Daybook: October Edition

"We must become friends before this coffee cools."

TOSHIKAZU KAWAGUCHI

Today's post was meant to go up yesterday - the last day of October. But my week ran out of time before my 'to-do' list was finished. I had a couple of writing projects with deadlines. And there were the usual tasks and commitments that needed attending to. Not to mention that I couldn't very well drop my usual couple of hours of scrolling everyday for 'important' news and entertaining feeds to keep me sane (wink).

I have been wondering if someone out there, instead of turning up the heat as the days get cooler, has accidentally jacked up the speed of the universe—for the weeks keep flying by like shooting stars.

Here is my October Daybook. I hope you enjoy.

TODAY

Outside my window...

Watching dull grey morning skies

turn into pale autumn sunshine.

I am thankful for...

- Moments of peace in the middle of chaos.

- Inside jokes that I can giggle about with

someone without explanation.

- Deep breaths that do help me relax.

I am currently reading...

Louise Penny's latest Gamache mystery

The Black Wolf - sequel to The Grey Wolf.

If you are looking for something cozy

to curl up with, this is not the book

(it's a nail-biter).

I recently read and loved...

A Flute in Mayferry Street

by Eileen Dunlop (1976)

It's a delightful children's story that, for me, has a

feeling of Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan,

as well as a hint of Elizabeth Goudge.

It's a new forever favourite.

I am wearing...

Black jeans with an olive green cable knit shell,

tiny pearl-like earrings, and a spritz of rose scent.

I am writing...

a memoir that I started more than 10 years ago.

It's working title is Waiting for Love, the journey

between a prayer and a proposal.

At this point in time, I am writing it to my dear

girlhood friend, Linda, in installments like letters.

Her time here on earth is short and she so wanted to

read my story. We were girlhood friends.

I feel the weight of it. I also feel the rightness of

writing it to Linda. One day I hope to publish it.

First things first.

I am smiling...

My sister shared a bit of conversation she had

with our 90-year-old mom, who had been looking

online for a new cardigan, because her old black

one made her feel like 'a little old lady'.

(There is not a woman on this planet, however old

she may be, who wants to feel like a little old lady.)

A favourite link...

Today the link happens to be for a post I wrote last October.

Observing Trifles... or the Spectacle of the Ordinary

In it, I share about a lovely book I read on walking.

And observing the world around you. The author

mentions her joyful insights when she walked with a dog,

when she walked with her toddler. She saw the world differently.

 Rick and I walk most days, so I thought it would be fun

to revisit that inspiring book. If you've never read it, it might

just be what you need to inspire your own legs to get out there.

A favourite quote this week...

"You must do something to make

the world more beautiful."

BARBARA COONEY, Miss Rumphius

A glimpse from my walk...

I love the white bark of birch trees. They have been

a favourite since I was a little girl.

Closing note...

"Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead

has never watched them dance on a windy day."

SHIRA TAMIR

❦

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Pumpkin cups) Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

(Typewriter) Image by Joanna from Pixabay

(birch tree) Image by Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Nothing Today - Will Post Tomorrow

 

I'm sorry I don't have anything prepared so far this week. It's been a busy one—I had two projects on the go, and both had deadlines. BUT, I am now working on a post for tomorrow.      

Hope you'll come back.

Enjoy this last day of October!

Brenda xo

 

Photo: Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay

A Little Small Talk

"No matter what's going on in the world, have your tea,

make your list, plan your meals, fold the laundry, bake

something for the family, and be a light for your home."

The Sprouting Homestead on Facebook

Today I feel a little like Jane Austen when she once wrote, "I do not know what is the matter with me today, but I cannot write . . . fortunately I have nothing very particular to say."

As I sat and 'proverbially' chewed the end of my pencil, I thought of one thing I could mention. I bought an autumn-themed grocery store bouquet for our dining room table last week. When the flowers started fading, I placed the above sprig of bronze-golden chrysanthemums into a smaller vase. And set it on the coffee table in our living room. This morning while we were enjoying our coffees the sun suddenly brightened and beams fell on the flower petals 'just so'. Making an ordinary spray look most glorious as if it were posing for an artist's paint and palette. I love how my photo turned out.

