Changes

Autumn

by T.E. Hulme

 

A touch of cold in the Autumn night

I walked abroad,

And saw the ruddy moon lean over a hedge

Like a red-faced farmer.

I did not stop to speak, but nodded,

And round about were the wistful stars

With white faces like town children.

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn time is my favorite time of year. The air is more crisp, there is a silence that is unlike any other time of year. The early birds have quieted and are now sleeping later and the sun stays in bed a bit longer, too. It's the beginning of the breathing in, the coming back from the hot summer and the return to the hearth. The inner reflection that begins at this time of year, for me in particular, is so profound. I look forward to it every year because it feels a bit like New Years. I, for whatever reason, wipe the slate clean and make adjustments to my livelihood and get a clearer picture of where I am, where I'm headed and if I'm in line with where I'd hoped to be.

 

I may be jumping the gun a bit early on our recent Seasonal Table addition as our leaves haven't even begun to change just yet, they are falling however. Our mornings are quite chilly, we wear slippers and warm covers over our pajamas. Breakfast has become heavier and the morning light has shifted. All of these changes put me in the mood to add something autumnal to our table. Since the leaves aren't in their peak of autumn color we decided to make our own and suspend them over our seasonal table.

 

  

 

We used watercolored paper, some random bits of string, scissors, a grapevine wreath, and a hole punch.

 

 

Charlotte watercolored, wet on wet, two pieces of paper.

 

 

Oncw they dried we cut out many different style leaves; Aspen, Maple, Ash, Oak. I was planning on oiling the paper as well but I didn't have enough oil on hand. Feel free to, though, as it will give your leaves a transparency that allows light to flow through and will brighten your colors a bit.

 

 

Then, we simple punched a hole in the leaf and tied a string through the hole.

 

 

Lastly, we tied our leaves onto our wreath and suspended the wreath over our seasonal table just as if they were falling and making their way to the ground.

 

Here's a fun little poem with movements to get you and your littles in the mood!!!

Little leaves fall gently down

(Raise arms over head and twinkle your fingers like leaves dancing in a breeze)

Red and yellow, orange and brown.

(Flutter fingers and bring arms down in a swaying motion like leaves falling to the ground) 

Whirling, whirling round and round

(Whirl arms and hands around as if leaves are being blown around by wind)

Quietly, quietly without a sound;
Falling softly to the ground,

(Sway arms and rest of body, like dancing, and lower entire self to the ground)

Down and down and down and down!

Even though it's not technically Autumn yet.......I'm wishing you a lovely season of changes xoxo