I found mushrooms and some funny looking fungai, the fog was particularly beautiful and also found some clear jelly like substance on a log. After a delve into the dark and dusty shelves of Google i think it might be Chrystal Brain Fungus?
So to some up December - I was tired, Santa came, I was more tired - Toby woke up particularly cross on Christmas morning, no amount of presents would sort his mood out. We ran out of Batteries. I swore to do it differently next year.
December In Watercolour
Stories from the studio, a little glimpse into my watercolour creations from December
What has December been like for you? Have you seen anything out in Nature that’s made you smile or just peeked your interest? I would love to know, tell me in the comments below...
