When I began writing Velvet and Linen a little over four years ago, I wanted to create a place where I focused on the positive and beautiful parts of my life. I wanted my blog to be a place where people could visit to get away from the more complicated aspects of every day life.
I also searched for other blogs written from a positive point of view. One of my first discoveries was From The House of Edward, written by Pamela Terry.
Pamela is a multi-talented woman (designer, writer, baker...) who lives with her song writer husband and their two dogs, Apple and Edward. Pamela's blog is filled with her essays about the wondrous lessons to be learned from the smallest and most ordinary life events. Her stories are not always happy, but Pamela's unique perspective always opens my eyes to a new way of viewing the day to day.
A couple of years ago, I met Pamela for the first time during her visit to Los Angeles. She told me that she was in the process of selecting her favorite essays to create a book. Well, I've been waiting impatiently since then. Finally a couple of weeks ago, a signed copy of the book , From the House of Edward: Essays by Pamela Terry, arrived at my door!
Pamela put thought into every inch of her book, from the soft lavender binding to the beautiful drawings of Edward and Pamela, by artist Amber Alexander. The book is divided into four sections: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. For the past couple of weeks I have been enjoying "Autumn" one essay at a time.
I know I will be sending copies of From the House of Edward to many friends and family members for the Holidays. Please visit Pamela's website to order your signed copy or to share Pamela's beautifully written book with those you love.
______________________________________________________________
I also wanted to mention that I am going to be taking a small bloggy break over the holidays. Leila had a nasty horse back riding lesson last week that involved a galloping horse, a run-in with a tree, an ambulance ride, a night in ICU and a lacerated liver. Although Leila will fully recover, her accident was a reminder to me to slow down and spend as much time as possible with my children.
Our little Leila and her friend, Justin (not the horse involved in the accident)
I believe Pamela's essay, And Now, November, describes my mood more eloquently than I ever could...
All down through literary time, poets have turned to the seasons of the years as the perfect metaphor for life.
Who could blame them? With innocent lambs frolicking in new green meadows, what could Sprintime be but crystalline illustration of youth?
The juicy ripe abundance that is Summer is such an obvious representation of mankind at the peak of his power,
It seems almost prosaic to draw the parallel.
And now, November...
When the clocks are turned back and the days become shorter.
If one follows the poet's well-trod path, this is to be a month of gathering in, of reaping what has been sown, of thoughtful contemplation of what has gone before and preparation for the colder days to come. I have always considered November the more serious of all the months; when conclusions are drawn, decisions are made and, if one is fortunate, contentment settles round the bones like down. It seems much more temperate of spirit than May or September, certainly. It is fitting, therefore, that we as a country make a most momentous choice every four years in November. Fittiing also, that at the end of this reflective month, we observe a day of Thanksgiving for the gift of the year past.
No matter what month we happen to be in as we move through our year, November is always there, on everyone's calendar, with his hands folded under his chin, patiently awaiting our arrival.
Throughout the days of every month may we endeavor to sow kindness and compassion so that we may reap contentment, thoughtfulness and tolerance so that we may reap wisdon, and love so that we amy reap more love.
And may this November be a thankful one indeed.
-Pamela Terry
From the House of Edward: Essays by Pamela Terry
This Thanksgiving I will be giving thanks for all of my blessings, including your friendship and support.
I hope you all have a beautiful Holiday Season, filled with memorable moments with those that you love.
xo
Brooke
