Snowy Sunday

View from the bathroom window.  I am glad I have no reason to leave the house today.  I had planned to go to a festive wreath making workshop and Christmas event.  Unfortunately it was cancelled at the last minute due to the snow and hazardous road conditions.  I bet by Tuesday it will be like the snow never even came at all!
 

November Mist

This morning just after 7.00am taken on my phone.  The mist rising up from the ground at the local park.  I was compelled to capture the moment lest the scene faded from my memory.

Autumn Berries

The pyracantha berries are looking so vivid right now with their orange glow.  They look like baby tomatoes in the photo above!  I love the change to autumn from summer. 

The mornings are misty and the evenings are cooler now but it has still remained warm in the day here in the South East of England.  I was on a food safety course yesterday and we had to have fans on in the building as we were almost melting with the extreme heat!  I had to throw away my packed lunch as there wasn't a fridge to store it in and I wasn't going to risk eating it after the talk about how food poisoning is contracted!  Luckily my colleague gave me her banana to sustain me until home time.

For the past 6 weeks I have drastically changed my eating habits and incidentally lost quite a lot of weight.  I am eating good, nutritious food and eating 3 times a day with no snacking.  As part of my on-going healthier me journey, I am going to attend a fitness class next week for the first time in years!  I will let you know how I progress!

Thank you for the well wishes about my son going to University.  He seems to have settled in well and met lots of people.  As long as he is happy then I am content too! 

Well, October is almost peeking over my shoulder now.  There is much to be done in the garden before the onset on winter - planting bulbs, tidying up, mowing the lawn........then I should be able to settle down to some hobbies inside and experimenting with new recipes, hand sewing, painting, drawing and plenty of reading too!

Rotten Fruit

Rotten fruit has been the metaphor for this summer.

Back in the spring the fruit trees in my garden were smothered in blossom.  I was excited at the prospect of all the potential fruit to be gained from those tiny flowers.

In July the trees were heaving in fruit.  I allowed the plums and apples to swell and as they fought for dominance on the branches many fell to the ground elbowed out of position.

Wet days kept me inside and when the sun came out the fruits ripened.  The fruits ripened whilst my eyes were closed.

In hindsight I should have sacrificed a few fruits off the tree when they were small so that the rest of the fruits didn't have to compete for space.  The rot spread quickly through the branches infecting all it touched.  I think I was glutinous in wanting a huge harvest rather than having one that was more manageable.

Today, few fruits remain on the trees.  Windfalls are not usable as they have mildewed.  I have learnt lessons from this experience:

• Be vigilant
• Do not be greedy
• Do not turn your back to what is going on around you
• Be grateful for small mercies
• Situations can change in the blink of an eye 

Today there is going to be a total eclipse of the sun.  This potent energy is a chance for us to get back on track and live our lives with true authenticity.  I hope this eclipse is a turning point for us to respect the World we inhabit and start to treat the planet, all that is within it and the Universe with the utmost respect.  This is not the time for inflated egos or pettiness or being vengeful but a time to re-adjust, reset and reclaim our humanitarian selves.

How Did I Celebrate My Birthday?

Today is my Birthday.  After a dull start the sun began to shine through the clouds.  I didn't feel like going anywhere so I got out the lawn mower and gave the grass the first cut of the year.  It felt good to be in the garden again.  Blackbirds are nesting in an old laurel tree, buds are breaking on the apple and plum trees and the air was sweet and new.  Outside in the peace and tranquility of my garden was the best way to spend a birthday afternoon.

When the Wait is Over

I have been waiting for a few things.  Some things for years, some for months, some for weeks.  In September 2016 I planted some snakes head fritillary bulbs or chequered daffodils as they are also known.  You can read about them on the RHS website here. I have been patiently waiting for months for the bulbs to break the surface of the Earth's crust and have eventually been rewarded for my efforts.

 

I was thrilled to see them in flower today as I was unsure if they would even thrive.  I shall now be eagerly waiting spring each year to watch them come into flower and hopefully spread.

