The Spirit of December

Here we are in the last month of the year!
How did that creep up on us?

The days are so short now and night comes earlier and earlier.
The lighting is sometimes so grey and dull that photography becomes a challenge.
Candlelight sets the scene early mornings and early evenings!

There have been sunny days with blue skies and I always go outside to take in the beauty.

There have been many rainy days too and walks with my umbrella.

The park benches are collecting fallen leaves

The leaves in my basket of strawberry plants have turned beautiful colours.
At the beginning of the month, there were still tiny flowers and green strawberries
that will not longer ripen.

One day, I walked down to the big park Mon Repos
and did capture these beautiful beech leaves before they joined all the others on the ground.

Next year's buds have already formed as the last leaf on a young tree still holds on.

In November, I took a very interesting course called:
with Kim Manley Ort.

One of my favourite exercises was to go out with our camera and take a photo every ten steps.
The above collage of four photos is part of one such outing.
It was raining and I was holding my umbrella.

The photos are as follows, going from the bottom left clockwise:
A wall at eye-level with ivy and fallen leaves
A Sequoia tree trunk which looked amazingly like a man's profile
The wet road as I crossed to go to the park with car lights shining on the wet surface
Drops of rain still clinging to the wire barrier as I left the park.

The exercise suggested stopping after every ten steps and observe
looking up and down and all around.

I was fascinated to see this lovely green moss and how it had even grown a little
green 'button' in the hole of a piece of metal on the paving stones.

I was preparing some Christmas decorations and noticed this out of focus golden glow
out of the corner of my eye.
I turned my head and took the photo with the soft focus as I had seen it.

The golden glow came from tiny golden bells put onto a little silver dish
so they wouldn't roll away.

One morning, I walked into my bedroom to see tiny and magical dots of light and shadows
playing on my bookcase and wall and on the miniature chest of drawers
a souvenir from my father.
I just love moments like this for they're so fleeting.

I have been busy making crocheted gifts.
These are envelopes made for paper napkins.

More candlelight to observe as I noticed the twin flames reflected in the glass front of
my chiming clock.
That little angel moves around, doesn't she?
But now she's permanently on the small round table next to my couch
next to the candle holder in the shape of a waterlily!
You can see them both in the very first photo.

Can you see the tiny little heart that formed on the candle wick when I blew out the candle?

When we take the time to look around us and notice tiny details
we bring joy into the moment.


21 comments

  1. You are certainly very observant Sandra. I love your photography, as you know. I always admire your insights.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Sarn. Photography teaches us a great deal about perception and observation!

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  2. Your photos from Kim's class are wonderful! I love little surprise details like the candle wick, they always brighten my days! Love seeing your little angel around your home. You know you could do a series on her as she spreads peace and joy through your home!

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. I love little surprises too and magical lighting moments! Yes, that little angel travelling around my home is a fun idea!

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  3. Beautiful photos Sandra, I wish I had your talent. What a lovely idea to make envelopes for napkins. I have never seen this before and your crochet is just perfect.

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    1. Thank you for your visit and kind comment, Catherine. So glad you like those crocheted envelopes! I really had fun making them!

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  4. Even during this gray period of short days and not much light, your photos are just lovely, Sandra. I always enjoy how you see the special little things like the heart in the wick. I need to slow down and become more observant!

    Beautiful crocheted gifts and I like the idea that they hold pretty packets of napkins :) I'm sure they will be well received! Enjoy this last weekend before Christmas ♥

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    1. Thank you, Carol. The beauty of fine-tuning our awareness is that everything we see becomes worthy of our attention and admiration. I'm glad you like the crocheted gifts. Four of them are wrapped to give and I have kept one for myself!

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  5. Hello Sandra,

    Your photos are all lovely.
    Light is so important at this time of year and can make photography challenging.

    Your crocheted napkin envelopes are so lovely, i paused and looked at each one closely. Lucky recipients.

    Lovely solstice and beyond to you, more light.

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  6. PS I just read a quote on another blog and thought to share it with you:

    The soul is a crystal, love is its light.
    L’âme est un cristal et l’amour sa lumière.

    Angelus Silesius

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    1. Thank you, Tammie. Some of our days are so dark that we always need the electric light on! Candlelight is very lovely in the early mornings and evenings.
      I love the quotation you gave me, both in French and in English. It's very beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me!

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  7. Beautiful photos Sandra!! So true, we need the light, especially photographers, who blog! We love your crocheted gifts, they are beautiful!! We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for another year of your friendship!!

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    1. Thank you for your kind Christmas wishes and for all the visits you make here in my little world throughout the year!

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  8. PRECIOSAS FOTOS!!!
    MUY LINDO EL TRABAJO DE CROCHET.
    SALUDOS

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  9. I love all the leave shots especially the ones on the bench. And the light shots with the bells and the dotty lights are quite lovely. I think I have seen those dotty lights and even took some shots. You never know what you can catch sight of when you really pay attention. Thanks for sharing your little happy accidents.

    Have a lovely day.

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    1. Thank you, lissa, for your visit and kind comments. Yes, when we take the time to really look at small details we find so many simply joys to embellish our day!

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  10. Wonderful post.
    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, full of health, joy and love.

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    1. Thank you very much, Maria! I hope your Christmas will also be a lovely day!

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  11. Oh wow! The granny squares envelopes are magnificent!

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    1. So glad you like the granny square envelopes, Astri! I really enjoyed making them and choosing different colour combinations for each one!

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