First day of October today?????? Is it really?????? Crumbs. Who'd have thought it?!
We are experiencing an extraordinary late summer heat wave here in the UK this week. The skies've been summer-blue and there's been real heat in the sun these past few days, very unusual for this time of year. It's felt absolutely wonderful actually, like a precious and unexpected gift. It was my heart felt wish for summer to linger just a little longer, and it feels like my wish came true, I'm sending up my thanks to the Cosmos!
September in general has felt decidedly Autumnal though, and I've noticed some beautiful seasonal colours around and about.
The trees are very slowly losing their fresh summer greens, and there has been the crisp scent of Autumn in the air.
The light has been incredible too, very mellow and golden.
As ever I continue to enjoy my calendar pictures, they deliver a very sweet and seasonal message.
They say :: Harvest and Make things! Gather and preserve!
I love the idea of making preserves, of gathering produce and brewing up jars of tasty condiments. But truthfully I am not one of those people who does kitchen stuff involving dough or thermometers. I avoid things that have potential to Fail Miserably. Failing to rise, or failing to set, nope, better not to go there in the first place.
However, when one is presented with Natures Harvest one is morally obliged to do something with it don't you think? It would be so rude and wasteful not to. So when blackberries and windfall apples were given to us I bravely swallowed my fear of jam making and got stuck in. And, dear readers, it was a resounding success and I magically produced two jars of bramble and apple jam.
These weeny crab apples were given to us when we were down in Dorset and for a week or two after our return they sat in the kitchen making me feel burdened. But after the jam-making success, I decided to have a go at making some crab apple jelly from a recipe I found on the internet (and I am very sorry I've just tried to search for it but cannot for the life of me find it). The recipe seemed easy enough and basically involved apples, lemon juice and sugar. Oh, and a muslin bag thingy for straining the juice from the apples.
It worked out just fine, and lo and behold I produced a jar of beautiful golden jelly. I felt ridiculously proud of myself I can tell you, and even had some stirring thoughts about aiming to conquer my fear of yeast products in the near future. Maybe that'll be Octobers challenge.
September has seen me very busy within my four walls as I continue to work on my newly established Home-loving routines. This past week I've been concentrating on the living room, just one hour a day and no more. I've been pulling out all the furniture, re-arranging shelves, cleaning windows, de-cobwebbing the coving, showering my houseplants (!) and generally giving this much-used living space a good dose of love. I am really enjoying this new approach to keeping house and I'm finding the one-hour-a-day thing suits me very well. It's just enough time to achieve results without it taking over or becoming a chore. I can highly recommend it.
But with the sky being soooooo blue this week and the sun feeling sooooo warm, I've been relishing my outdoor Morning time too.
I've enjoyed not one but two trips out to Bolton Abbey with various friends this week. Taking Little B to explore the dappled sunlit woodlands has been sooo enjoyable, he loves to walk and explore and you can fair see the happiness radiating out of his little body as he potters about making discoveries. He learnt about the sneaky tripping-up nature of tree roots the hard way. He also learnt that Bolton Abbey Ducks are not afraid of little children and will come and steal food from their hands if they don't pay attention. He also learnt that splashing in cold river water can be lots of fun once one acclimatises one's little feet to the temperature. Thank goodness for baby crocs.
We went to visit the Money Trees, and made our secret little wishes on the ancient coins. Well that's to say that I did, I'm not sure a one year old is capable of making financial wishes.
The trees at Bolton Abbey were still looking remarkably green and lush for September actually, still very much more Summer than Autumn up in the canopy.
The view from the Attic Window throughout September has really looked very Autumnal though. There's been that subtle change in the light and colours that defines the Autumn lanscape.
Take a look......................................
The second picture from the end was taken one afternoon following a very heavy rain storm, I remember how incredible the light was that day. September did see a lot of rain mid month, and I was even forced to dig out my wellies at one point. But overall, it's been a wonderful transition month, a kind of Summer-Autumn-backtoSummer hybrid. It's allowed me to ease gently out of Summer mode and step gently into Autumn mode. In fact I feel rather excited by Autumn this year which is very unusual, me being a Summer Girl through and through.
