Woodsmoke and Candlelight

Another working day, another day of preparations.  Christmas Eve is always a busy day, as we don't decorate until today and so the day is absorbed by a lot of little jobs.  The two beech branches look good in their pots, minimally decorated with glass and silver objects; some 30 years old, family pieces, 'stories of Christmases long long ago'.  We hope to move house in January and have decorated sparsely, as if on the move already.  

A cool grey day.  As it began to go dark we went delivering cards to the neighbours, a different perspective on our house from each of theirs; the cottages on the edge of the Moor, the cottage on the road but with stunning views across the valley.  The Hill looms large from all of the cottages here.  A short day, steeped in woodsmoke, from our fire or the neighbours', the very air seemed scented with it.  And for the first time in a long while we have lit candles tonight, the house cleared and cleaned and decorated; tomorrow December is replaced by Christmas, at least until the few working days reappear, like a patch of ground in melting snow.