Friday, November 6, 2015

November is coloring outside the lines ...


November to me represents a month gathering in friendship and love as we join together to renew and strengthen our emotional bonds. In Philadelphia most leaves are still painted color's of Russet and Gold as they dance and swirl through the sky while our weather temperatures usually range in the 30's up to the 50's. But this isn't a usual November by any means, Mother Nature is coloring outside the lines with our degrees in the mid 70's everyday so far.

The sounds of November that I adore most are walking through leaves that have fallen to the ground and rustle in the breeze releasing a pleasant crunch sound. Daylight ends earlier and evening shadows come out to play, often the clouds that float by above are colored Winter's Grey. There's also the sound of gabbling migrating Geese traveling in a flock. It's the sound that lets me know cold days are ahead. I sense for some the cold long winter months arriving are anticipated with dread. Perhaps even a desire to hibernate the winter away.


But for me with the upcoming seasons change I start to layer, fluff and nest enjoying nature's quiet in the months ahead. I take on many art projects, cook more soul satisfying meals, write my poetry and John and I have marathon weekends watching missed TV series and movies. Snuggling under layers of Mongolian lamb and goose down as the wind blows and the snow falls oftentimes reading a good book.


The lamb's fur becomes a pet to me as I twirl my fingers through and they keep me warm, be it real or faux fur.


Recently I purchased two handmade wreaths created from vintage book pages from my friend and fellow blogger Rosemary from VILLABARNES. Mine are tinted and there is a sturdy wire inside to hold it together. You can find similar ones in her etsy store.

I hung the smaller one (6 inches by 2 deep) on our living room's antique barn glassless frame.


My wreath purchases inspired me to write this poetic share.

"The circle of life gifts us as we give our thanks to the divinity...
Circles represent time through seasons cycles in a continual shape of infinity.
A wreaths symbolic feature is the circle which is a shape of femininity.
To me they offer protection, unity and balance all reasons for my feelings of affinity."
~Vera~


In our Dining room a Restoration Hardware mirror made from vintage salvaged wood that I redid the finish on hangs my second tactile wreath purchased from Rosemary. This beauty is 11.5 inches wide and 4 inches deep. It is hung on a removable 3M hook. I feel it adds warmth and rustic Fall charm.


They are labor intensive creations made with love by Rosemary and I adore how they are tinted and you can still read the words on the pages of the vintage books. Rosemary uses only vintage books that are damaged and recycles them into this highly creative art.


Japanese porcelain bowls, left side from West Elm, middle one and the adorable cat one are a gift from friend Doré from Burlap Luxe and on the right are vintage smaller bowls I purchased years ago in Chinatown. 

This is my first venture into highly colorful dinnerware. I found them on sale at West Elm and we are enjoying the fun patterns. 


Risotto's stirred with love, Turkey chili, soups, stews and creole red beans with rice all have been enjoyed in these bowls.


For me nothing satisfies and perks you up on a cold day as food served in a bowl cradled in your palm -
To reward your taste and quiet the hunger as you start to feel calm it acts as an emotional healing balm.

It may come as a surprise but to me savory always wins over anything sweet,
where the fragrant aroma's greet your sense of smell offering healthy food to eat.


For the past decade we have enjoyed this polished nickel squirrel nutcracker.
During the warm months he resides in our Dining room armoire and when I take a serving piece out for the table I see him and a smile always forms on my face.


In March any nuts we have left over are bagged and John and I walk to the park (2 blocks away) and spread them on the ground for the sweet woodland animals. We also after Thanksgiving take any Pumpkins left outside as decoration to the park and smash them so the wildlife can feed on them. 


On our stainless steel kitchen ledge I added this sign over the Summer. 


It is made by Sugarboo handpainted on reclaimed vintage salvaged wood.


We are spending Thanksgiving with our Grand Gabrielle in Cape May this year. Recently she came for a visit and spent a few days with us. In Gabby style while I was still asleep she took my iPhone and snapped many goofy pictures of herself. It's not until after she leaves I discover them on my phone. I feel enormous thanks and gratitude for the love shared with my Grands and they are truly my greatest gift from my son Chris. Since Gabby reads my blog I hope I haven't embarrassed her (too much) with sharing this photo. Love you Gabby to the Moon and back!


