Yesterday was the Winter Solstice and now daylight hours will (very) slowly increase and the days will get colder - in theory,
As the days lengthen, so the cold strengthens
but with global climate change who knows.
I had to move the car out of the garage and out of the way as Youngest Daughter's ex partner was hopefully coming with a friends van to get the fridge and bed frame (he didn't appear for the third day in a row) so while I was in the car I decided to go and get the Holly from a mile away. No chance of biking as it was pouring with rain. Then there was Ivy, Rosemary and Bay from home and now winter is on the table.
Today's Advent book is a children's book, one that has been around a while, but not long enough to have been found secondhand for my children. It was published in 1991.
It's full of short stories and well known excerpts from longer books plus carols and poems.
Once again it's the illustrations that I love
I'm a sucker for traditional winter scenes
I discovered that Sally Holmes, the illustrator of this book had also illustrated a book called "The English Cottage Year", available for 99p from Abebooks. It sounded interesting and will be on it's way to me in the new year.
Was it fine enough where you were to see Jupiter and Saturn in alignment yesterday evening? It was too cloudy and wet here although I'd seen them getting closer together on the last few clear nights from my bedroom at bedtime. This is the first time they've appeared so close as to look like just one star in 800 years (or 300 years depending on which news I read/heard). Some folk think this may have been the bright star seen in Bethlehem all those years ago.
Maybe it was.
Too wet and cloudy here too, sadly, to see the star. I love that picture of the rising sun and running deer. I hope bed & fridge are gone soon. I'm not sure why, but furniture that's "hanging about waiting for collection" always seems to take up more room than it should. I had a wardrobe like that for a week in the summer!
ReplyDeleteI just hope I'm not left with them to clear out later
DeleteThe universe fascinates me and I would love to have seen that major event in the sky. It makes you realise that there is a scientific power going on above our heads and has been for millions of years.
ReplyDeleteIt's no wonder that people hundreds of years ago watched the sky. It would have been so dark and wonderful
DeleteI never saw the star for it was so cloudy.
ReplyDeleteYou have some lovely books Sue and the snow pictures are pretty but not that I want any snow it's nice on cards and pictures.
I watched an interesting programme on David Jason last night on Tv and did not realise how many programmes he had made i like to see him in the comedy shows they are always clean and you could watch them with young children not like some of the things we get on TV now.
Hazel c uk ������
It's been interesting to have a proper look at the Christmas books that have been around for years.
DeletePerhaps it will be clear tonight
Nope. Too cloudy here to see it. It's frustrating, skies seem to be cloudiest in winter - which is when the night sky is most interesting! Might be able to see something of it tonight, as they're still pretty close together.
ReplyDeleteI really should have made an effort on Sunday night and gone downstairs for my Binoculars but I just went to bed instead!
DeleteI love the illustrations in some children's books in fact they are usually wasted on children who just want to hear the story ... how annoying ... haha!!
ReplyDeleteI picked up my Persephone book from the sorting office yesterday, it looks brilliant, thank you so much. I am saving it to be the first book that I read in the New Year to start off my Year of Rations, it should keep me nicely in the mood :-)
You are so right about childrens book illustrations.
DeleteGlad you got the book OK - perfect for the year of modern rationing
What a beautiful book.
ReplyDeleteIt's got such gorgeous illustrations
DeleteToo cloudy for me and I missed out on the December shooting stars as well. Never mind try again next time! Lesley
ReplyDeleteExciting events in the sky always seem to be in the middle of the night!
DeleteI love your jug of holly and ivy (and rosemary and bay). I must get out with my secateurs and collect some. Loving all your Christmas books. And like others, too cloudy here to see the star. Oh well, only another 800 years to wait for the next one! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's cheered up my table - and cost nothing
DeleteFortunately, I (in US) did get to see the near-alignment last night about half an hour after sunset, before cloud banks closed in from the west. No telescope, but binoculars helped a bit.
ReplyDeleteGood that the clouds held off just long enough
DeleteThose are beautiful illustrations! I love the greens that you have gathered. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThey look so Christmassy on my table. And when I move in the spring I'll still be close enough to where the holly grows to gather some
DeleteWe simply have to prune back the next door neighbour's rampant hedge for a bit of holly.
ReplyDeleteHow good to have some right on your doorstep
DeleteI love the Winter greenery on your table! That book looks like a great one to have with many classic stories. I enjoy children's Christmas books almost more than the ones for adults as the illustrations are so wonderful. I tried to see Jupiter and Saturn in alignment last night but was not able. Enjoy your Christmas week!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful illustrations, Sally is an amazing artist.
ReplyDeleteYou have the loveliest books! The greenery looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteToo cloudy here to see anything.
ReplyDeleteLove your greenery. I do wish we could go out and pick holly.
God bless.
Can I recommend a lovely book for the 22 days? It is meant to be a children's book but it is still lovely to read. The Thirteen Days of Christmas by Jenny Overtin. I am sure it can no longer be bought new, but will probably pop up on aBeBooks or somewhere similar. No doubt at its cheapest in July!
ReplyDelete