I sketched today’s entry as we sat in the car with fingers crossed, hoping we’d squeak onto the ferry home. Can you tell that’s the e rear view of the SUV in front of us in the lineup? The pencil lines are so light you might not be able to discern the mountains, but oh, they were glorious today, their new dusting of snow all sparkly against a cold, blue sky.
Once we made it onto the boat’s bottom deck (only 4 or 5 made it after us, and the next hopefuls had to wait another sailing, two more hours), I even ventured outside where the windchill factor brought us well under freezing. But so gorgeous. And most invigorating.
Cold, I say again! But isn’t it stunning?!
The house was cold, too, when we got in, still sulking a bit, I imagine, from being abandoned all week. But the fire’s blazing up some heat, the lights are on the tree, the cat is reluctantly admitting that she knows us, and we both have lovely new books to read. (I finished All the Light We Cannot See and am several chapters into the promises-to-be-scrumptious The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters, whose Fingersmith I gobbled happily quite a few years ago.)
What about you? Are you able to relax into this “time between the years” (as commenter Eleonore tells me these days are so charmingly called in Germany)? If not, I hope you’ll accept my posts as a sharing rather than a gloating. I can’t help myself savouring what might just be my favourite part of the season, , l
Posted with Blogsy
The time between the years! So apt. I am semi-hibernating, early bed, no rush to get up, lazy coffee and panettone, gentle pottering and reading, reading, reading….Arthurian legends, as it happens, getting ready for next week at school. Might I recommend the novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, ostensibly for children and young adults, actually for all those who love a proper historical tale? I am currently roaming ancient Gaul with Artor, in search of horses with his Companions. And getting ready for a New Year dinner with close friends. To all in the between days, I wish you happy times.
Yes! I remember reading Rosemary Sutcliff, learning about history through those wonderfully thick novels I'd cart home from the library. Thanks for the reminder and recommendation — keep an eye out for me in ancient Gaul; I may join you there!
Am totally embracing this "time between the years" love, love, love it. Did you enjoy All the Light We Cannot See? It's on my to read list. Also like the sound of sarah Waters book Happy New Year. Iris H
I enjoyed it very much, although it probably won't be on my five stand-outs list for the year. I'd happily recommend it, though, as a beautifully written novel with great characters and some gripping human dilemmas in difficult times. Much that sticks. Wonderful descriptions of science (marine zoology; radio physics; properties of light) and music and Paris and French village life . . . Happy New Year to you as well!
I too am enjoying the time between the years. My cats and dog won't let me sleep in; they demand breakfast so I must get up. My yarn stash is pilled on the table, waiting to be sorted and put away again, part of my taking stock at this time of year. I seem to have run out of books to read so I might walk up to the library today and find a nice murder mystery, nothing too deep.
Enjoy your beautiful scenery and the pause between years. All the best for 2015 when it arrives.
Honestly, one of the (lesser) reasons I won't get another dog (or cat, once our hand-me-down passes on), is the interference with sleeping in. OUr last two dogs didn't stir before 8, but that's unusual, I think. Our cat is generally out at night. I applaud your faithfulness and patience. Hope you're rewarded with a few great mysteries at the library. May your 2015 arrive with bundles of satisfactions for your year.
That is a special feeling – that relief on making it into the ferry by a car length. I never, ever tire of the trip. I haven't done any reading at all during this wonderful time suspended between the years, but I have done a fair amount of stitching. Fingers busy and mind free to wander.
Isn't it a treat?! We haven't bothered with reservations this year and we're usually lucky, but sometimes it's very close. . .
I liked All The Light, although I was not wholly submerged, as I am by the best of the best books. And I am happy to hear you enjoying the peace.
It was perhaps a bit too smooth. I had reservations about reading it, having taken a few German Lit courses years back and swearing off anything that smacks of Holocaust Lit since — the novels I read then were so demanding and rigorous and scrupulous that almost anything topic-related since then seems exploitative. But I read it on the recommendation of a good friend and I'm glad enough that I did. Much that I really sunk into and some images and characters that will stick. Not best of the best, no, but those, by nature, are few and far between. And one can't tolerate being wholly submerged all the time, or at least I can't.
We're embracing the time too – still unpacking boxes but enjoying staying in one place and savouring the unhurried moments. We've moved into a Street With Kids !!! So one of us is delirious with joy 🙂
I'm almost delirious on his behalf, remembering how wonderful it was for my kids to have that. It really will be a Happy New Year! perhaps even the year you and I manage another visit (we did have a very brief one, a meeting at least, at that social media conference a few years back)
Oh, that is gorgeous. I should take a photo of what I'm looking at today – just to horrify you 🙂 And I love that term: time between the years. I've never heard it before but it's so apt.
works, doesn't it!
I like that idea — the time between the years — but I am not really settling into it well this time around, and although I love settling and the sense of ending and beginning, I'm feeling too much pressure to come roaring out of the gate with a whirlwind few months beginning on the 4th. I hope I've learned to savor the slower moments though, and to be less inclined to overdo… it has been a year filled stern reminders of the costs of doing too much, as well relief at letting go.
Yes, do take care, ease into the year. . . so pleased to read you here — Happy New Year!
I love the drawings! There's something about non-verbal communication that is very relaxing. Please keep them coming.
The photos are spectacular. I see the Atlantic regularly, but it's never that dark, dark blue.
Thanks for the encouragement. As for the difference between Pacific and Atlantic, interesting. . . I'll have to think about that next time we're in Europe.
These days are so very crisp and clear. We'll be heading home on the ferry tomorrow morning, hoping to catch the ferry we aim for. All the Light is on my bookshelf at home waiting for me to begin.
Love your sketching-while-waiting. A lovely way to put in a few minutes in this "time between the years." Do you find, as I do, that drawing and painting (and writing) requires a mind mostly unencumbered by duties that must be done?
I think you'll enjoy All the Light, when you get a minute. As for the sketching, painting, almost anything creative, really, I do find that I need some mind-clearing, puttering time to get organized toward it first. And then some of those activities need some real, material organizing to happen as well, getting the pencils, paints, paper. . .
So enjoy your posts. Happy New Year! Freezing cold here in Nebraska.
Bundle up! It's just freezing here, a few degrees below, but scheduled to warm up in the next few days and then . . . more rain! Happy New Year!
Thanks for the rush of memories!! It is the most beautiful place on earth, no question in my mind. Happy New Year!!
It's pretty special! Happy New Year to you as well.
Happy New Year to everyone! May your year be filled with much love and laughter.
It's 10am here as I write this New Years Day. We've had very hot weather here the last few days. We saw the new year in with our closest friends and a few new ones. Had a fantastic evening.Didn't get to bed till 2.30am. It's already about 32degrees C outside and summer appears to have arrived.
Your photos of the ferry crossing takes me back to 2013 and our trip to your beautiful part of the world. Thankyou for the memories 🙂
So you're already enjoying 2015 — and such warmth! We are not likely to last until 2:30. It's been a long day here already and it's only dinner time. Happy New Year!