*sweet preparations

It's not the taste, it is the smell, the feeling it creates when baking in the right mood happens without time pressure and expectations. It's never the same in the other seasons, it's only at Christmas... :)

☙

*in between

In between the snow days we had some misty, wet days where everything was bathed in the most wonderful green tones. The lichens on the branches were glowing and nature was soaking up gratefully the rain after that exceptional dry year.

☙

*winter birds

Winter birds.

♡

*the snow

I could not imagine a world without ice and snow. Although it's so inhospitable for a human to live in the cold, it's same time amazingly refreshing for all senses.

❄

*more frosty tones

It just started to snow in this very moment. Huge snowflakes are hovering slowly to the ground. I made gingerbread which left the sweetest smell in the home and today I want to make one of my favorite sort of chocolate cookies. Have you started baking Christmas cookies yet? Which are your favorites?

☙

*frosty tones

 Colorwise this is my favorite time of the year, especially when the first morning frosts have set in. All is glittery and still. What a magical time! Have a nice second Advent weekend!

☙

*bonnet

Dear Sasja, whom I got to know via Instagram, made me this lovely dusty pink bonnet. I truly love it! It's so soft and comfortable to wear! Go, check out her instagram site here + here! She makes beautiful stuff and is such a kind person!

☙

*of winter fruits and nests full of rose hips

Do you know medlars? They ripen after the first frosts and taste very unique and people who try them for the first time might need a little to get used to the taste, but I really like them and think of having my own medlar tree in the garden sometime.

On one of my walks I spotted a bird nest which was filled to the top with rose hips. It was hard to get a decent picture, because the nest was surrounded by thorny branches, but I really had to take one. The thought of the bird stuffing his nest with all those rosehips amused me somehow.

Have a lovely first Advent weekend!

☙

*the last leaves and a soft mouth

Arms of strong trees invite for a rest,

when the last leaf is squinting in the sun,

holding on to the year

that is fading away.

A soft mouth, 

tender as it can be,

speaks of trust

in a world full of pain.

{Claudia Voglhuber}

☙

*big trees and a blue cage

Once in the while we are visiting the wild park area (about half an hour car ride away from our home, so not very far). I love that place, because there are still very big, old trees, each so unique and soulful. There is this sky-blue cage thing in the middle of the meadow that looks so surreal somehow. I want to see this place when all is full of snow, maybe we mange this winter!

☙

*dark clouds, fall winds and braided hair

Dark clouds, fall winds and braided hair.

We are having our first snow! I was pretty surprised when it started yesterday evening. I packed my camera and made a walk when it was still dark in the morning to enjoy it, before it is all gone again, but it's still there now! I also started to crochet after a long break. It feels good to do some needlework again, especially with those long evenings. Have a good start into the new week and keep warm!

☙

*cozy home

The golden October has been replaced with a misty and dark November. A drastic change, but it is still quite mild. No first snow yet! My urge for a simple way of living was never greater. And never have I felt more fulfilled.

Have a good start into the new week and feel free to tell me how you create coziness at this time of the year for yourself to get along with those dark days.

☙