Wednesday 20 December 2017

Solstice

Tomorrow is the shortest day and for some odd reason I don't seem to have noticed it so much this year.   My only explanation could be that my living room window faces due South and it is a large picture window, so perhaps I do get maximum light for as long as possible.

After a very cold spell it is now mild and set to remain so for the next few days.   I'm pleased about this as I am still missing my Aga and my wood burner (although not the cleaning out of the latter). 

Life is very busy at the moment.   The last remnants of the sale of the farm are going through and there seem to be mountains of papers to read through and sign.   This means going into town most days, parking, walking to the solicitor's office - all things which, with my poor mobility, are tiring.   Small jobs still have to be done in the bungalow.   Yesterday one of the bulbs which is let into the ceiling in the hall went so I also had to walk down to the electrical shop and get some replacements. 

Four of us friends are spending Christmas Day together and I look forward to that very much.   On Boxing Day I am hosting a buffet lunch here for my family and am busy cooking things which can be done in advance, writing menus etc.   I have done this for many years but somehow this year, without the farmer, in a new bungalow, with an unfamiliar oven - guaranteed to put a spanner in the works. 

I shall now type out menus and shopping lists.

20 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

I am living for the turning of the day. Longer and longer days. A happy Christmas season to you, Weaver.

Jules said...

I need to write a few lists myself. I've not sorted anything just yet and still have the presents to wrap.
I'm happy to read you will be spending Christmas day with friends. X

justjill said...

I am so pleased that the Winter Solstice is tomorrow and look forward to the shorter nights and longer days. Here in the North East of Scotland I am more aware of this than ever before.

hart said...

You seem to be doing wonderfully well with so many changes at once.

Andie said...

So pleased that you are settling in so well. No matter where I live it takes a long time for it to feel like home, but I get there eventually. You will appreciate your bungalow and from the photos you have it looking lovely. Enjoy your Christmas and I hope 2018 is a happy and peaceful one. I admire you so much. Love Andie xxx

Chris said...

More daylight will be a plus although I never seem to notice the change until well into the New Year. Enjoy your Christmas Day with your friends and don't stress too much over the entertaining on Boxing Day - it is family after all and they will be most forgiving if anything doesn't go as planned!

Mac n' Janet said...

Soak up all the light you can, we need it on the short winter days. So glad you'll be with a group for Christmas.

Bea said...

That's right. I totally forgot it is the Solstice today. I went for a few spins on my skates in the park. The weather is mild & good for scooting about in.

EM Griffith said...

My youngest son's birthday falls on winter's solstice. He'll be 25 tomorrow. With 10 birthdays and two anniversaries in our family between December 5th and January 5th--Christmas & New Years sandwiched between some of them--we're always grateful for a reprieve from celebrations in the quiet aftermath. Have a lovely solstice, a Merry Christmas, and good times with friends & family in the last stretch of the year. Is it just me? Or do the years seem to be passing more quickly?

angryparsnip said...

Tomorrow is my Son Birthday. I think it is wonderful that he has a Solstice Birthday.
Since Japanese family is coming on the 22 we are in full "What was I thinking, why is this house so messy" ?

cheers, parsnip

Cro Magnon said...

At present I can't take the dog out before about 8.15 am; up until then it's still dark here. This really messes-up my mornings, and I look forward to earlier light.

Derek Faulkner said...

The Shortest Day today, a much longed for day, now the light goes in the right direction and this winter depression will begin to lift. Mind you at the moment we are stuck under low cloud, mist and drizzle for a few days, it may be milder but it's murky all day. The roads are wet and filthy dirty and my car looks like it's been driven through a slurry pit. It'll be late January here in Kent before any appreciable difference in day length starts to show and then only on sunny days.

thelma said...

The Christmas season is full of work and worry but it is there to take the mind of the darkness, so when the Solstice date comes round rejoice for we are heading towards the light! Have a good Christmas holiday Pat. X

Librarian said...

I've been counting the days until Solstice this year! Not seeing much daylight during the week and often not getting out enough for walks - let alone running - on weekends is really getting to me. It will be so good to see daylight again when leaving the office!
A rather green-brown-grey Christmas it will be here, too; definitely not a white one. But I am happy with that, as I am travelling to O.K.'s on Christmas Day and back home on Boxing DAy, so snow could mean more delays for my trains.

With your lists and your usual organised manner, I am sure your buffet lunch on Boxing Day will go well, even if it is the first time in your new place and without your husband.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Just keep ticking things off that list a bit at a time and all will be well.
Take care
Sue

Rachel Phillips said...

At least it's mild even if it is a bit dull.

Tom Stephenson said...

The days get longer by three minutes every day as of now. It will be noticeable quite soon.

Heather said...

My trips to the solicitor have come to an end, thank goodness. The business side of moving house is all done with though I have one more improvement to make. I am treating myself to an up-to-date shower room in the New Year - I just can't face any more disruption for a while! I am having a very idle Christmas with no entertaining, having been invited out for both days - luxury!

Minigranny said...

Lovely to think of longer days! There are already the shoots of bulbs beginning to emerge in the garden.

Gwil W said...

Some towns here have a special taxi card for retired people. A number to phone, a trusted driver, and a huge discount. Do you have a bus pass? Very useful. I renew my bus and train cards every year. I only use the car when I have to.