Easter Shian Winter 2023 Edition #2

EASTER

H I A N

WINTER '23

Undefinable is a thing.

Imperfectly perfect, perfectly imperfect.

We live in constant change every day. Winter shows us how we do it, we just have to notice.

WIN TER

Winter is part of the cyclical focus of being, I am learning living at Easter Shian which may seem odd for a 52 year old! I am only now noticing the cycles of life, growth, change alter by moment and the reality is we do too.

Monty is side-eying his way through Winter as he recuperates after a big orthopaedic operation, and his recovery constitutes as little movement as possible for 6-8 weeks. Then a slow, prolonged progression back to full hikes and walks, which I truly am looking forward too.

This winter season speeds ahead as we move into Spring, and it has seen us commence lots of small projects and lots of other life stuff running parallel I share this throughout this edition and how it's achieved too I am great in duress, crisis or project as it drives my focus, however calm can be different in the mundane and I don't see myself at my best- my winter learning.

KNOW MORE ABOUT E A S T E R S H I A N

" Ye nivver dee'd o winter yit"

WINTER 05

I had always seen winter as October, November and December, cold, dark and uninviting with the break of Christmas and its jolly lights Living in Easter Shian, I am embracing the cyclical natural lifecycle of things winter as the season of continuous growth

December, January and February are Winter, and my unlearning of this is fascinating.

Imbolc

IN THE BELLY OF THE MOTHER

The Celtic calendar is fun to follow and see the differences , there is actually so many calendars the Japanese 72 seasons let you move slowly and seamlessly through the different things naturally happening and fascinates me I like the differences and similarities and ultimately teaching us

NOTICE what your NOT NOTICING

LIVINGIMBOLC

The day of Imbolc was celebrated by burning lamps and lighting bonfires in tribute to Saint Brigid and this also falls and connects Candlemas

The solace of a good candle and how it can perfume and light a room I embrace so I will be partaking and believe its one February 1st tradition we could all partake in Light a candle, make a connection to what you see, be outdoors, see the days get lighter after

There is also Groundhog day at this time too which is when the groundhogs come out from winter and our ancestors would dictate if we had an early or late spring.

Ultimately Winter is easing, nature is guiding us and we get the chance to iterate ourselves too

related to the sheep as they are growing their lambs in this season and also seeds of spring are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth

REALITY

This is an extension of what I share, the reality is messy and not as curated as things can look- never assume and never be deceived.

I am an oxymoron, a walking contradictionI like a tidy house yet cant abide cleaningI love style and don't brush my hair!

There's much to share from life, living and next edition will have each room sharing a feature from the kitchen and recipes, to the library and book recommends, curation ideas and styling

HELLO

Thought I would do a little hello and intro I am Debbie Halls-Evans from Easter Shian Farm This eZine is a joy project and one that I've pondered, thought about and plotted for quite a while over 12 months in fact. It's a focus and journal of whats going on and for me and hopefully you enjoy it as much as I have making it

THE LIBRARY

Welcome into my library, grab a book , randomly or after perusing the burgeoning shelves, sit down on the huge sheepskin, log adorned bench next to the window, nestle in to the oversized hessian cushions

I've always liked the idea of a bookclub if it was a solitary one! The opposite I suppose of what its meant to be. I love book recommendations yet not others synopsis or breakdown interpretations . I like to be engrossed in my own experience of the book and take what I want from it This alternative is more a share of what I've read and explore or not, just do take a seat

Welcome to the library

Winter books have some prerequisites they are distinctly different from a more frivolous lighter summer read, or an enlightening spring explore, and the autumnal preparation read Winter books are all about thick tomes, slow reading, pauses, folded corners, absorbing and being absorbed by new learnings, facts you didn't know. A winter book is a also returner, your go to book hug, a blanket, hot cup of tea or coffee, plate of biscuits safety book Heres my list of winter books.

WINTER BOOK LIST

2022/23

Winter Books to hug, dissolve, and be consumed by

Wintering Katherine May

Literally the only winter book you need

Faraway Tree Enid Blyton

Actually an all season book, see the world.

