Our home is decorated for the winter - the Geek always puts these lights up the weekend after Thanksgiving and they will stay there until daylight saving begins. We call them winter lights - this is a rather dark corner and all the dog walkers and joggers are thankful for some light. The lights are on a timer and switch on half an hour before sunset, switch off at 10pm and then switch on again at 6am for 90 minutes. We don't do any kind of Christmas decoration anymore and we said goodbye to a Christmas tree several years ago. It was a big relief for me.
December here looks a lot like autumn. The Japanese Maple in front of our house usually gets its most brilliant color around Thanksgiving and this year it lasted well into December.
These pictures were taken at sunrise when the leaves are backlit and the most beautiful.
Winter sunrises and sunsets are so much more intense. I enjoy the view from my bedroom window, shortly before sunrise...
... and after sunset.
However, I don't look that brilliant before sunrise. Here I am before breakfast, and more importantly before coffee, and although my hair looks kind of wild I did comb it. My curls simply can't be tamed and do whatever they want. This is for Nicole's Friday Face Off. Good morning!
Our mornings are cold and foggy, but our afternoons are sunny and very pleasant. I work a lot in the garden since there is still so much to do (the weeds are dancing salsa there). But I also take a break, sit in the sun and knit. My little companion is never far away and claims ownership. Another sweet face for FFO.
And lastly, I gave myself an early Christmas present (the only one since we don't so presents), this beautiful enameled cast iron covered casserole that comes with a lid. This has been on my wishlist for a long time and I finally used my tutorial money to buy one. The crisp gnocchi with brussels sprouts and brown butter turned out delicious in it.
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. It's the third Advent weekend, time for the Christmas market in Tübingen.
18 comments:
Ohhhh, wär ich gern euer Nachbar! Unser hat einen großen, orangenen Leuchtstern auf dem Balkon - letztes Jahr habe ich rübergerufen, wie ich mich immer freue, wenn ich ins Wohnsimmer komme und er versprach - und tat es... ließ ihn bis weit in den Januar leuchten :-)
Die Maple leaves sehen sehr schön aus.
Locken sind doch toll! Ich hab so dünnes, langweiliges Haar, ich täte gern tauschen! Schöne Brille auch. Good company!
Und schon wieder Brussels Sprouts! Ein Zeichen! Blog #2 und... ich habe die Tram in Brussels...
Weihnachtsmarkt in Braunschweig findest du hier, falls du gucken magst. Auf einen tollen Freitag!
I also stopped doing "Christmas decorations" a few years ago, and it is a more peaceful season for me.
...Carola, your beautiful Japanese maple would be decorations enough for me. I've propagating some this winter. Be warm and well.
Good morning, Beautiful photos
Lovely photos
I have one of those cast iron enameled casseroles and I love it. I bet you'll love yours too. And you get some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I think they are always more spectacular in winter, and probably not for you since you are still gardening (lucky you), give some color in a very grey time. Your house looks lovely too. Have a wonderful weekend Carola. And by the way, I don't think your hair looks so bad. I wake up and mine is often like a very bad mohawk. :) hugs-Erika
I love your vibrantly colourful and beautiful Christmas lights! And the Progress Pride Flag hanging behind them on the wall! Great shots of the autumnal Japanese maples too!
Dear Carola, your photos are gorgeous. And of course I love your 🐈 😻 I live alone since my divorce in 1998 and although I love ❤️ to see Christmas 🎄 decorations, I don't do this for myself. The less work the better.
First off you look beautiful. Your photos are so pretty. I love that you keep the lights on all winter. Wish I could. Nice gift to yourself. I would love one too. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a lovely weekend.
Hi Carola! Your house looks lovely, and so do you with your beautiful curls. Happy FFO!
I lived in a temporary rental during a lovely interlude in California, and there was a shallow enameled pan like yours. I cooked many casserole dishes in it. But when I got back home somehow I nevr decided to buy one for my home. I’m glad you got yours
I adore your curly hair! And the casserole is great. I always feel so cheered when I see the colorful lights in the dead of winter. I wish ours looked a little more like yours! Merriest!
Carola, you look good for not having a cup of coffee yet 😏 The tree is a great photo subject with such beautiful leaves. We still do Christmas decorations inside and outside our apt. One day we may also decide to quit, but not this year. I bought a cast iron enamel dutch oven a few months ago and have to yet to use it, but winter is a good time to start.
Your photographs are lovely.
The colour of the leaves so beautiful.
... and I like the photograph of you.
All the best Jan
Liebe Carola, eure Winterbeleuchtung sieht stimmungsvoll und fröhlich zugleich aus! Wir haben in diesem Jahr nur den beleuchteten Ring im Fenster hängen, der vor ein paar Jahren einen kaputtgegangenen leuchtenden Stern ersetzte. Ebenfalls mit Zeitschaltung, aber nur am Abend. Und auch Weihnachtsbaum haben wir schon ewig lange keinen mehr. Ich dekoriere das Wohnzimmer mit einigen wenigen Stücken, die ich mag, und meine liebe Schaufensterpuppe Amanda bekommt alle Jahre wieder eine Weihnachtsmannmütze aufgesetzt oder wird mit Lametta geschmückt 😊 Edi und ich schenken einander auch nichts, nur die Tochter und der Enkel kriegen was zu Weihnachten. Ich finde es gut und wichtig, sich nicht unter Druck zu setzen. So eine Pfanne hingegen macht Sinn!
Wie wunderschön dein Ahorn im Sonnenlicht 🍁 Und dir stehen die dezent verwuschelten Locken richtig gut!
Ich schick dir liebe Grüße, Krauler an deinen kleinen companion und wünsch dir & den Deinen eine Zeit voller Licht 🕯️✨❣️, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/12/reisebericht-2025-niagara-falls.html
Has hecho unas fotografías preciosas, me encantan. Besos.
The idea of “winter lights” is so thoughtful and practical, not festive for the sake of it.
Those backlit maple leaves and winter skies are stunning.
BTW, you are beautiful, Carola - love your curls.
Your winter lights are beautiful, Carola! I'm sure the neighborhood people really appreciate them. Kudos to your husband! That Japanese maple is gorgeous! Your kitty is adorable and looks very relaxed. I think you look great before coffee. You should see me! 😂 The gnocchi dish looks delicious. Perfect for a winter evening. Hugs and best wishes to you!
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