“The cup of tea on arrival at a country house is a thing which, as a rule, I particularly enjoy. I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured coziness.” ~ P.G. Wodehouse
Good morning, my friends. I am so happy to see you. Pull a chair to the fire, make yourself comfy, while I clear the table and make us some toast and tea.
“Come along inside… We’ll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.” ~ Kenneth Grahame
Is there anything better than the feeling of comfort and warmth? I think not. It is such a safe feeling and is only better when shared with loved ones and friends.
Years ago, while living in Virginia, a dear friend stopped by for a visit. She is the type of friend one is blessed to have, never caring what you or your house looks like and if you are involved in some task, she will jump in and help. Anyway, on this particular day, I didn’t have a treat to offer her with her tea (unusual), so I made cinnamon toast. The way my mom did, in the oven. As I placed the toast on the table, she began to cry, and then jumped up and gave me the biggest hug. She explained she hadn’t had cinnamon toast since her mom made it for her, too many years ago. I have never forgotten this time with my friend and neither has she.
“In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blankets.” ~
These early days of November are marvelous days. With the garden tucked in for her winter sleep, I can enjoy the quiet and peaceful days.
From inside my warm and cozy home, I enjoy watching the last of the beautiful leaves fall, mornings with the frost so heavy it looks like snow, and yes, the first snowfall too. Which, by the way, is to come our way next Monday. It seldom is a heavy snow, just enough to let you know autumn is slowing giving way to winter.
“In November, the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell. A squash and pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning, can pull everyone from bed in a fog. Food is better in November than any other time of the year.” ~ Cynthia Rylant
Cinnamon and raisin scones will certainly ‘pull everyone from bed.’ But, they are grand at any time of day ~ in my opinion.
And, there is nothing which speaks warm and cozy louder than a wonderful pot of soup. Especially if it is roasted butternut squash soup. Visit here for the recipe.
So, dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit and are now warm and cozy, ready to face the elements. As November is a month which calls our attention to our blessings and being grateful. Know I am grateful for your friendship, even though it may be virtual.
Wishing you quiet and peaceful early November days. Enjoy the beauty of the earth as she begins her sleep.
And…
Stay warm and cozy!
Au Revoir,
Sandra
Images: Victoria and tumblr
Beautiful post. I love that first picture! Comfort in on the agenda here.
Many thanks, Penny. I know you are enjoying the “comfort” of your lovely home. Happy day to you!
Good morning my sweet virtual friend. Your post stirred sweet memories for me, my beloved mother use to make me cinnamon toast when I was little. It still is a treat I make myself on a cool autumn morning. Your post evokes warm and cozy thoughts this morning. The quotes and images are perfectly paired with your lovely commentary. Thank you for inspiring beauty dear friend! It would a pleasure to stop by your kitchen for tea and cinnamon toast.
Thanks so much, dear Pam. What a treat it would be to have you in my kitchen for tea and cinnamon toast. We all need tea and toast now and again. Enjoy these early November days, my friend.
Beautiful post, dear friend! My children love cinnamon toast, and so do I. I think that is what I will have this morning with my tea. Oh, how I would love to stop by your lovely kitchen and enjoy some tea and toast and wonderful conversation. As I have said before, your writing is such a gift. You always bring me peace when I stop by for a visit. Enjoy this glorious month of November, sweet friend!!!
Good morning, dear Shannon. It would be wonderful for you to be in my kitchen, enjoying tea and toast. I do believe we would have many things in common and much to talk about. Thank you so much for your kind words, you have become a treasured friend. Blessings, dear one.
Cinnamon toast! It’s one of the things I love most! (And make often, too!) As always, every word, every photo, fills me with warmth and love and joy.
Many thanks, Jeanie. Enjoy your toast, it is the time of year for it. Happy cozy days to you!
I love the Cynthia Rylant quote of how food is better in November, and I think it’s true! I don’t know if we’ll get snow as you might on Monday, but our real autumn seemed so short-lived if so. Lovely post today, Sandra!
Many thanks, Rita. I believe food is better in November, too. From when I wrote this post on Monday to today, the weather has changed and it doesn’t look like snow for us. You are right, fall was short-lived. Happy November to you, Rita.
It was so delightful to be here today. Loved everything about your post. Top favourites might include the tea and buns quotation of Kenneth Grahame’s. Did I ever mention that Rick and I got to visit his gravestone whilst in Oxford. It’s in the Holywell Cemetery, just a short walk from where we stayed at Carrie’s BnB. Her dog, Jack, loved snuffling around it checking out for the scent of little creatures hobnobbing amongst the stones, shrubbery, and tall grasses. It was such a special spot.
What else of a favourite? Oh, the cinnamon toast. Now that’s something special. I don’t know why I haven’t made it in years. But I’m definitely putting it on my list of things to enjoy this winter. Your cinnamon and raisin scones, never mind that pot of soup, makes me want to rattle about in the kitchen on these cooler days.
Thank you, Sandra. I have truly felt the warmth, coziness, and inspiration of your gift of a post to us this day.
Hugs,
Brenda xox
Dear Brenda, thank you so much for your visit and lovely words. I know your trip to Oxford is forever planted in your heart and memory, it must have been magical.
It must be getting quite cold in your corner of Canada. Stay warm and cozy, enjoy toast and tea, and do try the soup recipe. Enjoy “rattling about your kitchen.”
Thanks again for your visit.
Hi,dear Sandra! I also love this cozy and darling post,almost a hug!Thank you for your virtual friendship. I love cinnamon but I have never eaten cinnamon toast and I am a bit curious about it…I am far from you and yesterday we had 105.8°F…Toooo hot!Here is Spring,imagine in Summer…I need lots of iced tea! Blessings!
Dear Maristella, I forget about your part of the world going into summer. That temperature is too hot for spring. Cinnamon toast is a marvelous treat. You simply mix a little cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle on hot buttered toast. A touch of heaven. Thanks, my friend for your visit. Enjoy your spring days.
November is my favorite month. Your pictures and quotes are so inspiring.
I love the idea of serving cinnamon toast with tea!
Hello, Mrs. White. I am happy to meet you and so glad you came for a visit. Thank you for your kind comments. I am a fan of November, too. And, cinnamon toast is marvelous with tea, especially on a chilly day. Do visit me soon, and I will visit you as well. I very much enjoyed your blog.
Our minds are in the same place this month! Warm and cozy it is!
Oh, my goodness, Nancy. It is so good to see you. Warm and cozy is a wonderful place for our minds to be. Come again, soon, won’t you?