CFN – Don’t you just love cool fall days and nights? A time we begin once again to roast or bake a hearty meal in the oven and ready ourselves for the cold days ahead. Of course the autumn weather takes our thoughts to the various celebrations that lay ahead, such as Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas. Many of these celebrations traditionally entail decorations around the house and table. There are many earth friendly ways we can accomplish this with items that we can reuse for other purposes.
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Looking to add some colour to that dinner table or perhaps in the entrance foyer to brighten the eyes of your family and visitors? This can easily and dramatically be accomplished by filling a large glass container with colourful fruits or vegetables. Gourds, squash, apples, pears, lemons and oranges can add a beautiful touch of colour and perhaps entice your family to grab a healthful treat on the way in or out of the door. A beautiful bowl full of mixed nuts with a nut cracker close by is also worth considering for the variety of textures, rich earth tones; a visual enticement for family and friends to sit awhile, share a healthful snack, some face time and conversation.
Many of you will be trimming your trees and bushes which have managed to expand and flourish over the summer months. These cuttings can be used outdoors around doors, along railings and make wonderful arrangements in a vase which can be used in almost any room or workshop in the house. Consider putting an arrangement together to share with a neighbour, your workplace or a business that you frequent. Bringing a little of the outdoors in, can be quite refreshing and spirit lifting.
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How about collecting all those single socks, which somehow seem to lose their mate in the black hole we call the dryer, and make some decorations for the door or tree and perhaps a wonderful hand puppet which can be the catalyst to let almost anyone’s inner child out to play. You and your family may be surprised to find a new pastime which is creative and allows you the time to rest in each other’s company without distractions. An opportunity to laugh, relate and to simply bask in a shared moment together. Seems there are just not enough of those, these days.
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It is perhaps in these shared times together, preparing for times which have traditionally been to stop and rest in a brief warm moment with family and friends that we come to realize that nothing is ever more important or appreciated as time spent in the company and laughter of our loved ones. And it is conceivably in these times that we can come to know and appreciate the simple pleasures that a home, good company, nutritious food on the table and a warm bed to lay ourselves down… is all, all of us need. This is Earth Matters wish for each of you. Wishing all people and creatures everywhere the blessings of a home that meets their needs and the laughter and fellowship of good company as they walk this road we call life. Knowing our own happiness and health is ultimately tided to those around us will certainly open hearts to living and working in a fashion that allows everyone to Flourish!
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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.
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Your commentary is encouraged and always welcome below or to earthmatters@jmilner.com
