Visions of Green.

The end of the day light from the West, shining

thru the oval window above our front entrance.

And the beautiful green leaves outside the of

the cottage, picture perfect in the window.

~ Chy

 

Fall Leaves.

Fall brings on so many memories,

like jumping in big piles of leaves!

~ Chy

Just a Few Days ....

I always love Fall and wish it could be the longest season ever. Some years, we're lucky and it is. Other years, it does take its time and we relish every moment. This year, with all the strife in life, the unexpected and the never ending doom and gloom, we have been promised a long and warm Fall. I hope this does come true. For now, we're capturing the warmth and the rapidly changing leaves. Just a few days ago, we still had green trees and foliage. Yesterday, the sky was a brilliant blue and the sun shone, without a single cloud in the sky. The air was hot and we loved working outside all day long. But today, the hues have changed to yellows and oranges, and a few reds in the mix. We even had rain and lots of dark clouds. Hoping this was just a one day blip and we'll be back to the sunshine this week. 

How is Fall coming along where you live?

Are you trees still green? Or are they like ours?

~ Chy

Goodbye September!

It was a lovely month. One of my favorite with

the vibrant colors and new experiences. Goodbye!

~ Chy

Outside My Window.

 

The buds on all our trees have bloomed
and the light green shade is amazing. I
love how over time this Summer, these
leaves will become darker and darker.
Then suddenly in the very early Fall, they
will change again to shades of yellow,
gold, orange and red. Finally, they will
fall to the ground, leaving these now
very full trees look like skeletons in
the cool air of another changing season.

~ Chy

Thanksgiving Wishes.

I wish I could look at our window this morning and see this beautiful sight. But it is not to be. Instead, we have another day of high winds, rain and even snow on the ground. Far too early. After such a calm and beautiful summer I can't believe we have this normally warm but with a bit of a chill season turning very quickly into a mini Winter. As ready as we are technically, I feel unready for the change. We have a few more projects to finish up and fully expected to complete them all on this long weekend but now we've had to quickly change to finish up projects inside. Not a bad trade but leaves me a bit worried that we'll still need another warm day or two to finish outside. I know it will happen. Even tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and double digits. Fingers crossed it comes true.

What's on for today? We gave ourselves a nice sleep in this morning. Actually dh slept well. I woke up at 7, in the dark, listening to the wind and the rain/snow hit the house. I snuggled down and did some thinking and then when it started to get a bit lighter, I grabbed my laptop to do some writing. In time, dh woke up and we watched a documentary on Steven Spielberg (well done) and had a little breakfast in bed. Now he's up and working on a project and I'm heading for a nice warm shower. Dh and eldest dd are off to a hockey game at 4, so my plan is to work on creating Thanksgiving dinner while they are gone. It will be a late dinner as we have to wait until they are home but worth the wait. Just the four of this holiday. Our boys and their families are away and our little guy is off visiting his dad down south. As much as I feel sad that we are not all together, Skype always helps. And after weeks of events and deadlines, having a weekend where we can just chill (in a warm way) is kind of a nice holiday to have. No pressure, no deadline, no expectations. Just our warm house, decorated for the season, with warm candles and soft blankets, a fridge full of food, bills paid, projects lined up and good health all around. Well except for my cough .... almost gone but still hanging about. 

On the menu today: the smallest turkey we have ever bought. Right from the year we were married, we have always hosted holiday dinners at our house. The first year it was because we really wanted to. And the following year, we had a brand new baby in our arms and it was just easier. From there, it became a tradition. Truthfully, we also were the only ones with a dedicated dining room. Now we have family spread out and not always able to come home. And many family members who are no longer physically living but will be remembered today with candles and memories. Hence, the small turkey on our table today. We'll have stuffing, gravy, fresh rolls right out of the oven, baked yams with mushrooms, carrots and onions, maybe some peas in butter, cranberries and pickles. Our dd wants pumpkin pie, so she'll be making that. And I might add in a tiny apple tart or two. We grew exactly two apples on our fruit trees this year. The first year, many trees won't produce, so we feel thankful that we have two to enjoy. We'll laugh and eat and share a memory or two and what we are thankful for. It's hard this year to feel so blissful when so many have less or have lost loved ones in the recent events that have affected so many. But for a moment, we'll let go of those thoughts and give thanks for our blessings. And offer healing wishes to all near and far. 

Finally Green.

 The snow has finally disappeared and after

weeks of mud and dust, brown and muck,

we have a green landscape once again. It's

so exciting now to wake up each morning.

And even better to be driving home and

not being able to see our home through

the green of the trees. Light filters now

amongst the leaves and they dance in

the wind as it flows across our land. I

love this time of year when everything

finally blooms and grows. Soon we'll

have dots of pinks and purples all over

once the wildflower seeds start to open.

The shoots are up and soon the blooms.

Blooming Landscape.

 Walking past our guest bedroom this morning

and what do I see out the window? Leaves!

Suddenly our very barren trees are blooming like 

crazy. I feel like every time I look, leaves just appear.

A sweet sight and one I will never get tired

of every single spring. So much greenery.

Lots to fill in but the fact that this is

only the middle of April is inspiring.

This forest will soon be thick with full leaves

and wildlife. Soon we won't see our neighbors.

This boy is excited and keeps going outside to check 

to see how many more leaves have bloomed.

Green leaves against a bright blue April sky.

Another week or two and we won't see the sky!

No Denying It Now!

Fall has arrived in our area. 

The colors are rich and deep.

But now the leaves are falling.

Making our lush forest not as full.

Tiny angels on a see saw.

Path into the deepest part of the forest.

Our front drive way.

And the tiny side road we sometimes use.

Late afternoon sun, just before sunset.

How is Fall in your region?

Beautiful and colorful?

My favorite season!

I love that we have 4 very distinct seasons here in Canada. My favorite season has always been fall. Spring is muddy and wet. Summer hot and unpredictable. Winter is cold and gloomy. 

But fall is full of color, warm and playful. The leaves dance on the street as cars zip by, moving in the wind, covering my green grass with a blanket of color that makes me smile. The last blooms in the garden hold out with vibrant shades of summer. The rain has stopped, the snow has yet to arrive, the frost is minimal but the sun is warm. Not hot like summer, when fans must be on all hours of the day and night just to be comfortable. 

I love filling up our pantry with warm, comfort foods. Planning meals and dreaming of Thanksgiving turkey and delicious pies. Fragrant and filling soups with fresh baked break. Vegetables pulled from the earth, washed and gracing our dinner table. Scrumptious berries, ripe and abundant. This is truly the only time of year that I love to cook. 

Our walks outside at night become shorter as our eyes try to adjust to the early dusk. The air is crisp and we walk faster, eager to get back to our warm and cozy home. The hot chocolate has found its way from the back of the cupboard to the front, our favorite fall mugs in the dish rack waiting for the kettle to whistle.

After a summer of very little electricity being used, suddenly we are turning our lamps on throughout the house by 4 in the afternoon, as the days grow shorter and the natural light begins to lessen. The soft glow of small lights looks so homey and inviting from outside. While the world fights battles and negotiates disagreements, we cozy down to hibernate from the busyness of life around us. Warm quilts come out from storage, favorite DVDs are lined up for the day when the snow finally arrives and we are content to be here, safe from the elements, both weather and society. Life slows down as the leaves fall gracefully to the ground. And we become grounded with nature all around us ....