Well there's no getting away from it now, the Autumn Equinox passed by on Wednesday and I've had to face up to the fact that summer is over for another year. Luckily, September has been a real treat in terms of the weather and I have been out and about drinking up every last drop of the season. The Little People returned to school and I'm now in a period of major adjustment as I try to get used to my new normal. I do miss the morning school run which was a pleasurable walk alongside the canal and a lovely way to start my day. However, I realised quite early on that of course I can still walk this route in the mornings if I want to as there is nothing to stop me, so quite often I do just that.
The last week of summer time was really beautiful here in my patch with plenty of warmth and sunshine.
I was even able to spend some time sat out in the overgrown yarden which is quite a sheltered little spot, and as you can see from the above photo it's pretty wild out there at the moment.
I've had many neighbours stop and tell me how much they've enjoyed my flowering pots this summer, and to ask me what my secret is - the flowers really have been prolific (this post shows what they looked like when I planted them in June). The answer to the overgrowth is regular watering, and a weekly liquid feed. I've been using a Doff feed ((it's this one, although it's generally much cheaper if you can find it in a local shop)) and it makes a tremendous difference to flowering pots and tubs.
I spent a while out there earlier this week deadheading the geraniums and marguerites so that hopefully they will keep on flowering for another month or so. Some years when the weather has been mild, I've still had flowers in early December which sounds crazy, but it has happened.
A few weeks ago, J and I started a new routine together in the mornings - I can't quite remember how it came about but one day we were both up early and decided to take our usual daily walk while the Little People were still asleep instead of waiting until mid morning. Both J and I are "larks" and go to bed pretty early in the evenings (usually by 9.30pm) so we are often awake and up around 5.30 in the mornings. It gives us time to have a coffee and come into the day gently before getting ready to head out around an hour later.
We enjoyed it so much that we started to make it a regular thing, it really is a glorious time of day to be out and about. We tend to reach the top of the hill before the sun rises, but on a couple of mornings we've been slightly later and have had the sun beaming out at us.
I can't describe how wonderful it is to feel the first rays of the sun warm on your face in the quiet still of a new morning. It's quite magical.
Just on the other side of that white building is the bakery so it's a very convenient kind of early morning walk when a loaf of fresh bread often comes home with us. So far I've managed to resist the baskets of freshly baked croissants and pastries which sit on the counter top, but I think it's only a matter of time before I cave. It's the smell that does it.
At the other end of the day I've been finding myself drawn outdoors as the sun starts to dip low in the sky. It's as if my soul knows that our days are rapidly shortening and I am compelled to make the very most of this late summer sunshine.
I don't go far, a slow meander around the park....
....then back along the canal towards home. It's just enough time for me to breathe deeply and mull over the day, to drink in the golden light and feel at ease.
On Saturday morning when J and I walked to the market, it suddenly felt like Summer had slipped away from us. It was chilly, and already leaves are beginning to fall from some of the trees, a reminder to make the most of every day and to appreciate each season we are in. I've been getting better in recent years with Autumn and don't feel nearly so full of melancholy as I once did, and for that I am thankful.
I've really been enjoying the freedom of my days during the past few weeks, heading out to meet friends for coffee or just walking into town to run errands as and when I've needed to. I really do appreciate that I can choose how to spend my child free hours and never take it for granted. I'm unbelievably thankful for my freedom.
My friend surprised me with this bunch of berries last week, and I absolutely love them.
The colour of the berries is so pretty and it's been a lovely change from having flowers on my table. I've been working a lot at the dining table just recently so it's all been a bit of a mess to be honest. I'm still needing to use the dining room like a studio as I've got nowhere else to go at the moment - it's a bit frustrating but I'm muddling through as best as I can. Yarn everywhere, creative chaos which gets push aside in order to eat family meals each day. Ah well, I am happy at least, yes, happy and free, and I am so thankful for all of it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi my dear friend! I would like to ask you how can you be so happy to have your husband working from home.. mine too works at home from Covid time march 2020.. but I don't like having him at home.. to eat all together with children twice a day is an efford and ho looks at everything we make and wants to jusge how we stand our time... studying , relaxing, watching tv.. he alzays jusge... how can you manage to have good times at home?' thanks Laura
Posted by: laura | October 04, 2021 at 10:58 AM
💕💕💕💕💕💕
Posted by: Nora McGrann | September 30, 2021 at 08:59 AM
Thank you for taking the time to document all the loveliness in your life. So inspiring. We have snowberry growing around us (seattle), but it never seems to get that lovely blush tint that your berries glow with. Will definitely bring in some branches. I am working up the courage to start a summer weight, linen ripple blanket in pale colors thanks to all your wonderful inspiring photos. Enjoy your autumn!