I will return with a post shortly after Thanksgiving and give a tour of my completed faux painted projects in our Laundry room. I wanted a fun Laundry room in our basement to be Alice in Wonderland inspired. This is a sneak peek of my faux painting on my folding laundry table/shelf John built. Until then I leave you with these thoughts to ponder. . .

I believe an enrichment to our soul occurs during the heartfelt expression in gathering to give thanks. As you bow your head in grateful prayer and appreciation of a bountiful harvest from our fruitful land - please carry this life affirming act of Thanksgiving in your heart throughout the year.
xx,
Vera

PS Ever wonder why the US celebrates Thanksgiving in November while in Canada it's observed in October? It's because in 1863 Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November to be a national day of Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you and your families.

Source:

45 comments:

  1. Hahaaaaa the funny face is soooo great. Your home peaceful and cosy.

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  2. Hahaaaaa the funny face is soooo great. Your home peaceful and cosy.

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  3. O, Vera...one of our greatest blessings on this earth is grandchildren. What would we do without them.
    I love the book wreaths...so interesting.
    Have a wonderful and blessed time with family at Thanksgiving...Love to you, dear friend.
    xo

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  4. I love what you did with the wreaths, Vera. I get a little giddy when I see where some of my creations end up. You know how much I love your decor. You have such a fabulous gift for display. LUV those bowls. Have a great Thanksgiving, my friend.

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  5. Good evening dearest Vera! I am so looking forward to the holidays to relax and spend more time here at home where I love to just BE STILL. And, giving thanks is better than therapy; when I stop to be think about what I'm thankful for and SAY IT, suddenly I do see the world from a different perspective. Wishing you happiness dear friend. Anita

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  6. Dear Vera, this post just speaks to my heart. I too love this time of year in transition of colder days to follow. I love the nesting we do to prepare for the months ahead. The meals, the warm throws, the books, the movies, the pj's, the lap projects and the list goes on. Your home reflects this very feeling of comfort and security. A haven of love and peace. Love the wreaths and the sign to the moon and back is awesome. Your dishes are colorful and cheerful and will certainly brighten the winter ahead. Love how your grand leaves you the funny faces to find on your phone. What a doll. Your poetry is beautiful. Wishing you the best of the season. Have a special November and Happy Thanksgiving.
    Blessings my friend, xo

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  7. I live in Upstate NY and you have described all the wonderful aspects of Fall perfectly! It is exactly as you described it here right now. I too love the crunch of the leaves underfoot this time of year. Those wreaths are fabulous and are perfect in your lovely home. I love that your granddaughter does that with the goofy pictures. What a treasure!

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  8. So sweet to read your post tonight. Love Rosemary and see her many times at markets near me. She is as sweet as she is talented. Just a loving creative heart on that girl. Glad you got some of her beautiful re loved book page wreaths. As November whirls on in it will be fun to spend the Thanksgiving time with your granddaughter. I know Chris would love that you and John are spending this loving time all together.
    Have a great week end.
    Kris

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  9. Oh Vera, I loved this November post very much. So many things about it made me smile.....first, the Japanese porcelain bowls in various designs and color are really cool. I just changed my kitchen back to splashes of red, which suits me better than anything else. Love the "to the moon and back' sign hanging on your wall, and that squirrel nutcracker is something else. I've never seen anything like that before. I think that's great that you take the old pumpkins, smash them, and let the wildlife feed on them. Those wreaths made from vintage book pages are so charming. Nel would love those, as she's a book lover.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving spending time with Gabrielle. Jess moved into a townhouse, so she will be having the Thanksgiving dinner at her house. I told her to start cooking haha.

    I loved seeing bits of your home, Vera, and I always leave here with a smile on my face.

