Friday 24 December 2010

Yuletide Blessings

Happy Yuletide and post Solstice Blessings.

I have been snowed in on my tiny coastal Island that has not seen snow like this in more than 30 years.

The birds have been desperate and I have found many new visitors to my garden including Willow Tit, Pied Wagtail, and Long Tail Tit. So beautiful. I have found myself raiding the baking supplies and making fatballs out of marzipan, cherries, cranberries and so many other ingredients.

As my cupboards empty with no chance of shopping I worry more about the birds. Every night of this extreme weather they lose 10% of their body weight and need to eat 40% of their body weight each day to survive the evening.
Luckily for the birds, my freezer broke and I have been giving them all they care to eat from potato waffles to boil in the bag fish. It is all thankfully welcomed. Yet still, they grow thin.
Spare a thought for the wild birds of your gardens this Yule and reward their presence with food. But please be aware, that turkey fat can kill many garden birds (don't ask me how i read this on the RSPB website) so refrain from giving them the Christmas dinner scraps.

I will be hosting the January 2011 Festival of the Trees. The Theme will be the UN 2011 International Year of the Forest. Do you have any tree related New Years Resolutions? Do you have plans to plant trees in 2011. Do trees dominate your art and writing? If so email me a weblink or leave it in the comments box below.

I will be delighted to receive all offerings. Maybe you have some tree centred art, poetry, textile or writing that was created in 2010? If so share the link. This is the season to reflect.
Until then, Stay warm and safe and may your days be filled with love and inspiration xJ