On one of the many walks I took last week,
we waded out through a field of white
(so unusual for Seattle in November)
and chanced upon
a flock of geese.
They were on both sides of us,
in front of us and behind,
and their coarse calls
sounded so loud in the stillness
and came so fast
that it all ceased to be
the sound of many geese
and became instead
one sound that was ringing
all around;
melodic
and monumental,
it did not seem
at all to be
from anything ordinary
or mundane.

----

A Happy December to you--I do so love this time of year!

Preparing for various feasting (Thanksgiving and otherwise), at home with the fam.
We spent so much of the holiday in the kitchen--my favorite room in the house, I think.

Thank you for the birthday wishes! It was a lovely celebration indeed.
I feel so lucky to have a birthday near such a homey holiday.

----

My answer on Hei Astrid to the question Why do you shoot film?

Bits of nature, inside & out.

It's my birthday tomorrow, and then Thanksgiving the next day
(they are always tied together for me),
so I will leave you for the week with this mix of music
(all instrumental)
that I find quiet and lovely,
and perfect for afternoons full of industriousness
and preparations,
and projects.
I hope you enjoy,
and I wish a happy holiday (to those in the US),
and a happy week and weekend
to those elsewhere.

Burgundy, Slate, & Umber - November Playlist, 2010
+Intro - XX
+Hei Hei - Fredrik
+Fiona - Mason Daring
+For Every Day You Lost - Brave Timbers
+Across The Black Prairie - Black Prairie
+I Used To Do - Clogs
+What Is Human - Nancy Elizabeth
+Rugla - Amiina
+Junesong - Talkdemonic
+Pilsdon Pen - The Imagined Village

This Fall (and I can say this now, as it feels like the switch to Winter has been made with the lightest of snow flurries this weekend) has been a season of walks.
The changing trees were too beautiful to admire from inside,
and the variable weather kept calling me to take advantage of the moment.
We walked through these marshes before
here and here,
(almost exactly a month ago)
on those early Autumn days
when the sky is sharp blue, and the sun crisply shines.
This time it was grey, and dark,
with purple shadows in the depths of every bush.

To me, this is what November looks like.

----

Lately loving this post (it's an idea after my own heart),
Anna's snowfall,
& this lady's sense of style (adorable!).

On my dresser right now.
It's always a changing show
of the seasons,
the weather,
and what is inspiring me at the moment.

Right now it's pretty new candle holders
(so we'll be set for bright and cozy holiday meals to come),
and some natural findings
as we move from Autumn
to Winter.

----

Sharon Van Etten - Love More

Brunch over the weekend at one of my favorite places.
It always seems to set the tone for a good day.

----

I didn't get a chance to mention last week:
I participated in Mallory's fantastic Book Week!
I loved everyone's fiction recommendations the best.

Right now I'm reading The Go-Between
(a borrowed copy from my Father's college years--the cover says it cost 95 cents).

How about you?

Two different kinds of messes, in two different kinds of places.
Taken about a week ago, and I've barely had a chance to make messes like these since--
been busy and letting things distract me.
A promise to my self: the little stresses don't need to be so important.
November is a beautiful month--
I need to reclaim it.

----

Lord Huron helps
(and we are seeing Junip tomorrow!)

In the shop: Fairyland & Glow available as 5x7 prints.

A painting, just barely started.
Can you tell my inspiration?

Another Autumn walk around my neighborhood, taking advantage of the sun while it is here.

----

Cursive Design's beautiful Fall/Winter look book;
My favorite is the Harvest Necklace

Visiting the Skagit Valley, an area north of Seattle that is home to some of the prettiest farmland.

It's head of tulip-mania in the Springtime, pop-up fruit and berry stands dot the roads every mile or so in Summer, and right now there are gourds and squash and pumpkins galore.

I've been to visit once in each season so far this year, and watching the changes has been amazing.

I love how in touch the place feels with the cycle of the weather and the changing months, and how in each distinct season it remains beautiful and full of bounty.

----

Speaking of which:
the elegant Nature's Splendor calendar from Hello Handmade

Some more photos from the marsh we explored in this post.
The cast-off cattail fluff is my favorite;
it was like down, or the softest skein of wool you've ever felt.
What would a sweater feel like woven from such a thing?