It's been so dark today … obviously grey clouds and then rain do not help!
Shortest Day this Friday 21st December.
According to my calendar

we still have a few days to wait until Christmas
It is always so nice when out and about to see the sparkling fairy lights, Christmas trees etc.
I know many of us now use artificial trees but if you are one of those who prefer a real one and then don't know what to do with it after Christmas, this article may help ...
"What to do with your Christmas tree after Christmas
As January beckons and the festive season draws to a close, children across the land will soon be removing the angel atop their tree, and parcelling up the decorations for next year. One by one, our much-beloved Christmas trees will be left out in the cold to await their fate. This sorry sight of branches protruding from wheelie bins and limp, lacklustre trees on pavements is enough to bring a tear to one’s eye.
Around six million Christmas trees are sold in Britain each year, and the Local Government Association estimates that the cost of landfilling those trees would be approximately £13.9 million.
Thankfully, there are plenty of environmentally- and taxpayer-friendly ways to dispose of your tree.
Recycle
Thanks to local authorities, garden centres and community groups, recycling your Christmas tree couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is take down your decorations, remove the tree from its pot or stand, and leave it on the boundary of your plot. Alternatively, you can drop your tree at a designated communal collection point. These trees are then shredded into chippings which are used locally in parks or woodland areas.
To find out more about Christmas tree recycling in your area, contact your local authority.
Replant
If you can’t bear to part with your Christmas tree, why not replant it in your garden? The tree will prove an excellent shelter for birds during the cold winter months, and you can hang fat-balls, apples and nuts to keep the birds well-fed. Only live Christmas trees can be replanted, so make sure the root ball of your tree is still intact before digging a hole.
At the time of purchase, your tree will already be dormant, and it’s important to preserve that state of dormancy to help your tree survive once it’s been replanted. Keeping your tree away from radiators and heat sources is important. While your tree is indoors, water it daily to keep the root ball damp. If you’re worried your tree may have come out of dormancy while indoors, you can place your tree in a cold, sheltered area to allow it to re-enter dormancy.
If the ground is likely to freeze, digging a hole in advance will make things easier. Place your tree in the hole and backfill. Cover the hole with several inches of mulch, and water thoroughly.
Continue reading for more suggestions here
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/christmas/what-to-do-with-your-christmas-tree-after-christmas/ar-BBR4OeU?ocid=spartanntpAll the best Jan