The Very Changeable November...

I'm a November baby, which adds to my love of this month, to this time of year. I have the fake fire crackling on the TV, accompanied by the soft background music of piano and cello.

My husband is preparing a Sunday brunch, well lunch really, because we slept in after a late night. We stayed up to watch BSU play in the 9 degree, freezing cold. It felt good to be curled up on the sofa in front of the television, while seeing the frosty breath of the players and the loyal fans who attended. It was also nice to see them pull from behind and win the game!

The arctic blast stole the last bit of autumn weather this week. We got a lot of snow, almost 10 inches, and it's been so cold. It's funny to see leaves still on the trees, but covered with snow and ice. They were so beautiful, but are now brown and scraggy looking, and under the snow are the leaves we hadn't gotten raked up yet. That's going to be a soggy mess when everything melts.

Even as I'm typing this, I still love autumn in all it's varied forms! When I step outside, the cold is bracing and the world is white and lovely. There is more than frost on the pumpkin, there's a layer of snow. It all looks beautiful to me. November is one of the most changeable months. It varies from year to year. It's full of surprises, which makes me happy to call it my birthday month!

Burning Leaves...

Vintage Autumn Print

November is filled with so many memories. One of my fondest is raking up piles of oak leaves. My sister and I would have fun jumping in the leaves, while grandpa continued to rake under the birch, the crab apple, and the willows, then he would take them, one wheelbarrow load at a time, and roll them out to the burn barrels. I still love the smell of burning leaves during autumn. That aroma is much more rare where I live now, as my little town has grown so large. The fields have been replaced with houses and shopping centers, and there are restrictions on burning in city limits. I may have to toss a couple leaves on the barbecue, and see if the smell still evokes the same feelings.

© 11NOV2014 ajj

Fairies and Imaginings...

The woods are full of fairies;

The sea is full of fish;

The trees are full of golden leaves;

Let's make an autumn wish.

~ Anonymous

Today, I'm thankful for imagination. From my earliest memories, my imagination protected me from some of the harsh realities of my life. It also enabled me to visit exotic locations and have amazing adventures! 

My imagination was, and still is, fueled by books, music, television, and movies. As a young child, books played the largest role. Nancy Drew, Mary Poppins, Lassie, Grimm's Fairy Tales, and a little book published in 1919 called History Stories for Primary Grades. That little history book was where I first read about Joan of Arc, who became one of my heroes. Grimm's Fairy Tales fueled the fantasy side of my daydreams. There were princesses, queens, fairies, and there were children in terrible danger from evil witches or a stepmother.  They managed to somehow overcome and survive the abuse. Imagination helped make me a survivor, and fueled my own creativity.  Spend some time today with your imagination, and delight in the places it can take you!

© 06NOV2014 ajj

November...

This lovely autumn picture is a Jane Berry Hudson illustration.
It was a shared image, courtesy of Bumble Button.

I'm thankful for this beautiful autumn day! November is one of my favorite months of the year, and not just because it's my birth month. It's the beginning of holiday time and brings back so many happy memories! It makes me long to get together with family and friends. There's the coziness of a warm house in contrast to the crisp, fresh air just outside the door. There's the smell of leaves, and sometimes rain. The vibrant colors. The shorter days. Planning for the holidays. I'm loving November!