Autumn View

I keep wondering if after so many years of not liking Autumn all that much, I might've changed a little in recent years? I know that I don't dread it in the same way I used to, and I also admit that I have become rather fond of certain Autumnal aspects. The morning skies in November can be pretty spectacular, and despite the rapidly shortening days I find myself entranced by the Autumn light.

It's been a mild Autumn here in my patch, and here we are in mid November and still no sign of frost. I am glad, cos I'm always sad when the cheerful nasturtiums and geraniums come to a cold, frosty end. No frost, but bloomin' 'eck it's been cold! My hat and wrist warmers are out of the storage bag to keep me cosy for another year and I've enjoyed the comfort of wearing those familiar, well worn things.

The colours of Autumn are undoubtedly one of the season's highlights for me, and I gather them in as I go about my day to day pottering. Some days it's just a visual gathering, but often I feel compelled to pick up fallen leaves and bring their glorious colour home to my table.

Now that the Summer is over, the Little People have returned to indoor play and much of it still takes place around our table. There is a rolling programme of activity, a sort of a table-top dance that takes place each day as crafting, homework, paperwork, crochet, reading, socialising and mealtimes all take their turn about the table. During this past week we have had domino runs, card tricks, loom bands, colouring books, writing, drawing and Hama beads. Oh, I do love love love the Hama bead thing when it is in full swing here, it really makes me happy to see all three of my Little Peeps engaged in this simple act of creativity. Little Lady is the most prolific at the moment, she made me this really cute fox after spotting it on Pinterest. Little B made the coloured mat for Foxie to sit on, and this little table still-life makes me smile every day :)

On Friday evening we conducted The First Lighting Of The Fire, it always feels like a celebration when the first fire of the Autumn season is lit. After dinner I sat right in front of it with my cosy crochet until I got too a tad too hot and sweaty and had to retreat!

I went for a walk yesterday morning, a short solo stroll through the local woods to take in the Autumn views. The rest of the family stayed home, I was surprised that even Little B declined the offer to go for a walk in the woods, although he did waver ever so slightly. No matter, I was happy enough to set out by myself and enjoyed the mild weather, the fresh air and the soft shafts of sunlight.

Much of the leaf colour has already been and gone in the woodland, I was a bit late to see it this year.

Our slow cooker is being used for many of our meals at the moment as we get back into the season of warming curries, wholesome stews and hearty soups. I've got a few slow cooker recipe books, but this one is my absolute favourite and it has never failed to deliver great tasting, easy recipes that work every time. This morning I made the minestrone soup which cooked slowly all day, and we ate it this evening with a generous helping of grated cheese on top and some warm cheese and tomato flat bread to dip in. It was absolutely yummy and was wolfed down appreciatively by all five of us (Little B made me smile by pronouncing it "IncREDibly delicious"!)

I have to tell you, I am thrilled that my little thyme plant has thrived this year in the back yard. Being able to step out the back door and pluck a few fresh stems to add to my cooking this morning made me absurdly happy. I don't have a great track record with thyme (I've dealt with many a deceased plant in my time) so I am willing this one to come safely through the winter and carry on providing me with it's aromatic leaves. C'mon little plant, you can make it!

Ahh Hama beads again, I told you I do love it when these make a come back in the Attic. Yesterday I found myself drawn into Little Lady's ongoing Pinterest search for appealing designs and fell head over heels with this little Russian folk doll....

....yes, all my own work (cold, Autumn afternoons are just made for gentle activities like this). I am rather pleased with her although I find myself a teensy bit bothered by the holes all over her face, poor love.

And finally - the view from my eyes down into my lap this morning as I granted myself a little bit of cosy hooky time on the sofa. My Home Poncho is often on my person now we're into the cold months of the year, it's colour, warmth and comfort is absolutely wonderful.

Here's wishing you all a heap load of happy views, both inside and out.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Comments

[Britt]

Just ordered my yarn for the CAL and I'm so excited! Usually I would just stash bust, but we just moved and I seriously got rid of most of my stash, and what I didn't is still packed and my hands are so bored right now. I'm hoping I can do super speed on this and have it as a Christmas present for my 3 year old, who is so full of color herself. I think she'll love it!

[Lizy Tish]

Wonderful pictures as usual! I do love when we light the first fire of the season -- so warm and cozy to knit or crochet by.

[Mari Beth]

Hi Lucy. I have been checking into your website for about four years. I am so grateful for all that you share. I have just finished my first ripple blanket, thanks to your inspiration (small lap size) and I also used some of your guidelines for a granny square lap blanket.

I know you are really really busy, and may not see this, but I didn't know how else to contact you; I don't seem to receive your updates. Whenever I try to subscribe, it just adds you to my favorites bar, but I'm not alerted to new posts. I tried researching RSS feeds and how they work on google, but I am just not getting it. I receive updates from other websites automatically into my email (they ask for my email address), but I'm not sure if that is possible with your blog and even though I think I've subscribed to your feed, I don't get updates, that I'm aware of.

I love your blog and would love to follow it more consistently. If you have any advice, I'd sure appreciate it! So many people respond to your posts that I know I'm in the minority here. Sorry!!!!!! And thank you for sharing your beautiful work and life and inspiration. :)

[alison willcocks]

Wonderful post as usual :) Did you ever get around to writing a pattern for that oooooh sooooo gorgeous poncho?