Wild about Weeds Jack Wallington

The reason he's doing our garden design

The Good Ancestor Roman Krznaric

Building a legacy means understanding it first

Japonisme Erin Niimi

Longhurst

How we can use culture as fun, understanding and home and learn a new perspective

Share your winter book offerings on INSTA

@eastershian

GREATER COLD

Butterburs bud (January 20th - 24th)

Ice thickens on streams (January 25th - 29th)

Hens start to lay eggs (January 30th - February 3rd)

BEGINNING OF SPRING

East wind melts the ice (Feb 4th - 8th)

Bush warblers start singing in the mountains (Feb 9th13th)

Fish emerge from the ice (Feb 14th - 18th)

RAINWATER

Rain moistens the soil (Feb 19th - 23rd)

Mist starts to linger (Feb 24th - 28th)

Grass sprouts, trees bud (March 1st - 5th)

"I CAN,I WILL, I DO,I SHALL, I HAVE"

MY LIFE MANTRA

EMPORIUM COMING SUMMER 2023

Robbie Burns (Burns Night 25th January)

"The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn, and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn."

photo taken by me on 25th January 2021 at Easter Shian

Sit for a while

Great things are noticed when we stop. We say we don't have time, we do. make time,. Winter offers that time USE IT. Sit a while, come sit with me and I with you.

Remember to exercise and get fresh air

Go outside, thats it. No matter where you live Experience nature from a flower pot to a pasture, from a balcony to a field. Nature surrounds us and restores us,. Notice it everywhere.

Mark the end of your working day

As Winter slowly fades , the days become brighter At the end of each day lets be grateful we got through whatever life throws at you light that candle for candlemas

Be kind on yourself

The word on yourself is key here. We are brutal criticisers of ourselves, the world of social media to societal expectations. Be kind on yourself It takes time and winter lets us work it out .

THE HOOSE

Vignettes is a great word and here are a few new photos taken by me on the Yule gift from Dave. Photography is a learned skill and noticing what you hadn't noticed before is my starting point Learning to edit etc is one that I want to avoid and be able to share raw natural unedited versions so you see how life really is, hopefully these vignettes of the hoose and gardens does that.

IMPERFECTLYPERFECT

G A L L E R Y

IMPERFECTLYPERFECT

G A L L E R Y

HOME IT'S PERSONAL

This is part of the "big barn", the one we have plans for. I just love the idea that this will one day be different, reused, reinterpreted and remade.

Winter is dirty boots, warm socks, changing weather (by the minute here in the Glen!) and as they say there is no bad weather just bad clothing!

March into Spring

The next edition of Easter Shian will be in Spring, sent out to all my newsletter signees first, and then available to everyone later. Spring is the bursting of life that's been hibernating, dormant, to our eyes comes back to life.

Yet it never died; it was just preparing its next iteration.

Nothing is achieved without others and I am fortunate to live in a community that embraces the "red squirrel" and has let us be involved and integrate. We have met the most creative souls, kindness given first questions later friends and most of all a life that accepts us as we are. Its not for everyone living so far away from a local shop! Yet for us it brings a balance to life that boosts us and we have had the opportunity to continue to meet like minded creative folks. Easter Shian has brought the best out of us- making our imperfectness something we can work on everyday.

THANKS

DaveEvans This month has seen Dave working away solo a lot more and looks like it a season of this year I will thank him every time as he is the stalwart, the support, the critic, the cheerleader. My love.

KimGoulding who I don't see or speak to often, yet is in my thoughts are friend of over 20 years and who bought the first gift for Easter Shian the daily used welly rack and I smile each time.

Maximillien Halls For embracing all that-is Easter Shian and the community For his work on acclimatising and to the future time we get to share.

JackWallington the book to contacting you, to the conversation to meeting you and now being a forever part of Easter Shian I know that i will be constant learner of all and so look forward to the gardens being what they deserve to be by your guidance

Dunkeldvets For the amazing care and attention of Monty, making him work again and providing us with the support to be be better human carers too!

Instagramfollowers I have a love dislike connection to insta, falling into its rabbit hole, comparison and more YET to the @homeofrealfood and @eastershian followers who have stuck with me, joined in Thank You