Oh November, you lovely place in time.
November for me is like a hug.
It's a sort of free month, where you can really sink into coziness.
It's also a pumpkin filled month for me still.
There are all sorts of pumpkins still growing in the garden and autumn is barely beginning to peek into the high desert.
I like to take the first 2 weeks of this month to really enjoy the season.
I even let my black owl stay out a bit longer.
The garden has fresh dahlias and roses coming in, along with all the pumpkins.
The sun goes down by 5:30 p.m. and candlelight adds a perfect golden ambience to counteract the early sunset.
I am in no rush to move forward, I want to stroll slowly through November, enjoying all the sights and sounds.
Candles and twinkly lights...
Paging through old books and looking through stacks of magazines.
I am thinking about Thanksgiving and cutting out recipes I find interesting.
I sit in my comfy striped chair at my little wooden desk, listening to music and tacking my cuttings into my recipe journal.
I have not even thought about taking out my Christmas tree.
Don't get me wrong, I think anyone that wants to, should.
But I'm not there yet, I need a moment to breathe.
Admittedly, I have been thinking about where I'd like to put my Christmas tree, when I feel the call to do so.
But the first 2-3 weeks of November are my rest time, it's still warm here, and the nights are deliciously cool.
I love November's autumn and all the garden delights it has to offer.
The sun sets in a totally different place than it did 2 months ago and illuminates the garden so differently.
Instead of the golden hour sun shooting through one of my rose arbors, it explodes 20 feet to the left through the lemon tree, with rays of hot pink and lavender.
Autumn light and autumn air transports you to another place in time.
It's a wonderful gift to have seasons, isn't it?
The importance of having things to look forward to is invaluable.
I was out doing a little watering this evening and I thought about how I must place my poppy order soon.
I thought about the types of poppies I'd like to toss about for next year.
Even though all my poppies self-seed, there are a few colors I'd like to add.
As soon as winter rains begin, I toss my wildflower seeds into the garden.
There's always something to look forward to when you have a garden, no matter how big or small.
The cozy autumn vibe in front of the fireplace is music to my soul.
I have a little stack of books I'm reading.
Why did I have to start more than one at once, isn't that just silly?
Do you ever do that?
What book are you reading right at this very moment?
One of my favorite things to do is to look through old cookbooks.
Often there are little notes or tattered old recipes stuck between the pages.
I simply swoon when I find such delicious little morsels in old books.
There are still a dozen pumpkin recipes I would like to make.
Plus, there are many pumpkins to roast, puree and freeze for the winter months.
I even noticed that two brand new fairytale pumpkins are growing in the garden, although I'm not sure they will make it to full maturity.
Still, it'll be fun to watch them grow so late in the season.
I have many autumnal things to do before winter.
And so, for now it's still all about the pumpkins in my neck of the woods.
I hope you are doing extra lovely in your cottage down the wooded bend.
I enjoy writing to you very much.
Stay well, and I hope to see you soon.
Love from that place where the desert meets the forest,
Vanessa
