Blogtober 11: Thanksgiving Sunday

 

 "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; 

and that happiness is gratitude doubled by wonder." 

G. K. Chesterton

It's quiet now, back to the two of us. And what a lovely Thanksgiving dinner we had with 13 of us gathered around the table. I set it the night before and lit the candles for a quick photo. A few flowers from our garden filled six tiny vases to set among a few small Red Kuri squash, dried leaves, and a few candles. 

Here's Tim in his tuxedo apron getting ready to slice the turkey. I cooked a boneless turkey roast purchased from a local farmer and it was tender and juicy. There was plenty for all of us, and no carcass to deal with. 

There was pumpkin pie, apple crumble pie, and pecan chocolate pie - all three delicious! Above is the pecan chocolate pie, also known as Kentucky Derbe pie - a recipe given to me by a friend from the USA. Most people had a thin slice of each kind of pie, but I just ate the one kind above. 

We usually eat the main course, then tidy things away and enjoy dessert later with coffee and tea. Most people ate their pie outside on the patio, enjoying the afternoon sunshine. We won't be able to do that for very much longer. 

There was much laughter around the table. I had prepared some jokes for people to read, and that was fun for everyone. Here's a sample:

Why did the cranberry sauce blush?       Because he saw the turkey dressing. 

What did the turkey say to the computer?      Google, Google.

Everyone lingered into the late afternoon, chatting and playing games. Our eldest grandchild brought a sewing project that she wanted some help with. I stood on a chair to get the above photo with the wide angle on my phone so the proportions look a little off. 

There be three gentle and goodlie things

To be here

 To be together

And to think well of one another

L.M. Montgomery (from Pat of Silver Bush)

I am thankful for many things - family, health, the beauty of nature, creativity, and for this blogging community that you are a part of. Thank you for reading my posts, and for commenting. It's wonderful how relationships can be forged through sharing common interests and daily occurrences. May beauty and grace be yours each day. 

 

Blogtober 10: Women in the Kitchen

 

The Maid in the Kitchen by Anna Ancher

A lot of my day was spent in the kitchen, preparing for tomorrow's dinner. I've done everything I can do ahead and tomorrow will go smoothly. My family will help and will do much of the cleanup. 

I thought I'd share some paintings of women in the kitchen, since throughout history that's often been where women have worked. I am glad that in many homes the work is shared between the people who live there. My husband and I have a traditional relationship as I love to cook and he doesn't really know how, nor have much interest in learning anything beyond the basics. But all of our children and their spouses share household duties, and I love to see it.  

In Anna Ancher's painting above I was struck by the simplicity of the room - a small workspace with light from the window, and a table holding the vegetables the maid is likely preparing for a meal. How streamlined and efficient our modern day kitchens are, with storage space galore for all the gadgets and equipment we think we need. 

Canadian Kitchen by Frederick James 

The first time I saw Canadian Kitchen, I thought it must be French Canadian because of the clothes, particularly the red scarf around the woman's neck. The artist, Frederick James spent a good deal of time in Quebec, and had a home there. 

Ida Reading a Letter by Vilhelm Hammershoi

Fellow Blogtober blogger Barbara mentioned her admiration of Vilhelm Hammershoi, a Danish painter, in my earlier post about domestic interior art. His work is very clean and minimalist, with wonderful lighting. In the above painting, his wife reads a letter while on the table a coffee pot and cup await. Was it good news or bad she reads? 

The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer

I was so pleased to see Vermeer's painting when we visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam two summers ago. Once again I was reminded of how vibrant and alive original art is, and it makes me long to see more art. 

There is a lot of interpretation of this painting and of others in the "maid" genre, which is interesting to read, if a bit disturbing for its connotations. However, it seems that the maid here is preparing bread pudding! Yum! I have always loved bread pudding although I don't eat it very often these days. 

