A December Walk In The Woods

How strange that these are photographs of December in Austria. Normally at this time of year we are tucked deep in banks of white snow. But these days, the air is mild, and the birds sing as if it's late March.

These are quiet days; walks, cooking, talking, watching movies, and mostly, spending time with Rafael.

I took out all of my old January issues of my favorite magazines from the couch table and have them in a neat stack, ready to be leafed through like they are every year. Am I the only one whose favorite issues are the January ones? They are always so full of clean freshness...humble designs and hearty, simple meals. Somewhat of a relief from the gaudy Christmas issues, where you feel this pressure for decorating and cooking to be especially spectacular.

January lies ahead...a new year. Soon we'll be packing up the holiday decorations and bringing home hyacinth and tulips.

But first, we'll enjoy these final days of December. And who knows...maybe snow will fall after all?

xoxo