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A frosty morning and a Frost Moon

I woke up this morning to frost outside and a very definite chill in the air.  Inside, the central heating's chugging away, and I keep imagining my energy bill going up, up, up, but what can you do?  A family member's just had a heat pump and solar panels installed at his home, and it'll be interesting to see how low his energy bills go in the winter months ahead.  I honestly don't understand why our government doesn't launch a huge investment programme across the country, insulating homes and installing solar panels wherever possible.  I know it'd cost a fortune, but it'd be good for the nation's health & well being.  Whether that's pensioners shivering in cold, damp homes, or poorer families not having enough money to eat well or pay childcare costs as they're struggling with huge energy bills.  

Anyway, enough of that.  I've been carrying on with various crafty projects.  

My 'colour study' efforts are continuing.  So far I've been trying to capture the colours of various leaves and shells.  On a recent walk I picked up pheasant feathers, so might try those next.  Are you one of those people who collect things when you're out walking?  Those 'natural treasures' that you only remember stuffing in your coat pockets weeks later.  Conkers, acorns, autumn leaves, seed heads.  Even twigs with beautifully coloured lichen growing on them.  I know I look like a mad bag lady when I'm gathering these up, but do I care?  Nope.  
I finished sewing tiny metal jingle bells on to this Jude Hill inspired wall hanging.  It needs hanging loops of some kind, but I'm quite pleased with it.  Incidentally, we've had the most beautiful full moons lately, haven't we?  Apparently, November's moon is known as either the Beaver Moon or the Frost Moon.  I prefer the latter as the former sounds more American than English.  Also, Frost Moon is more poetic.  
What else can I rabbit on about?  Oh yes, hyacinths.  Random, I know, but I was in Lidl the other day - yes, my life is that glamorous - and bought a boxed hyacinth bulb and glass vase.  Once I'd got it home I decided that actually I needed a few more.  So a trip to a nearby plant nursery was called for, and a pack of White Pearl bought.  I only have one other bulb vase, but have various other flower vases that I unearthed from the depths of a kitchen cupboard.  
The bulbs are already showing green tips of growth and the vases look really good clustered together. 
I'm hoping they'll all flower and the house will be filled by their glorious perfume.  That's got to be better than buying a scented air freshner, hasn't it?  
I'll round up this blog entry with a couple of finished journals.  I made covers out of cardboard food packaging and gell prints, and added my homemade washi tape along the spines.  At least that's a couple of things off my To-Do list.  Okay, I hope you're warm & well, and thanks for stopping by.  

 

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