In my year of 'consolidation' (which I blogged about as my word for 2017) many loose ends are being tied up.   'Seeds' planted over the past 18 years have begun to come to fruition and after 18 years as a stay at home Mum, I finally have paid employment again.  The good news is as it is part-time I will still have time to blog and pursue my other interests too.

Sunday Walk

 This morning I went with the walking group to Trent Country Park for a change of scenery.

 The weather was perfect with a slight autumnal chill in the air.

 The sky was so blue we could have been fooled into thinking it was summer.

 Golden fields

Golden trees.

A perfect Sunday morning walk

Country Living Magazine Spring Fair 2016

I thought I would pop by in case any of you thought I had gone for good!  I've been busy focusing on getting fit and healthy and spending more time out in the fresh air, so not made too much time for blogging.
 
Recently I was lucky enough to be given a couple of tickets for the Country Living Magazine Spring fair and as it is just one hour away from where I live I had no excuse not to go.  It seemed bigger than I remember (last went in 2009) and there was much to see and do.  What was new to me was the Newcomers Market - cash only stalls that are just starting out on their journey's in business.  It was a shame but by the time I had reached them I had already blown my budget on another stall!

Also new to me were the workshops where you could could take a class in needle felting, stamp making and printing or make a Chocolate Easter Bunny among other things.  I decided to do the needle felting workshop but a 40 minute lesson under pressure to produce a needle felted bird that also resembled a needle felted bird would take me a whole afternoon at least!

Although I liked many of the stalls I didn't really see anything that was original to me.  The jewellery was predominately silver or gemstones, the clothing - high end linen or folksy- natural- fibre - earth -mother (I like that look!)  Other stalls included pretty liberty print type fabrics, vintage wares, natural and organic cosmetics, pottery, artisan food and chocolates and beautiful handbags and footwear.  Unfortunately a lot of the goods were way above my budget but there were more affordable offerings too.

One thing struck me as I walked around the floors and that was how many women fair goers were dressed the same.  All smartly dressed - Boden, Saltwater, Joules etc. and carrying Cath Kidston or Orly Kiely bags and virtually everyone had a fine scarf knotted at the neck.  I so wanted to fit this template but with my stretchy trousers and padded purple jacket I was far off the mark.  I did however, have the ubiquitous fine scarf strategically knotted at the decollete which does much to mask my half a century old neck!

I have another day left to spend at the fair and will probably spend some time exploring the streets around the borough of Islington too.  

A Sign

I had a walk out today.  I walked quickly and purposefully to Bury Lodge Gardens to look for signs of spring.  A small cluster of crocus flowers glistened in the late afternoon sun.  A sign.

Happy Halloween

I am not really into the commercial aspect of Halloween.  Tonight I will be closing the curtains and hiding from the children!  The problem is we are more likely to encounter  teenage troublemakers with threatening behaviour rather than sweet little souls in fancy dress knocking for trick or treat.  I am a little sorry though that I haven't managed to make a pumpkin pie this year as I traditionally do every October 31st.  Never mind.  I will make one in the week.

Out for a walk to clear my head and throw off some of the cobwebs (pun intended)  I couldn't fail to be impressed with the amount of effort a neighbour had put into decorating their front garden for Halloween.  They had put so much detail into making their garden into a graveyard.  I have shared a little of the garden above.  A lot of it was too scary to show on here but they really went to town with pumpkins and candles and monsters and skeletons sticking out of coffins and bins!!!  It did raise my spirits (pun intended again!)  and made me happy that on this occasion I had taken my camera with me.

Happy Halloween!

Windfalls

Autumn arrived overnight.  The grass was dewy in the garden this morning and there was a distinct chill in the air.  I am glad for the changing season and all the possibilities it brings with it.

The big old apple tree in the garden may have seen its final year but has greeted me with a glut of apples this morning.  They are falling off the tree in quick succession so it seems as each day the carpet of apples gets thicker and thicker.  I can see lots of apple baking and cooking coming up with pies, crumbles, cakes and sauces.

