December 18, 2010

Winter Lights.

As we step into the final week of Christmas anticipation, my surroundings grow darker by each day.
These days,  I find myself suffering from a mild case of insomnia - of the good kind. Thus being wide awake in the early hours of the morning, I love to watch the world, as it is still submerged in darkness and stillness.

I do not mind this current state of my mind, as pleasant thoughts fill my entire being and I find incredible comfort in the ebony of the winter dawn. The only illumination - in my home and outside my windows - comes from candles and the beautiful Christmas Lights. Their delicate shine creates a feeling of enchantment and tranquility, spreading a soothing and comforting atmosphere.

Each morning, I enjoy watching the sky turn milky grey, as the illumination slowly looses in intensity, until it at one point vanishes all together, signaling a birth of yet another winter day.

42 comments:

Elizabeth said...

good to hear that you are doing allright while enjoying the absence of light.

Christmas-etc... said...

Beautiful reflections, Zusana! I couldn't agree with you more... I almost feel like I have missed a day if I don't see it's sunrise.
Merry Christmas Week!
Ann
PS Thank you so much for entering my GIVEAWAY!

Phivos Nicolaides said...

A good idea is to get the plane and have Christmas with us in the Mediterranean region! There is so much light here. You are most welcome dear friend Zuzana!

Brian Miller said...

nice...bet you place looks pretty lit by candle light...it is soothing on the eyes as well. cool pics. i hope you have a great weekend...

Anonymous said...

Sounds nice.
i'm awake in the early hours purely out of habit.
But honestly, i'm waiting for spring to get here. lol
I like these beautiful pictures you're always posting

tony said...

Its Odd how the absence of Light enhances the other senses.Its Good! The other senses compensate somehow......
Have A Fine Weekend Zuzana xoxo
(Heavy snow here again in Yorkshire!)

Jerry said...

Pre-dawn morning is my favorite time. My mind is relaxed and floats with ease and is open to absorb what my senses brush past. If I try just the slightest bit I can take a single thought and stream a wondrous thread of logic and illogic and reach laughable and fun conclusions. That is what my relaxed mind will do.

Candle light and tiny lights can provide a world of wonder. I see what you see.

Dan said...

Maybe I should embrace the absence of light as you have done Zuzana. It normally doesn't bother me at all, and I truly love the tiny amount of snow the winter has brought (normally we hardly get any), but to spend all those daylight hours in an office - it's not good!!!
Dan
-x-
We're heading up to Yorkshire for some proper snow this Christmas!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Soft and romantic photos...comforting.
Enjoy your weekend sweet Zuzana!

S. Susan Deborah said...

Dear Zuzana,

You are gradually building the momentum for Christmas and each time I visit here, I know Christmas is just at the door. You know the art, don't you. The lights you have shown us are so brilliant and lovely. They sure bring joy.

Joy always,
Susan

Myrna R. said...

Insomnia, the good kind. How sweet you frame everything in a positive cloak. I too love the pre-dawn hours. I've rarely been up to witness it, but I know its serene, peaceful beauty.

Your house seems so welcoming. It really exudes the Christmas spirit.

Kath said...

Quite poetic, you really conjured up the atmosphere of your morning, so that I could imagine being there.

steviewren said...

Enjoy your early morning revelry dear friend. Such things should never be taken for granted. They are the things that sweet memories are made of.

Anonymous said...

Zuzana, I too enjoy the early morning hours when the rest of the world appears to be asleep. I have always been this way. When growing up, I was the first to wake up. I can especially remember at Christmas time getting up before the sun and lighting the Christmas tree and sitting there wishing that all children like me could have a Christmas gift.
Merry Christmas to you!
:) The Bach
Lord Thomas of Wellington

Hilary said...

Beautiful as always, my friend. I'm glad your thoughts are of the pleasant variety. ;)

Betsy Brock said...

There's nothing like candlelight! It's almost the shortest day of the year!

Paul C said...

I, too, experience a little turmoil during these long nights. Yet that light of later dawn brings a vitality and enthusiasm for possibilities which exist for the new day.

sprinkles said...

I bet your home looks beautiful enveloped in candlelight.

I hope the insomnia doesn't carry on for too long because after awhile, it might not be as enjoyable.

I got your Christmas card the other day, thank you! I love your handwriting, so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Dear Zuzana,

Beautiful - just beautiful! I love the picture of the candle! It's amazing!

That's one thing about the holidays I'll miss the most - the twinkling lights all over the town... it helps to brighten up the dreary winter scenery...

I keep trying to figure out a way to at least keep the inside of my house "sparkling" throughout the winter months (without keeping my tree up! :) and I can't come up with anything...:)

((Hugs))
Christine

Rustique Gal said...

