November Days

November … the month between golden October and festive December. For many it can be a dreary month and maybe we’d like to have this month passed by as quickly as possible. Short and dark days with often a lot of rain. Everything is fading in the garden and nature. Are there any sparkles of light and joy?

i’d say yes! And I wholeheartedly hope you'll agree!

In this blogpost I want to share some of the moments this month has delighted me with …

In the beginning of November I’ve enjoyed a little holiday with my family in the north of France. Between the rain showers we managed to make a few walks and enjoyed the wide view, coloured in so many autumn hues.

We had a cozy time reading and relaxing in our airBnB in a little charming French village.

We took a trip to Reims where we visited the impressive and world- famous cathedral. In its shadow we discovered the Carnegie library which took us back in time of art deco.

It can be hard to get outside in November as it brings longer nights and darker mornings our way. But once in the woods, with the strong winds, the scent of rich soil and mushrooms, the whirling leaves and rich autumnal colours, one feels alive again!

On a grey November day, we can suddenly be surprised by a magnificent sunset. I experienced it this month when I just came out of my studio to go home and the sun appears through the clouds for less than a minute. Everything was covered with a warm golden glow. These kind of moments, can fill me with tears of joy as I’m overwhelmed by so much beauty. Moments that makes up all the dark and grey days of November, don’t they?!

When I’m out on adventure in nature, I come across so many autumnal treasures! They are definitely a source of inspiration for my work.

These mushrooms on a carpet of soft moss and rusty bracken are definitely my favourites!

As I’m spending much more time inside, I’d like to make my studio cozy with my favourite scented candle, dried autumn decorations and I enjoy the warmth of the fire. Everyday I have a new painting to look at through my window as in the garden autumn slowly shifts into winter.

Let’s take a breath of fresh air and go outside in the garden while the sun is suddenly making her appearance.

In the veggie garden I have everything covered with a blanket of mulch. It’s time to take is slow when it comes to gardening. Let the soil rest and the garden go in hibernation.

There is kale, red beet, Jerusalem artichoke and chard that can be harvested. Lamb’s lettuce is growing and purslane has sprouted so we’ll have some fresh and healthy green leaves on our dish these dark November days.

In November, the trees still have leaves but slowly they’re shedding them of until they’re completely bare.

Leaves. There are so many of them. Piles and piles of them. You’ll probably have noticed it too in your garden.They slowly fall down and take their time as they can fall only once in their lifetime. It seems they are so trusting, letting go completely.

Maybe we can ask ourselves the following questions: What can we learn from the falling leaves in November?What if we should also shed what is no longer needed? Would this help us to flourish?

At the moment I’m taking the time to reflect on what I have to let go. What kind of leaves do I have to shed in order te keep healthy?

It has been a busy year and I have to acknowledge that I have boundaries to keep in mind. I’m a high-sensitive person and I don’t have that much energy as daily life just asks so much. Keeping my inner batteries in balance is sometimes a big struggle. If I don’t take care of myself very well, I’ll ask too much of my mind and body and get stressed and overtired.

I have to admit it’s a difficult process. The first step, for me, is accepting I’m not having the amount of energy I would like to have. And slowly new insights will emerge, as well as change and growth.