November

Cor, it really is Autumn now, isn't it? October turned out to be lovely, we had some fabulous weather up here in North Yorkshire, and now it's November already and less than eight weeks till Christmas. Can hardly believe it. We had our first frost last week and there has been such an unmistakable chill in the air, all very Autumnal indeed.

I am desperate for a new winter coat, I went out on Saturday wearing what I thought was an adequately warm fleece and was bloody freezing, you know the teeth-chattering type cold that goes right to the bones and turns extremities purple. Made me realise that yes, the season of wrapping up warm against the elements is definitely upon us. I've been wearing my flower scarf this past few weeks or so and I really fancy a nice new bright coat to replace my old faded shabby black one (maybe this? Extravagant? Yeah, 'tis rather, but oh I do love the look of it!)

New pages on my three calendars this week, I do like these November images. Yummy baking, falling leaves, frosty walks and cosy candlelight. Makes me feel all snuggly.

Incidentally, some lovely calendars coming free with magazines this month :: Ideal Home and Country Homes both generously giving us freebies. The Ideal Home one in particular has some stunning photography which really captures the changing English seasons. Looking forward to the beginning of 2009 already, I shall have at least 3 calendars ready to go!

Its been a while since I shared my Attic view :: this was taken on Saturday afternoon, the first day of November, and you can see what a glorious day we had here.

Bright and crisp and sunny and oh-so-cold.

The frost of last week has cruelly taken most of my remaining garden flowers, the majority of my nasturtiums are looking very dead indeed, the cosmos not far behind. Sweet peas are finished, a few brave geraniums hanging on in there, but really I don't think I'll get any more little bright jamjar garden posies. Boohoo! I am incredibly sad actually, I loved going out into the garden this summer to snip-snip some colourful little blooms to bring into the house.

So this weekend, for the first time in ages, I purchased some shop-bought flowers, a bunch of bright pink roses. As I had guests staying, I thought it'd be nice to put a few beside the bed in the Attic as well as having a large jug of them downstairs.

The buds were quite tight when I first brought them home, but are gradually easing their petals open and look fabulous. The colour is stunning. It almost makes up for frost-ridden dead nasturtiums (sob).

Talking of flowers, I noticed when I was at the market this morning that the flower/plant stall was selling big bunches of pussy willow and bunches of narcissi...whats going on? I wanted to shout at the man, tell him it wasn't spring yet and his display was making me feel all muddled and totally discombobulated. I had to walk on by shaking my head and muttering under my breath like some loopy mad mother. I refuse point blank to have daffodils/narcissi in the house before January, it's one of my rules. 

Ooo I got all hot and bothered just then! Do excuse me, I almost went off on a rant there.

I had the most wonderful weekend by the way. It was a great mix of partying, socialising, catching up with dear friends, and quiet, predictable weekendy me-stuff. I don't think my weekends feel quite right unless they contain tea, cake, a magazine or two and some crochet.

I made some carrot cake mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm oh it was even better than I had remembered it from last time. And I immersed myself in some pretty damn good magazines (Country Homes December issue, oH! Beautiful..more about that later in the week). And I made twenty seven hexagons, which was quite some crocheting marathon as it happens.

And just whilst I'm thinking of crochet, can I say to all of you who've been patiently awaiting patterns/info on the bag, I shall be posting that later in the week. Also I've been taking pictures of my hexagon-making in progress and will be sharing my pattern for them too. Its going to be a bit of a crochet week this one, hope you don't mind?

And just before I leave you in peace, can I tell you how much I love and adore roasted chestnuts? Aren't they just so very Novemberish?

The sight of them in a bowl by the fireside fills me with content.

We had our fire lit for much of the weekend, and I managed to do some fair toasting activities with very makeshift equipment (a flimsy shovel does not a good chestnut-toasting implement make). We managed to make a raging hot coal fire and the flimsy shovel blistered and almost melted, I kid you not. Yes, what I need is this. An essential bit of fireside kit (along with my two old toasting forks), whats the point of having a real fire if you can't play with food on it hmm? Still, despite the shovel disaster, it was a success of sorts and I did end up with the desired blackened roasted nuts and burnt fingers trying to peel them, I never ever learn on that one.

mmmmm hot roasted chestnuts and crunchy Maldon Sea salt, ooh I really know how to live life to the full, don't I just?

xx

Edited to add :: re the calendars, all three of them...

:: I only ever write on one, the others are pure seasonal eye candy, so no confusion.

:: And as a rule calendars only make one super-organised if one actually remembers to write relevant info on them and then check daily. Needless to say, it doesn't always happen in the Attic24 house.

Comments

[Ali]

I'm in lust with that Boden coat too, but am fretting that it may not be super toasty warm.

And I'm feeling poor. However, if it should hit the sales...

[Lesley]

i have those 2 calendars ready for next year (along with Charlie and Lola....) I do so like the Ideal Home pictures though! Am also with you on the flowers - i bought tulips in the *whispers* supermarket last week and then found myself v confused on the way home as its usually the time of year when I realise spring is close by and i get all excited! so tulips in oct/nov is a bad thing i have decided!
Lesley x

[simone]

I think the Boden coat would look really good on you Lucy. It matches with the green in your hexagon squares! The frost last week killed off nearly all my annuals but I scarily have strawberry plants in bloom and a bee buzzed past my ear yesterday. Whats happening!!! I too have the Country Homes calender and will probably collect a couple more calenders before the year is out!

[Fi]

HOW MANY calendars? Please don't think I'm being rude here, but with that many calendars you should be Miss Organised 2008! Not that I'm casting doubt on your organisation skills, but...
Looking forward to crochet week, I too have a bit of crochet to post about this week, and it's mostly your fault! It's been crochet weather hasn't it! Loving the hexes. Till tomorrow then, Fi x