Saturday 21 December 2013

the shortest day

It’s the shortest day of the year in this part of the world; the watery winter sun rose and crawled lazily along the top of the trees, before retiring to bed early for the last time this year. The leaves are gone and the ground is full of winter rain – time to stay off the veg beds and catch up with some clearing and tidying. When I do my wreath making sessions I end up with a bunch of half made ones from where I have been demonstrating the technique. Secretly, I like the undecorated ones best; the subtle colours of the bark and buds, the way the stems have twined obediently under my hands. I usually hang a few in the orchard for keen eyes to notice among the branches.


It’s also a good time to raid the hedgerows around the museum for bean poles and pea sticks. While cutting brash to plug some holes in the hedges, I came across our resident Celtic wildman getting ready to do his ‘Iron Age celebration of the solstice’ demonstration sessions. It seemed rude to turn up empty handed to such an event, so I quickly whipped up a ‘no basis in historical fact or evidence’ Iron Age solstice decoration, using one of my stash of wreaths. I think it’s my favourite out of all of the stuff I’ve made this year – the hazel catkins are so delicate and pretty.


So here’s wishing you all goodness and light on this darkest night

HEULDRO HAPUS / HAPPY SOLSTICE

XXX

11 comments:

  1. Tht Celtic wildman has got the best smile ever!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours Bernice x

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    1. And Merry Christmas to you too Kylie - hopr the dust and chaos in the house has receded a bit by now x

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  2. Well Wildman certainly looks very happy with his gift, whether Celticly correct or not, and surely that is all that matters! Happy Christmas to you and yours. xx

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    1. Have a lovely Christmas with all your beautiful decorations Amy x

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  3. This post made me laugh! Does he know he is famous now and has all these ladies looking at his picture?! The red buds on the wreaths are beautiful.

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    1. I'm going to break it to him gently - maybe after Christmas! He's used to a lot of slightly odd attention as he is the spitting image of one of the Welsh International rugby squad. I guess he won't know if people are nudging each other in pubs and pointing at him because they think he's Adam Jones, or because theyve seen him on my blog. Different demographic maybe? ;-)

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  4. Happy Solstice to you too! Your local Celtic wildman looks thoroughly delighted with his wreath, as well he might - it's beautiful. xxx

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    1. Merry Christmas Curtise - hope the joys of retail haven't knocked the Chrismas stuffing out of you! Take a deep breath and have a glass of something bubbly xxx

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  5. Your wreaths are gorgeous! My goodness! I love the simplicity of them as well! A very lovely week to you friend! And that last picture is priceless! Pure joy!!!

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  6. Have a lovely Christmas with your beans Nicole xxx

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  7. Absolutely beautiful. Merriful Merries.

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