Friday, January 14, 2011

Mid-Winter Stroll


" The rapid nightfall of mid-December had quite beset the little villages they approached on soft feet over a first thin fall of powdery snow.
Little was visible but squares of a dusky orange-red on either side of the street, where the firelight or lamplight of each cottage overflowed through the casements into the dark world without.
Most of the low latticed windows were innocent of blinds, and moving from one to another, the lookers-in, so far from home themselves, watched a cat being stroked, a sleepy child picked up and huddled off to bed, or a tired man stretch and knock out his pipe on the end of a smouldering log."

Ratty and Mole, In The Village. ~ Wind in the Willows.

21 comments:

MadSnapper said...

beautiful photo and sentiments. a thing of the past since now we do not want to leave our windows open at night for passerby to see in. this says nostagia for times gone by

Unknown said...

Thank you for reminding me of one of my favourite childhood books, it's just a classic.

Sharon said...

It has been a long time, since I thought of Wind in the Willows. Such wonderful characters.....

Miriam said...

I never read the Wind in the Willows when I was a child, so maybe it's time to read it now! Thank you for introducing me to so many lovely pieces of writing, and such beauitful photos. And thanks for your visits to Mucky Boots!

Custom Comforts said...

What a lovely little picture with equally lovely wording.
Cindy

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh beautiful! I want to be IN that illustration.
And I do leave windows uncovered at night. Well, not in the bathrooms .... :-)

But I love seeing glimpses into other houses at dusk, and figure people are welcome to peek into mine as well.

Again ... lovely post!
Cass

floweringmama said...

Like Miriam, I've never read Wind in the Willows, but I certainly will now!



Cathy @ Country Cathy

Barbara Anne said...

How enchanting!

Just last week when all was snow covered here, one night I happened to look out the window at our neighbor's home. I was delighted to see the charming glow of lamplight on the snow outside her windows.

Ta!

Hugs!

Louise said...

What a beautiful, warm illustration. Makes you want to be walking right along with them, looking at all of the cozy houses.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

For years I have loved the Wind in the Willows and love the thoughts in this verse...THANKS for sharing it on a cold night! Enjoy your weekend!!

George said...

The illustration is perfect for the quote. Unfortunately we got too much snow for it to be considered 'thin'.

Dee said...

Love this illustration and Wind In The Willow...if only life was that beautiful and simple.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

How gorgeous, Jo--both the photo and the words... Awesome!!!!!

We did get out today to get some groceries and run some errands. The main roads were good and the back roads were fair, due to the snow and ice.. It was nice to get out though.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Susan Freeman said...

The Wind in the Willows is still one of my favorite books. I love this image too!!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Clint said...

Amazing, isn't it, how classical writing genius mesmerizes....

roxie said...

The picture, the text, and the music on your playlist combined to untie all the knots in my neck and allow my spirit to sit quiet and purr. Thankyou.

Verde Farm said...

Oh I love that picture and LOVE Wind in the Willows. My 5th grade boyfriend gave me that for my birthday :) I loved it and still do.

matron said...

A lovely reminder of my childhood favorite,the illustration is beautiful.

Stella Jones said...

When I was in junior school, I was given The Wind in the Willows as an Art Prize for junior art. I was thrilled but it wasn't until I read the book that I realised how thrilled! I just love the book, the story, the characters and the wonderful images that pop into my head. My fairytale world (the world I wish I lived in) is just like this. As you know, there really are roads like this one in England and many of them are close by to where I live when I am over there. 'Just perfick' as Pa Larkin says!

Betsy Brock said...

Oh, how adorable! I want to live in one of those tiny houses! So cozy! :)

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Oh Jo this is beautiful! I think I need to buy that book. I used to watch it on TV years ago when my children were little. There's something about it that makes me feel so comfortable and cozy. I think it reminds me of my mothers parents who were from Surrey. Their homes always seemed to have that cozy feel...a little different than most homes with little nooks and crannies and interesting windows and always a fireplace. Yes happy memories thanks to you.
Maura :)