An Autumn Walk

An autumn walk: a rare occurrence given the amount of rain we've been having. So one day of sunshine and we hit the ground running. Tea, knitting, a curious disposition and a place to run and climb and search means hours of much needed outdoor time.

We can't resist just one. more. conker (I swear we took the very last one), and some pretty leaves and feathers, then our walk is complete. Happy sighs. Deep breaths. Rosy cheeks.

Bliss.

Gathering

:: Picking the last of the herbs before any frost might fall

:: Pulling apples off the tree

:: Finding hidden beans in the trees now the leaves are giving up their secrets

:: Pruning back those trees so they will be more giving next year

:: Collecting those ruby leaves and enjoying adding colour to our darkening days

:: Discovering that even dead flowers can be beautiful

Autumn has truly begun. How are you transitioning this season?

Leaves as decor

It's almost irresistible - the urge to decorate the inside with the beauty found outside. Those reds! Those amazing watercolours on leaves - if these were captured on canvas they would be declared masterpieces, yet here they are - dazzling for a few short days before crumbling to dust.

We deck the sitting room with their beauty and wait for replacements until they all have to give way to a more trying season.









Reminders of where we are on our journey round the sun.

October

There's nothing quite so honest as nature to keep you in your place. We kid ourselves we still have time, that life is long and tomorrow will do - but then, there's a red leaf or two on the horizon, a shadow that was longer than yesterday, fruit that is ripe on the branch.

Time does not play favourites. Whilst men play games and hide from truth, time makes a straight line for the horizon and no thing can delay its march.

So, here we are again. Summer is really over. Winter is really ahead of us, and this time of waiting between the two extremes we call autumn and we try to squeeze the last drop of summer from each sunbeam and celebrate the promise of spring with each bulb planted. Each day that brings a blue sky is seen as a blessing, not a right, and we delight in every leaf that is now a flower.

And as much as I dread winter, even I can't deny the beauty of this season, this month in particular.

The horizon has been touched by a torch unperceived by men and now we see every tree smoulder from inception, to full blaze, to blackened branch.

It's an amazing show.

Lest We Forget... It's Autumn

I can't fight it any longer. My denial of the inevitable has crumbled in the face of the onslaught of fact - it's autumn.

The days are noticeably shorter, and tumbling every day. The sun no longer warms the bones and yes, there is the chill back in the mornings and evenings, the weakest of us resorting to actually turning the heating on for the season.

Pah.

My enjoyment of autumn is spoiled by the spectre of winter. I dread winter. In fact, I have no idea how I'm going to make it through this year given that I'm already showing signs of depression. I am trying my best to delight in the turning of the leaves, the thought of bonfire night, the season of stew and knitting (knitting!). But alas and alack my weary spirit is instead struggling to keep up. I am bracing myself for a truly awful winter.

And not even the thought of home made apple pie with our very own harvest of apples is helping.

Signs of the Season

Little bits of nature are finding their way into every corner of our home again. As we explore the outside we seem to alter the inside to correspond - autumn books are out, replacing the summer offerings; little playscapes of autumn animals are popping up all over the house; leaf treasures and of course conkers are decorating bowls and tables here and there.

It's a tangible way to prepare for a shift in rhythm and routine. It lets us know and recognise the shift, and above all, it's just so very pretty.

How do you welcome a new season into your homes?