Autumn days with midnight skies

scurrying squirrels with nuts to hide

Sun going down burns an amber glow

as bonfire embers spark in shards

chestnuts roast in fiery coals

by the furnace boasts

Fingers in woollen mittens toast

Which delights do you like most?

Bitten by the cherry faced

Pinched red cheeks and spinning tops

And splashy puddles for leaves to plop

Scarlet boats dodge drops of rain

Floating in along the drain

Still the rain splashes hard

And tumbling leaves continue to dart

Tiny boats for faery folk

And then to wrap an autumnal cloak

Down abound the leaves come down

Those that are green will hang around

But when the weather truly chills

Down together

All will spill...

        into 'souper days' piping hot or then again maybe not...

            Admittedly it was Summer, a couple of years back during a spate of warm sunny days, I made some beetroot soup (borsch) which I gave to my friend. She then placed it in her freezer then ate it chilled with ice saying it was very refreshing. Since then I have welcomed her tip, enjoying it too on hot days (heated on cold), also delish chilled homemade tomato soup with ice and lime... speaking of soup and friends...

         A wonderful afternoon was spent with this particular dear friend whom I catch up with from time to time - you know, one of those days you could almost wrap your arms around, it was just so magical. She has a massive garden with a rambling house, and is a fabulous cook. One of my passions is making huge pans of piping hot nourishing soup, in many varieties with lots of fresh veggies and herbs (much I grow myself, many in pots which are scattered about). Much of this soup is then shared between my older neighbours (which they say is much welcomed in the winter), my elderly Father, other friends and my dear friend. Often we 'swap a soup' J as whatever batch she or I have made is always in plentiful supply.

       Well, this afternoon we were treated to the most delicious pumpkin soup. I have made a lot of varieties and love trying new ones, but this I had not tried before. Perhaps it was the addition of fresh root ginger and cumin that gave it a kick, with a touch of coriander. So after chiseling out those pumpkin lanterns and wondering what to do with all of the pulp left over, give it a go, or alternatively try pumpkin pie, similar ingredients but not so much stock, scrummm...

     Witchy wreaths and garlands, luminaries to light up those Autumn nights...

         Last year we went to a lantern parade, which is an annual event and really visually stunning. Seeing so many hundreds of people carrying their homemade lanterns held high on bamboo sticks, and so very cleverly crafted, I can only imagine the work that must have gone into them. After following the long winding procession where they followed the lake, they stood around it culminating in a huge lantern puppet show. This was lit up in varied neon colors with one of the main features being an Orary (that is like a huge spinning universe with planets traversing the sky...) some wonderful sights to see that night, and also some scary ones. There are so many wonders to discover during the season of autumn; and much in the Autumn Equinox for everyone to enjoy... such as...

  Autumn Weddings ~ all weddings are beautiful but there is something about being married amongst a plethora of Autumnal colour. Stepping out from underneath an arch of evergreen ivy, after crossing a tiny weathered stone walled bridge over a shallow running stream. The Bride was sparkling and shimmering in crystals and cream, preceded by attendants in stunning claret, gracefully passing into a peaked thatched roofed summer house, to the musical strains of Mendelssohn and Eva Cassidy exuding and filling the air. In front of assembled guests vows were exchanged, as happily tossed tumbling confetti mingles with falling autumnal leaves in hushed descent 'all that beauty, all that wealth gowned and dressed in a burnished glow ever gave lead to here'

Sent in love,

By Libithina

Cosmic Thoughts

"How I live in the magic - I do believe magic is all around and exposes itself when I least expect it, knowing exactly what I need before I do  ...watching dogs jumping for snowballs thrown, catching them mid air, puzzling when they melt!"

Libby has been a member of Enchanted Folk since September 2007

members.enchantedfolk.com/libithinasfaeryworld