Hello Creative Souls,
Welcome to my December newsletter..
Today is the 1st day of December, the start of the meteorological winter season. Read on for my pondering about winter and why it’s turned into one of my favourite seasons.
The Darkling Thrush
Thomas Hardy
I leant upon a coppice gate
            When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter’s dregs made desolate
             The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky
             Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
             Had sought their household fires.
Studio Update…
It’s been a wonderfully busy time in my studio, designing a Christmas card for 2023. The family of polar bears were popular, alongside my barn owl from last year. I am truly grateful to all of those who have supported my small business by purchasing my Christmas cards. My collection at home has sold out, which has been a real confidence booster.
I have just completed my final commission before Christmas, which I will share with you after the event, as it’s a Christmas present. I am rubbish at keeping secrets when it comes to my art as I get so excited. I put so much effort into my commissions that I want to know that the recipient is happy and that my painting brings them joy.
I have managed to achieve all that I wanted to in the studio this year, so now I can take a breather and enjoy the season. I look forward to being able to play, create and mess about with my art materials. No forced outcome, just me, my paint and a sketchbook. I love to listen to a podcast or audiobook whilst playing in my studio and of course there’ll be the obligatory mince pie or two.




The First Day of Advent
I awoke this morning to a beautifully frosted landscape, the fields covered in a white blanket, the trees have had their branches shaken by the winter wind, their brown leaves carpeting the fields, pathways and garden. The birds waiting patiently in the bare branches for me to go out and leave some seed, the crow’s dark outlines high up in the trees, watching and waiting, communicating with each other with cackles and caws. What secret plan are they hatching as they chatter amongst themselves? The seed heads are brown and dry, providing the goldfinches with a daily breakfast buffet and what a delight that the wren, robins, blackbirds and blue tits have all returned to the garden, foraging in the messy borders for food.
The rose bushes have managed to produce a final flush of roses, which are beautifully odd. A flash of colour on semi-naked bushes, frosted petals and hardly any leaves, almost ethereal in the morning winter light. A final offering to the fairies and nature spirits that are hiding in the garden.
Late Tulip Planting
I have been late planting my bulbs this year and thanks to a good friend, who happens to love gardening, the bulbs have been planted, or at least some. I ordered my bulbs quite late from Farmer Gracy. I ordered my usual oranges, bright pinks and deep purple colours, however, when my tulip bulbs arrived they were all the primary colours in miniature form. Although initially miffed that I had not received the correct order, the kind people at Farmer Gracy allowed me to keep the order. My friend planted them for me and now I can look forward to a beautiful display from a variety that I would have never normally picked. A mistake that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Another lovely surprise is that I received my original order this morning.



Appreciating the Beauty of the Season
This time of year can be quite daunting and for me, in past years, it has been, but over the last few years I have really come to appreciate what the winter season has to offer. Grief of a loved one has taught me that life is fleeting, we are here for a short period of time and instead of wishing away the winter I want to embrace it. I used to get quite sad at the prospect of losing the daylight hours, waking up on dark, cold mornings and spending more time inside. However, I now find this time of year a good excuse to stay longer under the bed covers, reading books, drinking hot cups of tea and hot chocolate. I get to wear big jumpers and socks, lighting candles and doing festive jigsaw puzzles. Sure, there’ll be tough days, but there will be more good days to look forward to, especially with the approach of the festive season. I look at winter as a good excuse to stay in more, get cosy and to slow down, taking inspiration from nature. There is still so much beauty to see, whether it’s outside in the garden, on the beach, out in the woods or inside, under a cosy blanket with a good book, where I like to window surf and yes, I have just made that term up, but sitting inside and looking out into the world is a thing. Observing nature and the changes of the season from the comfort of an armchair. It’s the simple things in life that give us so much pleasure and joy, so be sure not to wish the winter season away.
It’s the 335th Day of the Year
To embrace and celebrate the first day of winter I have found 5 things that happened on this day that I thought you might like. So, here goes, did you know that on on this day in:
1135 - England’s King Henry I died. The king fell ill after consuming too many Lampreys (jawless fish resembling eels). He was 66 years old and ruled for 35 years.
1581 - Edmund Campion (later St Edmund) and three other Jesuits were martyred. He was tried on a charge of treason for promoting Catholicism and was hanged in London.
1868 - The opening of London’s Smithfield meat market.
1966 - Britain issued its first special edition Christmas stamps. In 2006, the stamps were heavily criticised as they depicted no Christian images on any of the Christmas stamps.
1990 - Britain and France were joined for the first time in thousands of years as the last wall of rock separating two halves of the channel tunnel was removed. 1
I love those ‘did you knows’ and I hope you did too. There are plenty more facts that span back throughout our history. It’s always interesting to look back, to see how far humanity has come, the trials and tribulations our ancestors have endured. History teaches us so much and this season it has taught me to look forward. I will remember my loved one with happy memories and embrace the simple things this December, starting with putting up my Christmas tree to bring some twinkly lights into my life and then this evening I will light my advent candle and give thanks to all the special people in my life, past and present. Winter is the time to slow down, take more naps, prepare heart warming food and catch up on activities indoors. Winter is here and I now embrace it as one of my favourite seasons.
As always, thank you for reading. If you haven’t already, subscribe, like and let me know how you embrace winter.
Stay naturally curious,
Clare xx
Resources
https://www.farmergracy.co.uk
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/collections/144637/winter-poems
www.beautifulbritain.co.uk
I don’t mind the winter...every season offers different things to be enjoyed. My hubby struggles a bit with the lack of daylight at this time of year, but I agree with you that we shouldn’t wish time by. I like the feeling of hunkering down for a while...💕