The Kitchen by Carl Larsson

Another of Carl Larsson's paintings of his family. I don't know if the older girl/woman is his wife or a daughter. She looks very young. I believe she is churning butter. There are so many wonderful details in the painting - the copper pots on the stove, the stacked dishes on a tray on the table by the window, and the little white cat beside the stove. And the curtain blowing inwards from the open window. I'd love to know what the green barrel in the corner holds. Any ideas? 

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians, and a lovely Sunday to my other readers. 

Blogtober 9: Random Thoughts

 

Bright drifts of colour lighten the wooded spaces around the library where I went to return a few books and pick up others I'd ordered. One I returned was The Cromarty Library Circle by Shona MacLean. The story revolves around a group of people in Scotland in the 1820s who form a library for purchasing and sharing books. It's a very exclusive group of which only the "right people" can be a part.

I couldn't help but think of my own public library with branches throughout the region where anyone can freely borrow books, use the computers, and spend time reading newspapers or playing chess. How wonderful it is to live in an age where books are so widely available. I am thankful. 

Rain overnight and dark clouds this morning. The ominous clouds hung around for most of the day, but only in half of the sky. And that half changed throughout the day. First the clouds were in the south, then the west, then the east, then the north. It looked like rain, but none fell. The wind blew those clouds round and round throughout the day. 

The wild cyclamen are so lovely right now. The ones above grow in a naturalized lawn I pass on one of my walking routes. But others line the path in the woods.

Also growing alongside the path are autumn crocuses, (colchicum autumnale) that are not true crocus. But I don't mind at all what they are called - I just like seeing them them. 

Tim and I had a bit of an education today. Since we purchased our new vehicle, the old one must be sold. Tim wrote an ad and put it online. We had at least a dozen potential buyers contact us, some saying they wouldn't quibble on the price and would buy it sight unseen, if only we would get a report verifying there were no liens or the vehicle hadn't been in an accident. However, they all wanted reports from different companies. We began to smell something fishy and did a little research. 

These scammers send a link for you to order a report from a certain company, and once you do, you've given them your credit card number for fraud. Fortunately, we did none of that and are much more cautious now about anyone who says they will be here at 4:30 with a certified cheque if we just get that report. Nonsense. I just don't understand people who live by scamming others. 

But back to happier things. In the evenings now we need lights everywhere. I prefer lamps to overhead lights for reading and ambiance and found a cordless touch lamp for the entry hall that I like very much. 

Today's been a day for laundry, grocery shopping, and getting a few more things ready for dinner on Sunday. This evening we will be watching another episode or two of the Durrells. Have you watched it? I read a book by Gerry Durrell several years ago and enjoyed it. Then just this week I ran across a quote by Lawrence Durrell in one of my commonplace books - "a taste as old as cold water" - speaking of the culture of the Mediterranean. 

This has been quite the ramble today. I'll sign off and wish you all a beautiful day/evening. 

Blogtober 8: Home Comforts

 

Yesterday morning I opened the door at 7 am to go for a walk, and almost tripped over a parcel lying on the mat. What a delight to receive Miranda Mills' latest book - The Cozy Commonplace Book. I have barely cracked the cover and am looking forward to sitting down with a cup of tea and reading the book. 

Do you keep a Commonplace Book? I have one, and it's very disorganized. I also collect quotations in my journals. That works to a certain degree, but I find that I have to flip many pages sometimes to find the quote I want. Perhaps collecting them by seasons would be better. I'd love to know your system, if you have one. 

Thanksgiving is this weekend, a relaxed, casual holiday. Monday is the official day, but many people eat their turkey dinner on Sunday and then go for needed walks or take naps on Monday. I made cranberry sauce, enough for sending home with the children and for using with roast chicken throughout the year. Fresh cranberries only appear between now and Christmas. 

I also baked dinner rolls today, with oats and sunflower seeds. These are pre-baked and are in the freezer until Sunday morning when I'll take them out and bake them another 10 minutes or so. That way they taste fresh, but I'm not fussing at the last minute. I'm a great believer in doing things ahead. 