    ~Sheri

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  10. Vera, you always paint outside of the lines that what ! adore about you best :)
    I so glad I got a sneak preview of Rosemarys ephemera book page wreaths, I love ow well they fit into your decor and the placement of the smaller one as well as the larger one. It will be fun to see you move them about your home during the holidays, and the patina to the pages are intriguingly perfect up against your rusted wall tone.

    The bowls when I gifted them I had know idea you had a collection, I just felt they made a good and fun fit to your home and that fat cat was to be your Max, as for you now collecting them and adding to your collection its so fun to see this colour mix, and girl your introducing colour like this in added dinning makes if fun and so your personality.
    I now know where gabby hets her crazy from...Her grandmother of course! and i bet you have tons of laughs with her visits and afyer her leaving back home.
    its going to be a great ThanksGiving get away for you and John, i will want to hear all about it.

    You know you end or start with a poem, but I have to tell you your whole post is poetry, Your writing reads like poetry... life experiances, beauty, history, art, and divine meals.All that touches our senses in daily life.

    Happy November sweet friend,
    see you soon.

    xx
    Dore

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  11. This is one of your best posts, Vera, and I enjoyed your poem (and they are all exceptional) the most. And those fur throws looks so warm and I can imagine me and my dogs fighting over one!! :)

    Rosemary's wreaths are simply beautiful. Her name rings a bell, I will definitely check out her blog, she's very creative.

    Your granddaughter is lovely and I do hope she's reading!! I'm sure she is the light of your life!

    Love to you and so looking forward to that next post.

    Jane x

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  12. Your granddaughter has beautiful eyes!
    This was a lovely, cosy post and gave me a sense of the quiet and tranquility of a fall evening in your row house.

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  13. Hahaha, Vera, your granddaughter!!! I am her fan ;)) But she can´t trick us - she is beautiful! And so you are nested, Vera, so beautifully, oooohhh yessss. The wreath - Rosemary is so skilled! I hope, this is the right word. And it fits, I mean it is like a nest too somehow - remind me of it. As you wrote in your wonderful and so thoughtful poem: ...offer protection, unity and balance... No words could describe it better.
    Oh Vera, we indeed have so much in common - but than.. on the other hand... oiii, Vera... watch my fireplace coming today... oiii... I think... you will think a bit... ok, Méa IS a bit crazy ;)))
    So happy-crazy huggies to you, recover and have it nesty (from nest ;)),
    your friend Méa

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  14. Another beautiful post, filled with soooo much inspiration! LOVE the photo of Gabrielle. Adorable. :)
    Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours, dear Vera.
    xo,
    Lin

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  15. I really like this post, Vera. It just reads warm and from the heart. I could picture you snuggling and watching old movies reading this. I also went along on your walk to the park to give food and nuts to our furry friends.

    That is a great poem and written from the soul of you!

    Your wreaths are both lovely. Rosemary does really great work and I admire her greatly. She is a talented lady.

    Happy weekend to you. I have a houseful so am sneaking a few quiet minutes in before the onslaught starts! ooops--spoke too soon. Two "things" just came down the steps. lol xo Diana

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  16. November is a great month! I say Rosemary's wreaths and loved them too!

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  17. The wreaths are very creative. Your home looks cozy and ready for the colder weather that will eventually come. These warm days have been a treat!

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  18. Your love of life, nature, friends, family, and treasures are always so evident in your posts, Vera. Your home is such a haven of cherished items, beautiful decor, and comfort. I adore that faux fur throw. It looks so warm and cozy for the cold months ahead. Have a blessed Thanksgiving, my friend. Blessings to you and yours!

    xoxo laurie

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  19. Gabby style rocks.That's a lot of personality in that beautiful face! I just saw Rosemary's wreaths yesterday and they look incredible. I love this post and like Diana, I feel like I strolled to the park with you to feed the animals. That makes my soul happy. You are ready for cozy, snuggly days. :) xo, T.

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  20. Dear Vera, everything is beautiful, especially your grandchild. I love the two poems within. I also love the peek into your rustic kitchen. The wreaths are a lovely touch for the holidays as well as your sweet squirrel. I can't wait to see you AIW inspired laundry room! It's a wonderful idea, and love the stripes on the table. It reminds me of a floor in a kindergarten room that my daughter likes to practice on in northern Italy. The school is a lovely place. Can you imagine a place with a fence high enough for the little ones to look over and made of wood!? xoxo Su

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  21. How fun that your granddaughter takes pics on your phone.

