Savouring the Season

These little elves come out every year before Christmas

I love their simplicity and the fact that they're made of twigs!

I have a really cute little film for you to look at HERE

It's the story of Stick Man and his family at Christmas!

It's also the time of the year when I love to get together with my grandson

for card-making and crafting.

Creating memories together of our own little traditions over the years.

We chat and laugh together, enjoying each other's company.

I am happy that he still loves coming to do crafting with me.

Here is the finished card he made and this one is for me!

It's a beautiful Zentangle bauble.

We also made some Origami fir trees.

I put these two at the base of my Christmas tree in the snow!

If you would like to make these Origami trees,

Just click here for an easy tutorial: ORIGAMI FIR TREE

An exciting parcel arrived this week.

It contained four beautiful jars in different colours and containing

sweet smelling candles with natural non-toxic ingredients.

They are a thoughtful Christmas gift from my son 

who will not be with us for Christmas this year.

A brief overnight snowfall covered the little pansy buds on my balcony,

but the snow soon melted in the morning sun.

We shall not be having a white Christmas down here,

only up higher and in the mountains.

I hope that you are savouring the special moments of the season

and taking the time to live each one to the full

even it this tends to be a very busy time of the year for many.

A Weekend in Zermatt

The River Vispa runs through the village of Zermatt and the pointed summit of this mountain

can be seen just about everywhere you go in the village.

The Matterhorn is probably the most well-known and recognizable mountain in Switzerland.

I recently spent a long weekend in this mountain village

and this is the view we had from the hotel balcony.

The rising sun hits the side of the snow-powdered rocky surface.

Different times of the day create different moods and they were a constant source

of never-ending fascination.

There were other things to see of course,

like beautiful chalets and pretty red shutters and seasonal decorations.

Bars and cafés often have outside seating with sheepskin rugs

and thick warm blankets to keep warm in the crisp, cold air.

Many of the chalets are very old and have a great deal of charm.

The older the chalet, the darker the aged wood becomes, like this one above.

I have a special fondness for draped sheer curtains!

The hotel we stayed in is basically a big chalet with a modern wing which

is the reception, breakfast room and restaurant.

The hotel is very nicely placed just slightly out of the centre, 

but with an easy ten-minute walk to the station. 

Only electric vehicles are allowed here

and the air is beautifully pure.

This view just takes my breath away.

The Matterhorn is 4.478 metres high.

The German word 'Matte' means valley or meadow and 'Horn' means peak.

Here is the main church called St. Maurizius

This is the view you get as you come down the steps from the church

The front view from the steps on the old chalets and another mountain range.

One last shot of this iconic mountain at sunset when the sky was just turning

a shade of lavender.

We were so lucky with the weather which was sunny and quite cold.

On the last morning, it was -10 degrees Celsius,

but the average temperature during our stay was around -6C.

I really want to go back here again, but in the summer months so that we can do 

more hiking and enjoy the Alpen flowers.

How Can We Define Impermanence?

Everything changes constantly.

Just going for a walk, I notice how the things around me change from day to day.

This lovely crinkly leaf was not against the railings when I passed this way

the day before.

The life cycle of a leaf is an example of impermanence.

Melting ice

illustrates how fast things can change in a matter of moments.

Not resisting change

Life is comparable to a river, or flowing water.

It is a progressive movement, a successive series of different moments,

joining together to give the impression of one continuous flow.

Going with the way things are rather than fighting the natural flow

and wanting things to be something else.

Non-resistance helps us to adapt to constant change and to accept it.

The impermanence of the seasons.

As one season celebrates its plenitude, another lies dormant,

waiting for the moment of rebirth.

Like crumpled tan gloves dropped on the earth, these fallen leaves

seem completely connected to the first snow fall

and in acceptance of their condition.

The fleetingness of shadows

and how their impermanent nature can charm and enthrall us

Their brief and changing presence makes me stop awhile

and enjoy them so much more!

Trusting change

Change can occur in different ways.

Sometimes we seek it out and other times it comes upon us unawares.

There are many crossroads throughout our lives

and important choices to make.

We ask ourselves: "Which ways shall I go? Should I turn left or right or

continue on the beaten track for fear of the unknown?

Whatever changes comes upon us without warning, as much as those

we specifically choose,

putting our trust in the long-term outcome

gives us newfound strength and the confidence to carry on,

come what may.

Slowing down and shifting priorities

Because of recent unexpected events. I have been forced to slow down considerably.

I have always enjoyed reading, but because of other much-loved creative activities,

and of dealing with the practicalities of life, 

I often put off reading-time till very late in the day

when I'm almost ready for bed.

These days, with a plaster cast on my right hand and arm,

I have had to review my priorities.

This has given me the opportunity to incorporate my reading times 

into new and different moments of the day.

I have created new spaces in my daily routine

which reminds me to continue to do this even when my right hand

is free again in five weeks' time.

***

Although I am not a Buddhist, I feel very much aligned to a great deal

of their philosophy.

"In Buddhism, the term 'annica' refers to the doctrine of impermanence

which asserts that all of conditioned existence, without exception,

is transient, evanescent, inconstant."

(Taken from Wikipedia)

Early Buddhism dealt with the question of impermanence

in a very rational manner.

According to 'annica', impermanence is an undeniable and inescapable fact

of human existence from which nothing that belongs to this earth is ever free.

So, however we feel about the impermanent nature of all things,

seizing the moment as it comes to us

to live it fully

just the way it is

seems like the very best thing we can do for ourselves and for others.

***

I know this blog entry is much wordier than a simple entry

on photography, but I'm currently following a workshop called:

"Celebrate Impermanence"

which has opened the door to new ways of observing life as it is

which is in a state of perpetual change

made up of

a multitude of moments.

If you are interested to read more about the workshop above.

You can find a link

HERE