At 7am, this is what it looks like from the back door -storm warning predicts 20 -30 cm of blowing snow, high winds. It will make the traditional Solstice gathering of greens for the house difficult, but not impossible. I know the trees I'm harvesting from, having scouted them out before -some pine, fir and spruce -they are all in a protected edge of the bush which is close the house -and Nellie will love being out in the snow. I use artificial greenery in the house but always bring in lots of real greenery on the Winter Solstice Day. The traditional Balsam wreath is made and ready to be hung inside. With our heated houses it is just too difficult to use entirely fresh greens to decorate. They quickly dry out and become a fire hazard. I mist the wreath a couple of times a day and keep the other greenery well watered and misted and it will be OK until the new year. The living greenery for me, is symbolic of the survival of life against the odds -the lack of light and the deep cold of winter. The boughs, that I fill crocks and pitchers with, make arrangements out of and the living wreath all represent hope and new life in the coming months.
Lindsay arrived home safely yesterday, several hours late but home. Nellie quickly bonded and now follows this lovely new person everywhere looking for attention -which she gets, because she is irresistibly cute.
