Wednesday, October 31, 2018

I love this time of year....

....with the great fall colours, the wind blowing them around, the nip in the air, and the contrast of the thunderous grey fall skies with the remaining golden tamaracks!

And then there's that first snow. It doesn't stay, but it's a reminder of what's to come. It gently dusts the branches, adding even more contrast to the fall colours....

I have the pleasure of being able to enjoy two areas of this beautiful province -- central Ontario where fall has come and gone, and southern Ontario where the vibrant reds and oranges are still adorning the maple trees.

Maybe extending the season makes it more enjoyable. Maybe it's just the colours, the temperature and the changes in seasons. My husband used to say spring was his favourite season -- the renewal of life, the bright, hopeful greens in their newness -- but that's not to say he didn't enjoy the fall as well..... hunting, the crunch of leaves underfoot... and the memories of appreciating both seasons lives on!

I've said it before, one of the benefits of this season is the opportunity to bring out the woolies again -- all the scarves, sweaters, mitts and other yarnie goodness.

For those who know me, it's no surprise to know I have a lot of these wonderful handknits, and so since October 1, my goal is to "wear a woolie every day"..... Success so far!! And it's a great opportunity to sort through those "I'll save it for _____" projects and wear it now. It a wonderful way to appreciate the time, effort, fibre, design, and the benefits of the warmth and comfort of each of these pieces of art!

One more surprise benefit is the memories each piece stirs up -- the yarn I bought in Kensington Market when I was touring with my friend (originally from Toronto, but now in Krakow, Poland) and her group of students, is now an airy scarf. It's the perfect colour for Halloween (I tend to like orange!), but the added benefit is it makes me think of her and the fun we had that day. The wonderfully soft and warm alpaca sweater which led me to meet a new knitter in Nova Scotia. And there are other pieces that tie me to a dear friend in Fredericton, NB, or one in Calgary, AB, or another in Lithuania, and yet another in Bulgaria.

While the fall leaves may be changing here in Ontario, the appreciation of the season (at least for me) extends world wide!!