Monday, October 10, 2016

October. The Simple Woman's Daybook

Photo by Cecil Vedemil / unsplash.com


It's been a few months since I wrote a post for The Simple Woman's Daybook. But I feel the tug to create something for October. We've been busy, what with working in the garden with hubby, and also helping my mom following her knee surgery, so I was a little surprised when I looked around one morning to find Autumn deftly ensconced in our corner of the world. I thought, oh lovely, with all the colours so handsomely vibrant there will be a splendid backdrop for our Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. It hasn't turned out quite that way as you will see when you read further.

So, here it is ... I hope you enjoy October's edition of The Simple Woman's Daybook. And a very happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian family and friends.

Hugs to you all,
Brenda
xox


For Today...


Outside my window... I love to gaze out my kitchen window and I was doing just that the other evening. Although it had been a sunny day, it was one of our much cooler days -- with temperatures hovering near freezing throughout the day. Yikes! That felt much too early.

With the evening shadows lengthening, the kids from the house behind us were out in their backyard. Wrapped in heavier jackets and knitted toques, it seemed they were outside to enjoy one final great trampoline jump before the season changed. I watched, mesmerized, as toque-donned heads bounced up and down. They were making the most of this last hurrah!

While I was at it, I thought I should take a couple of smartphone photos to capture the vibrant carpet of leaves under the trees and shrubs in my garden, before they all get blown away or dusted in frost.


   

I am thinking... how much fun it is to have a day to just play. After making turkey soup, I'm free to sit here at my computer and think ... to dream up something from my heart to share with you in this post.

I am thankful... for turkey dinners and pumpkin pie. I am thankful for good health and vitality. I am thankful for my dear mom who is now recovering and gaining strength after her knee surgery. I am thankful for my husband who is one of the kindest men I know. I am thankful for my wonderful family and my lovely set of friends who make the journey through life bearable, enjoyable, and so worth it.

I am wearing... a floral summer dress -- it's loose and comfortable to work in as I chop onions, carrots, zucchini for the homemade turkey soup we're simmering using yesterday's carcass.

I am creating...
very little these days in writing or artsy projects. Busy with needful work around the house and yard. Visiting my mom. Then hibernating inside the comforting covers of books by authors who share gentle messages of hope and beauty. Authors like Alexander McCall Smith in his No. 1 Ladies' Detective series with the kind detective, Mme Ratmotswe; Jan Karon in her Mitford series; Lucy Dillon in her British romance and life stories; Susan Branch in her 'heart of the home' books.

I am going...
this week to stay with my mom for a week or two as she convalesces following her surgery. I look forward to spending this time with her, to be chief cook and entertainment committee, not to mention fetcher and carrier of items that add comfort to the patient. We might read stories aloud. Or play scrabble when brains feel up to it. Maybe watch some old movies together. Fortunately, Mom and I share our love of twinkle lights, so we'll be cozying up her place when we get settled this week.

I am wondering... if I could squeeze hubby into my little suitcase, as I'm going to miss him dreadfully while I'm away.

 


I am reading... Oh my, these past few weeks I've read more novels than I have in ages. They were my down-time pleasures after busy days. A friend on Facebook recommended a new-to-me British author, Lucy Dillon, and her book A Hundred Pieces of Me. I fell in love from the first paragraph.

Here is a description:
"Reeling from her recent divorce, Gina Bellamy suddenly finds herself figuring out how to live on her own. Determined to make a fresh start—with her beloved rescue greyhound by her side—Gina knows drastic measures are in order.

First up: throwing away all her possessions except for the one hundred things that mean the most to her. But what items are worth saving? Letters from the only man she’s ever loved? A keepsake of the father she never knew? Or a blue glass vase that perfectly captures the light?

