Deep and Dark November
“The exuberance of spring is over, and the rich ripeness of summer is gone. The extravagant beauty of October fades into the sober hue of November, and once more the trees will lift intricate patterns of dark branches against a soft pale sky.”
Deep and dark November. What are we going to do with all this extra darkness? Slow down, settle in. Coziness and carbs. Snuggles and extra sleep. Sounds good to me! They say come November if the leaves still hold, the winter is going to be cold. If that’s the case, I better purchase some more wool layers, because a lot of the leaves are still hanging on tight. Earlier in the month while the weather was still mild, my toddler and I spent a lot of time in the garden planting garlic, weeding the beds, and tucking them in for a long winter’s nap with a deep layer of leaf mulch. The green onions will last a few more months in the cold, and the cilantro in the cold frame might just bear us a winter crop. Carrots are tucked under the mulch for an early spring harvest.
Now the weather has turned towards winter. As I was tucking daffodil bulbs into the ground one Saturday morning, the air smelling of woodsmoke and damp earth, I noticed I could see my breath. Soon after, our first snow arrived. I find myself lighting the candles and turning on the lamps earlier and earlier each evening. The pull to tuck in and hunker down at home is stronger than ever.
Harvest Spice and Cranberry Orange muffins are in a solid rotation each week and I am making sure the pantry is filled with baking essentials, meat, and potatoes. Earlier today I finished drying sourdough stuffing cubes for my favorite Thanksgiving stuffing recipe and now I have apples cooking down on the stovetop. Enchiladas are on the menu for dinner tonight, made with local peppers I froze during the peak of harvest. It feels good to be going to the grocery store less, and eating the fruit of our labors from the pantry.
Even though we won’t be transitioning our home to Christmas until after Thanksgiving, I have already begun preparations. After doing some landscaping clean up, I made two grapevine wreaths using our wild grapevines and started tucking stems of juniper in them for Christmas wreaths. I also used our juniper and some floral wire to make a garland for my kitchen window. Right now it’s paired with mums and gourds for Thanksgiving, but next week I will add lights!
“Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday, because it’s time to count our blessings and gather strength for the Christmas holiday and the turn of the year.”
“In November, the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell. A squash and pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning, can pull everyone from bed in a fog. Food is better in November than any other time of the year.”
As the days grow darker and gloomier, our prayer can be for the Lord to keep us in the light. The darkness is not dark to Him! “May my every cross be sanctified, every loss be gain, every denial a spiritual advantage, every dark day a light of the Holy Spirit, every night of trial a song.” (Spiritual Helps, Valley of Vision)
God's grace be upon your November home!
—Kaetlyn