Bright winter

It's just been the most beautiful day. Short, of course, because winter days get dark early, and definitely cold, but just gorgeous - sunny, bright and blue-skied, without a cloud in sight. I ventured out of the apartment without gloves this morning, picked up a pair for ONE EURO in Penneys (how do they do that?) and went about my day. I'm being careful with money because I want to have enough to do the Christmas shopping at the markets that they are putting on all over the city.  The lights are not just up now, but have been switched on and everything is looking oh-so-pretty. There was a frost last night and for this Newfoundlander, the sight of the ice on the pavements was a very welcome reminder of home.

One thing though -- I wonder why the Irish haven't cottoned on to roast chestnuts? There are lots of other winter treats (I love the hot spiced apple juice with brandy in the Saturday market in Meeting House Square) but this weather does sort of suggest chestnuts!

So... today's the 25th, so it's a one-month countdown to Xmas. Here's hoping for some snow. Just a little, to make things pretty, not enough to make a nuisance of itself like all the snow we had last January!