I've begun my morning as I always do. Awake while it's still dark, the dog and I quietly leave the bedroom and make our way to the kitchen. I flip the switch on the kettle and let him outdoors to do his morning business. His bowl is filled with food, the French press is filled with coffee grounds, and for the next couple of hours I work on things like correspondence or letter writing while he sleeps at my feet. I’m happiest with routine and our mornings are definitely routine.
Today is the first of November which around here means birthday month has begun. Those who know me know how much I love this month. It isn’t the gifts or the celebration. It is however the one month in which I truly felt special as a child. It wasn’t that anyone made me feel that way - I simply did. November has always held a bit of magic for me.
It’s been a beautiful autumn here on the island and as we finally feel settled into our new home, there has been time for things like harvesting and preserving apples, pears, and plums.
I’ve spent more time in the kitchen, returning to a bit of baking as well. It’s the heart of our home, situated in the center, open to the living space with its 9 foot windows and their view of the sea. With our children grown and this house designed for just the two of us, it’s a good fit for the life we’re creating. Before long we’ll fall into our evening routine of fires in the woodstove, but not quite yet. The real cold hasn’t arrived and while there’s a chill in the air in the mornings it’s still fairly mild.
Our summer was filled as I suspect it always will be- working on projects around the property. This year Scott built a covered sink area next to the greenhouse in the gardens. It houses a deep old sink I’ve had for quite some time. It’s the perfect spot for rinsing vegetables before bringing them into the kitchen.
He built a woodshed which sits out back with easy access to the house for those dark winter nights. Wood stove season is nearly here and I can’t wait. He’s also been finishing up my pottery gallery to display and sell my work — a simple space built with old windows, some of which I’ve carted from home to home since the 90s. We’ve nearly completed it and once shelves have been installed I hope to open it up to visitors. I absolutely love my pottery studio space with it’s small buildings surrounding a courtyard. Once it no longer looks like a construction zone I’ll share a bit more about that space and my plans for it
The older I get the more I appreciate each season for what it is. As we find ourselves moving towards winter with its shorter, often wet days and cooler temperatures I’m looking forward to all of my favourite indoor activities- both ones I already enjoy and ones I am considering learning. And that’s a whole other conversation about focus… TBC