Do you think that "small" gifts can sometimes be the biggest? Like when you walk through your back door one afternoon and the sun is highlighting your bowl of apples? Such a gift of beauty! Or like the time you have had a bit of a rough week and you get to the drive-through window to pay for your coffee and it has been paid for? And you find out that your brother- and sister-in-law have seen you from inside and decided to treat you (not knowing about the week that you've had)?
Yes, those kinds of gifts!
Can you believe it is November?!
November is one of my favorite months of the year. Cool, crisp air. Color. The aromas of leaves and fires and pumpkin candles and coffee. The anticipation of my favorite holiday. Brown transfer ware. Leaf-strewn pathways.
Kati had a birthday this week! She was off for a half day, so Bekah and I also took off for the afternoon and we celebrated by taking a drive, doing a little antiquing, and drinking frozen coffees! (Aren't we wild and crazy? 😉) For dinner, we had "Aunt Linda Casserole" (a Mexican dish named for its creator) on the sun porch (the birthday girl got her wish for a warm day; it was a balmy 77 degrees!) and a store-bought pumpkin roll for dessert. We'll be having more fanfare tomorrow as we celebrate all the November birthdays, but it was a lovely day of simple pleasures.
Side story:
When Bekah saw me writing out Kati's card, she laughed. "Mom, I think you've given Kati that card before. Twice."
"Really? Are you sure? Well, at least she'll know that I mean what it says."
"Really? Are you sure? Well, at least she'll know that I mean what it says."
Sure enough. Kati looked amused when she opened the card and I knew that Bekah had been right.
I do amuse my family with my propensity to keep collecting the things I love.
Like pumpkins and gourds. I seem to bring another one home every week when I run errands. This week's selection:
And then there are candles . . . and napkins . . .
But how could I resist this amazing pumpkin spice soy candle that is white (not the more typical orange)? Or this huge package of red brick-ish red, not fire engine red) paper napkins? And my "hobbies" are cheap ones.
I rest my case.
On the agenda today:
Hang the Thankful Tree. We did not have a Thankful Tree last year for the first time since we began this tradition. I attributed it to "new house brain fog" which was my excuse for lots of things last year. But this year, the Thankful Tree is back and I can't wait to see what everyone writes on their leaves.
House cleaning and party prep for the November birthday celebration tomorrow.
But first . . . Saturday Morning Mochas in brown transfer ware mugs.
Because, November.
What a lovely post! I’ve been sipping my coffee as I sit up in bed this morning visiting with you. The back door is open and I can hear the soft sounds of Saturday in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteYes, the simple pleasures are the most delicious. You captured the so eloquently in both words and pictures. Beautiful......
Thank you for visiting, Linda! (I am way behind on my blog visiting . . . please bear with me!)
DeleteI love your phrase, "the soft sounds of Saturday." Sounds delicious! Happy weekend to you!
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ReplyDeleteFunny about the card...which reminds me of one of our stories...My husband and I gave each other the same card one year for our Anniversary! It expressed so much of what we had gone through that year.
DeleteBeautiful looking daughter. And your apple picture is just so serene...follow the light!
That is a funny story, Melissa! Apparently, you were both thinking the same thoughts! :)
DeleteI like the November look at your house! I brought out a little "turkey" and added it to a bit of the Halloween decor that I allowed to stay...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca! I decorate for autumn very early on, usually at the beginning of September, and it all just stays through Thanksgiving. (Correction: I have thrown out a gazillion pumpkins/gourds that have gone bad this year. Maybe that's why I keep buying them!) I love fall and fall decorating, so I want it to last as long as possible!
DeleteI'd like to see your turkey!
Simple pleasures are usually the ones that bring so much joy.
ReplyDeleteHappy Autumn ~ I like the idea of a thankful tree ~ FlowerLady
I agree. Simple pleasures are the best!
DeleteHappy autumn to you too, there in sunshiny Florida!
Cheryl, the sun shining on your beautiful bowl of apples is lovely. You are so right it's the small gifts that make life sweeter. It's good to focus on those gifts especially during hard times.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Kati. It's so nice you enjoyed a great afternoon with her and Bekah.
Your little yellow pumpkin has the most magical stem--nice addition to your collection. ♥
Thank you, Martha Ellen, for stopping by with your (always) kind words.
DeleteI am glad that you noticed that stem! It is why that one came home with me! :)
I love simple beauties and pleasures.
ReplyDeleteYes!!
DeleteHappy Birthday to Kati! As your card says, she is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree...sweet and simple pleasures are the best.
Enjoy your weekend and your birthday celebrations!
Thank you, Cheryl! And a happy weekend to you too!
DeleteAs you've written, it's so often the little things that are tucked into one's heart and remembered with fondness. Unexpected kindnesses are the sweetest.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lorrie!
DeleteNow, Cheryl, if you saved the card, you could regift the card thereby saving
ReplyDelete$. ☺️ A very happy birthday to Kati🎈
Your thoughts on November and on seeing beauty even in a difficult week...
well they made me think. I had a truly rough day yesterday and overlooked the
gift entirely. It was the gift of help from my son, which never should be taken
for granted.
And, seeing your brown transferware remind me to find the sweet mug Kim
from Happy at Home gave me. I love that handle! Hope that I didn’t bury it
too deep in the china cupboard.
🍂Have a happy family day today!
Oh you do know that you gathered a beautiful winter squash...my mother’s favorite for its dryness...I think it’s a Buttercup.
DeleteVee, Kati saved the card(s), but that would require ME to remember that she had it, and therein lies the problem.
DeleteI am sorry that you had a particularly rough day. Sigh . . . It is easy to overlook the gift on such days, when your thoughts are centered on the struggle. I will be praying (more), dear friend.
No, I did not know that my green guy (chosen for its lovely color . . . i have gathered a lot of green this autumn) was a Buttercup squash. I thought that they were smaller. A friend of ours also told us that the Buttercup was the best of all squashes. We didn't think so, but maybe after his zealous recommendation we were expecting ambrosia. Perhaps we should give it another try.
That's too cute about you giving Kati the same card. I'm sure I've done that, too. Simple pleasures appreciated are great pleasures. Maybe by now your house is buzzing with all the November birthdays! Autumn is a happy season for me. It's hard for me to walk away from transferware when I see it at the thrift stores. Happy celebrations!
ReplyDeleteI like that, Ellen: "Simple pleasures appreciated are great pleasures." Yes!
DeleteWe are definitely autumn gals!
I enjoyed this simple post about daily life. That still life photo would make a good oil painting. Happy Birthday to Katie. She is a beautiful young woman! I noticed the acorns scattered in the pumpkin roll picture. You have such a unassuming way of staging photos! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dotsie!
DeleteI think that Kati is beautiful too . . . both inside (the most important) and outside.
Thank you for noticing the acorns, my attempt at fall-izing the pink. :)