This morning my friend messaged me and told me to be ready at 9am prompt, because we would be going out for breakfast. Not one to argue about an unexpected breakfast invitation, I quickly got myself together and shortly after nine we were strolling through the park in the direction of the farm shop. It's very Autumnal out there now, my boots are on and leaves are falling down everywhere you look.
This is the view from the top of the hill before descending the steps down to the farm shop footpath - it was cool and overcast today, excellent weather for eating a proper good breakfast with a frothy coffee or two.
With less than three weeks till Halloween there are pumpkins on display everywhere, and the ones at the front of the farm shop looked very seasonal and lovely. But it was the bucket of tulips that caught my eye and stole my heart....oooooo, those frilly orange ones were very flirty indeed and I was extremely tempted by their charming ways.
However, I already have fresh flowers on my table this week......
....these exuberant lilies are lighting up the room, and although they aren't the kind of flowers I would usually buy for myself, they are very lovely indeed. Little Lady bought them for me, knowing that I would love the bright colours (and the scent which is already filling the room), and I came downstairs early this morning to find them on the table waiting for me.
Today is my birthday, fifty-three years of life on planet Earth. The Little People really hit the jackpot with the chocolate-and-salted-caramel theme, and gifted generously to support my addiction....very happy about the current chocolate sitch I have to say.
When you've been eating a healthy diet for a length of time, in particular the restriction of sugary things, it can be difficult to remember how very, very good the sugary things taste. It's like your brain erases the sugary memories so that you adapt to the new low-sugar normal. Then when your friends surprise you with a plate of the most wonderous and extravagantly sugar filled slice of baked goods at your knit and natter sesh, well, the resulting pleasure high is next level. It was utterly delicious, in every way.
I had a great little outing to the supermarket with the Little People this afternoon once they'd returned from school - we went to purchase a collection of party foods for tonights Birthday Tea. I let them choose, and we ended up with all sorts of tasty morsels - baby sausage rolls, a variety of salamis and cured meats, olives, sundried tomatoes and baby mozzarella balls, chorizo and chicken koftas, spinach and feta filo pastry parcels, baby plum tomatoes and a french stick. We also chose a birthday cake (chocolate and salted caramel, of course), and a bottle of pink prosecco. It was absolutely heavenly - all I had to do was heat up a few things on a tray in the oven for ten minutes, and the rest was just plonked on the table so that we could all help ourselves with minimal labour involved. I served up pink prosecco in my vintage champagne saucers (allowing the Little People a small slurp each in their own glasses) and it was a most excellent birthday tea.
Ahhhh, I've had the best day, and I'm so grateful for family and friends, good food and good company and for the easy happiness that fills my days.
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I’m fairly new to following your blog but need to say I just love it. From your beautiful home up the North of the uk to your recent trip back to your child hood Dorset , I’m originally fro Kent in the UK and visited Dorset many times during my childhood. I follow you from NZ home for the last 17 years! A recent returnee to crochet 🧶 I’m making blankets for everyone and finding it the most relaxing time of the day next to tending the garden. With love Debbie xxx
Posted by: Debbie Abbott | October 29, 2021 at 10:23 PM
Belated Birthday wishes!!
I had three birthday people last week, my daughter, a niece and a grand niece. 48, 66 and 2.
That's right my niece is 66. We grew up together. She has a daughter older than my daughter.
The 50s is a lovely decade to live through.
Posted by: PatriciaA | October 17, 2021 at 02:22 AM
Happy belated birthday x
Posted by: Mairead Corr | October 15, 2021 at 10:37 AM
Happy Birthday!!! I'm happy you had such a wonder-filled day, with such love. It reminds me that I have a little tiny bit of birthday chocolate left that I've been saving. Be right back! :)
Posted by: Tiki Clayton | October 15, 2021 at 02:24 AM
Feliz Cumple Lucy, un poco atrazado, pero te deseo lo mejor del mundo, muchas bendiciones al igual que tu familia
Posted by: geovanna conejo chacon | October 14, 2021 at 08:07 PM
Lucy although I `m too late, happy birthday to you. Reading about your day, I think you had a wunderfull day with your family. Love, Teddy from Holland
Posted by: Teddy Vogel | October 14, 2021 at 06:59 PM
Belated birthday wishes, Lucy! 12th Oct is my birthday too - but I am five years ahead of you.
