Transitioning, Looking for Magic and Changing Focus

Autumn is all about transitions. Transition from warm to cold. Transition from life to death (or hibernation -- trees and perennials don't actually die). Transition from light to dark. Transition from colorful to colorless. Transition from outdoors to indoors.

There can be so much beauty in the autumn and I guess, from that standpoint, I can understand why autumn is so many people's favorite season.

garden, roses, pink grootendorst, autumn flowers, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

There are little hints of magic everywhere.

bumblebee, garden, red gem marigold, Autumn, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

(Those red gem marigolds, self-seeded from last year's plants, bloomed all summer long and are still going strong. Such a gift.)

hops, pumpkins, autumn, autumn decorations, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

(These hops flowers look like roses to me).

In truth, though, at this time of year it is sometimes easier for me to focus on the negatives than the beauties and joys. And so, I need to make a conscious effort to shake things up. To focus on the magic and not those other things.

nasturtiums, orange nasturtiums, autumn, autumn garden, ferns, leaves, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

I came up with a list of things to help me do that:
  • take a walk and listen to the leaves crackle underfoot
  • make soup (and soup, and soup and soup) or bake something to warm up
  • wear a hat (even better if it's one from a friend)
  • take photos to look for beauty and capture magic
  • bring in flowers or pumpkins or seedpods or other bits of nature
  • write a Joy List (my lists have been few and far between, but I'm working on getting back on track)
  • listen to an audiobook while you work (I've been listening to this)
  • look out the window -- there's almost always something interesting or beautiful to see -- a hummingbird that hasn't yet embarked on her journey, a hint of color in the sky, bluejays eating seeds from the sunflowers
  • make some art and if the day is dark and dreary, make it extra bright and colorful!

zinnias, autumn, honeybee, garden,  Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

What about you? What would you put on your list?

Comments

  1. Gorgeous photos Anne. As you know, I am sorting out my craft room so I will have a pleasant place to be when the dark days roll in. As the days get shorter I am going to make more of an effort to be out during the day and by night work in my new craft space under a daylight lamp so I can see what I am doing! Wishing you a happy and colorful autumn weekend. :-)

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    1. Thank you, Simone! Having a pleasant space in which to nest during the dark, cold days of winter sounds like a great plan. And you're smart to get out in the day and work at night. I like to work while the light is good, but I think that just means I need more and better lighting in my studio so I'm not so reliant on the daylight!

      Enjoy your autumn weekend, too!

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  2. Hello Friend,
    It is getting dark so early, that is so hard for me.
    I do love the Autumn colors.
    I do love your joy lists, they help me too.
    xx oo
    Carla

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    1. Hi, Carla! The darkness is so hard for me, too!

      I'm so glad to know that my joy lists help you, too. Nothing better than spreading and sharing the joy.

      :)

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  3. Hi Anne. Your photographs are stunning. You've captured autumn beautifully. I appreciate the soft light of early autumn mornings, the maple and oak trees in our neighborhood with their magnificent colors, the yellow patches of the Aspen and Birch trees amongst the green pine on the mountain sides, and soft, cozy sweaters. I'm starting to think about quilting again, which is one of my favorite winter activities. Enjoy your weekend. xo

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    1. Thanks so much, Nancy!

      The light is so different in the autumn, isn't it? I love the late afternoon light. Golden.

      We don't have aspens here. They are so beautiful.

      Wishing you much joy as you plan some quilting and get your sweet new house arranged and decorated to your liking. Autumn is such a pleasant time for nesting!

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  4. That pink rose at the top is so pretty. Is it Pink Grootendorst?

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    1. That is my guess. It was supposed to be Sir Thomas Lipton, but it clearly is not. That's what I get for buying those cheap-o bareroot roses. Happened to me last year, too. The other one was supposed to be Hansa and it ended up looking like Pink Grootendorst. I'm not complaining. Pink Grootendorst is very pretty but it doesn't have any fragrance and you know how nutty I am about fragrance. :)

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    2. I do and I'm the same way! I'm glad to hear your input on this rose because I've been *this close* to buying it on several occasions. I'd still like to try it--maybe we could trade cuttings in the spring? :)

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    3. It's really a nice rose and both of the plants I have (if they truly are Pink Grootendorst) have done really well despite being planted in less than ideal (read shady) locations. The one I planted in the front garden was a bit neglected (read not watered) and it didn't seem to mind. I'll definitely be up for a trade in the spring! :)

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