Monday morning and back to school routine for us here, it was a bit of a shock to be pulled from my sleep by the beep-beep-beep of my alarm clock. It took some serious motivation to get ourselves out of the door at 7am this morning - you can't see it in the above photo but it was raining, a persistent light drizzle which my Mum used to call "wet rain". I never regret an early morning walk though, and always step back through my front door feeling energised and in a good mood even if I'm dripping wet.
I'm trying to get myself organised this week, I've let a lot of things slip slide in the past few months and it's time to pull my socks up and get myself together. I've got a back log of admin (both for myself and also to do with organising my Dad's affairs) so this week I've got a rather looooooooong to-do list. Today I impressively managed to do absolutely nothing, not one tick on my list. Ah well.....there's always tomorrow.
I made myself a delicious lunch today, I do really enjoy eating lunch in a bowl, it could be soup, pasta, or salad, I don't mind but the bowl format really kind of feels nurturing for some reason. Yeah - bowl food, I like it a lot. Today's meal was noodles tossed through with this super-tasty dressing which was shared by Dale Pinnock (The Medicinal Chef) on his Instagram page. These were the ingredients...
My afternoon was a slow affair (ah, procrastination in full force) - a quick jaunt to the supermarket in the rain which wasn't especially enjoyable, and then a hot milky coffee when I got back home. Candles and fairy lights to brighten the gloom of the wet day, and later in the afternoon the fire was lit. It's been that kind of a day where I've needed all the warmth and sources of light.
I baked this afternoon, timing these oat and raisin cookies to come out of the oven just as Little B got home from school. I think I can give myself a gold star for that act of Good Parenting? Little B's face was worth it a million times over, he was genuinely overjoyed by my warm-from-the-oven fresh cookie offering. You can find the recipe deep in my bloggy archives more than a decade ago ((here)).
This weather has been a little crazy today, so much rain, and then the most stunning colourful sky out of nowhere. For a few short minutes the light was insanely beautiful, sometimes life just makes you stop and stare and marvel at the beauty unfolding in front of your eyes.
Yesterday couldn't have been more different, it was mild, clear and sunny and the perfect weather for a short woodland walk.
My camera picked up this rainbow flare and I know it's just a fluke of the light but to me it was a ridiculously magical moment. The universe sent me a rainbow! A rain-bow!! My little mind was blown, honestly, I held onto that magical feeling all day long.
We are in peak autumn now, the height of all that seasonal beauty.
I mean, how stunning it all is, it's almost overwhelming....
....nature makes me so emotional, please tell me you know what I mean, I sometimes feel like I'm the only person feeling like I want to cry over leaves.
It was so lovely out there yesterday....
....just wonderful visuals which made my heart happy.
We sauntered out of the sunny woodland and walked along the canal into town, stopping for a coffee on our way home. I love these simple family outings with the Little People which we manage to do regularly on Sundays. As Little Lady would say, it's very "wholesome".
I'm enjoying Autumn, although I do wish the rain would ease up just a bit. More sunshine and less showers, please.
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I absolutely love the autumn colour too and how the seasons change. It very much is a very wholesome feeling to experience it all.
Posted by: Cathy | June 04, 2024 at 11:45 PM
I am absolutely with you on the overwhelming feeling of nature and trees sometimes. I'm sure the urchins get tired of me exclaiming about it, but oh my goodness. Actually, sometimes the youngest comes home and tells me about an amazing sunset or a really fantastic tree, so maybe some of it has rubbed off. The cookies look scrumptious, I am writing down the recipe. I made my own miso recently and it was (surprisingly) an absolute triumph. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | November 13, 2023 at 07:34 PM
Is that a border going on your Starbright?
I’m on tenterhooks waiting!!! Thanks!
Posted by: Linda Pankhurst | November 08, 2023 at 06:54 PM
I am a crybaby. Beautiful music, I cry, stunning view, tears over my cheeks, moving text, I cry. Walk in nature, I am in full emotional state. Sad news of others, I have tears in my eyes. It's okay in my view, I feel intensely. Thanks for the lovely photos. Part of your blog is the stunning photos you take, of everyday life.
Posted by: Tineke | November 08, 2023 at 05:45 PM
I do so love your photos, Lucy. They are a real blessing. Thank you. xx
Posted by: Joan | November 08, 2023 at 12:49 PM
Leaves and clouds! And of course blue sky! My phone is full of pics of them!
Your photos are beautiful!
I saw a cloud in the shape of Angel wings but sadly I was at work so couldn’t take a photo! But it lifted my spirits no end!
Posted by: Sarah Howard | November 08, 2023 at 08:27 AM
That's one delicious-looking salad! I love salads and soups for lunch and even better when they are leftover from the day before. I think I'm going to give your cookie recipe a try. They look delicious and rather easy to make. Also, they'd go perfect with a hot milky coffee. I hope the sunshine returns for you soon. It makes such a difference, doesn't it?
