Three things that are making this winter very sweet for me:
Sitting on the sofa late at night embroidering, a stick of wintersweet in a glass, and lime marmalade on toast. I do declare them winter essentials.
What are your essentials right now?
recent posts
about
- September 2025
- July 2025
- March 2025
- November 2024
- August 2024
- June 2024
- April 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- July 2009
- May 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- September 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- September 2007
- June 2006
Posted in Uncategorized
32 responses to “sweet winter”
-
I’m North of the equator, so my essentials right now are fresh fruit, after-dinner walks, and summer skirts. : )
LikeLike
-
my winter essentials are my new ‘bedtime’ flavoured tea (a peppermint camomile blend), my trusty sheepskin slippers, and fresh manderins
LikeLike
-
time…space…and paint.
I have a week to finish a couple of commissions….aaagghhhh….
I’ve never had lime jelly…sounds fresh…
Your embroidery is beautiful!
HUGS
CharLikeLike
-
That embroidery is gorgeous!
This winter its been red wine, slow cooker and the best slipper/boots ever from ebay UK.LikeLike
-
My first ever knitted scarf, my heated wheat bag to cuddle up with, wearing socks to bed!
LikeLike
-
tis true, winter sweet is truly divine. I had a vase of it on our table all last week. It never lasts as long as it looks like it would, the flowers drop so fast. I always think of my grandmother who had a big bush of it growing down her driveway when I was a kid. It’s one of only a few things I can smell well before I see it. That really is one of your most beautiful embroideries too. Winter essentials.. Blue earth lip balm, leather boots, margaret atwoods book -the robber bride, c4 coffee, 70% chocolate, ten minutes of daylight directly on my skin, possum merino gloves!
LikeLike
-
only this morning I was thinking to myself I’m over peanut butter on toast for breakfast, I have written lime marmalade on my shopping list and that will be my breakfast as of next week … one thing I love about winter is using our open fire.
LikeLike
-
Does wintersweet smell?
my essentials at the moment are lavender infused iced tea, ribbons to tie back my hair and low tides for seaglass hunting…LikeLike
-
hi lori- yes, it has a really lovely sweet fragrant scent…
i like your essentials!LikeLike
-
hi paula- happy marmalade eating!
LikeLike
-
gretchen, those sound so good…
LikeLike
-
serving up french toast for dinner when I can’t be bothered cooking a proper dinner, a hottie and whatever scarf is close at hand. Maybe the odd cafe coffee too 🙂 I love that embroidery and I am yet to sample the scent of winter sweet, does it grow in the north island?
LikeLike
-
hey louana- no way- i cant believe you havent experienced wintersweet!? now i am going to have to try to think of a way to send you some in the post. i think youd like it… 🙂
LikeLike
-
my essentials are english breakfast tea, since im always so sleepy as the little ones still wake up lots at night, your blog as well as one or two others to remind me of beautiful things throughout the academic day in front of my computer, and my book, The Inheritance of Loss…. as well as a healthy dose of baby toes and toddler cuddles. i love your essentials…lovely embroidery as usual
LikeLike
-
..yes, summer here too – good coffee (ground fresh), nectarines! and a chance to sit out in garden at least once a day (with said coffee and nectarines) Mmm lime jam, haven’t had in years but can still taste it – I opened ‘pear’ today altho N thinks it is wrong to have 2 jams on the go, I think it gives choice! (2 jams on the go – a nightmare scenario… as per John Shuttleworth) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K4cEocL5kI Cx
LikeLike
-
Only 3 things? Emmm, kinda hard:- but here goes, 1. Open Fire 2. Hot Milo with huge spoonful of cream 3. Sketchbook & Pen 4. Inspiring Music (to listen to while I’m sketching out my creative ideas) . . . . I know you only wanted 3, but alas it was too hard (LOL)
LikeLike
-
It’s so surprising to come to your site and read about winter when it’s blazing hot here in Georgia, USA. I have never heard of lime marmalade! I love lime! I must look for that. My summer essentials: ripe peaches in and on everything, sunflowers, fresh mint.
LikeLike
-
It’s summer time here & right now I can’t get enough fresh strawberries, Crusty ‘toraluga’ rolls with tomatoes & red onions, & a good book! (A glass of wine would be nice too)
LikeLike
-
TORTALUGA rolls – I think it means tortoise??? coz that its what they look like!
LikeLike
-
I love your essentials and that embroidery!
Summer here (100+ degree weather), so my essentials are air conditioning, ice water with a ton of ice cubes, a good book.
Bing had a beautiful photo of New Zealand today, it was the South Island and some vineyards and a lake. You live in such a beautiful country!LikeLike
-
It is summer here and my essential thing is pie! I got some sour cherries at the farmer’s market and made one yesterday. That means cold pie for breakfast today. Yum. Glad you are having a sweet winter! Lime marmalade looks delicious.
LikeLike
-
Finnish summer essentials for me:
First; camera, since finally there is light! Light around the clock!
Second; books, since it´s raining every now and then too.
Third: Nature! HIking! All that outdoor adventuring. (Some mosquito repellent would be good too).LikeLike
-
Lovely post, it hits all the nice things: pretty and tastey and fragrant. Lime marmelade sounds intriguing.
Summer here, so my current essentions are:
-tall glasses of cold water with a bit of lemon juice squeezed in
-nibling on the bounty of fruit and veg from local farms
-late nights browsing through beautiful cookbooksLikeLike
-
I love the look of your lime marmalade. I haven’t heard of it before. I’d like to try it.
My essentials lately have been:
1) Fresh fruit such as strawberries and cherries (just rinsed and eaten…no special prep)
2) Sparkling water
3) A tote with a notebook + pencil, camera, and novel (currently Excellent Women by Barbara Pym) accompanies me everywhere I goLikeLike
-
It’s summer in Alaska and the essentials are iced coffee, the deck at midnight (to be amazed at the quality of Light, and a good book (no tv for the summer) and fishing.
Love your blog.LikeLike
-
that’s easy … your ever inspiring blog is essential reading any season of the year 😉
happy midwinter under the equator, stay cozy!
warm wishes from midsummer in canada!LikeLike
-
summer here
my essentials
some handwork in my lap
iced coffee drinks
making meals with all the goodness from the garden
spending as much time in the water and coloring/painting outsideLikeLike
-
Hmm, must-have essentials right now would be dark chocolate, some knitting or sewing for in front of the telly and anything merino – my merino thermals keep me SO much warmer than my old synthetic ones ever did.
LikeLike
-
lots of water, sunscreen and fresh air
LikeLike
-
Absolutely love the winter sweet in our winter garden too, snow on the mountains and the fresh blue sky over Nelson.
All the best for your big move Melissa, I am very excited for you all moving to your first home xxoooLikeLike
-
Beautiful, Melissa!I have never had marmalade. I love orange, so lemon or lime sound like must-try flavors.
NicolaLikeLike
-
Hi, I have to join some of the others and say that I’m basking in summer sun right now as London hits 90 degrees today. Essentials are homemade lemonade right now, and sitting in my garden (not stuck in the office). Great blog! Enjoy your marmalade!
LikeLike
tiny happy 
Leave a reply to Jennie Cancel reply