I could also tell you about the tasty Butternut Squash Soup I made for supper last night. Served it with hot buttered toast. Yum! The ingredients were simple: a package of already-cubed squash (approx. 4-6 cups), a chopped onion, a chopped MacIntosh apple, 2 cloves of garlic diced, a fresh sage leaf chopped into teeny pieces, a sprig of fresh thyme, and a teaspoon of diced ginger. I sautéed everything first for about 10 minutes, then added enough broth (I used chicken) to cover the ingredients, simmering until everything was soft. A quick whirl in the food processor. A sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste. That's it. A simple, easy meal.

When you don't know what else to chat about, there is always the weather. So, how has it been in your corner of the world? We've had a lovely few days. Sunny, blue skies with lots of clouds drifting in and out. Windy. It's definitely late autumn now. Many trees stand like skeletons against the sky. Surely they exude something more romantic than skeletons but it's the image that popped up first. Probably because Hallowe'en decorations are everywhere now.

Speaking of Hallowe'en, do you get many kids for treats at your door? We get maybe 30 or 40. I was thinking about what to hand out this year. I handed out cookie packs last year, potato chips the year before, and chocolate bars the one before that. What about packages of hot chocolate or hot apple cider along with cookies? If you were a trick or treater, would that interest you? What was/is your favourite treat at Hallowe'en? I used to love molasses kisses and old-fashioned popcorn balls. It's been decades since I have eaten either - they were so yummy. 

Do you remember a favourite costume you wore? We'd have our party at school and go all dressed up for the day. It was so exciting to dream about what costume we'd wear. I wasn't very old, maybe Grade 2 or 3, when Mom sewed me a nurses uniform from white crepe paper along with a cute nurses cap to match. I think my favourite was the princess outfit she put together from her old pretty dresses, maybe from the soft chiffon bridesmaid dress, that were in the dress up box.

I think I will find myself in the mood for Agatha Christie's Poirot mystery, Halloween Party. And if I can find it on YouTube, I wouldn't mind watching that old Cary Grant movie Arsenic and Old Lace. That was such a great old movie - just plain silly and fun.

Two delightful books I am enjoying right now are The Country Commonplace Book by Miranda Mills and A Year Unfolding, A printmaker's view by Angela Harding. Both include seasonal sections that help create the right ambiance for this time of year.  

I do wonder if Miss Austen found on that day she had nothing particular to say, once she got started, there were all kinds of bits and pieces that became entertaining fodder in her letters. Speaking of Jane, I recently finished Lucy Worsley's autobiography Jane Austen at Home. It was a really good read. Lucy had some wonderful insights and ideas about this famous lady, her life, and the times she lived in.

Look at that, a few paragraphs done, and I have a blog post nearly finished. On that note, I shall bid you a pleasant goodbye.

❦

Wishing you grace for the week ahead, and may

there be beauty in its many details,

Brenda

 Photo credit:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Some Favourites (In No Particular Order)

“Isn't that the only way to curate a life?

To live among things that make you gasp with delight?”

MAIRA KALMAN, My Favorite Things

Surrounding ourselves with our favourite things can turn ordinary moments into special ones. Favourite things add sparkle to our lives. They come in many categories—favourite authors, beverages, things to eat, songs or poems, colours, holidays, and seasons. Not to mention bookshops, cafés, family traditions, certain garments or jewelry, and times of day. As you see, I could go on and on, the categories themselves are endless.

Our favourites usually tickle our fancy; they suit our tastebuds or satisfy something on the inside of us. Sometimes we can say why a certain thing is our favourite; other times we find it hard to peg our feelings to the right words. All we know is that when we happen upon them (or deliberately plan for them on occasion) something shifts and suddenly we know we can face our day—even with a certain joie de vivre. 

I think it must have been Julie Andrews singing her famous song in Sound of Music who started the trend all those years ago. Many of us loved her lists... 'whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens'. Our faces lighted with smiles when we recognized our own few favourites in those lyrics.

I recently came across this list that I wrote on a blog post a long time ago. Reading it over, I find it's still current; I've added a few new things. Here it is, in no particular order. Hope you enjoy.

