I have vowed to myself to really enjoy November as the last chapter of autumn. I don't want to rush the upcoming Christmas season as I often do. I want to savour the season for the small amount of time that remains. I want to really see the last of the leaves turning and watch them lazily fall to the ground.
Today, I will be putting my Halloween decorations away for another year. I am going to rework my autumn decorations to make them seem new again.
I 'played' in my living room with changing some things around yesterday while the finishing was done in the bathroom upstairs. We started cleaning it up yesterday and I will try to finish it and do the decorating touches in the new few days. I should be sharing some before and after photos with you this weekend. I have my fingers crossed that I will be finished by then. I am really pleased with the new floor and toilet. I have also used oil on the sink cupboard which has really made a difference. Thank you all for your encouraging words about the renovations. Next week, we hope to get started on the downstairs half bath.
I leave you with this beautiful verse which sums up my feelings on this first day of November:
November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.
~~ Clyde Watson ~~
Painting by Mary Cassett ~ "Autumn"
A few responses:
Becky ~ When will you be starting on your new bathroom? I am sorry to hear you have had a leak. We just needed to update a bathroom which was finished to cheaply during the build of this house. A few small changes have made all the difference. We have very inexpensive toilets in this house with a plastic reservoir which has turned yellow and grey with age. They also sound like they are on their last legs. Funny but I now find a 'normal' porcelain toilet a luxury in life.
Margaret ~ Guess what? You WILL be here standing in front of my bookshelves browsing at the titles come May! Isn't that a fun idea? I just know that May will be here before we know it and I can't wait until you and the others arrive for the get together.
Nan ~ You are on my mind this morning as I write this blog entry. I hope you enjoy the quote and then wonder if you will have it by chance on your blog too...
Mary ~ What a joy to see your sweet comments yesterday! I am so very glad you are back home again as I really did miss you. Thank you for all you said and I am glad you have caught back up again. I hope you had a fun Halloween day and we will see your granddaughter dressed up and holding sessions in the gazebo? By the way, I can't wait to finally get back to the cottage this weekend and look for more toadstools. We have been unable to go the entire month of October. I am afraid I have a very sad Cranberry Cottage.
*** I wrote this on Thursday, November 1st here in Holland but it dates according to time in the US so it appears I wrote it on Wednesday. ***
11 comments:
I'll join you in your resolution to enjoy Nov - it is such a beautiful month.
I do love November and Thanksgiving. But I rushed this morning. I couldn't help myself.
But I so enjoyed your poem. And I can't wait to see the pictures.
Love,
Julie
Oh I love that poem! I even found myself scrolling through your post in a more slow and relaxed way! Thanks for that! How true! Provided we aren't moving I will do the same. :)
Happy November to you, Heidi! I love the poem! You find great ones to share! Your place sounds like ours! We are under constant construction! :o)I know all you do is lookinig very nice!
Heidi, love both Mary Cassatt's painting(oh to have lived in that more gentle time and place). The exquisite little poem says it all about Autumn, definitely my favorite season, and I will try to slow down and really enjoy it as you say.
Glad the bathroom renovations are progressing well and that you still have some time for "playing house", anxious to see the results.
Yes, unfortunately our neighborhood is short on children now - many people moved here from NY in the 60's (with IBM) and their kids are grown and gone - moved on to raise their babies in larger homes further out in fancy subdivisions! However........Bob does have enough leftover mini-chocolate bars to last all year - and I will try hard to resist because I'm feeling the results of those Devonshire cream teas!!!!
I must just tell you how much I enjoy hearing from you Heidi - I think we would have a fun time together as we enjoy the same things. Today, like you, I'm taking down the Halloween decor but will use my white and green pumpkins and gourds, the Autumnal leaves etc. to come up with something for the porch.
Well, I'm happy to hear the bathrooms are completed now. I will look forward to seeing them.
Happy November to you too.
Love Mom
I'm glad things are going well with your remodeling...can't wait to see your pictures.
Love the poem...very sweet!
Autumn in PA in usually very pretty and while it is nice it has been better in previous years...I think it was due to the lack of rain.
I try every year to pause and enjoy November, but I always end up yanking out my Christmas decorations early! I love this poem. I wish we had snow or even turning leaves here, but alas I end up with the debri of the palm trees in my yard instead! Can't wait to see your pictures when it's all done :)
Hugs
Dena
Ha ha, Heidi! I thought I'd save the quote for when I had a photo of "ice in the bucket" to accompany it. :<) The one I used today was so perfect for the surroundings, but by 2 pm the sun was out and I turned the lights off.
thank you for reminding me to sit back and enjoy the here and now...I get ahead of myself thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving...Iloved your poem!
Heidi, what a lovely post....we always do seem to rush the holidays, don't we.... I have to say that November is a favorite month of mine...It is my birthday month too! And this year my birthday is on Thanksgiving!
Penny
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