Getting an Early Start
It was a matter of course that the lucky one whose holiday (birthday) came around could expect a present from everyone in the house; and of course, one didn’t just go to the store and buy with cold money something turned out by a factory with no relationship at all to the young sister or brother. A loving heart and gifted fingers can produce a wonderful of little miracles.
Maria Augusta Trapp from The Story of the Trapp Family Singers
While reading through this book (which is fantastic by the way, if you’re looking for great winter reading material add this to the list), I came across so many wonderful little quotes like this one. So true that the best gifts we will likely receive this year are those made with a loving heart and gifted fingers! Like these lovely stepping stones my nieces & nephew made for me.
We like to celebrate a homemade Christmas with my family, which means it’s time to start thinking about getting to work. I have a few great ideas, which I can’t share here since my family does read the blog, I’d hate to spoil the fun. We have a lot of options including home roasted coffee, what coffee drinker wouldn’t want that?
I’d like to encourage you to think about making a few gifts this year. You’ll save some cash and no doubt they will be greatly appreciated.
Do you make any gifts? What’s the best handmade gift you’ve ever received?
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Quote of the Day: Bernd Heinrich
The leaves of the red maple drop at the height of their color, and all the while that the forest is ablaze in color from the underbrush up through the tips of the crowns, the ground also is aflame as the magic settles onto the wilting ferns and last year’s decrying brown leaves. I want to pick up every leaf, for each one seems brilliant and unique. I want to know that the colors are even more precious because they are ephemeral–in a few days they all face to a uniform brown.
Bernd Heinrich (A Year In The Maine Woods)
Fall can be a flash in the pan kind of season. Some years it’s longer than others. When the weather cooperates, you get a few weeks of beautiful color and glorious weather. When it doesn’t, just about the time the leaves peak, the wind and rain arrive, washing most of the fall color to the ground, where it quickly turns brown.
This past week we had a windy rainy day that did just that. The nice thing about those windy rainy days, is that it clears the air, making things so crisp and clean. It seems this can only happen in the fall for some reason.
On Saturday morning we woke up to our first frost and freeze. It was 30 when I awoke, there was a skim of ice in my watering can when I went to the chicken coop. Winter is slowly creeping up on us!
How is fall progressing in your garden? Frost, freezes, changing leaves?
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Quote of the Day: John A. Shedd
“A ship in harbor is safe,
but that is not what ships are built for.”
John A. Shedd
I have been thinking about this quote as I’ve been letting Dexter take forays out into the garden. You see, Dexter is not an indoor cat. We tried to make him one and he literally went crazy. As much as I’d love to keep him safely inside, I realize it’s not really the healthiest thing for him.
All this week I’ve been taking him outside for little jaunts while I work in the garden. The first day I let him outside, he caught a mouse within five minutes as if to prove his point. Each day, he gets to spend a little more time in the garden with me and gets to wander farther away.
He thrives on hunting mice, rolling in the dust, sniffing the fresh air, eating grass, climbing trees, chasing insects and padding about the garden. Dexter is a much happier cat when he is able to be outside. I can totally understand that, as I’m much happier and healthier when I can spend time outside as well.
Yesterday he even went on a three mile hike with us, running ahead as a dog would and waiting for us to catch up. He was a bit winded by the end, but he thoroughly enjoyed himself.
It’s a dangerous world out there for cats, they can be eaten by a variety of predators and risk injury from other threats; I’m OK with that. I’d much rather Dexter lead a short happy life than a long miserable one.
The same holds true for my life, I hope I never allow fear to hold me back from experiences that could be great but come with risk. I guess if I did I’d still be living in Ohio. I want to live my life to the fullest and to do that I must take risks!
Do you ever let fear hold you back?
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Quote of the Day: Autumn
Sometimes we find autumn a melancholy season. What we had eagerly anticipated a mere six months before–the first snowdrops, hosts of daffodils, a garden drenched with the scent of roses, the first fresh peas–has passed so quickly. And what lies ahead are shorter days, cold winds, snow and ice, a world bereft of color.
Joe Eck & Wayne Winterrowd (Our Life in Gardens)
I certainly can’t believe it’s late September already. This summer flew by, a whirlwind of packing, remodeling, paperwork, jobs and gardening thrown in during whatever time I could find in between. The reward has arrived, we get to enjoy autumn at our new property in Maine.
Yesterday morning we took a long hike back to the wetlands. It was a misty gray morning, just perfect for viewing fall colors. I always think the colors look so much more saturated and bright when they’re wet.
Often I find myself being sad that the gardening season is over come this time of year, but this year I am not. I’m looking forward to the long restful winter ahead. I look forward to cozying up by the fire with a few of my favorite gardening reads to find inspiration for this new space.
We are thankful that the timing for our move ended up like it did. Moving in autumn at the end of the gardening season was perfect. It’s much easier to close the book on the old when it comes with the natural seasonal cycles. Autumn is a time for slowing down and enjoying the fruits of your labor. We plan to do just that!
Do you find yourself with mixed emotions during the changes of the seasons?
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Fall Colors
Mostly what’s on my mind right now are the falls colors. I go around gaping, as if I have never seen anything like it before. Perhaps I haven’t, I’m never quite sure. I could see this display every year and not grow tired of it, like seeing the flight of geese, or hearing the bird songs in spring. I remember, and that might reduce the amazement. But I don’t remember the edge–the vividness of the spectacle.
Bernd Heinrich (A Year In The Maine Woods)
On my way up to Maine I noticed hints of the upcoming leaf change and I can’t wait. It’s a beautiful time of year, just what is needed before the colorless winter. When I read the quote above in the book it rang true for me. Each year I’m taken aback by the beauty of fall as if I have never experienced it before. I can’t wait to be amazed!
What’s your favorite fall foliage tree?
