Celebrating Winter

Its no secret - Winter is my least favourite season.  I don't like that the cold makes my fingers and toes ache; that the washing needs to be dried on the verandah or in the house; that we have to run heaters; that things get wet and muddy; that my garden is less productive; and that I have to wear shoes.  I'd love to move somewhere warmer, but this is where we live, and I understand that each season has its place and that having winter makes spring and summer even more special.  So, this weekend, we celebrated winter.

We had intentions of celebrating Winter Solstice, but I was working, so we made it Friday night instead. 

We made ourselves some ice lanterns which we placed out on the verandah.



Ice lanterns - so simple and pretty

We all rugged up in boots, coats, hats, scarves, gloves and thermals (except me - I forgot them and hence I was the only one that was cold!) and equipped ourselves with a torch and some glow sticks.

Jamie and Lachie heading out into the cold wintery night

Then we headed out into the fast approaching night.  The sun dropped down quickly as we walked around our tiny country town.  The dogs loved the walk, but were feeling the cold.  We tried to avoid the slippery muddy puddles and the boys learnt what a silhouette was as we watched the sky change colour behind the trees.

We were watched by some cows (who thought we were crazy).  We paid an impromptu visit to the cemetary by torchlight (and weren't at all spooked) to look at graves, some of which were about 150 years old and beautiful. 

Heading out of town

The boys (I think they were being "winter ninjas")

me and the kids and the muddy puddly road

It rained on us as we approached home, so we arrived a bit damp to see our pretty little lanterns still glowing.  The house was warm as smelled deliciously of the casserole with herb dumplings that was cooking in the oven.  It was delicious and warmed us to the core!

Lachie loved his personal kid-sized casserole

Poor Jamie has a cold and a sore runny nose :(

Then we had hot chocolates, homemade marshmallows and a board game in front of the heater before the boys went off to bed with hot water bottles and a wintery story.

We enjoyed celebrating winter and are now looking ahead to longer, warmer days.