The Depth of Winter

Velvet pumpkins, Wood Bead Tree, Fall Wreath, Felt Acorns from Etsy.com

I never realized before just how beautiful the dogwood tree is.  Full green leaves and white blossoms in the spring, red berries in the summer, and dark red leaves each autumn, it truly has become one of my favorite sights during each of the passing seasons.

My hilltop farm is more than just dotted with dogwoods, it's positively loaded with them, and they add so much spirit to the scenery.  I was reminded of their color for my latest velvet crush post.  This wine color reminds of that feeling in the air as November gives way to December as though the world is drinking deeply of this last taste of color.  It's difficult to put into words, but the deepening of the evenings, lengthening of the nights, and the stillness of the world and the intensity of its beauty as autumn becomes gray winter, just brought me here.

And then of course I am surrounded by the wine red dogwood leaves, never so lovely as just before December arrives and the leaves teach us the beauty of letting go.  I'm going to make that my goal, my resolution if you will, not for next year although it's not to far away, but for right now and whatever is left of the year to find the beauty in letting go of past hurts, lost loves, faded dreams, what might have been and what will never be.

Instead, I'd like to enjoy the intense beauty of this season in my life as my children grow and find the wind that fills their sails and takes them out into the world and their destiny, as I find the freedom to say what I mean and be who I am, and to give love freely, expecting nothing in return.

Outfit Info: Velvet Puff Sleeve Top-$12.99 from Forever21, Plaid skirt is old from RoseGal, The Zest Is History Heel  from ModCloth