Posted by: Mims | September 29, 2021 at 03:36 PM
Unlike you I can't get to accept winter at all. Bring on Spring!
Are you not involved with Yarndale now?
Posted by: Sue | September 28, 2021 at 12:12 PM
Such a beautiful post, revelling in the season and being happy for what we have. The berries are so pretty too.
Posted by: Kay | September 28, 2021 at 07:35 AM
Your photos are lovely, especially the fifth and tenth ones down. Spring/Summer blanket full of lovely greens and blossom colors? Have you ever done one?
Posted by: gina in alabama | September 27, 2021 at 03:38 PM
Hi Lucy,
Thank you so much for your lovely posts, they bring much joy and inspiration to so many of us. I’m not a blogger or very active on social media but I’ve been following your blog for the last couple of years sitting quietly in the background waiting for your magical posts to arrive and take delight at your beautiful blankets, they are amazing.
I love your openness and honestly that is so evident in your posts, and how you make your followers feel part of your magical journey. I’ve been a crafter all my life but never really mastered the art of crochet, but you have inspired me to give it ago. I’m practicing with little squares at the moment to get a feel of the hooks and which yarns I prefer. I’m really motivated just now but I have to go into hospital for a major operation next week so my first blanket will have to wait a little while. However, I will continue to practise and reading your blog will inspire me to get back on my feet ASAP, as there’s a “fresh new start” blanket calling. Thanks again for your wonderful posts
Irene xx
Posted by: Irene Ellis | September 27, 2021 at 02:16 PM
Your yarden is absolutely delightful. The proof that one does not need a large garden to have beautiful plants and flowers and a spot of nature.
Posted by: Line | September 27, 2021 at 06:53 AM
Hello Lucy,
Yes Autumn has started, but what a glorious start! It's a brilliant idea to get your morning walk in early, the light is magical at that time of day, and you get everywhere to yourselves! Your beautiful pots also belie that it's almost October...it's the LOVE that keeps your flowers going. x
Posted by: Charlotte Pountney | September 26, 2021 at 09:07 PM
Hello Lucy,
Here autumn has started as well. I don’t want it to be true, but alas… it has.
Yesterday my husband and I prepared the outside already a bit for winter because we are always too late, being ‘surprised’ by the ‘sudden’ start of winter 😉. Now what’s left is the pool to cover and to prepare some plants to survive the snow, but that can still wait a little, I hope!
Today the summer wreath on our front door, with a smiling sun on a swing and flowers and fruits, made place for the autumn wreath, with coloured leaves, berries and toadstools.
We still manage without heating, although mornings at 6 AM in the bathroom are a bid chilly. Ah well, it makes me wake up a bit quicker and longing for my coffee before going to work 😊.
Dear Lucy, wishing you a wonderful week.
Greetings, Carine
Posted by: Carine | September 26, 2021 at 05:48 PM
Hello Lucy,
Here autumn has started as well. I don’t want it to be true, but alas… it has.
Yesterday my husband and I prepared the outside already a bit for winter because we are always too late, being ‘surprised’ by the ‘sudden’ start of winter 😉. Now what’s left is the pool to cover and to prepare some plants to survive the snow, but that can still wait a little, I hope!
Today the summer wreath on our front door, with a smiling sun on a swing and flowers and fruits, made place for the autumn wreath, with coloured leaves, berries and toadstools.
We still manage without heating, although mornings at 6 AM in the bathroom are a bid chilly. Ah well, it makes me wake up a bit quicker and longing for my coffee before going to work 😊.
