AUTUMN
Wanting to go,
all the leaves want to go
though they have achieved
their kingly robes.
Weary of colours,
they think of black earth,
they think of
white snow.
Stealthily, delicately
as a safebreaker
they unlock themselves
from branches.
And from their royal towers
they sift silently down
to become part of
the proletariat of mud.
– Norman MacCaig
Exhale…letting go of unwanted energies and stress of the Summer season…and inhale deeply the calming…soothing energies of Autumn.
Autumn is the season to release…reflect…and “gather in”…what I call …nesting…as the whole natural teaching of this season…is going within self…for much needed inner exploration… reflection…and slowing down…from the constant rush of the Summer cycle…and life really.
I find myself this Autumn…a season I so love…in deep reflection…and with reflection…comes waves of emotions…some are old… stuck emotions…some I don’t understand…yet…and maybe never will…and some are new feelings and emotions. Emotions…my emotions…your emotions…are worthy and deserving of your attention…your love and in most cases…allowed to be acknowledged and be “released.” Grief and grieving is one of those emotions we often associate with death only …but grieving is necessary from any change… sudden or planned…the loss of a job…children going off to school…illness…the ending of a relationship…changing from one season of your life to another…there are so many forms of grief…all valid and worthy of your attention and compassion.
This Autumn season finds me in a space of grieving. I am grieving from the transition of who I once was…in years gone past…and not sure of who I will become…in this next season of my life. Oh…I am so grateful for all my lessons…my ups and downs…I have taken all these in stride…in my corner of the universe…but frankly the dark mess I see and feel inside myself…in my country…and also worldwide…has caught me by surprise.
My life…my children’s lives…my grandson’s life…everyone I love and care about…including folks I have never met and probably never will…have been affected in very harmful ways. I feel anger…I feel sadness…but most of all I feel disgust…for those human beings who are causing great hardship for all.
I grieve for what once was.
And hold space…for better days ahead…not just for myself…but for all humanity…and all living things.
May you embrace all your emotions…all your feelings and thoughts…in deep reflection and grieving this season. They are a part of you…a beautiful part of you…for you to “see” for you to “feel”…for you to accept…and to release…into the winds of change and create more wholeness of your spirit.
Happy Autumn…
Love…Victoria
THANKSGIVING FAMILY ALTAR
Set out a table…or place on an existing one…family photos of your loved ones who have crossed over. Place a flower or 2 in a small vase…and add small votive candles…for how many will be joining for Thanksgiving dinner. Place mementos of these family members if you wish too…on this altar. Make this family altar…pretty…as well as peaceful feeling.
As your Thanksgiving guests arrive…and for all family present…let them know the purpose of the Thanksgiving altar…that the Thanksgiving altar is for honoring your loved ones who are no longer with us. Have each person…light a small votive candle…and say a blessing…or have a loving communication with them…letting them know you miss and love them.
This is a wonderful tradition to hold each Thanksgiving…honoring all in your family who has passed away…connecting with their spirit…in loving memory on this day of thanks.
GRATITUDE COLLAGE
There is always something to be grateful for…including being “grateful” for you!!! Creating a gratitude collage is a fun…creative and soulful piece of art work…that you are creating for just “you”…as a visual piece…that will help you “see” just how many…big…small…in between…daily…each moment…each week…each month…and year…how much you truly have to be grateful for.
SUPPLIES…Canvas…poster board…or piece of sturdy cardboard…magic markers…magazines to cut pictures of images that express your gratitude…glitter…dried flowers etc. tape…glue
Set aside some space and time…to ponder what you are grateful for…and find images in magazines…or draw them yourself…and place the images on your Gratitude Collage. Write out words…or empowering statements of gratitude…if you are inclined to do so. You might want to decorate your Gratitude Collage with glitter… jewels…whatever your creative heart desires…this is your masterpiece!
Keep your Gratitude Collage…somewhere visible…where each day…your Gratitude Collage can be a source of gratitude…inspiration…and connection to your heart…because your heart always expresses gratitude with each heart beat!
