The voice of the wind changes in November . . . for winds are seasonal too. Summer winds blow soft, musical with leaves, with the exception of Thunderstorms, but we get blessed with very few of those these days it seems, thankfully. Hurricane winds scream. In blizzard time the sleet-sharp gale has a crackling noise, but now . . . in November the wind has a mournful sound, marking the rhythm of autumn's end. The first beat of winter is not yet here, but it is knocking at the door and every odd occasion it gives us a small taste of what is to come. A few flakes that do not stay for very long before the rain beats them away.
In November the rain is steady, determined and fearfully grey. Some days it is hard and others a mist. The skies are a lovely shade of pewter. They often look foreboding, making me shiver, and at the same time feel very grateful for the four walls which shelter me.
And yet . . . there are days where, after a brief taste of Winter, we have a small reminder of Summer and the sun shines brilliantly, the skies a cerulean blue with feathery and fluffy white clouds.
Oh, it does love to tease us, does November . . .
Teatime comes early these days. Long about four o'clock I start hankering for something, my dinner long since having been digested. I don't crave anything heavy, just something light. I put the kettle on and start rustling through the bread box looking to see what I can find. Some days I just fancy some toast, and others I long for a toasty English muffin with all of those nooks and crannies just waiting to hug a pat of butter close. In my younger years I would have been tempted to break open some clover honey but alas . . . my blood sugars no longer behave when I treat myself to honey and so it is usually just butter and as a rare treat sometimes, a small wedge of a good cheese.
I make sure the tea pot is boiling hot when the tea goes in. In days past I would have treated myself to a lovely cup of Earl Grey, it's lovely perfume is so intoxicating, but these days it is an herbal blend. There are so many lovely ones to choose from. I have a slight preference for the DavidsTea blends, and in particular one called Forever Nuts. It is tinted pink and has a lovely nutty flavor that goes so well. I also have one called Lemon Meringue from Tealish of which I also hold a particular fondness.
I like the looseleaf teas. I have a teapot with a built-in infuser. It is just a small pot, enough for two cups. I put the tea leaves into the infuser and pour in the boiling water. A tea cozy goes on next and then I wait. Sometimes I have a hard time waiting, but I make myself because I know the end result is always more than worth it.
As I wait, I make up a small tray with my cup and a small plate to put my treat on. I toast my bread or my muffin. I like them nice and crisp. And then I spread on the butter, watching it melt and dip down into the little crags. Sometimes I am far too indulgent with it, but then I think to myself . . . you only live once. I cut off a thin slice of cheddar whilst I look with longing at the honey pot and sigh.
I have already overindulged in butter, and I need to embrace my limits, so however great the longing is for honey, I stick with the cheese. It will do nicely.
There is naught like a hot drink, a buttery crust of toasty bread and a sliver of rich cheddar to put the lead back in your pencil at the end of a long day of puttering. Add to that your favorite show on the Telly and all is well with the world.
I have started to watch the old series of All Creatures Great and Small, but I also favor Upstairs Downstairs. They both just go so well with tea, toast and a bite of cheese.
I have not wandered too far from home this week. I did go to supper the other night with our father, but that is about it. I will need to go out at some point today and pick up some cat food. It seems I am always picking up cat food. I do not mind. It gets me out of the house and that is in no way a bad thing.
My fingers itch for something to do these days also. Other than the usual cooking and cleaning and, dare I say it, eating. My fingers are longing for something to craft. But at the same time, I am feeling rather lazy and uninspired when it comes to that. My mind is crowded with things that I would like to do, but when it comes right down to it, I am sadly lacking in motivation. My get-up-and-go is waning it seems. I have a bazillion things that I need to do each day, and time is running out, but can I make myself get up and do them? Each year I say I will have my Christmas gifts bought and wrapped early, cards written and addressed, and each year I procrastinate until all must be done in last minute haste. I tell myself I do my best work under pressure, but really do I? Or is that just something I tell myself to justify my having waited far too long?? I think the latter.
When I break out my journaling things the cats seem to appear out of nowhere. They like to be close when I am putting my thoughts down onto paper. Nutmeg, in particular, delights in sitting his furry bottom right down on my page. It is not long before I am putting everything away again. It is the same with my paints. They do seem to hamper my creativity, but they do it in such a cute way that I cannot be annoyed. It is my own fault for I have been far too indulgent with them.
As my sister is fond of saying . . . tables are for glasses, not for . . . you get the picture.
I give up far too easily methinks.
And here it is already almost 9 a.m. and I must really finish this missive off. I have much to get done and only so much time left and only so much energy in me to get things done. So, I will end this now with . . .
A thought to carry with you . . .
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
love is the second,
and understanding the third.
~Marge Piercy• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
In The English Kitchen today . . . Potato Wedges with Cheese, Cream & Bacon. Delicious and slightly indulgent. Simple to make as well. A worthy and tasty side for two people.
I do hope that you have a beautiful Friday. Whatever you get up to, I hope it brings you joy. Don't forget along the way of your day . . .
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