October Pleasures

Tranquility
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Sarah Ban Breathnach always has wonderful ideas on celebrating each month of the year. Here are some ideas for October.

~Plan an outing to a pumpkin patch or farmers' market. Go on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin or an assortment of smaller ones. Pie pumpkins are a nice size for creating luminaries for steps or driveways, and even smaller pumpkins make charming votive candle holders for dinner tables.

~Create a seasonal table. Set aside one small space on which to arrange an autumnal still life: wheat sheaves, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, bouquets of dried flowers and preserved autumn leaves.

~Pumpkins make very attractive natural vases for autumn bouquets. Scoop out the center and fill with a floral sponge cut to size. Arrange jewel-toned flowers, preserved leaves, and vines for a long lasting arrangement. Occasionally test the sponge to see if you need to add more water.

~This is the month to plant crocus, daffodils, and tulips outdoors for next springs, season of showing off.

~Take a Sunday drive in the country to admire the season's colors. Pack a picnic. Linger as long as you can.

~Be sure to wish your Canadian friends a Happy Thanksgiving today. I will be calling home this afternoon to say hi to my family and hear about all the delicious food my Nana is cooking!

Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

October

We went to hunt for chestnuts
One fine October day,
And in the windy country
We wandered far away.

We built a fire of brush-wood
Beneath the sheltering hill,
Among the rustling corn-shocks
The wind was never still.

We played that we were gypsies,
Who never sleep in beds,
But lie beside their fires
With stars above their heads.

But when the air grew frosty,
Beneath the chestnut tree
We filled our bags and baskets
And hastened home to tea.

K. Pyle

The posters can be found at Art.com