Because we’re in Victoria’s very temperate climate right now, we’re seeing lots of late-flowering plants and shrubs that are absolute December delights.
Happy Friday.
December 13’s Friday Fleurday
Victoria Ferry
We are taking a mini-break holiday to Victoria which is on Vancouver Island, an hour-and-half by ferry from Vancouver. We had the most beautiful day for the drive through the mountains and then for the ferry trip.
Happy Thursday.
Winter Garden
Even though winter isn’t officially here yet, our local Japanese garden has entered its seasonal hiatus.
Despite that, or maybe because of that, it’s still a calming, contemplative place to walk or even to sit for a while.
The carp in the pond have disappeared into various spots to await spring, so the only activity is from a couple of duck pairs who quickly paddle toward anyone who comes by in hope of a handout.
The colours have all softened into their muted winter hues; everything is breathing slowly and restfully.
Happy Wednesday; I hope it’s a good one.
Sunny Mountaintops
For this time of year, we had a rare, beautifully sunny day and later on, the snowy mountaintops were lit by the afternoon sun.
We also had windless conditions with a high of 4C (39F) so it really was lovely. A crisp December day without being too crisp!
Naturally, a sunny day came with a lovely sunset which was much appreciated by all of us damp people!
Happy Tuesday.
Reblog: Fylingdales Mist
I love early, misty mornings. Last year, I was driving through Fylingdales Moor in North Yorkshire, and as I went by, the early morning mist lay on …
Fylingdales Mist
Please click the link above to view this full set of beautiful misty morning photos from James Elkington. If you’re interested in photography, browsing through James’s site is time well spent.
Clearing Skies
Yesterday I awoke to an intense wind storm that was later accompanied by buckets of pelting rain. Later in the day though, it had cleared sufficiently for a walk.
I expected it to still be quite windy but as my walk progressed, the wind calmed and the clouds began to dissipate.
We even had a minor rise in temperature of 0.5C (that’s a 1° rise in F) for a high of 3.5C (38F). Not fantastic but seriously much better than freezing and without a doubt better than the -15C (-9F) that Yellowknife is experiencing!
I also found these dianthus (also known as sweet william) blooming prettily in a protected spot. Even their lovely scent was still noticeable.
We are supposed to get freezing rain tomorrow, but we’ll see what materialises: nothing, I hope!
Happy Sunday.
Ornamental Grasses
Autumn is soon ending and winter is officially starting on December 21, so there aren’t many of those lovely fall colours left, but they’re not completely gone.
There are lots of grasses still and some of them are beautiful. I find that this one almost looks like a weaving.
On second thought, it’s not so much the colour as the texture of these grasses that I find so appealing. We are suddenly getting some very cold winds, so seeing these lovely plants is somehow very comforting.
Happy weekend.
Saint Nicholas Day – December 6
If you’re in Europe, Happy Saint Nicholas Day! Saint Nick – or as he is known in The Netherlands, Sinterklass – was also referred to as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He was an early Christian bishop from Turkey who practiced from about 300-340 CE and died on December 6, hence his feast day.
He was revered for his generosity and particularly for his custom of secretly providing desperately needed food or money to the poor or struggling. He also gave small gifts to children.
When Dutch colonists arrived in New Amsterdam, today’s New York state, they brought with them the tradition of Saint Nicholas or Sinterklass, which was translated into English as Santa Claus. However, Henry VIII – the much married 16th century king of England who also tended to behead his spouses if they upset him – had already decided to move any celebration around Saint Nicholas (known as Father Christmas in the U.K.) to December 25.
For countless centuries prior to the rise of Christianity this particular day had been celebrated as – among many others – the Feast of Saturnalia or the Celebration of Yule, a time to honour the return of the sun through light displays, gift-giving and banqueting. Over time, the traditions of the two sets of “New World” colonists, U.K. and Dutch, became combined into a December 25 celebration of a fly-around-the-world-in-one-night, North Pole-domiciled entity known as Santa Claus.
I think it’s important to remember that the tradition of Saint Nicholas or Sinterklass or Father Christmas or Santa Claus was based around the idea of giving – in secret – to the less fortunate, something that seems to have become terribly lost in our intensely spendy world.
Food for thought.
Tree Lights
Many of the parks are showing off some pretty seasonal decorations.
A very lovely and effective response to our short daylight days!
Happy Thursday.
Reblog: A Week of Flowers | Day Five
Cathy of Words and Herbs is inviting everyone to join in with her annual “Week of Flowers” to spread colour and cheer just when we need it most as …
A Week of Flowers | Day Five
Another of Hey Jude’s lovely photos for the Week of Flowers project. To join in, please click the link above. It’s wonderful to see these summer flowers at this time of year.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 