December's Long Night ~ Full Moon

To everyone a very happy Winter Solstice ... this is a photograph from my front porch very early this morning. I missed the lunar eclipse but this moon was still in the sky went I got up this morning.

So, a lunar eclipse on the winter solstice has not happened in almost 400 years and will not happen again until 2094. I am somehow sorry that I missed it ... but I couldn't do it, not in the middle of the night!

The full moon in December is know by a number of names ... the Long Night's Moon, the Cold Moon and even the Moon before Yule. All the names make sense to me but have different backgrounds ranging from Algonquin to Colonial to Pagan.

I truly believe that this is a beautiful time of the year but slowing down to really enjoy is another matter ... I wish you all a quiet, beautiful season filled with whatever is beautiful to you.

Very best wishes, Barbara

New Fibre Work

I am thinking to myself ... what have I been doing, and then I remember that Christmas is almost upon us. The handknits to finish, the packages to post and the unwrapping of those decorations that have been around forever but come back every year as old friends. There are stories to read, cards and cookies to make ... it never all gets done as one might envision but that is perfectly fine by me. I find it is the small things that make it special ~ the walks at night, the music and more time by the fireplace ... I think those are the things I cherish the most.

And of course, starting a new piece (which has no name or final goal yet) but will eventually have layers of sheers, some vintage fabric and perhaps the addition of watercolours. I am looking forward just working on this in which ever direction it might take me.

I wish you time to linger!

November's Full Moon

It has been so cloudy here for the last few days that I haven't even been able to catch a glimpse of our full moon this month, not to mention photograghing it. So, I am photoless ...

This month's full moon was know as the Beaver Moon by Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. The arrival of the Beaver Moon signalled that it was time to set traps before the swamps and rivers froze in order to have a sufficient supply of warm winter furs. European settlers often followed these customs and sometimes created a few of there own. This moon has also been known as the Frost Moon.

I am wishing everyone a warm and wonderful week and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating!

It's the Great Pumpkin - Charlie Brown

Just finished watching "the Great Pumpkin" for the millionth time it seems but once again, I never tire of it. I love Snoopy and the Red Baron, and Linus staying in the pumpkin patch until 4am ... it makes me look forward to Charlie Brown's Christmas.

Here are a few photographs from around our house ... there are still little children in the neighbourhood, and despite being a teenager ~ my son still enjoys Halloween. My daughter enjoys the decorating and pumpkins but nothing too scary.

Have a great weekend ...

Fall's Gifts

green tomatoes
a blue pumpkin

and a peanut pumpkin

Fall gives us so much ... the tomatoes are ripening in a bag, the blue pumpkin will be roasted and the peanut pumpkin has made a wonderful, comforting soup.

I know it is not Thanksgiving everywhere right now but it is for us this weekend in Canada. I just wanted to say "have a great weekend to everyone" ~ Thanksgiving or not.

It has been wonderful to meet so many new people through all of your blogs, exchange ideas, read about your lives complete with all the ups and downs.

And to hopefully give as many kind words as I receive.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ for now and the coming seasons

Happy long weekend

just wanted to say happy long weekend, i hope you all have enjoyed an extra special extra day