Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Bright Lights and Bonfire



At this time of year...
...the shortest days ...
the sun rises almost directly out in front of us...
far across, on the horizon of the coastline of Nova Scotia..
we have to wait for it... when we get up early...
I love waiting for it
 Especially this day...
with the fishing boat heading out...
into that almost purple haze of seasmoke
on our always offering Bay of Fundy... 






Later in the day
we offer back...
our light...
with fir and spruce thinnings...
warming crisp air...
  glowing stones in a circle...
calm evening, calm sea, 
silent...
but for snapping, hissing, crackling... 





Fireworks were hiding inside those trees...








Then once again...
the setting sun offered back its light...
like a game of catch





later...
 inside by the glow...
dogs know...




....Lights of the season powered by Nature...


My Very Best Wishes to Each and Everyone



***photos taken in December at St. Martins, New Brunswick, Canada

43 comments:

Lynne with an e said...

Ah, now you're making me miss that other coast...Obviously you know how to appreciate the finer things in life that really matter, such as light and vision, warmth and love, and a furry companion or two.

VioletSky said...

It is always a joy to visit with you here.....
Have a blessed Christmas, Gwen.

rachel said...

One day I must see Nova Scotia for myself. You and Susan at 29 Black Street never post a photo that is less than stunning....

Lord Wellbourne said...

The exchange of light between the mortal and immortal worlds is the continuing promise of hope and harmony. I do not live near the ocean but here in the western mountains of Maine we wait for that wonderful light as it passes over the Maritimes to embrace us. I loved the photos of the fire...made me warm all over...just as your post did.

Guillaume said...

Oh this is beautiful!

Anet said...

Magical light... just beautiful.

Happy Solstice and a Merry Christmas Gwen, to you and your lovely family!

The dogs dressed for the holidays on your sidebar... adorable!

Steven Cain said...

The Bay is beautiful as ever!

Sadly, my brush is not being burnt this year... it's gone into housing for the little ones. Sigh.

Love those Christmas dogs!

Oldfool said...

I do miss the Pacific coast that is the eastern border of that magnificent Pacific ocean. I miss the sunsets, I miss the foghorns (they sound in my dreams sometimes) and I miss the feeling of hugeness when I am but a speck standing next to it. I would like to be looking at it the day I pass from this flawed form.

This sunrise somehow reminds me of that.

Penny said...

Looks fantastic, so different to where we are. seasons Greatings, have a lovely time making fires!

pauline said...

Gwen, this is fabulous. I think the Bay of Fundy is spectacular - even if it didn't win the contest. :-)
The fire pics are out of this world... love those orange lines across the dark sky.
Your post (and the fire) made me all nice & warm inside. :-)
Happy Holidays Gwen, to your & your family including the dogs, who definitely know. xoxo

Maya Sara Matthew said...

What beautiful pictures so full of warmth. Happy Christmas and a wonderful new year.

Shayla said...

What a cosy visit, Gwen and thanks for the lights-much needed right now.

Ruth said...

We love the crackle of the fire and the crow, don't we? I am so warm knowing your fires are there at the bay, out of your abundant heart.

Happy Solstice, my friend.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Louciao, I never realized how light had such an effect on a body till I lived here.. Before here I lived on at the bottom of a dark hill. so I get a little excited but this show.

VioletSky.. My Best Wishes to you too!!

Rachel, sometimes my shots are a bit blurry lately .. I haven't decided to blame it on my camera or my eyes!! guess the dollar store aren't doing the trick anymore.

Lord W, Thank you so much.. Your words are always elegant... at this very moment the sun must have just come over your mountains...opps... just changed, clouds moving in..

Thank you Guillaume... as you see, no snow here yet...knock on wood.

Merry Christmas Anet, the dogs are barking Jingle Bells to you right now but their translation needs a bit of work. Give Noah a Christmas hug!

Steven , housing for the little ones is the very best alternative for brush!!
I had a cat once that had kittens and hid them in a brush pile till they were too big for her to take care of on her own.. then she carried them all, one by one, to the house... oh they were so cute, fluffy little orange mewing balls.

OF, That expansiveness is exactly what it makes me feel like too.. a tiny little speck of no more consequence than a grain of sand... the massiveness of all that atmosphere that floats out there and on into the universe.. kind of freaks me but totally humbles me too.

Hi Penny, oh yes we have about 3 1/2 more months of making fires this season... Fires do make us feel happy... just to stand near one and let it seep into your bones... ahhh. just love it.

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Really beautiful photos Gwen! I still remember my trips to Nova Scotia with great joy and someday I hope to go there again! Have a lovely Christmas!
Tina xo

Valerianna said...