PS…This is a wonderful gratitude project for everyone…to share with family and friends…please pass it on!
GRIEVING
The Autumn season is a time of deep reflection and release…and really is the season for you to connect with your inner world…and your feelings. Emotions no matter what they are…need to be felt and acknowledged by you…and this includes grief. Be with your grief…no matter what loss…event…experience…change or situation…or transformation…you have been…or are going through in this moment…this experience has brought up feelings and emotions for you…to feel…to honor…what you are grieving for…or because of.
Have a journal to write out your grief…and how grief is making you feel. Draw pictures of your feelings in your journal…if that feels right to you. Allow whatever feelings come up for you…as you feel your grief…including crying and anger…feel it all…don’t judge yourself or others during your grieving.
Just feel your grief.
For however long it takes.
Your grief is real.
Your grief deserves to be acknowledged.
~ ~ ~ ~
FAMILY FUDGE MAKING NIGHT
Gather the family around…or your friends…and have a very sweet time making homemade fudge! Provide all the ingredients for making your fudge…plus containers…so everyone can take home your fudge.
Here is an easy and yummy fudge recipe. Enjoy your time together… laughing… being together… in your kitchen… making fudge for everyone!
HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE FUDGE
3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chocolate chips
¾ cup butter…(1 ½ sticks)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 can evaporated milk
4 ½ cups of sugar
Butter a 9×13 pan and set aside. In a large bowl place chocolate chips…butter…and vanilla extract. Set aside. In a large saucepan bring evaporated milk and sugar to a boil. Continue boiling and stir constantly for 7 minutes.
Next…pour over chocolate mixture. Stir until butter and chocolate melts and is a smooth consistency. Pour chocolate mixture into the buttered 9×13 pan and cool completely…about 2 hours. Cut into small squares. Store in airtight containers for up to 1 week.
CHEESY CAULIFLOWER BAKE
A yummy side dish…perfect for Autumn dinners!
Serves 6
1 1/2 large heads of cauliflower
6 tablespoons butter…plus more for buttering dish
½ cup heavy cream
3 cloves of garlic…minced
2 cups grated white cheddar
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh Thyme leaves
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. In a large pot of water…cook cauliflower until tender…about 8 minutes. Drain well.
Butter a large baking dish. Add half of the cooked cauliflower and pour over half of the heavy cream. Dot with half the butter…sprinkle with half the garlic…cheddar cheese…the Parmesan…and the Thyme. Repeat with remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
Bake until cheese is melted and golden brown. Take out of oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. You can add more cheese if you like before serving.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
Who doesn’t love a bowl of hot…yummy soup on a cool Autumn evening?
Serves 4
1 large butternut squash…seeds removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 Yukon Gold or russet potatoes …peeled…and chopped into 1-inch pieces
kosher salt to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 yellow onion…finely chopped
1 stick celery…thinly sliced
1 large carrot…finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh Thyme…plus more for garnish
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
heavy cream for drizzling before serving
Arrange a rack in center of your oven…then preheat your oven to 400 degrees. On a large baking sheet…toss the squash and potatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil…then generously salt and pepper.
Place squash and potatoes in oven…and roast…stirring halfway through…until tender…30 to 35 minutes.
Meanwhile…in a large pot…over medium heat…heat the butter and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook the onion…celery…and carrot…stirring…when needed…until softened…about 7-10 minutes. Stir in the fresh Thyme…season with salt and pepper.
Add the roasted squash and potatoes…to the large pan of cooked onion…celery…and carrots… then pour in broth. Bring to a simmer…and cook…stirring occasionally…until slightly reduced…and flavors have combined…about 10 minutes.
Using an immersion blender…blend soup…adding more broth if necessary…until creamy. To serve…drizzle a bit of cream on top…and add more fresh Thyme. Serve with a nice bread or dinner rolls.
***If you do not have an immersion blender…cool soup down completely…and put in standard blender to blend until smooth. Put back in pan to heat before serving…once hot…serve with added drizzle of cream…and added Thyme to garnish.
Blessings to you this Autumn…
Victoria