Joys of Winter

It's been a tough week, and I was beginning to wonder where the Joys of Winter had gone - and then up you popped supernana, tanith*, bagitha and jeni - ...and there it was, back again. .

I should packing but gn is much more fun! I have only got as far as sorting out my evening dresses. Forget about bras, knickers and other such uninteresting articles. I HATE PACKING

I think I read somewhere on GN that you're off on a cruise - have a wonderful time.
How many evening dresses do you own? I don't even have one - strictly a jean and t-shirt girl - do you think I'd be accepted at the Captain's table in those? .

Happy sailing.x

Butternut Can't stop some women from waxing lyrical. It's contagious
jeni GN is almost as addictive as a bite of bitter sweet Belgian chocolate

Thanks butternut I think7 at last count, but I keep them for up to 12 years. I hate throwing clothes away. That's probably the only advantage to my dh's death - I inherited his wardrobe space . And my dd's and my ds's. When they visit now they have to hang their clothes on a nail in the floor!
Come to think ofit they always did anyway!

And butternut. It depends onthe cruise line. No captains table on this one but formal, semiformal and"elegant casual?" still haven't got my head round that one.

jeni. I'm sure your 7 will cover all occasions, but don't forget to pack those knickers; might they come under the 'elegant casual' heading?

There only plain White m&s " medium control" I suspect ec means more like Victorias secret and they don't do a size18

jeni

Have a lovely cruise, jeni!

I'm 'enjoying' some of the lesser joys of winter at the moment: a painful chest infection. However, DH is cooking dinner and DD1 is occupying the children with plastic bag monster-making and papier maché while I recline with my feet up and a . Love them all.

A cruise at this time of the year sounds a great idea - have a lovely time, Jeni.
Whilst I am enjoying the summer in NZ, my Swiss friend tells me that my car (she is looking after it for me) is snowed in up to the windows. They have been praying for snow for the ski season, so she is not unhappy, and quite used to it anyway.
I hope your chest infection clears up soon, bagitha, in time for Christmas.

bagitha Sounds like a lovely late cosy Winter's afternoon, but sorry you're feeling poorly. You're clearly being taken care of. Get well soon.

Take good care of that chest infection, Bagitha - you need that cleared up quickly!

bags, look after yourself. We need you fit and well and writing lovely winter poems.
jenni have fun on that cruise and tell us all (?) when you get back!

One of the ones I went on I fooled all the men at my table into thinking that I was the Madam of a very exclusive. Brothel. Their wives backed me up and it was all hilarious.

JENIIIIIIII you get the prize for Minx of the Month! I wish you had the video on sale...

Baggy Hope that you'll be your usual fit-as-a-fiddle self very very very soon. (((hugs)))

Mid winter, and it could be grey, dank, cold and sunless (which it is)
But for the vibrancy of a friend from Mexico,
Bringing gifts of home-made, multi-coloured macaroons,
To take home.
Colours of pinks, chocolate creams, softest greens and rich browns
In a little cardboard box, all tied up in ribbon, in a willow basket
That her husband wove, just for me,
Of grey reds, deep yellows, charcoal blacks and earth browns.
The colourful joy of winter,
And I feel held with such beauty, such bounty.

Butter perfection!

That's lovely, butty. I think this colourfulness that we impose at the dark time of the year, this friendliness and the giving of simple but beautiful things is the real festivity of the season. And thank you, my chest is getting steadily better. The first day of an infection is often the worst until my antibodies jump to work and start kicking out the intruders.

That's a lovely poem, Butter - I can actually see the basket and its contents. It's a great givet to be able to paint such a word picture.

givet? GIFT! fingers can't spell today!

to you all.

Have a joyous winter festival!

Well i have been out for a run with bare arms, and that was before the sun came out so brightly! I still have roses and a few determined fuschias in bloom and a smattering of other things. Daffodil shoots have appeared that were not there an hour ago I swear.
Strange to think that this time last year we had so much snow we could not get cars off drive. And 2 years ago too, was wandering around taking photos of snow, including a great one of a fox running across the path in a snowy wood (luckiest shot of my life to date)
But we get cooler days than this in sept. I don't believe it is only 9deg.

Yesterday -
A chill grey day
Misty, dull and still.
On waking -
Heart felt heavy
Eyes were wet
Spirit sank into a well.
Where to go?
Who to tell?
Where would answers lie?
Reached out to strangers
With unreal names
Living far and wide.
Comfort winged the air-waves
With virtual smiles
And virtual hugs -
Warming heart
Drying eyes
Lifting spirits skywards.
To each and every one
I bless you for true friendship.