Monday, November 04, 2024

Now November

 


Muted morning light. The sound of rain trickling in the eavestrough. Branches swaying. Leaves sodden on the ground. It's November. Time for coziness and indoor pursuits. 

Yesterday birds of all kinds swirled around the garden. American Robins, Black-eyed Juncos, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. Through the hedge and into the leafless birch tree. It's as if they were saying something. 

"It's time to bring out the bird feeders," we said. And so he did. The birds alighted on the feeder one after another. 


Now, just a few minutes after writing the above, the clouds have blown away and blue sky is all I see. Trees are tossing madly. Autumn can be as capricious as Spring. 


Pink Fuschias, paler than they were earlier in the summer, still bloom like dangling earrings, but show their age in rain-speckled marks on their soft tissue. 


It's time for warming meals with roasted vegetables. Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, onions, and a few tomatoes combine with cumin, sumac, garlic, and a hint of cinnamon for a satisfying dish. Herbs and spices can be changed to taste. Add cubed Halloumi cheese for a vegetarian main dish. Versatile and easy. 

Now I'm off to the day's duties. A bit of this and that. I'll be glancing at the sky throughout the day, wondering if the weather will continue as changeable as it was this morning. 


36 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:36 AM

    It's wild with wind and rain outside right now. I'm surprised that your pink Fuchsia is still blooming.
    GM

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    Replies
    1. Fuschias are quite hardy. But I expect the blooms will end soon. It was a very wild day.

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  2. Anonymous10:20 AM

    So beautiful.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  3. I am mesmerized by your first photo. That sweet bird framed by the fence finials is so delightful.
    I was noticing a large amount and variety of birds outside this morning.
    Your roasted vegetables look delicious and what an interesting blend of spices.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kim. The Dark-eyed Juncos are such pretty birds.

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  4. Dearest Lorrie,
    That first photo is poetry in itself!
    We have the bird feeders stocked all year round, they eat as they want.
    Those Fuchsias are a treasure—miss them so much. Tried them one year but it is too hot down south. My Maternal Grandma's and my favorite...
    Those root veggies look yummy!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mariette. The birds seem to appreciate the feeders. We stop them in summer as many fly further north for the season, and we also want to protect our blueberries for our own consumption.

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  5. I am having to stop putting out bird seed as I found it encouraged rats, which is a horrid thought. Maybe I can try fatballs hanging ton the apple tree. How pretty your fuschia is.

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    Replies
    1. Rats are definitely horrid. Living in a seaport town, we see them regularly.

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  6. Last week I noticed lots of little birds flitting around our hedges, trees, and plants. I mentioned it to my husband, but we hadn't realised just what they were trying to tell us. Thank you - tomorrow I will do as you have done, fill up the feeders, and hopefully make them happy.

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    1. They are so much fun to watch flitting around.

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  7. I, too, am struck by the first photo of the dear little bird on the fence! November is a cozy month, isn't it? I am inspired by your pan of yummy roasted vegetables. Mmmm . . .

    I enjoyed your Blogtober series! Having done a 31-day series several times, I realize what a pleasure and a discipline it is. Well done!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cheryl. The Dark-eyed Juncos are such pretty birds.

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  8. We are roasting vegetables this time of year. . We really enjoy them this season.

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    Replies
    1. They are definitely a fall food.

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  9. Anonymous5:52 PM

    I made some butternut squash a couple days ago and we didn't eat all of it. I think I need to make the leftovers into soup. I love watching the birds come and go at the feeders. What a treat to have such a lovely variety.

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    Replies
    1. Soup from leftovers can be so delicious!

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  10. marilyn M.5:52 PM

    Oops!

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  11. Fuchsias do so well even in the colder months. Those roasted vegetables look delicious. We enjoyed white chili chicken the other day. Better half insists I make it again. B x

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    Replies
    1. White chili chicken is such a good dish for autumn.

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  12. Such a lovely post, Lorrie! I had never heard of Chestnut-backed Chickadees even though Chickadees are my favourite birds. Its brown colour looks unusual and pretty. Your roasted vegetables look delicious. Here it's soon time to start to prepare the lunch, pumpkin soup today.
    Happy November days to you and yours!

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    Replies
    1. The Chestnut-backed Chickadees are native to this area and their range doesn't extend far. Pumpkin soup sounds delicious!

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  13. I look forward to seeing what birds come to your feeder this winter! There are not many to see around here as they have migrated. I am off for groceries later this morning, guess what I will be buying? Thank You for sharing the photo and ingredients for your delicious looking dish.

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    Replies
    1. We have juncos, sparrows, chickadees, flickers, occasionally others, too. So much fun to watch.

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  14. I have to buy seed and get mine filled. Those veggies look great. Tis the season!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, the birds are hungry and so are we!

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  15. We have put the bird feeder in place and I went to get peanuts as they like them very much. Your dish gives me an idea for tomorrow supper. Here it is grey, foggy and 10 C degrees nice Autumn days nice to have colder weather like in the past!

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    Replies
    1. Cooler weather is a nice change and makes being indoors so pleasant.

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  16. Anonymous3:59 PM

    All your pictures are such good illustrations, for your little story of a fall day full of riches.

    Gretchen Joanna

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Gretchen. A day full of riches is a good description.

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  17. Lovely photos of the beginning of November. We had a beautiful albeit blustery day today. Drove to Spokane for some shopping. Have a lovely evening.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ellen. We've definitely had some blustery weather here, too.

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  18. Lots of little garden birds around at the moment so we are keeping the feeders full. The roasted vegetables look just the thing for November days:)

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  19. Your pink fuchsias look wonderful, just like your wonderful vegetable casserole... I have to make it again!!!
    Today I set up the bird house in the garden and filled it... and I also had the feeling that the birds ordered it... they kept coming by and whistling :-))))
    Beautiful photos. Thanks.
    Kind regards to you. I wish you a wonderful weekend

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