There are seasonal things I do to remind myself that life goes on. There’s a rhythm, a steady flow from one thing to the next. Our foliage season was a bust, but there was still beauty to be seen. Batman planted next spring’s garlic yesterday. I’ve gathered acorns to brew a dye pot.
This weekend I made a wreath from rose hips as I often do in October. You can find my tutorial here.
We took a big bag of our apples down the road to our neighbor’s annual cider pressing, where the yellow jackets joined us as they do each year. Snacks, conversation, romping dogs, goat bells in the distance, golden sunlight…it all added up to a comfort that comes with rural living.
This weekend, the farmers’ market in Montpelier was brimming with gorgeous produce. And a bittersweetness that there are only two more outdoor markets this year. A hard frost brought Brussels sprouts to the market and we ate some last night, sautéed in olive oil, with garlic and sprinkled with chopped pecans and fresh parsley.
Our tires will be swapped for snow tires in a few weeks and then we’ll be ready to rumble for what comes next.
Elderly pumpkin purée from the freezer, transformed into pumpkin pancakes for a Sunday morning breakfast treat.
I’m fascinated by the way flat pieces of felt can be sewn into three dimensional critters. This fox made it out to Detroit for Matilda’s third birthday. Scraps of the floral fabric came from a dress I made for one of the girls, can’t remember which one. The apron, its fabric complete with topography lines, was stitched from scraps from a quilt.
I’ve now stitched a variety of bunnies, foxes and a kitty using Alicia Paulson’s patterns. They really are fun to put together.
My favorite part of finishing them may be stiffening the whiskers with starch. :-)
When I have an acute case of “the world is out of control” sometimes homekeeping helps me feel grounded. I used this recipe to make a batch of spoon oil. I’m working my way through our collection of wooden kitchen tools, batch by batch. The recipe called for some beeswax and I bartered with a friend for a nice chunk. He keeps bees up and over the ridge. I also found walnut oil on sale at our food coop, so I consider this project a win!
Our book group gave Fresh Water for Flowers mixed reviews. In all honesty I gave up at page 302, but some loved it. A few others DNF (a clever abbreviation for “did not finish”, that I just learned of. I know, sometimes I’m late to the party.)
I listened to The Thread Collectors, by Shauna J Edwards and Alyson Richman and had mixed feelings about it. The authors’ notes at the end helped me appreciate it a bit more.
Vermont Humanities chooses a book each year and designates it a “Vermont Reads” book, a statewide community Reading Program. You can read about it here. This year’s pick is The Light Pilot, by Lily Brooks-Dalton. I’m listening to this one as well and I am loving it. The topic of global climate change is grim, but I’m told this is a hopeful book. I am trying to grapple with my fears about climate change, and so I hope this helps.
Our November book is Still Life, by Sarah Winman. Have any of you read it?
I’m still puttering around with my newish commonplace book. There are lots of descriptions of what a commonplace book can look like and I’ve been cruising the online suggestions, and am developing my own version…a place to jot book quotes, points of interest in articles I read, suggestions for better health and wellness, recommendations from friends to refer back to when I have time. That sort of thing. (That lovely washi tape is from my online friend, Lori at Little Truths Studio.) Do any of you keep a commonplace book?
Some of us are combining our buying power and taking out an ad in the local paper this week, highlighting the things we cherish and defend about democracy, with a reminder of Saturday’s peaceful NO KINGS event. I’m not a crowd person, so will probably take a pass on the gatherings, and I do not apologize for this. Each of us has our own way of contributing to the cause, and devoted volunteering is my way. If any of you are heading out to join a march, please, please be as careful as you are courageous. And know that I admire your courage and fortitude.
As ever, we go onward. As we must, each in our own way. Shining our light, each adding to the brilliance of hope and love.
xo