Yes, I think October's going to be a terrific month. Bring it on. I'm ready.
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THE easiest yeast bread in the world, IMO, in the No Knead Bread! Truly amazing. Please, please considering going here:
http://www.breadtopia.com/
and check out their No Knead Bread videos. If you want to jump in with the bread kneading, there are videos there too. No Knead bread is incredibly simple and tasty.
Jillian in North Dakota, USA
Posted by: Jillian | October 07, 2011 at 06:57 AM
King Arthur flour has an amazing cookbook. Cannot fail with it. I am sure you can find it on Amazon. We are bread makers and we don't use a bread machine. Kneeding the dough can be very therapeutic as is "punching" the dough down!
Posted by: Eileen (USA) | October 06, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Hi Lucy! I came across this website and thought I'd pass it onto you. Love the colors and style.
http://petitefee-kinderaccessoires.blogspot.com/p/patronen.html
Posted by: Eileen (USA) | October 05, 2011 at 04:19 PM
If you want to bake bread try looking for Dan Lepard or Richard Bertinet. Some of their recipes are basic and very well explained. Hope it helps.
Posted by: Ana | October 05, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Be aware, that once you and your family taste your own jam, there's going no going back to buying the one in the super. Both jam and jelly looks delicious. Beautiful pictures too.
Posted by: Ana | October 05, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Well done Lucy, you've inspired me to tackle small areas of my house to 'autumn clean' each day. Today was 'just' the kitchen window sill - 6 bottles of bubbles of varying sizes, 3 pots/tubes of hand creams, 2 bottles of burning oils, 2 boxes of matches, a milk bottle with some faded dry roses (why?) to name but a few surpluses that were removed ... as for the grime! I'm not disciplined enough to list which area gets hit next, just as it takes me to declutter, but am at least seeing a difference. Thankyou x
Posted by: Emma | October 04, 2011 at 01:56 PM
I love the hour a day in a room tidyung a good idea. i coud actually manage that. I love the new book that you have featured. I wish I could just pick up a crochet book and go for it. The Russian dolls are great!
x
Posted by: Andrea | October 04, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Greetings from the States!
I love your wonderful blog, beautiful photos, stunning crochet and lovely, lovely "corner of the world."
Best regards!
And thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Margy | October 04, 2011 at 01:00 AM
Lovely post, Lucy!
I think I need to try the one-hour cleaning a day routine. I have the opposite problem and could easily spend all day cleaning here and there.
We've been easing into fall ourselves, but now that it is October I'm feeling ready for full blown Autumn.
Posted by: Jennie | October 04, 2011 at 12:36 AM
If you are interested in trying the dough project, check out artisan bread in five minutes a day from the library or amazon. It makes the best bread and is so incredibly easy you kick yourself for not trying sooner! Also if you have an iPad the zinio app for magazines is fabulous and you don't have the stack to taunt you.
Posted by: Kelli | October 03, 2011 at 11:10 PM
I love the pictures of where you live, including your home, but I feel compelled to encourage you to rehang that wonderful painting behind your couch. Eye-level, Lucy! It's pet peeve of mine (I'm so sorry to direct it at you!) but I want you and yours to enjoy your painting even more!
Posted by: Jen | October 03, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Congratulations on the jam!! My husband made crabapple jelly for the first time last week as well (I'm usually the jam maker). He mixed it up with some jalapenos for pepper jelly and it's so tasty. If you want to tackle yeast this month, then consider a no-knead bread dough recipe. Do you have a dutch oven? It's so easy to make! I will try to post my recipe on my blog and let you know if you are interested in trying it out. Your little ones will love coming home to the smell and taste of fresh baked bread!
Posted by: Tina @ Squirrel Acorns | October 03, 2011 at 02:10 PM
What gorgeous pictures as always and your living room looks lovely. Congratulations on all your inspiring domestic accomplishments.
