Friday Five on Saturday

~ONE~

" Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when

everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been

saving up all year for the grand finale. "

LAUREN DESTEFANO

It's Saturday morning and the sunrise washes tree tops in golden light. When I think about it, it's the slant of the light this time of year that I love the most.

I love all the seasons, but the truth is I love Autumn most of all. Reasons why include: the wondrous beauty of nature in its stunning glory; the garden really looks its best—it takes all season to come into its fulsomeness; that comforting feeling of finding favourites recipes for homemade soups and stews; the sense of wrapping your fingers around a warm mug; brisk air against my face in the mornings; stomping through crunchy leaves; sipping a pumpkin latte.

~TWO~

Just for fun. Beth Moore shared the list below on her Twitter page the other morning. I used to love these kinds of lists found in the old-fashioned ladies magazines of my youth. So I joined in. Share your choices in the comments, if you like....

1. Cashews or almonds? Almonds, but not almond milk. 

2. Driver or passenger? Passenger - it's hard to take in what's interesting or beautiful when one has to keep her eyes on the road.

3. Reading or listening? I prefer reading, unless it's an audio book on a road trip.

4. Dramas or comedies? Upon reflection, I tend to pick dramas more often, even though I love a good comedy. 

5. Sports event or theater? Definitely theater. Thankfully, I married someone who also likes music concerts and art galleries better than sports events. Lucky me.

6. Cake or pie? Pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving; otherwise a slice of cake never goes amiss.

7. Chips or popcorn? Cheetos crunchy cheezies are first, then potato chips, then popcorn.

8. Music or silence? Will not choose - both are necessary to my soul's survival.

9. Mountains or beaches? As a girl, it was beaches. As a young adult, it was mountains. Now it's gardens and parks.

10. Dogs or cats? I love cats, I like dogs.

 

~THREE~

A pot of these pansies has been breaking my heart this week with those deep-seated purple petals. If possible, they are even more intense now than in the summertime, and I cannot get enough of their exquisiteness. I keep going outside to drink in yet another moment.

The garden wanes and these stalwart beauties will soon succumb to the frost. As is my autumn ritual for some years now, I have taken a farewell walkabout in the garden, touching the petals of this flower and that one, thanking them for bringing us so much joy this past summer.

  

~FOUR~

" Is this not the perfect autumn day?

Just the still melancholy that I love—

that makes nature and life harmonize. "

GEORGE ELIOT

The brilliance of autumn colours has peaked in the last week or so. Many trees are now muted in tones of brown sugar and dove grey, the intensity faded. Leaves that once fluttered above my head line the streets in crinkly troughs. Blue jays, spread further afield over the summer, begin to gather nearer to the peanut dishes set in the garden, shrieking their disgust when they are empty. Definitely a sound of autumn - haha.

~FIVE~

" Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever. "

PSALMS 106

It's Thanksgiving this weekend here in Canada. No big family gatherings for us as restrictions are in place to help with high active Covid cases. But a little turkey and fresh cranberry sauce, a scoop of mashed potato and a generous helping of stuffing with gravy will certainly go a long way to filling this heart with gratitude and gladness.

 

* * *

Wishing you a beautiful weekend,

Brenda

Photos in this post are mine,

except the last two:

Pumpkin image by hudsoncrafted from Pixabay

Plate image by Matthias Cooper from Pixabay