The winter solstice is just passed and slowly, very slowly, the days grow slightly longer and the nights slightly shorter.

Now is the darkest time of the year and our
farm rests for a time in the shade although the occasional ray of sunshine finds
its way through the branches. This morning it was 26 degrees below zero, grimly
with the first real cold before you become accustomed.

Late at Christmas Eve, when we were out to the wooden storehouse with Santa’s
porridge (an important tradition that we never miss!),offered nature an unusually clear starry sky which was also painted with Northern Lights. Amazing, it was a really evocative Christmas night.