Edited to add: Recipe found here. 

A corner of the living room - the cream-coloured chair is where I sit to read. We've rearranged the furniture a bit, and I bought new cushions and lamps. The yellow cushions (there are two) are covered with new tea towels that I stitched into envelope style covers. The old lamps have been knocked over by grandchildren over the years and one was very crooked. 

On Thursday afternoons I meet the school bus and bring Iris and Cora to our house. Today I had a little project for them - adding stickers and names for place cards for Thanksgiving dinner. They worked together very happily and all the names were spelled correctly. They copied them from a list I'd made. Afterwards, we played a couple of games of Go Fish. 

How beautiful the afternoons are, bathed in golden sunshine. I noticed the sun shining on the patio mid-afternoon and thought that I would make a cup of tea and sit and enjoy it for a bit. Well, I never got there, but if tomorrow is equally as sunny, I'm going to make a point to soak in the light and warmth - I might need a light jacket, but it will still be pleasant. 

Tim's at a Beekeeper's meeting this evening, so the house is quiet. I've made a cup of herbal tea (Bengal Spice) and will be continuing with the novel I'm reading. 

Blogtober 7: Scenes Along the Road

 

On our recent trip through the Rockies, we stopped for a picnic lunch beside Abraham Lake, a long lake along the highway. It was such a beautiful colour, shifting from deep blue to teal to turquoise depending on the light. We walked a short distance and found a small herd of grazing Mountain Sheep. They are so agile, picking their way over rocks on the steep shore without hesitation. 

The animals ignored us until we got a bit closer, and when the male guardian raised his head from eating, we stopped. He was very aware of us, but soon returned to grazing. 

In Jasper we found this lovely cow moose chewing on grass beside the road and stopped to admire her and take a photo. You might remember the devastating fires that burned much of the forest around Jasper, and parts of the town itself in 2024. Small bushes and tall grasses grow between the charred skeletons of trees, and they are perfect food for much of the wildlife. A guide told us that about 77 moose make their home in the area. 

We spent just a morning playing tourist before getting on the road again to return home, and took a boat cruise on Maligne Lake. I was surprised at how many tourists were still around. The attractions close after Thanksgiving Monday - the 12th of October. The skies were mostly clouded, but I really wanted to see Spirit Island, one of the iconic views of the Rockies that you might recognize. It's very well photographed and used for promotion. 

The island is about half way down the 22 kilometre lake, and I had to giggle when I saw it for it was a bit of a disappointment. It's not actually an island as it's connected to the mainland by a very narrow peninsula. It's the location that's really stunning. Explorer Mary Schaffer called it the "Hall of the Gods." Dramatic mountain peaks line each side of the lake marching one by one into the distance. On a sunny day it would be astounding. 

A pretty Ptarmigan walked alongside the short trail beside the lake. 

Another view of the Hall of the Gods, without Spirit Island. This end of the lake is closed to any motorized boats, but kayaks and canoes can venture down into the area preserved for migratory nesting birds. 

Leaving Maligne Lake we came across a herd of Elk feeding beside the road. The bull elk was again very alert to our vehicle. We stayed inside and managed to get a few good photos. Isn't he magnificent? 

Tamer roadside scenes here at home - the fields are filling with fat round pumpkins for making pies and later, Jack-o-lanterns. Muted autumn colours and lots of fog. 

My driver's licence renewal went without a hitch and other than that I spent a quiet day at home, doing some writing, some sewing, and some cooking. 

Darkness has fallen and I'm contentedly writing this post. Will soon stop and continue my book - The Cromarty Library Circle - mentioned by Barbara from Coastal Ripples. I'm enjoying it so far, once I got the characters straight in my head. 

Until tomorrow,

Blogtober 6: A Foggy Walk

 

There was little definition between sea and sky this morning at Island View Beach. Fog made everything mysterious. I had an appointment not too far from the beach and decided to walk on the paths there before returning home. 

