But there is always a November space after the leaves have fallen when she felt it was almost indecent to intrude on the woods…for their glory terrestrial had departed and their glory celestial of spirit and purity and whiteness had not yet come upon them. ― Anne of Windy Poplars
I stumbled upon this quote quite be accident… and what a happy accident that was!
November… space… pause… a bit of a breath… between the glory of the leaves changing (they are pretty much done here now) and winter. I need these words to remind me to revel in the “indecent” beauty of bare trees, crunchy leaves to walk through, and sunny days when the sun feels impossibly warm… reminding me that I should seek joy in what is around me… and not wish for things gone.
I also had a wise comment on IG after I posted that photo on Saturday night… mourning the last sunset after that will happen after 6PM until next March. Sigh.
Dear eence1979 shared these words of wisdom:
“I enjoy the darkness of winter—tucking in, wearing all knits and resting. Of course, finishing WIPS and starting new WIPS. It’s the Life Cycle.”
Thank you so much… I have requested Katherine May’s Wintering from my library! It will be a good refresher of all that winter can hold!
So what, dear November, do I hope to accomplish as you race along….
- A tiny bit of Thanksgiving decorating! (I am pulling out a few of my favorites this morning!)
- Cast on my Great Sweater Knit …. most appropriate for NaKniSweMo, right? (I knit my swatches… yes plural. Oh my! They are gorgeous and my plan is to measure them today and (hopefully) cast on!
- Create a successful Sourdough Starter! I have a new “helper” and I started my starter yesterday! Send me all the good Sourdough Juju you can my way please!
- Knit more Gnoah’s! Yes, class on Friday was so fun (and I can knit a Gnoah in roughly 3 hours!) An army of Gnoah Ornaments will soon be emerging!
- Finally… get outside! Often! With L.M. Montgomery’s words in my head… and heart!
What about you? What are your hopes for November!
See you all back here on Wednesday with a Swatching Story!
Oh I like that quote. I’ve always enjoyed winter walks. It is quieter (which I always crave). I also enjoy hunkering down or hibernating on really chilly days. A warm blanket, a book and/or some knitting and something warm to drink – just lovely. I saw Carole’s GNoah and he is the cutest. A bunch of them would make adorable ornaments. Have fun!
That is a lovely November list! I’m sure your army of Gnoah will be peaceful one, and I know that sweater will be stunning. I wish you all the best with your sourdough starter. My attempts in a jar on the kitchen countertop have never lasted for long, but with a special home, you’ll surely be successful!
I’m outside daily, it is good for the soul (and my mental state, lol). I’m in the midst of gnome knitting and have hit my groove but I’ll be glad when the last one is knitted.
Kat, you are so kind, I really do enjoy winter!
Good luck with your sourdough, I have tried so many times, all have been failures. I gave up and make my regular yeast bread which everyone likes here. I think I will challenge myself this winter(maybe on a monthly basis) not buy any store bread.
Have a great week and enjoy November!
Such an energetic and joyful welcome to November, Kat! Lots of good stuff in store, for sure. November’s actually one of my favorite months. There’s something about the light that is different in November…creating the silhouettes of mostly bare trees…maybe the colder, crisper air makes a difference, too. What leaves left on the trees seem to be golden yellow–and that, against the backdrop of a grayish-purple November skies stops me in my tracks. Maybe it’s that, the barrenness. The fact that here’s not much other ‘distraction’–and so I really drink in what *is*.
What a lovely way to greet November. I’ll be knitting multiple Gnoahs, too, and I love your idea of making him an ornament!
I was just thinking yesterday, as I was out on my walk, how delightful it is to walk through crunchy leaves. It actually makes me a little sad to see all the landscapers out removing all of them! While it does get a little depressing to see the dark creeping up on us earlier and earlier, I’ve really come to enjoy getting outside every day (or just about every day) and seeing all the subtle ways that nature changes. And of course I enjoy being cozy inside with my handknits!
What a nice list for November. Let us know how that sourdough helper works out. I love sourdough bread but have never been very successful at keeping the starter going. The quote is lovely and I appreciate your reminder to enjoy what we have in the moment. Why is that so hard?
What a great quote, Kat! I love getting outside in the fall and winter. It does require the piling-on of appropriate clothing, but once you’ve got that taken care of . . . it’s wonderful to be out! Sending all the sourdough juju and love your way. (Can’t wait to see your little army of Gnoahs!) (And . . . that sweater!) XO
The leaves have just started to change colour and drop. Sweeping them up is hard work, and usually needs doing again the next day. I love November walks, through the leaves and the delicious damp earthy smells.