[tanya Stevens]

I am now living in Spain and about to start the country ripple. Here in the Spanish countryside, the days are sunny and warm but the evenings are very chilly, so curling up crocheting another blanket is a pleasure

[Carol]

Hi Lucy, you have made me appreciate Autumn more which I have always disliked because I am a hot weather person. Love your photos and you have introduced me to yet another thing to make - your poncho. Has your friend left the shared attic?

[Peggy in Mississippi]

Just ordered my Cozy yarn from WoolWarehouse. Love your colors for autumn blanket. Thanks for your free patterns and the delightful blog. I just drool over your pics of such a delightful countryside.

[Susanne]

Hi dear Lucy, your post remembered me having bought the easy slow cooker book one or two years ago. I forgot about it in the turbulent months of our removal. Today I ordered a slow cooker! Can't wait to try it out! My best wishes to you and your family, love love love and hugs from Germany!

[TINA]

Love the colours of the morning sky and the view from your window. I hope you have many happy moments near the fire with you colourful crochet and your beautiful family.
Greetings from Greece,
Tina

[Cherie Chudyk]

Thank you for a delightful post, the colours of autumn are so lovely. Love that sky in the first photo and also your cosy fire. It was nice to get the radiators on and get cosy but miss having the open fire of my childhood. Thanks for sharing your joys and colours, hope your mum is well now. Love and hugs xx

[josiekitten]

Your fire looks so inviting. Thank you for the link to the Slow Cooker book, I am always on the lookout for new recipes.

[Lynda M Otvos]

Autumn colors make me smile every year as they splash across the horizon and on up into the hills surrounding the Bay. It's glorious. Your delightfully hue-drenched home brings me smile each time I see a post from you. Thank you for sharing the goodness with us. Your fresh green peas made my mouth water and I'm not even a huge pea fan. Their color intrigues and stimulates.

[Jennifer Wall]

Lucy, your blog is the perfect mix of great photos and thoughtful writing. Your photos of scenery and home pleasures inspire and delight, keep on blogging and don't change a thing. Cheers from the U.S.

[heidijo]

Found we have a kath kidst store near us dropped lots of Xmas hints as we walked round! But guess what I spied on a chair a Granny stripe blanket in lovely colours I think I looked at it longer than anything else. Great photos.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Lucy, I have so enjoyed my stay beside your cosy fire this evening, I'm sad to go but I leave with a heart warming glow and a contented soul. I am always inspired, thank you !!
You have tempted me to try "slow cooking". Which one do you have ?
Hugs from Derbyshire
Elizabeth xxx

[Miriam J Robbins]

Love the beads! Here in the U.S., they are called Perlo beads. My daughter especially loved them as a child. Now I work for a middle school (grades 7 & 8, ages 12-14), and one of the activities we offer at school dances are crafts. The Perlo bead table is always a huge hit, with a long line of students (both girls AND boys) waiting not-so-patiently to create a pattern, while I madly iron their finished products, racing against time. I like that Pinterest idea, and while most of them come up with great designs on their own, I may print some off Pinterest for the next dance. Happy Autumn, from Miriam in Spokane, Washington, USA

[Jude Pearson]

It HAS been a bit chilly ,even in the furthest reaches of Cornwall, so we also lit the wood burner at the weekend.I sat in front of it and made my ripple blanket-already over a third of the rows done, in all those lovely shades of blue !My granny taught me how to crochet when I was a small girl but it has taken till now to do my first proper project, at the age of 56 !!Thank you Lucy -your detailed instructions and constant encouragement have spurred me on.
Keep up the good work and every blessing to you and your family xx

[CJ]

Autumn isn't my favourite season either, especially when it's this wet. All those mushy rotting leaves for slipping over on (boys not me!) But like you, I don't dread it like I once did, and I do love the dark afternoons and the cleansing cold of winter. I'm sure your beautiful open fire helps too! CJ xx

[Gillian]

Yip - we've started lighting the fire too. It's not terribly cold yet but the fire is so comforting.

[Jill]

Am I the only one who has never heard of Hama Beads? How do you get the beads to stay together? They look like a lot of fun and very creative!

We've had an amazing autumn, too. Fallen leaves are irresistible, I usually return from walks carrying a small bouquet of red and gold leaves.

Stay warm!

[Kath]

Looking at the photos of your woodland walk I could smell the Autumny(?) aroma. And would love to snuggle under some colourful hooky and stare into that real fire. Thanks for sharing.

[jeanne einhorn]

Just to let you know I have been starting my day reading your posts for over a year and love every one. I didn't have the chance to stay home with my boys when they were little so I love to hear what you and your little ones are up to every day. You are so lucky! Today I plan to go for a long walk to admire the beautiful Autumn here in the Northeast and when I get back, out will come my needles for a few hours of happy knitting on a hue shift afghan.

[Jo Navin]

Thank you for the beautiful photos, the top one is stunning! I love Autumn the most because of the light and colour, I can never resist bringing leaves in either. This year my friend v kindly pressed some for me and I'm going to tuck them into the attic 24 inspired wreath and garland that I've made :-) I love the hama bead collaboration between Little Lady and Little B :-) I'm crocheting away on my cosy blanket and up to stripe 11,although I'm "well jel" of your cosy fire, please can I come and sit next to yours? Thank you for reminding me to get my slow cooker out too. Love Jo xxxx

[Claire]

I lit our fire this weekend too - such a cosy treat! x

[Winwick Mum]

You've obviously become a true Yorkshire Person made of Stern Stuff if you're only just lighting your fire now - ours has been in use for quite a while! I think autumns are made for fires and something creative in your hands as you toast in front of them xx