Thank you to those of you who have visited my new jewellery making blog called Linden Grove Treasure Trove.  You can find it by clicking on the name in the side bar or click on the link below.

Linden Grove Treasure Trove

A Blue Sky Day

Many chores to be fulfilled today when all I really wanted to do was something arty and creative.  Never mind.  The cornflower blue sky made all those mundane tasks infinitely enjoyable and as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Hard Frost

We have not had any snow where I am in the South East but at midday we still have a hard frost.  It is still, bitterly cold and sunny.  I am glad to have a cold spell in the winter months - my reasoning is that it gives the earth a chance to sleep and reawaken in the spring.  I also believe that it kills off any germs or bacteria that may be lurking!

I am trying to stay a step ahead this year and preparing for events before they arise as much as I can.  I am much too last minute about many things.  I am getting my health sorted out  this month and also feel the urge to put an emergency box together with groceries and 'essentials' such as candles, matches, soap.  I don't know why I feel the need to do this but I don't think it would do harm to have something like this in place.  If there were to be a catastrophic event where I was unable to leave the house at least I would have some supplies to tide me over.

I am thinking of logging my achievements each month at the end of the month here on the blog.  That way I can look back and see what I have done over the past year.  It may be something as small as the completion of reading a book, learning a new skill or as big as decluttering a room.  I think that doing this may spur me on to get things accomplished so I can say 'I did that'!

Seasonal Sadness

As the sun goes down on the first day of September I am in a reflective mood.  I am not alone, but I guess I am in the minority of people who dislike summer time.  For me the summer is full of promise but fails to deliver.  There is always a big build up to summer; hopes of holiday's, Barbeque's, days at the beach, picnics etc.  For me none of this materialises and it is just like any other time of year apart from being hot and sticky with sleepless nights and an ongoing lethargy. 

Thank goodness for the onset of autumn.  Autumn doesn't show off.  Autumn is mellow and beautiful.  The sun is soft and not glaringly obtuse bleaching everything in sight like the summer sun does.  So, farewell to the summer season and hello to my familiar friend the autumn.  You are most welcome.

The Lighter Side of Life

Some characterful salt and pepper pots sit on my kitchen shelf. They really do help to lighten my mood.  I know some people would think they are tat but they are jolly tat and they make me smile!  There is a Mimi Kirchner fabric postcard in the background that I bought quite a few years ago. It is still in its cellophane wrap!

Edited 16/4/2014 To remove my negative ponderings!

Now from kitchen paraphernalia to food. As an alternative to chocolate rice krispy cakes I have been making these very tasty peanut butter chewy squares.  They would be great to make with children over the Easter holidays or just make them for yourself as I have!  All you need is 3 or four ingredients:

Peanut butter
Nutella (not essential)
Marshmallows
Rice Krispies

Melt half a jar of peanut butter in a pan with a a couple of tablespoons of Nutella.  Add a bag of marshmallows and keep stirring.  The mixture will get very sticky.  When the marshmallows have melted, remove pan from heat and add enough rice krispies so that the mixture binds together.  It starts to set fairly quickly so pour the mixture into a rectangular dish (pyrex is good) and press down with the back of a wet spoon.  Mark into squares, decorate as you wish and leave to set for about half an hour.

Groundhog Day

I awoke to a surprisingly bright day with a blue sky and a brisk wind.  Later the sky turned grey and overcast as it has been for weeks on end.  I thought to myself, groundhog day and when I looked it up on Wikipedia found that groundhog day is actually tomorrow, 2nd February!  Read about it here 

Since Tuesday afternoon I had a migraine that went on until Friday evening.  A pounding in the right side of my head, an earache and painful tension in neck and shoulder.  I took pain killers but they had little effect.  The main headache has now ceased but I feel dull and as though I have a hangover.  Any tips on how to manage a migraine will be greatly received!

