OCTOBER 2020

Definition of the word sanctuary:

 "a place of refuge or safety."

We all need a place of refuge and safety at this crazy time in our world, don't we? Yes, we do.  The month of October is possibly my most favorite month of the year. The weather is turning cooler after the hot summer months in the South, and you might even need a light sweater in the mornings and evenings. Sunny days lend themselves to doing outside projects because there is usually a gentle breeze. This makes the work not so much of a chore as an opportunity to enjoy the day. 

I love to go to the pumpkin patch, country farms, or roadside markets to choose the most glorious pumpkins to display on my front steps and back entrance and to have inside the house as well.

The picture at the top of this section is of a floral arrangement displayed in a pumpkin used as a vase - lovely. You may love to use bright orange pumpkins or now the white, pale oranges, and greens are popular and look absolutely beautiful. If you are like me, it's just hard to pick out a few and I always come home with more than I had planned to purchase.

Making a sanctuary of our homes is especially important at this time when there seems to be so much chaos around us. We must make  for ourselves and our loved ones an environment of peace and tranquility; a place of contentment, security, and stability.

Having our homes neat, clean, and decorated lends to these feelings. The most important ingredient is love - if we love those we love well, they will feel secure and safe at home. 

Today, think about what we can do to make our home a sanctuary for ourselves and for those we  love. Take time to spend with those you love and make time for  yourself watching the leaves change colors and softly drift down to the ground.  

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

-Elizabeth Lawrence

I have a collection of ironstone, which is a type of pottery first made in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century.  I just love the look of it, the creamy whites and simple designs.  Above the picture is shown with ironstone ware displayed with white gourds and tiny white pumpkins. This is a very easy display to  put together, doesn't cost a lot of money, and makes a nice vignette.

You might have a collection of something in your home which you could incorporate with autumn pumpkins and gourds to make a pleasing focal point in a room. Using something you have on hand in a different way lends interest to a room.  

I love to take what I have and use it creatively. You may say, "well, I don't have a creative bone in my body." Look in magazines and on the internet to see other people's ideas.  It doesn't hurt to copy someone else - imitation is a form of flattery. Right?

Use the October days and evenings wisely and enjoy them while they last. It won't be long before cold weather sets in and we have to snuggle in. Get out and enjoy the days. Shake off the worries of the world and think like you were again a child: play in the leaves, lay under a tree and just watch the leaves fall.

 "Listen to the wind go sighing. 

Listen to wind go crying.

O-o-o-h.    O-o-o-h,  

Then you know it's Halloween - Boo!" 

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!"

-Humbert Wolfe

"Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away. Lenghten night and shorten days. Every leaf speaks bliss to me fluttering from the autumn tree."

-Emily Bronte

This is just another little display I thought you might like. Using tiny white pumpkins again, and this time put together with vintage family photos and family letters. Isn't this a sweet grouping?

I love having family photos displayed around the house. It connects us to our heritage and is great to talk with our children and grandchildren about. Tell them about their ancestors; what they did, when they lived, how they lived. This takes us out of  today and connects us with another time in history. We can learn from our forefathers.

My friend and neighbor found, in her grandmother's attic, a letter written to her great-grandfather asking for her grandmother's hand in marriage and telling the father how much his daughter was  loved.  It was so sweet, and my friend had the letter  enlarged into a huge parchment and displayed on an old board from the attic where it was found.

Let us remember those who came before us and share their stories with our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, all those we love. If we don't tell them, how will they ever know?  My father often told stories of his family and his childhood, and I will always remember those stories. It helped me to understand him and who he was. If you don't have stories to tell, then start living your own story so those who follow you will know you better.  

"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Deuteronomy 11: 19 NIV

The scripture is telling us here to know the Word of God in our heart and soul, to treasure the law of God, and retain the memories and teach our children for  future generation. We must not fail to teach our children, grandchildren, and those in our life about our faith in God. This is the most important thing we can do with our life and for their life.