Saturday, September 27, 2014

Still Swooning Over Autumn Loveliness


 "Fall is begging for us to dance and sing and write with just the same drama and blaze.”  ~ Shauna Niequist

I love autumn days. I love how the leaves -- now fallen -- nestle into garden nooks and spread across green lawns. I love the way these crinkly bits of nature blend with honey-hued rocks and give a delightful contrast against herbs and perennials still green.

And, isn't a splash of colour -- just like in the photo -- perfect for brightening up the whole thing?

It's a different kind of beauty we enjoy now than what we loved in full summer bloom. Rose bushes once flush with delicate pink blossoms look like sticks in the ground. The purple stalks of liatris now make me think of miniature bulrushes. And, our majestic sunflowers droop nearer the earth as they send their last bit of energy into forming seeds instead of standing tall.  

Personally, I don't see the fuss about getting the leaves off the lawn. I prefer an 'au naturale' look myself. Although, I admit, there is a certain romance to the whole thing of raking up the leaves into a great pile for kids or dogs to romp through (be sure to see too-cute video). If I were to rake, it would for that reason -- not because it looks unsightly. So one might ask if we just leave them on the lawn here in the city where we live. Alas, no, hubby takes that in hand and very un-romantically mows them up into the lawn mower bag for the compost. 

That's why I'm taking JOY in this leafy mess before said mower does its job and 'tidies up the place a bit'.



On that note, I'm leaf-ing you with this wonderful piece of autumn word artistry by Shauna Neiquiest, author of books like Bread and Wine, and Cold Tangerines....


“Fall: bright flame before winter’s deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire. Our tree-lined streets are set ablaze, our kitchens filled with the smells of nostalgia: apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself ... and everything we see is celebrating one last violently hued hurrah before the black and white and silence of winter. Fall is begging for us to dance and sing and write with just the same drama and blaze.” ~ Shauna Neiquiest



Have a*´¨)
> ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
> (¸.·´ (¸.·´ * beautiful day! *

Hugs,
Brenda
xox


Photo:  Brenda Leyland, 2014
Graphic:  Glittergraphics.coms
Shauna's Quote: First read on post by Adrienne Westenfeld


9 comments:

  1. Good morning Brenda! Oh how autumn brings such a sense of life!
    I love it too and I agree with the au naturelle too! Lol
    I have just finished my post inspired by your book challenge! Thank you so much...I have been blessed in doing so!
    Come for a visit and I'll put on the coffee!
    Blessings on your day my friend!

    All my heart,
    Deborah :)

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    1. Hi Deborah...

      Delighted to see your comment here. I'm hopping over to your blog to see your book list. I think reading the book lists of other kindred readers has got to be one of my favourite things... seems I'm not alone in this.

      I'll look forward to 'coffee' with you...

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  2. Love this Brenda. Fall is such a beautiful, poignant time I think. Nostalgic, and full of memories, too.
    Have a lovely week, my friend.

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  3. Brenda , you are a kind of really sweet pawson. For me, Fall is a cuddle season :)

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  4. I have a tiny confession to make. Later in the fall when people have raked their leaves and piled them on the street for the city to take away, I stomp in them. Usually in the dark evening when we take our walk. It's such a satisfying feeling. I don't scatter them, but I do stomp and scuffle. Would you like to come along with me? I think we'd have a great time.

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  5. Dear Brenda - such a great quote and your words as well make me want to go back and re read this post. Fall is such a cozy warm season full of beauty and wonderful moments. Hope you are having many of them. Have a great week.

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  6. Thank you for visiting us, we always appreciate it and love hearing from you. Your quote was lovely. We adore Autumn too. Poignant post. Love Helen, Darcy, Bingley and Fred xxxx

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  7. The leaves haven't fallen here yet, but I've been spending a lot of time sweeping pine and redwood needles from the pool decking, so that they don't blow in....I find that if I don't try to hurry, it's satisfying work. Even if it does need doing again almost the next day!

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  8. You're a few weeks ahead of us I see. Blessed you that no raking is required since hubby is doing it. I have a wonderful neighbor who tends to that, but I must still do the back lawn. Plenty for me. Love the crunch of leaves and we're not yet at that stage.

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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