As I have been mostly confined to house for the last few days, I thought I would take a walk to a small local park and visit the library.  There was very little of interest in the park and the only colour I could find was in the plants shown in the photograph above.  Uninspired I went to the library and could not find anything to interest me.  Do you ever get to the point when you feel as though nothing is new and you've seen it all before?  That is just how I feel but in my heart I know that it is not true.  I just need something to get excited about again.

There is something that sparked my interest this week though, which is mainly down to my historical discovery of 17th Century London from reading novels by Charlotte Betts - and that is an exhibition at the Museum of London about the Cheapside Hoard.  The Cheapside Hoard is the treasures, gemstones and jewels from the late16th and early 17th Centuries, discovered in 1912 and buried in a cellar on Cheapside in the City of London.  You can read about it here  I really would like to visit the exhibition and maybe get inspired for some new jewellery designs?

Country Wisdom

It seems that wherever we are in the World we share weather related problems: drought, snow, freezing temperatures, hurricanes and rain and rain and rain.......................especially rain if you are in the UK right now.

Many people find January a difficult month and I think it is more so when the weather outside is frightful as in the words of a famous song.  Anyway, looking through my diary of county wisdom and folklore is a Welsh saying that sums up how I feel about the month so far:

'The month of January, the valley is smokey, the cup-bearer weary, the wandering bard distressed, the raven thin, the hum of bees rare, the byre is empty and the kiln is cold'

It is only hope for better things to come that keep me moving forward.  How do you cope with the January blues?

Pig Watch

On route to the vineyard I stopped to observe the resident pigs for a short while.  Blissfully unaware of what fate has in store for them, they make the most of their days the best they know how.  I could have watched them for ages but had to get on with the work I had set out to do.

I trudged along the rows between the vines turning over clumps of grass and weeding around the vine itself.  It was an arduous task as the clods of earth were heavy but there were a lot of volunteers so the job moved along quickly.  My feet were sinking in the mud and bothersome midges kept flying up towards my face.  My wellington boots were heavily laden with mud and I felt like a spaceman walking in slow motion.

Alongside the hedgerows there were some huge parasol mushrooms.  One volunteer took them home to cook and to try to grow some more by planting in his garden.  Sloe berries peppered the foliage with their deep jewel like colour - I must remember to collect some one day and turn into the sloe gin that I have acquired a taste for.

The next day I awoke to find a huge dome shaped lump on my leg with a bright red patch in the middle.  I think a gnat was the culprit but have no idea how it penetrated a thick pair of jeans worn under a dress!  A few people had mentioned that they were getting bitten at the vineyard and I guess that gnats were drawn to the bog like conditions.  Hazard's like this are all part of working in the great outdoors!  A small price to pay when there are so many riches to be gained from doing so.

Mood Lifters

When the sky is grey and the clouds descend, the pyracantha berries give a welcome burst of colour.  The more I focus on the vibrant orange I almost feel as though I am soaking up its colour and vitality.  The colour really lifted my mood and helped me feel energised once again.

This has made me focus on what other things lift my mood as the nights are ready to draw in...

• Scented candles and tart burners with fresh uplifting or spicy scents (only good quality ones with true to life fragrance though!).

• The softest of blankets (need to buy one).

• Plenty of crafting projects awaiting.

• A full fridge and snack drawer (need to add to this).

• Listening to the rain lash down on the window panes as we are all safe indoors.

• Walking in the wind, letting my hair flow in the breeze and watching the leaves chase each other in circles.

• I would also like to share a coffee and cake with a friend but there is no-one so I will have to imagine that.

I would be interested to know what things lift your mood at this time of year.

Fading

..........and just like that summer began to fade.  The elderflowers had turned to elderberries and the collared doves pecked at them freely.  Goodbye summer of 2013.  You have been most welcome.

~ For those of you that wish to hold on to summer just that little bit longer ~ autumn does not officially start until 22 September, according to my diary.  You still have a few weeks left to savour the season.