As she lets go of the past, Gina begins to come to terms with what has happened in her life and discovers that seizing the day is sometimes the only thing to do. And when one decides to do just that...magic happens."  ~ from amazon.ca, Product Description

I love Ms. Dillon's writing for more than one reason:
  1. She's British, and her books are filled with little descriptions that remind me of our recent trip to England, i.e., the landscapes, the shops, the references to local cultural things like the Classic FM radio station which I started listening to when I got back from England;
  2. The beautiful dogs that are always an integral part of her stories, and though there are sad rescue cases of abandonment or neglect, these sweet dogs, thankfully, turn out not to be victims of cruel or horrid abuse (which I could not stand to read);
  3. Although the main characters go through hard situations, the author writes her stories in a more kindly and gentle way, so the reader can read without getting herself all tied up in knots with anxiety of what might pounce out on the next page or chapter;
  4. I love the way Ms. Dillon brings the threads of the various story lines together and loose ends are tied up in satisfactory ways. Her stories make me want to read everything she's written.



I am hoping... that dear hubby is making cold turkey sandwiches for lunch -- a little turkey, some stuffing, mayo, and cranberry sauce. I can hear the tea kettle, not to mention cups rattling in their saucers. Oh boy, oh boy.

I am learning... to take things one day, one moment, at a time. For grace comes to us moment by moment, just in time to help us through a given situation. I don't need to keep trying to figure it all out ahead, trying to wrestle the details into place, when Someone else holds the GPS for all my life moments. I'm learning to relax and enjoy the ride.

In my garden... After taking the photos of the leaves carpeting the garden, the very next morning it was all covered in soft, fluffy snow. Oh no! was my first response. I could see frost maybe, but not snow. Not yet. But even as I was lamenting, I couldn't help but notice how sweet that birdhouse looks with those tufts of snow on its roof.


In my kitchen... we made a small turkey dinner yesterday. The first time ever without family or friends around us to help celebrate. Although it was quiet, there was a companionable sweetness to it as hubby and I made our preparations and set the dining table with festive place settings for two. The turkey and stuffing, not to mention the homemade pumpkin pie, were all delicious.

A favorite quote for today... "Beauty was not simply something to behold; it was something one could do." ~ Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

A peek into one of my days...
You might find me sitting by the fireplace on one of these cooler afternoons or evenings. The side lamp would be turned on so I could read, and the twinkle lights hanging across the dark lattice room divider, would be adding a certain glow to the dim corner.

One of my favorite things... The good gifts I have the privilege to enjoy today: clean sheets and pillowcases, hot water, leftover stuffing and gravy, lavender scented soap, and yes, I'm even going to say it out loud, toilet tissue. The comforts of every day life that most of us enjoy here in North America. I pray for blessings of good gifts to come to every person in this big old world.

From Pinterest board room... Isn't this photo below a lovely scene of autumn? Let's see, there is the gorgeous fall colour scheme, a comfy chair with a soft plaid blanket, a sweet kitty on the needlecraft pillow, a teacup and a book, all at the ready for a cozy afternoon. What more could a person ask for? NB. This photo was pinned from warrengrovegarden.

 

Post Script...
I'll be away from my blog while I'm at my mom's. Here's wishing you all a beautiful week and month ahead. Whether it be autumn leaves or wintry snowflakes ... it's all cozy when one is armed with tea and twinkle lights.


 





19 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting your DayBook entries. I so much enjoyed reading them and will definitely look for the book! I know you'll be a huge help to your mother. Wishing her well - and blessings on your time there. ♥

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    1. Thanks, Rebecca, for your blessing and good wishes. I hope you enjoy the book.

      B :)

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving. Your post exudes joy and warmth.SO much to be thankful for. I'll skip telling you how wonderful the weather is here;-))(Keep warm. Snow!!!you poor dear)Hope ypour mom recovers well! Knee surgeries can take a lot of patience. My friend had one.

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  3. Glad to read that you honored Thanksgiving. Two is enough! this post was a lovely read, Brenda, a comforting and cozy read. Saying a prayer for your mom's ongoing recovery. She's bionic now.

