Hello November . . .

  

Dull November brings the blast;
Then the leaves are whirling fast.

~Sara Coleridge, The Garden Year

  November brings leaves spread upon the ground like a woven cloth of gold and red, with cinnamon coloured open fields and hedgerows filled with frosted purple wild blackberry canes . . .

Colours which seemed to be so vibrant in October . . . now begin to fade slowly into somber hues . . . rain falls in long and leaden lines with determination . . .  stopping only to drip along the eaves . . .  

 

Falling leaves appear dead, but nothing is wasted in nature's economy.  Leaves which rot down into the earth magically changed their form, structure and substance . . .  becoming a rich mould, nourishing the soil about the roots of the parent tree . . .  becoming a fertile bed for the germination of new seed . . .  it is the circle of life. 

 

The song of the wind changes in November . . .  no longer soft and musical . . .  it holds a mournful sound, marking the rhythm of the waning  days of autumn . . . it moans across the eaves and down the chimney brest . . .

There is a growing chill in the air which begins to creep along your very bones . . . the first beat of winter is not yet here . . .  but we know it won't be long in coming.  We spend extra time out of doors whilst we still can, doing chores or puttering . . .  just to be out of doors.  It won't be long now until we are forced back inside looking through frosted panes upon crystal laced bushes . . . 

 

It was November . . .  
the month of crimson sunsets, 
parting birds, 
deep sad hymns of the sea,
passionate wind songs in the pines.
~L. M. Montgomery 

I have not had the most comfortable last 21 hours.  I have been wearing one of these, tethered in a bag hung around my neck with the collar wrapped around my arm, taking my blood pressure automatically every half hour with great intensity.  Its awkward and painful and I can tell you I did not get a LOT of sleep last night with it cranking on my left arm every half hour, sometimes twice!  But hopefully at the end of this (I have three hours to go) they will be able to tell from the readings what my problem is and if my BP medication needs changing.  Fingers crossed! 

There are certain dates in my life that seem to record special events.  It was on the 31st October 17 years ago now that I made the move from Canada to the UK permanently in preparation to Todd and I getting married on the 11th of November.  So the 31st of October is not just Halloween to me, but also an anniversary of sorts, and now it is even more special because, look what came to my door yesterday! 

Could you hear me squealing with delight?

Many tears fell.  This has been a lifetime

in the making!

Yes, it is my cookbook!  Tangible. In my hands.  For me to hold and to see, and to rifle through the pages . . .  feeling the paper beneath my fingertips . . .  running the tip of my finger across the written lines . . .  and I know I am biased, but  . . . 

  

I think it is beautiful, and I am really proud of my accomplishment. 

 

Its not actually for sale yet.  This is just the proof book, and some review copies have been sent out ahead of publication. It will actually be for sale beginning on the 11th November, which is another really important date in my life because not only is it Remembrance Day, but also Todd's and my Anniversary, so you can see where special dates are really special in my life!  I think I should buy a lottery ticket now with the numbers 31 and 11 on them! haha! 

We had a funeral to go to today, but I can't take a shower wearing this BP machine, and I can't face going to a chapel without having washed my hair, etc. so we will be missing it, besides I am really tired from lack of sleep.  I will have to send our regrets.  

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day! 

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.°Doubt kills more dreams

than failure ever will.

~Karim Seddiki  •。★★ 。* 。

 Spiritual Enlightenment

 

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading -1 Nephi 10:11-11:11

 Question - What is Nephi teaching us about the Holy Ghost? How has the gift of the Holy Ghost blessed you in your life?  

What I learned - Nephi taught that the holy ghost is a gift from God given to those who diligently seek him. The Holy Ghost bestows many gifts unto the children of men, one of which is that we can know for ourselves, what is true and what is not true. Nephi believed all the words of his father, yet he wanted to know for himself. As he was pondering, he saw an angel who taught him the meaning of the tree which Lehi had seen in his vision. Then Nephi speaks to the spirit of Jesus Christ. This is a mystery of God, by the power of the Holy Ghost to see Jesus Christ. I, too, can know the mysteries of God, as I ponder and see and ask. The power of the Holy Ghost can teach me too, for God is no respector of persons and "giveth to all men liberally".  I love this quote, "The Holy Ghost is always the teacher anytime, anywhere pure truth is taught. That is His privilege; that is his stewardship." And I think this phrase goes along nicely with it- 'when the student is ready, the teacher shows up.' I love the Holy Ghost, I love feeling Him guide my learning and teaching me individually. I have to be so mindful with my thoughts, and trying to be humble so He can teach me. I know that of myself, I have learned nothing, except through his tuition. And because of Him, I am on the path of learning that will lead me to Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow's Reading - (Day 13) - 1 Nephi 11:12-30

 Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? What can we learn about how the Spirit teaches Nephi? 

 

In The Kitchen today  . . .  Baked Rice Pilaf.  This is so simple, healthy, and so tasty.  This is sure to become a firm favourite in your home as it is in ours!

Have a brilliant day. Don't forget aong the way . . .

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And I do too!