Foggy mornings

Children laughing

Getting into one's jammies and reading in bed

Condensation on a glass of ice water

Raindrops on rose petals

Dark chocolate

Kitty cats

Bees humming in the Sedum

Lovely old bookshops

Vintage stores

Notebooks dressed in pretty covers

Tiny sandwiches with tea in China cups

People watching

Sunshine glinting off snowy rooftops

The smell of coffee brewing on a cold morning

Colour combo of indigo blue and white

Walks in a park in autumn's quiet

Giving a friend a gift 'out of the blue'

Laughing with someone until you can hardly breathe

Wrapping paper and ribbons

The words “I love you” and "you're my favourite person"

Walking into an freshly cleaned and uncluttered room

Blustery autumn days

Re-reading favourite books

Browsing beautiful magazines

Snuggling under the covers at day's end

Holding hands

Visiting the library

Pencils, pens, paper

English country anything

Hot buttered toast

A good mystery novel

Happy dogs out for their walks

The scent of earthy autumn in the air

Honey lavender lattes with pretty designs on the top

Pictures of my favourite people around me

Bridal bouquets

Walking through crunchy leaf piles

The word 'cozy'

Persuasion by Jane Austen (book or 1995 movie)

Days getting shorter

Watching for the Harvest Moon

Getting snail mail from a friend

When the Soprano scales the High "C"

The cacophony of an orchestra tuning up before a concert

Writing blog posts with my beautiful readers in mind

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Tea)Image by Penelope883 from Pixabay

(Leaf)Image by ZAIDoo Pro from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Hear Blessings Dropping

"God has two dwellings — one in heaven,

and the other in a meek and thankful heart."

IZAAK WALTON, Wikiquote.com

Autumn is that time of year that fills my soul with a sense of well-being, and on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, there is much for which I am grateful. The sky is blue and cloudless and sunny. And the grand brilliance of Autumn's palette has now truly muted into what Sarah Addison Allen describes as 'a world covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon'. Fields and gardens are mostly harvested. And the ponds around our place are now silent.

I'll assume many of us practice the art of gratitude and thankfulness all year long, but there is something extra-special about a day aside for counting our blessings. One Thanksgiving years ago, I started a list of what I was grateful for, and upon reading it to Rick, he said he'd add Brussels sprouts. Well, each to their own. Sure, I can be grateful for this cute cabbage-like ball of a vegetable—they are lovely roasted with pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup—but let's just say, I'd have to be running low on favourites before I'd ever think to add them to a list.

Today I'm thankful for turkey dinner with stuffing and French apple tart. I am grateful for reasonable health and vitality. I am so thankful for my dear mom who truly has been the best mom in the world. I am over the top thankful for my sweetheart of a husband who is one of the kindest men I know. I am thankful for my dear siblings and their partners, my wonderful nephews and nieces, and my lovely set of friends who help make the journey through life bearable, enjoyable, and so worth it. 

Let's see... I'm also grateful for perfectly made latte coffees, cups of tea, my piles of books, and dark chocolate. And for roses, sweet peas, and marigolds and for eyes to appreciate their beauty and colour. I'm so glad for a nose that can breath in the scent of freshly baked bread, cinnamon buns, and apple crisp. And for plenty to eat, shelter in a cozy home, and peace in my heart and our friendly neighbourhood. I'm glad to be Canadian. There's no end to what I could add to this list.

And I must not forget all the wonderful blogging and social media friends I've met here who visit and leave comments, who share their own life glimpses, funnies, and thoughtful words. Thank you! Let me reiterate that it's my desire to keep this blog as free as possible from the woes of the world. It's not that I don't care, for I care deeply about the many sad and hard things going on out there. And I know many of you do too.

But it's nice to have a spot somewhere where we, for a few moments, can focus on something other than the horrid, cruel stuff. Besides, we cannot keep mourning. Our hearts are not made to mourn all the time. Joy is what gives us strength. I remain committed to keeping this small place in cyberspace a safe haven. Where we can come to rest a moment, think about everyday pleasures, as we carry on loving those around us and living our lives with grace and finesse. We keep searching for the hope, kindness, and beauty that is everywhere, sometimes hidden except to the most earnest of searchers. And we pass it along so others can enjoy and be cheered.

I say a wee prayer of blessing for good gifts to come to every person in this big old world. I sure hope you have a share of them. And I hope your heart can hum with gratitude - even a little bit, no matter what you are facing...

" For one moment quit being sad.

Hear blessings dropping

their blossoms all around you."

RUMI

 

❦

Wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places,

With love,

Brenda

Photo credit:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays