My garden is getting ahead of itself. The hellebore is blooming well in advance. Shy flowers, dripping with rain, gaze at the ground and I kneel on the damp ground to photograph them.
We've had two frosty mornings this week, separated by one day of rain. If the two weather systems collided, perhaps we would get the snow I wish for.
Meanwhile, I venture outside just as the sun trudges reluctantly up the sky. Frost-edged hydrangeas draw my camera's attention.
In this season, where Nature slumbers, I keep a quiet Advent in my heart. Days are filled with lessons, recalcitrant students, sewing projects, and things I'd like to accomplish. How then, in the midst of busyness, do I hem my days with quietness?
It's not easy when everything around me says, "do, do, do," and "rush, rush, rush." I make my lists, trying to be realistic about what I can accomplish, and I build in time to read, to sew, to go for walks. Yes, there will be things left undone, but the important work of waiting in hope as the days darken, as I wait for the Light, literally and spiritually, draws me irresistibly to quiet my heart, if not my hands.
The first week of Advent and the first day of December are nearly over. Each day is precious. Like my garden, each day can be quietly beautiful.
Five glimpses of life here today for a linkup to Amy's Five on Friday.
Lovely frosty details. At least the frosty mornings bring with it nice photo opportunities. Satay warm!
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Mersad Donko Photography
I'm there with you too. Trying to enjoy every quiet special minute. Having more time now it is easier to do. We all get wrapped up in the hurly burly of Christmas but as your photos show lots of beauty to enjoy. I'll have to check my hellebores :) B
ReplyDeleteReading your post brought a moment of quiet...then again, things are entirely too quiet most days. Balance, I need some!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I am going to try to put your post's view into practise. I think we all need to take a deep breath and slow down, appreciate the quiet. Your garden photographs are wonderful. I love the touches of frost on the flowers.
ReplyDeleteHappy Five on Friday
A beautiful post, uplifting. Now that I am home and manage to get the décor done I hoping for lots of quiet time for reflection.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to stop and reflect in the middle of a very rushed season. Your hellebores are very early. Mine are just emerging from the earth.
ReplyDeleteSlowing down is so important for our well being...
ReplyDeleteyour frosty images are so incredibly crisp!
I try to do things slowly and mindfully especially during the holidays!
Lovely post. Yes -- slowing down, calm, peace .. so important. Love images. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteLooking for Light with you, Lorrie. Thanks for posting xx
ReplyDeleteLovely to take a look into your week. I hope you get the snow you are longing for, but please don't feel the need to share with me! I am not so keen!
ReplyDeleteA stunning post and a firm reminder that we must all slow down and enjoy this season. Have a lovely weekend xx
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos. Hasn't it been cold but having the bright blue skies and sunshine with it has been glorious. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos of the hellebore & frosty leaves! You are just right to slow down & enjoy these special moments!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos of the frosty flowers in your garden. We always have that conflict between wanting to stop and enjoy the world around us whilst being aware that things need to be done. Wishing you a peaceful weekend:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful glimpses. Hope you have a good peaceful weekend.
ReplyDeleteShoot, Lorrie, I just wrote a nice, long comment on your beautiful post, and when I hit publish I got an error message and my comment disappeared. I'll just say that I love your frost photos, but I believe the hellebore photo is my favorite. Such wonderful flowers.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've found a way to let the quiet in at this very busy time of the year. If people are too busy, it's easy to miss the miracle of Christ's birth. Wishing you a peaceful weekend, Lorrie.
Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
I hope we'll get to see more of you Advent items. The angel is a very sweet start.
ReplyDeleteGreat frosty pictures. We're supposed to get our first frost at the end of the next week, hope it comes and kills off whatever is causing our awful allergies.
ReplyDeleteYour frosted floral photos are absolutely stunning! I loved them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post today my friend.
ReplyDeleteA delightfully calming a peaceful post. I must check my hellebores to see if the are any flowers yet.
ReplyDeleteLovely frosty photos. Our family out there have been mentioning it might snow. We have slowed down a lot over the past couple of years, Christmas is way too commercial these days. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking today about nurturing a quiet heart.
ReplyDeleteNo frost here yet, but expecting it in a couple days. They said there was a possibility of light snow the first of the week. My oh my, hellebore blooming! WOW!
I love what you shared about making time in the busyness to do quiet things and to prepare you heart.
ReplyDeleteAt least you can sing Frosty the snowman even if you can't quite get to I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!!! We're getting nicely warm here, the kids are on holidays - we're very low key with Christmas which is why I love an Aussie Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHave fun
Wren x
Lovely meditative post ... good advice that is both joyful and useful. I really love hydrangeas because they are beauttiful in all their seasons. The frosted edges enhance that!
ReplyDeleteWe're still waiting for the first snowfall here too. Your beautifully written posts always leave me inspired!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Sometimes I have that old habit of getting in my car, feeling like I am late, and get that rush of adrenalin I always felt when I was driving the kids to school in heavy traffic; but then I remind myself to slow down. There's no need to ever rush. I'm happy to step back, relax and just breathe. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Lorrie! I struggle to find quietness even in my own heart. It seems that each year this is more true than the year before. This is always the busiest season for me with my artwork combined with responsibilities as a pastor's wife and all the things the holidays bring. But, deep down inside there is a peace that passes understanding even when I can't find the quietness. And thankfulness... great thankfulness.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Christi
I don't know hellebores - or, I didn't know hellebores, but now I have two types in my new front yard landscaping! I noticed that they are blooming, and I may need to stand on my head to take pictures of them soon :-) though I don't think they will be as beautiful and dramatic as yours!
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