Easter Shian Winter 2023 Edition #2

HIAN

EASTER

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.

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WHAT'S IN E|S WINTER'23 Know about Easter Shian 04

In this interim season edition an ES update.

Imbolc 06

Celtic and how it was and how it can be.

Hello 07

A little hello and intro from me to you

The Library 08

Words matter, books matter and this is whats been read in the library .

The Gallery 15

A few of my first photos on the camera

WIN TER DECEMBER, JANUARY & FEBRUARY

WWW.EASTERSHIAN.COM

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E|S WINTER '23

KNOW MORE ABOUT 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.

" Ye nivver dee'd o winter yit" Scottish proverb - "You will survive"

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WINTER

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.

06 Imbolc IN THE BELLY OF THE MOTHER 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

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

LIVING IMBOLC The day of Imbolc was celebrated by

There is also Groundhog day at

burning lamps and lighting bonfires in

this time too which is when the

tribute to Saint Brigid and this also falls

groundhogs come out from

and connects Candlemas.

winter and our ancestors would dictate if we had an early or late

The solace of a good candle and how it

spring.

can perfume and light a room I embrace so I will be partaking and believe its one

Ultimately Winter is easing,

February 1st tradition we could all

nature is guiding us and we get

partake in. Light a candle, make a

the chance to iterate ourselves too

connection to what you see, be outdoors, see the days get lighter after.

FOLLOW RECOMMEND @EVERYTHINGLOOKSROSIE an insta and substack, it is a wonderful delight

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E|S WINTER 2023

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.

photo credits @by nova

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 contradiction.I like a tidy house yet cant abide cleaning.I 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 .

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE ON THESE PAGES? let me know via @eastershian or email me on hoose@eastershian.com

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E|S WINTER 2023

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

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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

Japanese 72 Seasons

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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 9th 13th) 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)

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"I CAN,I WILL, I DO,I SHALL, I HAVE" MY LIFE MANTRA

E|S

EMPORIUM

COMING SUMMER 2023 WWW.EASTERSHIAN.COM/EMPORIUM

E|S WINTER 2023

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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.

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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 .

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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.

IMPERFECTLY PERFECT

IMPERFECTLY PERFECT

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A/M - Project

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.

E|S WINTER 2023

E|S WINTER '23 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!

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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.

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E/S- WINTER 2023

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 Dave Evans 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.

Kim Goulding 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.

Jack Wallington 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. .

Dunkeld vets 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!

Instagram followers 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.