Dear Friend,
Your post today has me feeling cozy and tucked in. I love the candle and christmas lights! I have such nostalgic feelings this time of year, and I can just feel the indulgence of your sweet winter dawnings by candlelight.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Hugs,
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Such a peaceful post - I can imagine you enjoying the gentle dawn and the magical lights of candles...

Anonymous said...

So beautiful, Zuzana!

I have been getting up earlier this week - around 4 a.m. to start the fire, drink coffee and visit blogs. The quiet beauty of winter is such a lovely gift!

jules said...

I always WANT to be a morning person. I just can't make it happen!

Mimi said...

Early morning is not my thing; even on the rare days when I wake, turning over in my warm bed is much more attractive!
But i can come here and see the most beautiful words and images of early morning, so I'm not missing out!
Nature is great, isn't it? The shortening days make us slow down.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

It's so wonderful to read a post, which embraces this darker time of year. You embrace the uniqueness of what you can take from it. And are thus happy, at a time of year, when we "are supposed" to be happy. :-)

But a time of year, when many people are not quite happy. And they are more tuned to thinking that "now the days will begin to lengthen again." Which is fine. But........ I always want to like the Season I am in. As much as is possible.

Oh yes, when Feb./March continue to bury us in cold and drear, I too get antsy for a change. But mostly, I try to embrace the Season I'm in. As the Wheel of the Year turns...

Gentle Christmas hugs...

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Dear Zuzana, it seems as if you are really embracing the darkness with the help of all those lovely twinkling lights illuminating your home and garden. Continue to enjoy the winter dawn, the solstice will soon be upon us.

I find that I cannot get enough sleep at this time of year - in the manner of a hibernating dormouse!

Jeanne
xox

Maria said...

I've got insomnia nowadays too. I just love that feeling of being alone in the dark with my thoughts. It's awful though, to be tired the next day....

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Your pictures are always so wonderful! I especially like the one of the Candle!!! It is really gorgeous! Times for reflection are best for me in the early hours of the morning too. There is less distraction and more quiet! Wishing you well! Cathy

budh.aaah said...

I have insomnia nowadays too. just wish it was the good kind like yours :) take care

Rajesh said...

Beautiful. Christmas is just around the corner.

Mahmud Yussop said...

Dear Zuzana,
It's so heartening to know that you are in in welcoming mode for x'mas.The lights are magical. Hoping that you'll be fine . Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

I love the candlelight and also like the night time darkness as opposed to the brightness of the day. I've never experienced having darkness for 24/7 like you do though.
But I am not a morning person. I have a hard time waking up and would prefer to sleep in...if I could ; )

Laura said...

Zuzana,
This is so beautifully expressed...I too love being up early in the morning, before dawn breaks, in the darkness, the silence, like a womb giving birth to the possibilities that are to come. Waking early is a gift that many people do not embrace.

blessings to you dear one.

adrielleroyale said...

So warm and inviting! You have created warmth here which is so welcome this time of year! :)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Candlelight is my favorite :-)
Your Christmas lights are so pretty. Thanks for sharing them with us.
WIshing you a wonderful Christmas! jj

bright star said...

Have been offline for a week and have just caught up with your lovely spiritual posts.I feel I am seeing the winter months in a different way this season.It is astoundingly beautiful,the snow and frost and the moon and stars .Have a good christmas and lots of lovely kisses. Angela

A Plain Observer said...

you almost make me want to set my alarm so I can get up early and experience the same. You have a beautiful way of seeing the world

Snowbrush said...

I'm glad you're keeping your spirits up, Zuzana. You wrote so despairingly (I thought) about the loss of warmth and light that I worried about you.

Zuzana said...

Elizabeth, Ann, Philip, Brian, artsweb., tony, Jerry, Dan, Jill, Susan, Myrna, Kath, Stevie, The Bach, Hilary, Betsy, Paul, sprinkles, Christine, Sherry, ladyfi, Zuzu, Jules (welcome), Mimi, Amelia, Jeanne, Maria, Cathy, budh.aah., Rajesh, Mahmood, LadyCat, Laura, adrielle, Joanna, Angela, Myriam and Snowbrush - thank you all dearest friends for appreciating with me the beauty of the dawn and the spellbound light that the gentle illumination of Christmas lights spread in the early hours of the morning.

Your visits and kinds words are always a source of incredible joy...

Xoxo,
Zuzana

SandyCarlson said...

I love that last paragraph! I love morning. I wake early every day to claim a bit of it for myself. Thank you for your beautiful words.

SandyCarlson said...

I was thinking of this post today as I was thinking of our days growing longer. I think I prefer the intimacy and coziness of the shorter days, though!

Zuzana said...

Dear Sandy, thank you for your lovely words and for kindly returning; I am so happy that this post resonated with you enough for a second visit.;)
xoxo