Celebrations, Flowers, and Quotations

"Since love grows within you,
so beauty grows.
For love is the beauty of the soul."
St. Augustine

 On Sunday afternoon we celebrated a marriage in a new way. Friends and family lined the street of small Sidney-by-the-Sea to wave and cheer as the newlyweds drove by. They stopped and walked around the traffic circle at the end of the avenue. 

These days we have to find new ways to celebrate the special moments of life. The groom thought this wedding was perfect, for he is an introvert who dreaded the speech, the large gathering, and the dance in front of so many people. Instead, a quiet dinner with family, a simple ceremony with the same, and this short appearance to many who wished them well. 

"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich
simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls, and interesting people.
Forget yourself."
Henry Miller

 I was very surprised this afternoon when the groom's mother dropped off a beautiful arrangement of flowers at our home. They were part of the wedding decor held at their home, and she wanted to thank us for attending the street gathering. So very sweet and unexpected. 

"I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life
stimulates the creative mind."
Albert Einstein

 I took a walk this afternoon. The wind sighed in the trees and blew great drifts of pink petals along the street. In my garden a bee was busy among the Mountain Cornflowers now blooming in my garden. 

"...and work at your pattern - it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that...
one stitch at a time, taken patiently."
Oliver Wendell Holmes

 My reading these days consists of familiar books, nothing very challenging. I just finished The Fairy Tale Girl and Martha's Vineyard: Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch again. Unique books in many ways and this time through I was struck by the way her creativity developed over years. It made me think of the things I long to do. Many of my dreams have come true, with persistence and hard work and time, and there are others that I hope to fulfill. 

"The essential elements of the romantic spirit are curiosity and the love of beauty."
Walter Pater

 It's blue and purple season in my garden. The first aquilegia or Columbine is blooming. She is so beautiful I can hardly tear my eyes away. I see her from my kitchen window dancing madly in the wind. 

"Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of
quiet in a crowded day - like writing a poem or saying a prayer."
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

 A small bouquet of bluebells and hyacinths came indoors with me and now sits on the coffee table wafting sweet scents my way. How I love flowers. It's hard to choose a favourite, and I've stopped trying to do so. 

"The perfume of the lilacs came in little puffs on the crystal air."
L. M. Montgomery

The first lilacs are opening. It's a richness of blossom just now, with more to come. 

I'm feeling very content this sunny and windy afternoon. I made a big dent in the marking for my classes (marking online takes me more time than on paper). I'm soon heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner and bake some brownies. This evening I believe I'll start another book. What will it be? Choosing is half the fun!

I'd love to hear what you've been up to lately.

Apples, Dahlias, and other good things

It was a lovely afternoon - such an afternoon as only September can produce when summer has
stolen back for one more day of dream and glamour. (L.M. Montgomery)

Lucy Maud Montgomery's writings remain as popular now as they have been for many years. Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon remain close friends of mine and I occasionally dip into the books even at my very adult age. 

Recently, a local sculptor, Nathan Scott, collaborated with an east coast artist to create a new statue of LMM. Grace Curtis did the sketches and Nathan sculpted the bronze piece that now resides at Cavendish, PEI. I love the way LMM is captured holding her face to the sky and soaking in whatever loveliness she felt. 

"Dear old world," she murmured, "you are very lovely and I am glad to be alive in you." (L.M. Montgomery)

This morning I went out to cut a bouquet of dahlias. I think I love dahlias more and more each year. I'm already thinking of what colours and shapes I want to add to my small collection. I think I need some dark burgundy blooms, and pale yellow. I have a yellow dahlia, but it's in a pot and because of that the stems are quite short and unsuitable for cutting. Next year I'll know better. 

"If I wasn't a human girl, I think I'd like to be a bee and live among the flowers." Anne Shirley (L.M. Montgomery)

Just before my clippers snipped this blossom I noticed two bees, curled up fast asleep among the petals. At first I wondered if they were alive, but one stretched his legs out and rolled over to let me know they were okay. I tiptoed away, not wanting to disturb their slumber. 

"I believe that the nicest and sweetest of days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.
Anne Shirley (L. M. Montgomery)

The tawny shades of hydrangeas fit so well with autumn. Where the light shines directly on them, they are burgundy, pink, and green. Underneath, paler blue. 

I have noticed a LOT of spiders coming in this year. I know they like to hide out in flowers, so as soon as I brought the hydrangeas into the house I plunged them into a sink filled with water mixed with some white vinegar. The crawlies soon came to the surface. 

I've been using peppermint oil as a deterrent for the last day or two and I think that's working, too. I diluted it and put it into a spray bottle to squirt around windows and door frames. 

"Everything we had was small except our love and our happiness." Emily of New Moon (L.M. Montgomery)

We have a bumper crop of apples this year. If you lived nearby, I'd be happy to share them with you. I've made apple cake, apple crisp (5 of them for the freezer), several apple tartes, and included them in salads and savoury dishes, too. They are wonderful! 

"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world."
Anne Shirley (L.M. Montgomery)

This morning (I don't teach until the afternoon today), I made a Bavarian Apple Tarte, first tasted at my cousin Caroline's house and made many, many times since. It's quick and easy to make, and a great go-to recipe for a gathering. It's still in the pan here because I made it to share with friends and it needs to travel. 

What is September like for you just now?