    I noticed the chalkboard door. Steve painted a portion of our pantry door with green chalkboard paint. He is loving his chalkboard and only allows cursive writing. When he heads to the store, he just snaps a picture of the chalkboard to have his list.

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  22. Hi, Vera. I forgot to say I love all your colorful bowls, especially the kitty cat. I have some colorful dishes, and I place them on my plain vintage ones sort of like chargers. My older plates are larger than the newer ones I have acquired. xoxo Su

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  23. How cozy and warm your home looks Vera! It's so inviting and the way you vividly describe snuggling up under lamb's fur and goose down while the wind blows and the snow falls outside makes me a little bit envious (in a good way!) because it never gets cold enough around here to do any snuggling at all! I love that little silver nutcracker squirrel, he's an adorable decor item as well as useful. How exciting to create an Alice in Wonderland inspired laundry room, I can't wait til you share that with us! The handmade wreaths are beautiful and they add so much to the cozy feel of the kitchen. They must have been alot of work to make! What a sweetheart your granddaughter is to leave you surprise photos on your iphone. I'm sure she must be the apple of your eye and a true comfort to you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving dear Vera! Many hugs!

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  24. Hi Vera, I really enjoyed your post today and seeing your darling grand. She looks like she is really a lot of fun to be around. I'm sure that you feel Chris there a lot when she is with you. I love November being a special time to be set a side for thanks. The family and I are doing this every morning this month, sharing what we are thankful for. When I give thanks I feel a sweet spirit around me and I want that all the time. So my thankful book is quite full. Have a great evening. Hugs, Jo

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  25. Hi Vera,
    I love your mirror with Rosemary's lovely wreath on it! And your autumnal floral bouquet in the first shot, too. While I am one of those who dreads shorter days and colder temps, I do love to nest like you do! I love making comfort food, baking, and working on indoor projects. It's hard to believe the holidays are nearly here, isn't it? Oh, another thing I do look forward to is creating and baking gifts for people. I think hand made gifts are the best of all!!

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  26. Hello dear Vera,
    What a wonderful post you have created for November... I love your collection of Japanese bowls, and the wreaths are very unique... I absolutely love the goofy photo of Gabriel, reminds me of something my B would do!

    Thank you so much for checking on me... I am feeling better, thank you. I am, however having an issue with my email.. So if you need to contact me, go to my profile and use that email instead of the one you have.. I need to call my server today and find out what is going on.. Cannot send or receive.
    Bless you dear friend, I love your poem.
    Penny

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  27. Vera, you have painted such a lovely picture of winter, that you are almost -- Almost - making me look forward to it. After our last two horrible winters, I have to say that I am dreading it this year! Love the picture of your Gabby -- my son does that to my phone all the time - always makes me smile when I find those goofy photos!

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  28. Vera,
    Good Morning. I love your name, it was my favorite Aunt's name on my Father's side, I think it is melodic and lovely.
    What an enchanting post, filled with such beauty and your home is gorgeous too.
    Jemma

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  29. So. . .Rosemary (Villa Barnes) said "go over and visit Vera at Row Homes and Cobblestones". Which I did. Rosemary makes the most beautiful art, and I've been contemplating a wreath for a while. Love what you did with yours! Vera, I LOVE your writing, and your home is beautiful. I'm a new follower, now.

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  30. I love that wreath!! The chalk board paint was so clever too! xo K

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  31. Dear Vera,

    I adored this post. It made me feel warm, cozy and thankful, which I normally do anyway, but even more so at this moment. You made me want to curl up in that lamb's wool throw and eat risotto with you ;)

    Your granddaughter reminds me of my (20 year old) baby. So funny!

    hugs to you and enjoy the week, love.

    rue

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  32. Dear Vera,

    Your thoughts and feelings about the month of November could convert any summer loving soul into an autumn one! Written with such appreciation of all that this month rewards us with, you have definitely made me see November in a new light, even though its days are shorter re: this illuminating force. Nevertheless, it shines in so many other ways, ways that you have described for us in such depth and detail.

