We stand on the cusp of one year slipping away and a new one about to dawn.
So much has happened in these past 365 days. It’s somewhat bittersweet to say goodbye. But, we’re greeting this new year to come with open arms.
May this coming year hold beauty for us all.
Let the countdown begin…
{Nina Foch and dress designer Jean Louis sipping champagne at Samuel Spiegle’s New Year’s Eve party | 1949 | Peter Stackpole/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images}
And here we tread again, on this most hallowed of ground. These last few days to soak up what has been, what could have been and what is yet to come.
After the hustle and bustle and merrymaking, these quiet days of reflecting and simply being are some of my most cherished.
We move slowly and quietly, drinking it all in. Watching movies, playing games, working on the crossword puzzle together. Christmas records spin while we sit by the glow of the Christmas tree. We go for long strolls and cobble together sandwiches from the leftover turkey.
We haven’t taken for granted that our refrigerator is full of food, that we are able to put our heating on and that we wake up safe and warm with a roof over our heads, when there are many who are not in this position.
All too soon, the days will move far too quickly for me and this treasured time of being together will vanish with a snap of fingers, like Cinderella’s coach turning back into a pumpkin. The spell will be broken and we will go back to our “normal” routines. But for now, I’m holding on tightly to the pleasure of being in the moment and I’m not wishing one second away.
These “in-between” days still hold so much and so little. There is much magic in their offering and rhythm and so we are mindful of our steps as we move toward the bridge that will take us from one year into the next.
{Christmas Tree | 1960 | Troy Bradberry’s Kodachrome & Vintage Color Collection | Pinned HERE}
All is calm, all is bright and we are waiting…
{Linda Harper in a short-sleeved Acrilan sweater | Vogue | December 1, 1955 | Found HERE}
Hello, December! You’ve arrived with a nip to the air and Jack Frost on your heels. There are rumours of snow for next week and I’m relishing the thought.
We’re ready for hot chocolate walks while we look at Christmas lights glowing. We’re ready to stay up late watching old movies and eating buttery popcorn. We’re ready to keep our Christmas albums spinning while we eat dinner by the glow of the Christmas tree.
We’re ready for the adventures we have planned this month and the school break that allows us to soak up everything in this most resplendent of seasons. And the opportunity that the school holiday brings, to be able to breathe and drink in the world around us at our own pace.
We’re ready for our holiday baking to begin and the house to be filled with the smell of sugar cookies, gingerbread, cinnamon and peppermint. We’re ready to linger over the breakfast table working on the crossword together with hot cups of coffee in hand.
We’re ready for the reflective moments and the collective calm this season brings amongst the sparkle and glitter and glow.
We’re ready for this most holy of seasons and pray that peace, light and love continue to shine through the darkness.
Welcome, December, fill our hearts with good cheer.
🦃 Gobble! Gobble! 🦃
The Happiest of Thanksgiving wishes to you!
I hope this year finds you surrounded by family and friends, love, warmth, good food and laughter. x
{Vintage Thanksgiving Post Card | Pinned HERE}
Hello, November. We’re ready for the days to fully turn cooler as we move into late autumn. We’re ready for long walks with mugs filled with hot apple cider. We’re ready to continue playing our board games late into a Saturday night, or a quiet afternoon spent working on a puzzle.
We’re ready for Bonfire Night that you will bring this weekend and making our first apple crumble of the season with a generous scoop of homemade ice cream on top.
We’re ready to settle into this season of coziness and candlelight and the build up to Thanksgiving. We’re ready to feast on leftover turkey sandwiches and decorate for Christmas near the end of this month.
We’re ready for the smell of woodsmoke in the air on a crisp night, mixed with the scent of a stew simmering on the stove, while fresh bread bakes in the oven.
We’re ready to soak up this season and to find peace in the quiet moments, for the world right now is far too loud. We welcome you, November with open arms.
{Vintage Turkey Illustration found HERE via The Biodiversity Heritage Library | Pinned HERE}
Hello, October. Even though you are apparently bringing a mini heatwave with you, we’re ready for more of a shift toward fall. We have noticed that the light is changing along with the shadows which are lengthening day by day. We’re ready for crunchy apples and crispy leaves underfoot. We’re ready for cauldrons and Halloween candy and witch’s hats and things that go bump in the night.
We’re ready for the first cold snap of the season and the smell of woodsmoke dancing in the air while on an evening stroll. We’re ready for Friday nights spent watching some of our favourite Halloween movies while munching on marshmallow popcorn balls.
We’re ready for clear skies and breezes that give a snap to the air. As well as moody days that lend themselves perfectly to tea drinking and book reading. We’re ready to watch Autumn be crowned in all her golden, bronze and copper glory.
We’re ready to bake pies and work on our jigsaw puzzles and spend lazy Saturday mornings over a cup of coffee and the crossword. We’re ready to make a fresh batch of apple butter for the fall and try our hand at a new chutney recipe I’ve been holding on to. We’re ready for soups and stews and jack-o-lanterns peeking out from windows and mums dotted about in flower pots.
We’re ready for the school fall break that you will bring and the adventures that are planned. We’re ready for you October in all your pumpkin orange, candy corn, black cats, witches flying across the moon, leaves turning golden hues and candlelit filled nights glory. Welcome, October!
Hello, September. I’m not sure I was ready for you and the back to school day that you will bring. We were busy having too much fun in August; spending days surrounded by those that we love so dearly. My heart was full and my cup runneth over in those lazy, hazy days of late July and August.
But, ready or not, here you come and we’re going to be ready for the shifting light and shadows that you will bring. We’re ready for the days that feel more autumnal and the chance to soak up a few more drops of that golden summer glow before it vanishes completely.
We’re ready for our house to be more back in order after coming home from traveling and some around the house projects being completed. We’re ready for those cozy, quiet, cooler weekends spent working on puzzles and listening to music. We’re ready to munch on apples and grilled cheese sandwiches for Saturday lunches while we linger over the crossword at the kitchen table.
We’re sorry to see this summer go in particular, but we’re ready for you September. We’re not wishing away our time, but we can feel this seasonal shift upon us. As the metronome to our daily rhythm picks up pace with the start of this new school year and we find that beat that works best for us.
Welcome, September, we can’t wait to see what you have over the horizon for us.
{“Apples, Pumpkins, and Friends for the Picking” from A Classy Girl Wears Pearls | Pinned HERE}
