Winter magic all around us!

 It’s a very cold and snowy day today in Greece, and winter has finally settled in for good.

I love snowy weather because we don’t often have it in my city and we are all looking forward to ‘white’ days and nights. 

I suppose it is good to have snow for some time and see the place transformed into a winter wonderland especially when it is Christmas time.

Last week, I was lucky to spend sometime in the country and I really couldn’t get enough of the beauty of the landscape. There were hills and mountains all around a long and wide valley, with farms, picturesque villages  and a river. When we arrived, I could see smoke covering the horizon, like a cloud hovering over the rooftops. I think it came from the chimneys.

 It was Christmas Eve and people were preparing for the big night, lighting the fireplaces , setting their tables for their festive dinner and welcoming guests. I love this special feeling that you have just before Christmas Eve and Day. A feeling of anticipation, of warmth and joy in your heart .I always try to find some quiet time by myself to think about the essence of Christmas on that day and feel the serenity and love it brings along.

On Christmas morning we set off for the mountain. Our destination was a town, perched on the cliff , a tourist destination which was unexpectedly quiet when we got there, probably because it was already lunch time and few people were around. The view is great but what I like the most is the beauty of the route you follow to get there.   The trees have almost lost all their foliage and the remaining leaves are trying hard to keep their balance on the branches. I love the colours. All the hues of brown, grey, yellow and green, pale colours but very vivid and ‘strong’,when the rays of the winter afternoon sun appear through the clouds.  

 But what I am really attracted to, in this beautiful place ,are the barns and sheds that are scattered almost everywhere along the route. They stand by the street behind fences or wires, you can see them in the distance, hidden behind bushes or trees in a farm, rambling or in good condition, deserted or in use, they are everywhere.  

They are very humble, easy to make structures, used to store tools, logs, wood or to shelter animals and people   who work in the farm. I don’t know why I like them so much. I suppose it has to do with my obsession with small ‘houses’ like birdhouses, doll houses , attics etc. J .

  They are small,  but they provide shelter and warmth in the ‘middle of nowhere’ , when it is cold and rainy, windy and snowy on the mountain . One can think of many stories that could be related to them, especially on Christmas day when ‘magic’ is in the air…….

Anyway, I took some pictures of them, so here they are.

After we had wondered around for some time, taking pictures and breathing in the crisp mountain air ,

we were very lucky to come across a lovely café and pub and rest for some time before we went back home.  Do you like its welcoming entrance? How warm and cute this is!

I will leave you here for now my dear readers from around the world ,with some pictures of my Christmas decorations which I love and make me feel like a child again , who believes in Santa and waits for its presents underneath the Christmas tree.

Happy New year to all of you ,no matter where you are in the world and  I truly wish you to  soon overcome whatever makes you suffer.

Love, 
Tina  xxxxxxxxxxx