When Autumn Turns to Gold

 

The month of November this year is one of the most beautiful I have ever known!

The temperatures have been milder than most other years

and the leaves are lasting longer.

This particular vision of sunlit leaves took my breath away!

These two images are the wonderful colours in a Tulip Tree.

I love their easy to recognize shapes.

Two burnished leaves connect against the blue of the sky.

Every autumn, I look forward to visiting one of the city parks, the one nearest to me,

to see the Ginkgo biloba Tree turn golden.

It's also know as the Maiden Hair Tree.

A golden carpet of fallen leaves forms as the wind brings them down to the ground.

 I was lucky enough to see them fall when I was standing there.

Children were playing in the leaves and the air was full of laughter!

Aren't they just beautiful?

Their fan-shape is so special.

I took a few to put them in my flower-press

A branch hangs down against the deep blue sky.

Look how next spring's buds have already formed...

Taking a closer look to see the sky behind the openings and the beautiful structure of the leaf.

I have to include the pond

The lighting was beautiful in the late afternoon.

There's a bench by that pond - and I've sometimes taken a picnic

and a book to read to sit right here!

A collage of my favourite leaves and autumn hues.

Right at the end of this month, I'll be posting the last leaves of November

I still find them in protected places

shining in the sunlight like golden jewels!

Why We Should Get Out More

During the winter months, we often find excuses not to go out.

It's too cold, it's raining, snowing or the sky is grey

and it often feels so much more comfortable to stay inside with a good book!

It's a well known fact, that getting out every day is good for the morale.

Our horizons are widened

We see new things

We blow away any negative thoughts.

This week has been very springlike with bright blue skies and warmer temperatures

so there was no excuse to stay inside!

I heard birdsong and rejoiced!

Also, walking is healthy for us in so many ways.

We breathe deeper

Our muscles get a work-out

A daily walk can combat those who suffer from depression,

It alleviates stress and is even said to improve memory and lower blood-pressure.

My first walk today was right after breakfast.

There had been a night frost, but I did spy some tiny primroses

poking little yellow buds out of the earth and moss.

Tiny wild Cyclamen were dotted here and there among last autumn's acorns

under a big oak tree.

So much to see now with the days getting longer and there's a feel of a change in the air.

Beautiful spring flowers are available and tulips are one of my favourites.

Golden yellow to brighten one of the duller days.

Or these gorgeous deep pink ones splattered with white flecks on the outside petals.

They make me think of raspberries and cream!

I was fascinated to see how the colour changed as the days went by.

Graceful right up until the end.

Do you love to make soups at this time of the year?

I do.

Here's a delicious one for you to try:

400 grams each of carrots and sweet potatoes, diced

1 onion, diced

Toss briefly in 1 tbs olive oil and add

1 litre of water

Salt and pepper to taste

When tender, mix with an electric hand blender,

add some grated fresh ginger root.

2dl of coconut milk and 2 teaspoons of honey.

Heat gently, but do not boil.

Serve with a slice of wholemeal bread and a piece of cheese.

Just think how good this soup tastes after coming home from a walk in the fresh air!

My crochet project this week: tiny envelopes for Valentine's Day

and roses.

Pink for tenderness

or perhaps something with more impact and passion in red.

Are you with me on getting out more?

Even twenty minutes a day is good, but thirty is even better!

Shall we work up to an hour a day?

It's a wonderful objective, don't you think?

***

Crocheted rose pattern from Attic24