Posted by: Julia | November 08, 2023 at 03:05 AM
Such lovely photo's! I'm going to give your lunch in a bowl recipe a go! It looks so tasty and healthy. I agree bowls do seem more comforting for some reason 🙂
You are making wonderful memories for Little B. He will always remember coming home from school and being greeted with fresh home baked goodies! Reading this reminded me of a time when my daughter was a young teen. The poor thing was suffering a bit being the first day of her period but she went to school none the less. I always enjoyed chocolate specifically on the first day of my periods so while I was out running errands I bought her a chocolate bar. When she got home from school I greeted her with said choccy bar and a hot chocolate drink. Well, did I win mother of the year or what!!! She was over the moon happy!
Im so so pleased for you that you are starting to feel better and coming down off high alert. Sometimes we need to have those slow days where we arent necessarily productive in order for that to happen.
I just want to add that it's so lovely reading your blog, it's very much like receiving a letter from a dear pen friend! Like in the old days when we used to have pen friends! I remember the excitement of receiving letters in the mail box ha ha!
Anyway take care and keep having slow days amongst the busy ones. Have a lovely evening 😊 ❤️
Posted by: Angela | November 07, 2023 at 04:44 PM
I love the bright colours of the Autumn leaves in your photos and even you lunch looks bright and colourful, as well as tasty.
I haven't made your cookies for a while but they are delicious.
Posted by: Beverley | November 07, 2023 at 02:28 PM
oh Lucy,claro que te comprendo,hasta las lagrimas!gracias por compartir..me encanta la lluvia no sabes como te envidio por eso bendicones desde israel
Posted by: shulamit marrro | November 07, 2023 at 02:04 PM
I'm so glad you're not making us go cold turkey after blogtober despite having so much to do and sort out.xx
Posted by: Kate | November 07, 2023 at 08:05 AM
Send your rain down here Lucy. (QLD Australia) we need it. Drought and bush fires again. But the rain will come again. Your words always make me feel like I've chatted with a friend. Thank for your beautiful blog. Take care. xxx
Posted by: sue mason | November 07, 2023 at 03:24 AM
You're not alone is crying over the beauty of autumn leaves. I drove through Colorado a month ago and was quite literally in tears seeing the aspens in all their glory (whilst my children moaned "it's just trees").
Posted by: Beth | November 07, 2023 at 03:06 AM
Yes, you are not the only one who could cry over leaves. So beautiful!
Posted by: Donna | November 07, 2023 at 12:45 AM
Reading your blog posts are and always have me, feeling like I just did a yoga session. It's true, I feel relaxed to the max.
Thanks Lucy for sharing.
Posted by: jane | November 07, 2023 at 12:30 AM
I also love nature, to be out in it, soaking up all the colors and the constantly changing sky, hoping to see a furry or feathery friend... it is where I feel the closest to God. I love seeing all the photos of your walks and the canal. I sometimes think you must live in Narnia!
Thank you for sharing it with us!
Posted by: Bee | November 07, 2023 at 12:27 AM
You really do live in a special place, don't you? And your photos are always so enchanting, both in subject matter as well as the brilliant way you manage to capture them. I almost love your photos as much as your words. Almost. ;)
Posted by: Debbi Robertson | November 06, 2023 at 11:41 PM
The colours in your photos really are wonderful. I can definitely see the top one translated into a crocheted blanket (yes, the purply and greeny greys of the road, too), all sort of whirling out in a spiral from the centre in stripes of different widths! We did quite well for sunshine here today, but I rather squandered it by having to make 2 trips to both Aldi and Sainsburys...second time to pick up all the things I forgot first time round, mostly my Mom's things. Topped off by a trip to the tip with the loo I had replaced last week! Will definitely try your oat cookies tomorrow, thank for the link, Lucy. Cx
Posted by: Charlotte | November 06, 2023 at 10:33 PM
I live in the forest and while I do enjoy nature, this time of year is a LOT of cleaning up of pine cones, pine needles, and leaves. Things are beginning to wind down a bit!! Love your pictures. Is that a border you’re doing on that blanket??
Posted by: Linda from Boston | November 06, 2023 at 10:23 PM
Glorious colours in your photos - soul food much needed after recent months.
And yes, I do know what you mean about the beauty being almost overwhelming, it makes us feel so lucky to be alive at that very moment in time and space…
Posted by: Jen | November 06, 2023 at 10:20 PM
I love the greenery and the trees and canals (the sea really but canals will do)….nature basically! I have been told a lot maybe has to do with age, a greater appreciation of our natural surroundings. It really is beautiful and, yes, I am one of those people who can get emotional about the sheer beauty of it all and could just sit within it for hours and just soak it all in. I feel another trip being booked before long! Xxx
Posted by: Sue | November 06, 2023 at 10:16 PM
Beautiful photos - autumn is stunning this year, in between the rain showers ... it really is time for the rain to stop for a bit! :) xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | November 06, 2023 at 10:02 PM