Fees van herfs kleur verlede maand se verdwyn in die mis en mis as November drapeer die wêreld in grys. Die oes is verby vir die grootste deel, maar daar is nog baie om te doen, As ons bereid is om. The greenhouse and shed as well as pots and containers could do with a spruce up and the smoky shades of November might just inspire us to dip our brushes into a bolder paint for contrast. The painters El Greco and Rembrandt favoured grey as a backdrop for more colourful subjects and it is in this month that we may take a leaf from their books. Red or gilded pots are the natural accompaniment to Poinsettias and Holly but lend an air of festivity to any plant. A touch rooi trim om die nuut opgeruim skuur kan opvrolijken die hele toekenning. And if painting doesn’t appeal, daar is nog blare te hark, saad katalogusse te kyk en peperkoek mans te bak.
Gingerbread ou vrou se
2 koppies stroop
1 beker gelyke dele botter en varkvet, gemengde
1 vlak eetlepel gemmer
1 teelepel koeksoda
Meel om te meng (baie styf)
Smelt die botter; dissolve the soda in a teaspoonful of boiling water, mix in the treacle; add mixture to the melted butter and ginger; roer meel totdat die deeg so styf dat jy nie kan roer dit met 'n lepel; draai op 'n meelbestrooide bord, en rol 'n bietjie op 'n tyd. Met 'n mes of biscuit cutter gesny jou mans en vroue; pers krenten in vir die oë en knoppies. Bak in 'n meelbestrooide pan til goue.
The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of. The mite which November contributes becomes equal in value to the bounty of July.
Henry David Thoreau
Wat die eerste keer kom by hierdie hieronder wêreld
In somber mis en sneeu se November,
Indien prys topaas amber kleur,
Embleem van vriende en geliefdes ware.
Vanuit die oogpunt van die tuinier se, November kan die ergste maand gekonfronteer word: Natuur likwidasie dinge af, die lug is koud, skies is grys, maar gewoonlik die finale punt van leestekens om die jaar is nog om te kom – die sneeu; snow that covers all in the garden and marks a mind-set for the end of a year’s activity. There is little to do outside except to wait for longer days in the new year and the joys of coming holidays.
Peter Loewer
A September to remember. An October full of splendour.
A November skat.
La Prevenchere