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Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Mid Winter Contentment

Normally I am not a big fan of winter.  It is too cold, too wet, too dreary, and all I want to do is hibernate and wish it would go away.  This year I am trying to appreciate each season and what it has to offer, and I am finding myself quite content with my situation.
The sun rises each morning and shines in my bedroom windows to welcome me to a new day.


Droplets of heavy dew sparkle in the morning sun.  No frosts here, like Otago had this morning.  There were some beautiful pictures on the News of the hoar frost many places experienced.  It looked cold but would have made for some amazing photos!


Each time I step outside I am assailed with the heavenly scent of hyacinths.


Now it is night and we are enjoying sitting by the fire and feeling cosy and warm.  Teenie thinks we have lit the fire just for her!


Lots of things to be thankful for as we settle into winter J
Margaret.





26 comments:

  1. Nothing beats a roaring fire on a cool/cold night.

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  2. Yes, our attitude determines so much, and contentment often comes from finding things to be thankful for. I must admit though, I have enjoyed these past two days of sunshine :)
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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    1. So have I - and have appreciated them even more when you hear Wellington had only six minutes of sunshine in six days!

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  3. And I´m already sad the days are getting shorter now... I should get your attitude.
    The hyacinths look amazing!

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  4. Hello,

    The flowers are pretty. I like the of Teenie near the fire. Have a happy day!

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  5. Me too! I'm trying really hard to enjoy the season even though it's not my fave ;o) Winter comes every year and so I shall overcome my dislike of it. I shall, I shall! I'm just going to find and celebrate the things that are nice about it for a start!! Like the scent of hyacinths - they are divine aren't they?!

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    1. I always used to grumble about too hot, too cold, too wet and so on. I'm trying really hard this year to appreciate each season and what it has to offer. I too shall overcome! :)

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  6. If you wish to know what winter is really like, come to Canada for a visit in January.

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    1. I had a friend once who had migrated here from Canada and she showed me the heavy coat she used to wear in winter. I think I will leave that January visit for now! :)

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  7. Your winter looks lovely to me.

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    1. It certainly doesn't compare with anything you experience :)

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  8. Have you ever noticed how cats seem to have no fear of drying their eyeballs out - or scorching their fur as they bask by the fire? Mr T can stare at a fire for hours it seems.

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    1. Mr T must love the fire. Teenie seldom shares her space with Millie (she will hiss at her), and Mittens is terrified of the movement of the flames so stays well away. Funny kitties :)

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  9. I try to be happy with the new seasons...and there really are pluses to each one. In winter I don't have to feel guilty for not weeding my flowers. I really look forward to fall and always wish it could stay longer.

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    1. Autumn would be my favourite season as well, and it never seems to last long enough :)

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  10. I like winter, just not the cold and the wet and the wind LOL We rarely get frost here and certainly never snow. All the snow is is blocked by the mountains in the Lake District, to the north, and the Pennines, to the east, of us. I would love to play in the snow and build a snowman, even at my age. Best, Jane x

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    1. We never have snow either, but do have frosts (quite severe in some years) and the icy winds that sweep down off the mountains on the Central Plateau. I was in my 40s before I got to experience real snow :)

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  11. Teenie looks super cute! I love the hyacinths so much Margaret! I am amazed to know that winters in NZ are not like the harsh white winters in North America or the countries in the North. I have always wanted to see snowfall. I know they can be hard to live with but would really like to experience it for a time. First time I saw it was 2013 but it was already in the ground and dirty in Beijing, then second and latest was last December in Prague but they were just flurries. I want to experience the real snowfall thing. Hope someday :)

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    1. I finally got to experience real snowfall in Arizona in 2018. Here, the lower South Island gets snow in winter, and the upper North Island has almost sub-tropical weather - we are a country full of surprises :)

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  12. I'm sure I can smell that heavenly scent of hyacinths through my computer screen … oh, I wish - but I can imagine :)

    All the best Jan

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  13. Sometimes in winter, yes I have to do the gratitude thing. I'm torn between being thankful for no rain. so the days are more comfortable, and wishing for torrential rain over the Auckland dams, as our supply is really low.

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  14. Your Hyacinth is still looking so lovely. Maybe the cooler weather is keeping it looking so good.
    I am also trying very hard to appreciate each season and the weather it brings. Too hot is probably the kind of weather I find the hardest to live cheerfully with.

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  15. Glad you are having good days down there. Rain again here today, it was quite heavy in the night. Much needed to fill the dams but I do not enjoy days on end of rain and still forecast for the next ten days. At least it is good weather for us to rest and recuperate.

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  16. It is always better if one can live for the season because then one has a better chance of contentment. Carpe diem - again.

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  17. I need to remember what you've said about trying to enjoy winter. I've always dreaded winter and find myself longing for warm sunny days. Had no idea I had missed so many of your wonderful posts. I've enjoyed catching up, all the way back to your visit to Hamilton Gardens. I get busy and forget to sit down at the computer. :)

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  18. I forgot to mention how cute Teenie is...she is just adorable.

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Thank-you for visiting my blog. I love it when you leave a comment so please feel free to have your say. Have a great day! Margaret xx