Sunday, November 05, 2023

Simple and Ordinary Days

 


Darkness falls and I close the curtains and blinds against the night. It's earlier now that the time has changed to standard time once again. I love to touch a match to candle wicks in the evening. Their flickering light draws me to spend quiet moments watching the flame dance and the light glow through the creamy wax. 

On our way home from our cross-Canada trip, we stopped in Knowlton, Quebec, home of author Louise Penny who writes the Armand Gamache mysteries. In the pouring rain I collected richly red maple leaves and pressed them between pages of books. Now they lie on a silver tray in the dining room and I am reminded of that day.
 

Tim and I went for a walk on Saturday afternoon. In one corner of the sky clouds threatened, while sun shone in another corner. A rainbow added another light variation among all the light and shadow and golden leaves. 


The two youngest grandchildren helped me bake apple pastry today, then enjoyed a little tea party. They are very careful with the china teacups and saucers, and love to stir their spoonful of honey into the tea. A boat load of animals joined the party. 


Is this the last rose in the garden? Perhaps, although I noticed a few other buds forming elsewhere. Boscobel is a prolific bearer of lovely blooms. I debating cutting the rose, but fear that she will merely droop if I bring her indoors. Instead, I'll admire her as I walk by. 

Simple and ordinary days are often the best. 

21 comments:

  1. Lovley photos, ordinary days are blessed with having no major drama to deal with.
    They are the best days. Covering the special leaves with wax will help preserve them.

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  2. You are so right, Lorrie. Some special moments are needed but the ordinary days are our life and we notice their beauty (usually) only if we lose them.
    Your photos are splendid each in their own way. Especially the little ones and their tea party cheer me up in this foggy morning. (Our snow has almost disappeared.)
    Have a happy week ahead!

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  3. Simple days need to be treasured and enjoyed slowly. Days go by too quickly. Boscobel is a beautiful rose.

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  4. I love the feeling of warmth and cosiness given by your first photo.
    It must be a great delight to be back once again with your little granddaughters - I bet that they missed you both very much whilst you were away travelling.

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  5. I used to live in Québec City and a visit to the Eastern Townships was always delightful, one of the loveliest regions of La Belle Province. As for maple leaves, if you need more, my backyard is full of them!

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  6. A fallish natural souvenir from your stop in Quebec, pretty. Sweet girls having a tea party. Hope you have a lovely week.

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  7. You stopped in Knowlton. Sigh. I'd love to do that. I just plucked my last rose too -- the year is clearly wrapping up.

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  8. Anonymous10:13 AM

    The gorgeous red leaves, the candle, and the pumpkin make such a lovely vignette.
    I'm sure those little grands had a wonderful tea party ❤❤ GM

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  9. The leaves paired with the pumpkin and candle light make for such a pretty fall display. Even nicer that the leaves bring back happy memories. I opened a book the other day and it was filled with fall leaves. I can't remember when I put them there, but the colors are still vibrant.
    Such sweet moments you have captured... especially that tea party. How fun!

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  10. Lovely simple JOYS...the candles add so much ambiance when the light dims in Fall and Winter. Fun times with the grands in the kitchen !!

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  11. Hi Lorrie, Oh I do love that first picture! It's quintessential autumn, and I love those beautiful maple leaves. I will certainly try pressing some in a book next year. The ones on our maple tree are all on the ground now. I bet you're glad to be back to your cozy home just in time for the time change. Your granddaughters look like little ladies. :) Are you enjoying your new kitchen? I bet it will get a good workout during the upcoming holidays.

    Take care and have a wonderful week!

    Hugs,

    Denise

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  12. I loved that the grandkids are using china teacups and saucers for their tea party!

    I also prefer simple and ordinary days.

    Your maples leaves reminded me of one of the Instagram potters who used real leaves (as stencils) to decorate their handmade ceramic mugs.

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  13. The rainbow and your little sweeties…perfect!

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  14. marilyn m5:46 PM

    What a pretty rose. There is something sad, but lovely about the last rose of the season. The leaves in the first picture are gorgeous. The colors have been just wonderful this season.

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  15. Anonymous6:24 PM

    What you have shown us, then, is the beauty of the ordinary. <3

    Gretchen Joanna

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  16. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year and your photos have captured it perfectly! How sweet to have a tea-party with your little darlings. Yes, I agree, ordinary days are the best days of all. xx K

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  17. the first picture is beautiful! Simple days are often the best . Looking at your granddaughters having tea I went to look for my mother’s doll China plates and cups will post them tomorrow

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  18. I'm still leaving my roses standing too... it looks wonderful, but the best thing is the forest with its autumn colors. I'm constantly traveling there. Pure relaxation.
    Sweet your grandchildren, baking cakes with them is wonderful. Thanks for nice photos.
    The red of the maple leaves is magnificent.
    I wish you a happy week. Many greetings from Viola

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  19. We too visited Knowlton a beautiful place. Love the tea party. B x

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  20. Such beautiful sentiments.

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  21. I love that little tea party! My H brought in most of the last rose buds this past weekend ... I'm enjoying them inside.

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