Wishing you a wonderful year
Enjoying your Blogtober - such a big fan of everything Attic24 x
Posted by: Jean | October 14, 2021 at 03:09 PM
A belated happy birthday to you Lucy. Sounds like you had a wonderful day. Wishing you all the best!
Posted by: Femke | October 14, 2021 at 10:19 AM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Line | October 14, 2021 at 07:27 AM
Happy Birthday, Lucy! Sounds like you had an amazing day. Loving your blogtober updates!
Posted by: Krystal | October 14, 2021 at 02:01 AM
Happy birthday to you!! My Mom and I just love your blogs and all of your patterns. We also adore your color genius. I can’t imagine a world without your beautiful, generous, and colorful light. I hope you had a wonderful day and thank you for sharing your talents with all of us! 😊🎂💐🎉
Posted by: Sarah F. | October 14, 2021 at 01:31 AM
Happy Birthday! Even if I’m a day late. It’s your Birthday week! The littles out did themselves. I love it!
Posted by: Lynn Dee Butler | October 14, 2021 at 12:57 AM
Happy Birthday. What a lovely day!
Posted by: Barb | October 13, 2021 at 09:57 PM
Happy birthday, Lucy. What a lovely day you had! The lilies are beautiful, the blue is interesting! Here’s a tip. Lily pollen stains, because of this, we cut the pollen pods off the stamens. I’m thoroughly enjoying your Blogtober posts, thank you. I’ve sorted out yarns from my stash for my third Aria blanket, love this pattern. Thank you so very much for all you do for your loyal followers xxx
Posted by: Lekki | October 13, 2021 at 08:09 PM
Happy Birthday x
Posted by: Kerridwen Niner | October 13, 2021 at 07:45 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, we all LOVE you, we do!!!!! XXXXXOOOOO
I just finished my Woodland blanket, now onto Yuletide. Thank you for sharing your time and talent, your family time and your photography. It all nurtures our soul. You are thought about often, because a part of you lives in our homes.
Posted by: Marcia Bent | October 13, 2021 at 07:34 PM
Happy Birthday sounds a great day my sort of food.
Posted by: Jane | October 13, 2021 at 07:19 PM
What a wonderful day. Treasure them with your family. Happy birthday Lucy
Posted by: Jo | October 13, 2021 at 05:47 PM
Hello Dear Lucy, Happy, Happy Belated Birthday Wishes for yesterday! 🎁🎈🎉🌷
Posted by: Claire Hayden | October 13, 2021 at 05:08 PM
Happy Birthday a wee bit late, but sincerely meant! This just means the celebration continues, right? ;-)
Posted by: Lee | October 13, 2021 at 04:20 PM
Happy birthday! It sounds like a truly wonderful day.
Posted by: Bonnie | October 13, 2021 at 04:14 PM
Woohooooo to chocolatey goodness & many happy returns!! ;) xxx
Posted by: Amanda Marshall-Clarke | October 13, 2021 at 03:41 PM
my birthday as well. 12/10. happy birthday to us. im 51 years and was lucky enough to go whale watching. happy birthday to us librans. xx
Posted by: jo | October 13, 2021 at 03:21 PM
Sounds like a very proper birthday celebration. No muss, no fuss. Happy birthday Lucy.
Posted by: charlotte m. | October 13, 2021 at 02:20 PM
Belated Happy birthday Lucy. It sounds like you had a wonderful day 🎉🍰
Posted by: Frances Cronolly | October 13, 2021 at 01:20 PM