Slow Living in Winter: Christmas at Home & Writing Updates from the English Countryside

Nearly three weeks have passed since my last diary entry and so much has changed. The seasons have shifted again - Autumn has left us for good and Winter has arrived in the Somerset countryside, announced one morning by frost covering everything in sight. It’s hard to believe that there are only - what, like five? - weeks of 2025 left.

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Adriana. Every time I write my diary, I share where I’m writing from. I’m normally at my home in the Somerset countryside, but today the usual location has an extra sparkle :D More on that later! I’m currently listening to “Yule Altar Ambience” and burning our “Winter Wonderland” candle.

The year is turning and I can’t help wondering what 2026 will bring. I have so much to do, so many plans to fulfil... and yet when I narrow it all down to what truly matters, I just want my family healthy and my first book published. 

Our small business is currently entering the peak of the year - the wave will break on Black Friday weekend and last until Christmas - but so far we’re doing great! It’s our first festive sales period in the new studio that Andrei organised exactly as he always wanted to, so everything is going smoothly. Whenever we get a chance, we go for walks in nature, as it feels like the perfect balancing force to the busyness of work. If you read my recent blog post with some advice on how to enjoy a slow-living Christmas, you’ll know I recommend the same to you. But then again, when do I not recommend spending time in nature?

It is full-on Winter on the Quantock Hills. The trees are bare, the leaves on the ground are brown and despite the restless wind, it's very quiet here. I always feel like Winter arrives here before anywhere else in Somerset, because this place is high up, exposed to the winds and the cold. There is only a slim chance of snow in our county, but if it falls anywhere, it will be up here.

It’s not just the hilltops that are now in Winter - the sleepy villages at the foot of the hills have settled into it too. Sheltered from the winds, Spring arrives here sooner and Autumn lingers longer, but even here it feels as though Winter has already taken over.

Of course, towns and the human world have their own schedule. More and more houses are putting up Christmas decorations and the traffic gets heavier with each week closer to Christmas. I must admit that getting stuck in the car with Andrei, listening to Mariah while colourful Christmas lights twinkle and reflect in the raindrops, isn’t half bad… just not too often :)

With the world around me gaining speed, I’m grateful for the quiet that has settled on the Somerset Levels and surrounds our village and home. It feels wonderful to walk the muddy country roads, hear the birds, watch the cows, and simply be in nature after an intense workday. Moving to the village was truly the best decision and the longer I live here, the more clearly I see it.

Autumn is now gone at my house too. I’ve roasted the leftover pumpkins, made the very last pumpkin soup of the year and baked an experimental cake that turned out great!

Ok, so hear me out: I made my usual, trusted carrot cake, but instead of carrot, I used fresh pumpkin. I grated it just the same and substituted it 1:1 - and it turned out great!
There’s a small change in taste, since it’s a completely different vegetable, but not enough for Rosa to notice. The cake is already gone and from next year onwards I’ll be using up any leftover pumpkins this way :)

Daddy & daughter debating the size of their cake slices :D

And at last, it was time to ask my dearest husband to open the loft and bring down the Christmas decor. While up there, he spotted clear signs of mice and some condensation above the bathroom. He immediately got into action to start fixing things - the homeowner life really suits this man.

And here it is… our first Christmas tree in the new home. I haven’t bought any new decorations for it - I simply used what I already had and I made the bow for the top from a ribbon that’s been in my Christmas decor box for a few years now (I think I bought it in The Range).

Shop "Winter Wonderland" Cranberry, Cinnamon & Orange candle made in our studio

My home feels so peaceful, and I just love it so much. I’ve recently (again) limited the amount of time I spend on social media, particularly Instagram, because I feel it makes me compare and chase things I don’t actually want.

Instead, I’m rejoicing in my new home - the glow of the Christmas tree, the flickering flame of our candles. I allow little things to occupy my mind, like the sparrows coming back (they temporarily relocated to the fields, since November was so warm and they had easy access to food there) and I’m wondering when I’ll spot the first snowdrops - the earliest I’ve ever seen them was in December. I’m planning our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus, catching up on books (I’ve been really slow with reading recently), working on the New Year’s series, and of course, writing my book.

So far I’ve written 15,599 words - about 70 pages - and have begun writing Part II (out of V). The process feels so easy and light that it made me wonder if I’m a natural at this or if I’m doing it all wrong, lol!

I can also officially announce that we’re beginning the New Year series “Slow Start to 2026” on the 27th of December and it will run until Imbolc Eve - the 31st of January. I hope you’ll join me every Saturday for 6 weeks in building good habits and learning how to slow down and have a meaningful, successful year ahead - I'm so excited!!