November 2023 In The Garden: Hidden Colors and Gratitude

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.”

—unknown

beautifully colored rugosa rose leaves are yellow, rust, orange red, green and brown

It snowed on Halloween this year. And that snow stuck around longer than first snows usually do. Suddenly, we were plunged into winter.

I wasn’t ready.

November can be a dreary, hard month — an abrupt change from the beauties of autumn — but this year it’s been beautiful.

pink flowered strawberry plants in the late autumn garden won't get the chance to become berries

So many sunny days. Warm days. Chances for me to enjoy my garden.

Discovering hidden colors.

yellow and purple viola flowers hiding among fall leaves in a garden path

Or simply sitting and soaking up the sunshine.

When I’m inside, I watch out my studio doors. Enjoying the view. Observing the birds. Noticing the subtle beauties of the garden at rest.

a huge amaranth seed head faded to delicate rusty pink is colorful in the late fall garden

I’m making a point of paying attention this year as the season continues to shift and change. I know I frequently say this, but it’s something I need to recommit to again and again.

Pay attention.

Notice beauty.

Savor.

And return, again and again, to gratitude.

What have you been noticing and savoring? What are you especially grateful for right now?