My Fruity, Fall Mantel

I finally got around to decorating our mantel for autumn. I know... but better late than never, right? Besides, we still have about a month and a half before the first day of winter. This seasonal display is an eclectic accumulation of sorts. For starters, Liberty brought the traditional, red bellows back from Norway this summer, while the black, metal rooster was a sweet gift from a friend, who lives in England, a few years ago.

Looking to Mother Nature for inspiration, I browsed her 'wares' and came home with some pretty vine leaves from a neighbouring vineyard. They remind me of the fiery, fall maple leaves back home. After soaking in the sink to keep them hydrated, their spent scent filled the air and I was instantly transported to my childhood of rainy, autumn morning walks to school.

I also shopped the house and snatched fruit themed prints off the walls, candlesticks from the dining room, and cute, ceramic pitchers from the kitchen cupboard. The bunches of sage were collected from my husband's village and the marigolds, still holding up well, despite a few blustery days, were picked from our flowerpots on the patio, while the pomegranates, finally ripe enough to eat, and the walnuts, both came from our trees.

We enjoy afternoon tea in the living room, when the sun visits the space and sits a spell, covering us in a warm blanket of light, as we cozily sit by the mantel, chatting or reading or napping, to recharge, after the last chores of the day are completed, leaving only dinner to prepare.

 

Have you decorated your mantel this autumn?

Thanks for visiting, everyone.

Happy weekend!

xx

Poppy 

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En Vogue

Autumn, this year, has been unseasonably 
warmer, here, in my hometown. The light is soft, 
and everything it touches seems to glow a little 
longer, basking in its clear and radiant serenity.

And, although the winds have stripped some of their
ornate clothing, scantily clad branches still manage 
to show off their most precious accessories.

Bubbly, berry baubles adorn others, 

but the majority have chosen to go au naturel, 
being of the 'less is more' opinion, and happily
 reflect it on like-minded surfaces of stone.



 I think you'll agree that, whatever the wardrobe 
of these woody plants, the autumn skies
 they so gracefully enhance.

 What are the season's stars 
modelling on your runways?



Thanks for visiting and
 have a lovely week!

xx
Poppy 

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November Apparel

Ryerson University, downtown Toronto

November is here. It's such a quiet month,

don't you think? More low key than October.  

Unionville

 November doesn't scream, 'Fall!', but gently

whispers it in deeper hues, subtle cues

that it's colder cousin is on the way.

Cabbagetown, a downtown Toronto neighbourhood

Foliage is precious, so the sun's soft rays create
 shadowy clones that cover exterior walls,
autumn jackets for pretty facades.

Can you guess where I came across these clusters of fall?  

One of the rooftops of our building

This patchy plot of autumnal tones, although lovely,

 is something of a puzzle. I can't recall if it's like this

  all year round, which, of course, would make it

 artificial. Regardless, it is interesting!

Unionville, our neighbourhood

 Thanks for visiting,

Happy November, all!

xx

Poppy 

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A Mature, Mid-October Character

Of all the reasons to love autumn, and there

are plenty, from the romantic to the radiant,

both of which appeal to me tremendously,

there are two others, which you will discover,

that make me feel just as giddy.

Can you guess what they are?

Look carefully!

 

There are clues in the hues

of the clouds in the sky,

and to further exemplify what I mean, take

    note of the ruffles of pinks and purples on green.

Now, marvel at the multitude of

shadows and shades of this maple,

and finally, feast your eyes on 
the layers upon layers of
 colour and texture, like the
blazing coral and crispy nature
of this mature, mid-October character.
 Oh, Autumnal Architecture,
alas, we must declare our 
passionate, lifelong love affair!

What do you love about autumn?

Thanks for visiting!
 Happy weekend!

xx
Poppy 

'Seasonal Luxury': Act III

Autumn skies dramatize

 Act III of 'Seasonal Luxury'',

a play in four parts, advertised

on a marquee of leafy celebrity.

On the ground,
smaller roles abound.
'Walk-ons', if you will,
print a playbill of their own,
protagonists of the cement canvas
onto which they have been blown.

Whether in the air,
where, striking characters invigorate
mundane plots of humdrum blue,

or simply on a muddy patch

 of disappearing green,

the scene is synchronously

stimulating and serene.

Still playing, until the flaky snow

draws the curtain on this alfresco show,

you may catch it anytime, anywhere,

for it's currently being performed everywhere.

Oh! Almost forgot: admission is free, naturally. 

Enjoy!

Canada Post mailboxes: always covered in maple leaves, whatever the season.

Thank you for visiting!

Sending Thanksgiving wishes

to my Canadian friends, 

and warm, autumn greetings

to you all,

xx

Poppy

Charmed

As a little girl growing up in midtown Toronto,

autumn, dressed in all its spectacular, seasonal

splendour, was always my favourite time of year.

I'm sure my passion for colour comes from those
 flaming fireballs that pierce cool, azure blue skies.

What fun we used to have, diving into brittle heaps
 of dry, crispy, crumbly leaves, swimming in hues of
 burnt sienna, hot crimson, and muddy merlots.

 And so, as you all know, this Toronto autumn has

been my first in 16 years, and I have been busy

 

reacquainting myself with its many myriad of moods -

from the bright and bubbly,

to the dark and melancholy.

And guess what?

  

I found them all to be enchantingly intriguing.

Thanks for visiting and
 Happy Thanksgiving to
all my American friends.
xo
Poppy

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Patina: Prêt-à-Porter, Fall 2014

 Having resumed my daily afternoon walks, I am becoming reacquainted with the beautiful patinas that cover some

 of the unique architecture throughout the village.

Pomegranates, posing for their annual portrait in our garden.

Of course, these finishes aren't only restricted to buildings, 

since they also polish the leathery skin of robust berries -

  did you know that technically, pomegranates are berries?! 

Heavy ornaments, pomegranates bend branches, bringing to mind the decorated boughs of Christmas trees.

A symbol of fertility and abundance in many cultures, the sweet

 seeds of this fleshy fruit are rich in vitamin C, dietary fibers, and

 a host of other beneficial traits when consumed regularly.

Trying to stay on trend, this tropical palm shows off its fall 

foliage, in honey hued stripes, and burnt, beige-y neutrals. 

In the spotlight, maple leaves coated in copper, sparkle in a glittery glow.

Our sensitive maple, having struggled with summer heat, 

is deservedly, the star of the season. Taking centre stage,

 it steals the scene from co-stars green, be it even,

 for its fleeting, fifteen minutes of fame.

Thanks for visiting and

have a lovely weekend!

 A Happy Thanksgiving to

all my friends back home!

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