We had a Solstice fire last night - a tad early, but folks do have non-compliant schedules these days! Anyway, being tucked into the forest means our fires are teeny in comparison, so I was having a bit of fire-envy! such amazing sparks! Wonderful to see the light show of both fire and sky. Abundant inspiration to you in the coming lighter days.

Owen said...

Hard to argue with that kind of light logic... simply beautiful...

Seth said...

I love the idea of offering back light. And that first image is sensationally stupendous.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Yes Pauline, Fundy ran the good race just the same. I was really happy there was just enough light left in the sky to capture the sparks... it was very calm but fire makes its own current and made the flames swirl.. Love it.

Embellisher,it was pretty warm when we got too close.. think John may have singed his eyebrows.

Thank you Shayla, Fire always has a way of making us draw near, doesn't it... something ancient about that.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Oh Thank you Ruth, as I am happy for the warmth you send back to us. always so thoughtful and observant.

Tina Eudora, So glad to hear you used to visit our neighboring province.. population greatly increases during the summer months.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Valerianna, living the life we do. we rarely follow schedules.. many times we have to ask what day it is.. out of the loop aren't we...when we had the fire I never even thought about it as a Solstice fire, (but that sounds so much more beautiful) just that the time, the trimmings, the weather were just right.. seemed to be a natural progression of the season... when I think about it feels even better.. The very best to you too..

Gwen Buchanan said...

Owen, nature does deliver all the ingredients we need doesn't it. we just have to find the time to acknowledge them.

Thank you Seth, it felt so magical, I felt like a player in a scene.

Cuidado said...

The best of the season to you, John and your family, Gwen. Each day more light returns.

Deborah Carr said...

How absolutely perfect. All of it.

Marie Alton said...

Dear Gwen ... it is always special to share your window of the world ...I so feel right there with you ... watching that fire ... dancing & swirling.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas & All the Best for 2012!

Love & Big Hugs ...Marie

pRiyA said...

Dear Gwen, your beautiful blog is a space I return to for the endless source of inspiration and peace that it provides when I go through the posts. Its energy is clean, sparkling.
I too wish you a wonderful 2012 where all your dreams come true.
Lots of love to you.

Chris Daly said...

Happy Holidays Gwen. Wishing you a joyeous and bright new year.

Gwen Buchanan said...

The best of the new year to you Cuidado... here's to more beautiful Photography!!

Thank you Deborah.. without the light where would we be.... my best to you!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Marie, I am so happy you could feel the moment.. it was so peaceful.. My very best to you for 2012. xo

Oh Priya, You are an inspiration for sure! Thank you for dropping by the hilltop and sharing my pleasure. wishing all good things to come your way..xo

Thank you Chris.. may the color of a thousand butterflys descend on you and your beautiful quilts!! take care.

Sharmon Davidson said...

What a beautiful and peaceful place you live in, Gwen. That sunrise photo is spectacular. wishing you and yours a peaceful new year. xo

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Sharmon.. Best greetings to you.. just back from the beach.. very windy today with big dark waves!!

Arija said...

Isn't fir in the open a joy with all those sparks flying?

For the coming year, I wish you the fulfillment of all your dreams and the creation of new ones. May you be healthy, safe and successful in your ventures and experience many special inspirational moments that nature provides.

Happy New Year my dear friend/

Gwen Buchanan said...

Arija, I'm siting by my kitchen stove right now, fire and flames licking at a chunk of maple.. so pretty and contemplative... watching a fire has a way of drawing in our thoughts, and giving us to meditating.. it is great for the imagination...
May you be healthy and happy and ready to enjoy everything the new year has to give!! xoxo

ArtPropelled said...

A bonfire is so exciting and with a sunset like yours it must have been enchanting. Wishing you all the best for 2012 Gwen!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Robyn.. I wish you lots of energizing thoughts of new carvings for 2012....

jerilanders said...

Gwen, It is so marvelous! The place where you live seems so remote,wild and mysterious. What a life, perfect for an artist such as you. I think I would like it there, myself.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

What beautiful photos. I came to you via Rachel and am glad to have found you. We live high in the hills in Wales and our beauty is very different from yours. We do however have the stove!

helen said...

Happy New Year dear Gwen. Thank you so much for visiting..and yes...I am back finally :~) I will manage to get a pair of your earrings this year!

Much love to you and yours and best of luck on the sale of your beautiful home.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Jeri, even now after finding this land more than 12 years ago, it still feels that way.. It has taught us so much...

Elizabeth, oh the stove is such a creature comfort... the beauty in your location is breathtaking.. I am looking forward to seeing more!!

Helen, Happy New Year to you too!! We enjoy living here and will wait patiently for the right person comes along.. Thank you for your best wishes!

Danielle Barlow said...

Almost unbearably beautiful views!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Yes indeed Danielle... Nature's distraction.

Anonymous said...

AMAZING photos!!! :D

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks Kathy... This mornings was a blood red sky!!!