Thankful for my garden.  It’s November look.

As an American, celebrating Thanksgiving in November is very important to me.  I do appreciate all that I have, and give thanks to God every day.  But November is a special time to really stop, and recognize those who are dear to us and those things which we are grateful for.  O.K., now jump down the list of things to be thankful for; behind my being Christian, my husband, kids, family & friends,  and you’ll find my garden!  That’s right, my garden.  It’s where I can breathe easy.  Any time of day I can wander out to the garden and find something to smile about.  I’m thankful that I have a “clean slate” of a yard to plant what I love, and through that I am able to learn so much about vegetable and flower gardening.  🙂

Hawthorne berries in September.

November is also a great time to cut down the ivy that is choking my Hawthorne trees!  I have to say, though, that I think the ivy is rather pretty… just not on my trees.  So I cut a small bunch and threw them in a vase.  I think they bring a little life to my kitchen.  The rest of the ivy that I cut down was thrown over the fence with all of my weeds.  Ivy, brambles, nettles and weeds: you name it, my ditch wall is buried underneath it!  I certainly won’t be short of work to do this winter.

Ivy, brambles, nettles, and weeds covering my ditch wall (and Hawthorne trees).

Hawthorne berries in November.

Ivy in the trees.

After I took the picture of the ivy I had brought inside, I realized I’d somewhat captured one of my favorite paintings.  So I took another picture of just the painting!  Here is my special painting story:  I had it painted for me just before I moved from New York to Ireland.  The artist, Audrey Decker, was in her 80s at the time.  I’d seen some of her work 10 years earlier and I simply loved it.  After reading an article in the newspaper about her I had cut it out and saved it for 10 years!  Through some unusual circumstances I finally met her just months before my move, and she painted this painting for me.  She is quite a special woman.  I have the painting hanging in my favorite room in the house, my kitchen.   Another thing to be thankful for!

Bringing some life into the house: a vase of ivy.

A special painting to me, by Audrey Decker.

Back in the garden, I was able to capture my “Alaska” Shasta daisies on a sunny afternoon.  Another happy flower.

Shasta Daisy “Alaska” in November.

The sky was simply too beautiful to not photograph on this evening!  My littlest one and I were captivated by the colors.  Really, I have so much to be thankful for!

Blessings to you,
Dana

A beautiful end to a lovely day.