For me midwinter is a time for traditions (old and new) reflection, gathering with loved ones and sharing special food.

This year the season has felt a little different. It’s the third year my son hasn’t made it home for Christmas, we lost a beloved pet earlier in the year and my mum, who I was very close to and who was such a support and inspiration, recently died. I have so missed having these people and pet close by. However, there is new life in our family as my niece gave birth to her first child just twelve hours after my mum passed and he is a joyful new addition.

This pot grown tree lives in the garden all year and gets bedecked and brought into the living room for Christmas.

We collected evergreens to deck the house when I was a child and this is something I have continued to do as an adult. This bright cyclamen, which was a gift, added a brilliant bit of colour.

Fairy lights and a little forest.

Red shoes and sparkles worn for the Christmas feast. We have our main meal on Christmas Eve. A tradition started nineteen years ago at a big get together at my sister’s. We’ve found that it makes Christmas day more relaxed. There is time to open presents with care, have a slow walk in the park…

…and enjoy the company of family and friends without the pressure of cooking a big meal.

Walking and spending time outdoors is something I enjoy all year but it’s not always easy at this time of year as inclement weather can be off putting. Luckily there have been some fine days to take local walks.

Music is also a central part of my midwinter celebrations. The band I play in performed at a couple of gigs. One as a fundraiser for a local charity.

(I’m the fiddle player!)

I’m grateful for a bit of time to read, watch films and TV at this time of year and was excited to have a new episode of the Detectorists to watch. I made this piece of music and animation in homage to the show and it’s music.

Treasured decorations get packed away.

And there’s some fire and sparkle and more time to hold loved ones both past and present close in my heart.