A couple of Great Blue Herons stood in the water. If you look closely you can see that the above bird has caught something and is beginning to devour it. Herons remain still for so long and then their long necks dart out and bam, there's breakfast! 

The high-pitched cry of gulls of various types filled the air as they flew past, landed on thin strips of exposed beach as the tide rolled in before lifting off en masse to land somewhere else. It was a very monotone morning looking out to sea.

Hawthorn berries are at their best just now. Abundant berries can mean a harsh winter ahead, or, more probably, good growing conditions during the summer. The birds will enjoy them and I love seeing their brightness as the landscape dulls. 

More gulls, these ones smaller and more delicate. I think they might be Bonaparte's Gulls, but I'm not certain. The one on the left seems to be saying, "Why are you looking at me?"

Cobwebs beaded with dew stretch among the bushes. I really hate walking between trees first thing in the morning in case I run into a cobweb across a path. If you see a woman waving her hands in front of her face as she walks, it's likely yours truly. 

I made a Roasted Tomato soup today that was very good. I'll post the recipe on my other blog later. The tomato harvest is almost done and it's been such a good one. I still have a half-dozen or so large tomatoes to use, and a few more that are ripening.

Cheerful zinnias continue to delight me with their bright colours. They last well in a vase indoors. 

Today we took our pickup truck in for inspection (needed because we brought it in from another province), and got it all registered and insured in BC. So that's done. Tomorrow I must renew my driver's licence which shouldn't take too long. 

And that's a wrap for blogtober 6! 

Blogtober 5: Close to Home

 

My husband has breakfast with a group of friends on Monday mornings and leaves the house early. I tend to get up with him and go for a walk. A thin crescent moon hung in the sky as I started out. I debated which jacket to wear and was glad I chose the light down one for the air had a distinct chill. 

Groups of crows flew by, black silhouettes against the lightening sky. Other birds began singing their morning songs and I stopped to listen and identify them with the Merlin app. A trio of Sparrows - Golden-Crowned, White-Crowned, and White-Throated. The last has a distinctive whistling sound suggested by the app to say "sweet Canada," and now I think I'll recognize the sound always. There were Spotted Towhees and Dark-eyed Juncos, all making merry noises but staying hidden in trees and shrubs. 

Half-way through my walk the horizon changed to soft pink, not just in the east, but in every direction. Early cyclists raced by on their way to work or school. I met a few people walking their dogs. 

Breakfast has never been my favourite meal. When I was a child we often had cooked oatmeal, and I grew to hate it. The texture is what bothered me the most despite the added brown sugar and milk. I've heard a lot about Overnight Oats but couldn't imagine they would be an improvement. When we were in Mexico last December, overnight oats were on the breakfast buffet and I decided to give them a try. To my surprise, the texture was fine. I now enjoy them several times a week. I mix equal amounts of rolled oats (not quick), plain yogurt, milk, and a couple of teaspoons of maple syrup. This morning I added a handful of the raspberries that are still producing in the garden. I find it quite satisfying with a cup of tea alongside. 

The chilly morning soon gave way to a sunny warm afternoon. Roses continue to bloom. Molyneaux has now spent a full year in the garden and has produced beautifully. Her colour is rather autumnal now, a deeper yellow than earlier in the season.

I spent the day mostly at home doing this and that, and ventured out just to the grocery store this afternoon. For dinner I roasted a garden-grown zucchini along with carrots and mushrooms, made a lettuce salad with radishes from the garden, pan-roasted some chicken breasts, and my husband had some rice. Best of all, there's enough left over for another meal. 

The kitchen is tidy and I'm sitting in a pool of lamplight in the living room. After I post this, I'll begin reading a book I picked up from the library, The Cromarty Library Circle by Shona Maclean. I probably learned of the book from a blog, but I can't remember whose.