Dear Lucy, wishing you a wonderful week.
Greetings, Carine
Posted by: Carine | September 26, 2021 at 05:48 PM
Wow- your photos are so beautiful! So glad that you are in a happy space right now.
Posted by: jan mccann | September 26, 2021 at 04:30 PM
Did you let your studio space go? Or is it covid safety measures that keep you from going to it?
Posted by: Joya Roy | September 25, 2021 at 10:42 PM
Dear Lucy - Would it be possible to get some guidance on how to do the Moorland blanket with a stripe worksheet like the Yuletide? I just wanted to mix the colours a bit more e.g. not have most of the green to start and most of the blue at the end (I know that's how your photo was though). I like the colours of both but ordered the Moorland first and then saw your colour worksheet for the Yuletide stripe. Not confident I could do the same for the Moorland colours myself. Thank you.
Posted by: Felicity | September 25, 2021 at 09:38 PM
Thank you for your posts,
Miriam
Posted by: Miriam | September 25, 2021 at 02:51 PM
Yes these mild and sunny 'end of summer' days are a bonus after all the rain. One of the best things is the warm light and those lovely long shadows which you capture beautifully in your photographs.
Posted by: Felicity | September 25, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Beautiful photos and writing ahhhh!
Once the kids are independant its a new life to enjoy 😁
Must try that feed.
Posted by: Jacqui | September 25, 2021 at 12:15 PM
It’s tricky isn’t it, finding somewhere to do our arts and crafts and also where to store our supplies. I also work on our dining table, but in the summer months we have a wooden shed outside which I work in too.
I really love your photos of nature, it’s so important to spend time outdoors in my opinion. Absolutely love reading your blogs.
Posted by: Susan Benge | September 25, 2021 at 12:04 PM
I work on the dining table as well, it's a tricky balance isn't it. My eldest (the photographer) dragged me out for a few sunrise/sunset walks on holiday, and they were magical. Your pots are really lovely. I was just out deadheading the cosmos yesterday and thinking that I should keep doing it because I remember them still flowering in November at the allotment. I planted some butterfly-attracting pots (Sarah Raven's Butterfly Pink Pot collection) this year and they have been so pretty and constantly visited by bees I am definitely going to grow them again next year. Long may this glorious weather last. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | September 25, 2021 at 11:12 AM
Hi Lucy, I am loving the photos of your yarden jungle. It must be heaven sitting out there amongst all the lovely flowers. I do hope that your flowers last all through Autumn. Here in New Zealand it is Spring and I am enjoying the Spring flowers coming up after Winter. Hugs, Rose x
Posted by: Rose at Happy Ramblings blog | September 25, 2021 at 08:08 AM
Lovely symphoricarpus orbiculaire…..Snowberry to me! They look lovely in your jug on the table……
Lovely photos on this blog…I can feel a watercolour coming on, if you allow me to use one of your photos, Lucy?
Posted by: Barbara | September 25, 2021 at 07:52 AM
I live in Austin, Tx. Here in our part of the world we're enjoying the first "fall-like" weather (with a high temp still around 32C but very cool mornings dipping down to under 21C), and it has been such a lovely end to a tumultuous summer for us. I always enjoy your lovely blog posts. Thank you for keeping this upland sharing these snippets of your life with us!
Posted by: Rachel Turnbow | September 25, 2021 at 07:24 AM
I live in the US. My husband lived in Suffolk when he was in the Air Force and we have enjoyed several trips to the UK. Seeing your beautiful photos brings back wonderful memories. Thank you for them!
Posted by: Ruth Plowman | September 25, 2021 at 02:37 AM
Those autumn leaves and berries are all sorts of ridiculously beautiful. What type of berries are they? Your courtyard is #flowergoals . Just amazing. I love it when plants reach that jungley stage. It feels like they've loved how you've looked after them, stretched out their branches in ecstasy and spat out flowers of happiness. Xox from Kangarooland
Posted by: Louise | September 25, 2021 at 02:01 AM
Very enjoyable. It is spring here in NewZealand.
Posted by: Noleen Dassler | September 25, 2021 at 12:26 AM