Posted by: Lemanie | October 03, 2011 at 02:08 PM
I love your jam and jelly experiences. I have a very large and heavy pottery basket at my backdoor full of apples... when I have time this week perhaps I can make some jelly or even chutney (my OH favourite), you reminded me that I should be making something with them. I was afraid for years of making bread and the last 2 weeks have dived in and had a go.. its gradually getting better so its worth persevering. Isnt Flylady Great? Nothing has to be perfect does it!
Posted by: sue | October 03, 2011 at 11:09 AM
great blog as usual. love the pictures too. your home looks so colourful and fresh.... I think I need to bring more colour into my life. well done with the crab apple jelly...isn't it wonderful when you make something delicious to eat :-) I look forward to reading your blogs... keep them coming x
Posted by: Willow | October 03, 2011 at 12:51 AM
Hasn't this weekend been just so hot and summery. I had a little smile to myself reading your post and looking at your photos to notice the same red polkadot bowl I have which I love and use it whenever baking something naughty.
Posted by: Karen | October 02, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Hi Lucy, in my country (Sardinia) today there has been 29°! A wonderful sunny and hot sunday. We went to sea, in swimsuit, until sunset...the last possible day, maybe. I also like the blackberry jam,and I prepare it every summer.Thank you for sharing with us.I love your simple and colorful life. xxx
Posted by: Silvia | October 02, 2011 at 10:22 PM
i hope to get around to making some jelly and apple butter. in case you have never heard of apple butter, it is a pennsylvanian specialty made by the amish folks back home and so yummy! our indian summer is a blessing since our summer wasnt anything to write home about.
Posted by: ecomfort | October 02, 2011 at 08:58 PM
Hi Lucy,
I'm from the Netherlands, but reading your blog is like I am reading my own dairy! Here in Holland it is also rather warm and very sunny weather. We are having the summer days we missed this summer! And I have also a big bucket filled with apples. I think I am going to make Appelmoes (don't know the English word) and my favourite Dutch apple pie.
Love you blog , am reading it almost every day!
Enjoy Octobre!
Greetings from Ellen.
Posted by: Ellen Snoek | October 02, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Congratulations on your preserves! My sweetie and I have been canning, for the first time this year, too! Well, mostly my sweetie. I'm just his assistant through the whole thing... It's quite magical, isn't it..?
Personally, I am an autumn person. I don't like the heat of summer nor the freeze of winter. I like the inbetween times when it's cool, but not cold. And I love to watch the leaves change colors. It's definitely hooky weather!
Posted by: Jeanne | October 02, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Oh my oh my. I sighed ever so loudly look at the photos from your attic window. What a divine view you have. I have also been inspired to try your one hour a day of "loving ones home into order" ... I'll keep you posted! :-)
Posted by: Angy Braine | October 02, 2011 at 05:24 PM
What lovly pictures...every one of them(even your cozy living room)! Your jam looked also very delicious, congrats on the accomplishment! I especially love to see your attic pictures. Beautiful. Thanks for the cheerful post!
Posted by: Taylor | October 02, 2011 at 05:06 PM
Lucy, your children are blessed to have you for a mother! Enjoy your late summer and autumn and keep the posts coming. Thank you for brightening my day
Posted by: BeBe | October 02, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Loved your post. Wish you much success with your yeast projects. I know you can do it.
Great idea on spending an hour a day tidying up.
Posted by: Donna | October 02, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Nice post!
Lovely living room, I like those house slightly above the ground level. Very tidy. Good.
Loving the piccies of your calendar... I do the same, I contemplates the picture every time I turn over the page in the beginning of a new month. My theme is Cupcake, though.
Hope you had a nice weekend. We have had a wonderful one so far. 29 degrees in Cambridge. Regards! Chao!
@ Happy Little Cottage: I make bread all the time, in fact I am waiting for the yeast to make its magic right now. I do normal bread, olive bread, pan amadaso – a Chilean bread. Brioches, bollos, Chelsea buns, cinnamon roll etc... I love it! x
Posted by: Lorena Sonido Retro! | October 02, 2011 at 02:53 PM