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  4. Hello Brenda, I'm thinking your mother had knee replacement surgery? My husband had his right knee replaced 8 weeks ago and except for the scar you'd never know from how well he can walk and do other things. Prayers for a speedy recovery for your mom.
    I've always enjoyed reading your Simple Woman's Daybook entries and should take the challenge myself sometime, very self revealing, isn't it?
    The book sounds good, I'll add it to my list and hope our library has it for my Kobo reader.
    Thanksgiving is the perfect time to acknowledge all that we have to be thankful for.
    xx

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  5. Lovely. Just lovely. You express so well the fullness of your heart. I know you were surprised by the early snow, but it makes me happy because it might mean 'our' jolly juncos will be heading southward soon and finding my birdfeeder again. Have a blessed time with your mom, Brenda.

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  6. I love the picture of the snow on the bird house, almost makes the early snow worth it:)

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  7. your life sounds peaceful...I love autumn and the rest from the heat of summer.

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  8. Such a lovely warm post. I could almost smell your pumpkin pie! And I love the Simple Woman's Daybook entry. Will have to try that myself someday. Thanks for the visit.

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  9. Always enjoy your Daybook Entries. You have a beautiful life! and Speedy recovery for you Mom!

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  10. I love your post Brenda, You manage to make me feel I am there with you! God bless you for the way you share.

    I pray your mom will make a speedy recovery. Blessings

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  11. Dear Brenda - will be praying for both you and your mom as she recovers. I am sure this will be a precious time that the two of you can spend together. Loved your post and can't believe you had snow already. We are just now receiving frost this week. Weather has been quite warm here for this time of the year. Take care friend and hurry back when you can. Hugs!

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  12. Hello Brenda. Hope your time with your Mama is good. Lovely post. Susan

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  13. What a pleasant read here tonight as I prepare to turn off the computer and tuck into bed. All cozy and sweetness. Hugs to you and prayers for your mom as she recovers. Enjoy your precious time together!

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  14. Brenda, thank you for stopping by my blog. I loved your beautiful writing and thoughts here. I, too, love Susan Branch and I added the book you are reading to my to read list. I am an Anglophile, sounds like you might be too? I took a dream trip to England in June this year and it was WONDERFUL, especially the Lake District. Anyway, blessings on your visit with your mom. -Amy

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  15. Ahhh Wonderful post. I love that cute little bird house♥

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  16. A quietly beautiful post, Brenda, full of the loveliness that comes from contentment and well-being. I've never heard of Lucy Dillon, but I'll be looking up her writing. I hope that your time with your mom is going well - it sounds like you share many of the same interests.
    Blessed autumn days to you and yours.

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  17. I love the Simple Woman's Daybook posts... mostly because I am a simple woman. It's a great way to find beauty in the everyday. One October several years back, we drove up through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York on our way to a meeting Jamestown, New York. While we were close, our family of 5 decided to drive up to Niagara Falls, as 3 of us had never seen it before. I was, of course, floored by the beauty of Niagara. But, we decided to have lunch at Table Rock Restaurant overlooking the Canadian falls. There was a long wait, and when we finally got inside we were treated to an immense buffet of every food I could imagine. We found out that this was not the norm, but that we happened to be there on Canadian Thanksgiving Day. Up until then, I did not know that you celebrated Thanksgiving in October. What a fun way to find out!

    I have started blogging again and am slowly making the rounds and visiting all those I have missed for so long. I am glad to see you still blogging even if you need to take breaks to care for your mom. Prayer for a speedy recovery for her and blessings to you!

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  18. I hope this finds you and yours doing well. May we display your header on our new site directory? As it is now, the site title (linked back to its home page) is listed, and we think displaying the header will attract more attention. In any event, we hope you will come by and see what is going on at SiteHoundSniffs.com.

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo