We have had several days of sunshine at long last. As often happens here when the cloud cover is gone, it gets quite cold. At night it’s been as cold as -5C (23F) so there’s frost on the skylights in our unheated solarium, and a thick layer building up on the shady areas of the lawn, looking like snow. Each night the full moon has been a brilliant platinum disc creating patterns of light on the floors indoors so I have no need of lights in my night crawls, just a mythical feeling. What a difference a clear sky makes.

Granddaughter Lael thought these frost fractals on her window look like birds. (Photo by Elisa Rathje)

We did not have frost art this time, just solid white, but the morning thaws created interesting patterns.

Frozen puddles are irresistible to children – and photographers.

I love the sun shining into the kitchen in the morning.
This morning’s cloud in the east gave a brief and glorious show of colour.
And the sun is back now.
There’s a chance of snow this weekend – I hope so!

My, have I been lazy this past week, not even blogging! The preparations and the holidays themselves seem to have tired me out a bit. I’m enjoying these quiet days to replenish body and soul. It’s now Twelfth Night, the eve of twelfth day of Christmas, signaling the time to put away the tree and all the decorations, but I’m not ready.

I’m still looking through old photos as I sort my photo files. Shown here are a few of the numerous photos my husband took two years ago during our Danish friends’ visit and trip to our favourite retreat on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Husband and I thought of going for a few days again this week, but decided we’ll go a little later this winter or early spring. It’s so nice to just enjoy the warm comforts of our pleasant home, punctuated with walks in the damp outdoors. We are true homebodies!