    Your home and your new accessories are very pretty and all ready for cozying up and preparing for a season of serious cocooning! Thanks so much for sharing. Loved your poem.

    xoxoxo
    Poppy

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  33. Vera,
    All your cozy throws look so inviting. They must be perfect for snuggling under while you catch up on missed TV and movies. There is no better way to spend a rainy, winter day. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Judith

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  34. Hello dear friend,
    How sweet of you to leave such a kind comment... I still have not accomplished the look I am trying to achieve, I will keep trying..
    Yes, the weather has taken a turn in the evenings... Two weeks ago the low in the evenings was around 65 degrees, so that is quite the drop..
    Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
    Love and blessings,
    Penny

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  35. Hello dear friend,
    How sweet of you to leave such a kind comment... I still have not accomplished the look I am trying to achieve, I will keep trying..
    Yes, the weather has taken a turn in the evenings... Two weeks ago the low in the evenings was around 65 degrees, so that is quite the drop..
    Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
    Love and blessings,
    Penny

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  36. Thank you for your snow stories in Philadelphia, Vera. I am lovin' all the stories that friend's have shared. I love how you write..... interesting, with a bit of humor in your words. It snows in many different areas in Northern California, but I'm not that close to it, and it also snows in Southern California at a place called Big Bear, which I heard was beautiful. Enjoy the snow when it comes your way, as I don't get to see this fluffy white wonder that often. : )

    ~Sheri

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  37. I love all your wonderfully cozy autumn touches throughout your home. My son would absolutely flip over that squirrel nutcracker! Ha! What sweet memories your granddaughter left on your phone. :-)

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  38. What a nice Autumnal post, Vera. Your words always keep me entranced until the end. I absolutely LOVE the photo of Gabby! Her humor must bring you such joy, and warmth to your heart.
    Much love.
    Debbie
    xo

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  39. Lovely poem, Vera. I love wreathes, and yours are delightful and beautifully displayed. Oh, to snuggle under that throw, to twirl fingers through the fur while reading a favorite book, perhaps drinking a cup of tea, while the wind blows outside. Perfect. Gabby is cute and fun. Enjoy your time with her! xo ~ Nancy

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  40. I'm enjoying reading about you fluffing your nest as our snow flies

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  41. Dear Vera,
    How kind of you to come for a visit.. So sorry I am late in responding.
    Yes, 29 degrees at night... The days have been around 65 to 70, which is so refreshing... Of course the weatherman not says it will climb to 80 this weekend.
    Wishing you a beautiful week.
    blessings and a big hug!
    Penny

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  42. Dear Vera,
    How kind of you to come for a visit.. So sorry I am late in responding.
    Yes, 29 degrees at night... The days have been around 65 to 70, which is so refreshing... Of course the weatherman not says it will climb to 80 this weekend.
    Wishing you a beautiful week.
    blessings and a big hug!
    Penny

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  43. If you enjoy walking through fallen leaves, you would certainly have loved being with me today. There seemed to be a carpet of golden leaves, several inches thick, in the woods near our cabin. I was inspired to take a picture and post to IG and FB.

    November starts our rather colorfully here in Massachuseets, not unlike your neck of the woods, but ends far more barren and dare I say, bleak? You've managed to make November feel cozy and inviting, highlighting it's gifts, which is is in itself a gift Vera.

    And speaking of gifts, your granddaughter is a hoot! ;).

    Thank you for your visit, and have a wonderful holiday.

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  44. Your home looks beautiful and your granddaughter is even more beautiful!!

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  45. My dear Vera, what a joy to come across your blog while visiting Cindy. You left such a sweet comment on her blog that I was drawn to yours :)

    I thoroughly enjoyed looking through your posts and am a happy new follower of yours. I look forward to visiting again. Hugs! Stephanie - The Enchanting Rose

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