Tuesday 31 October 2017

Autumn Joy



The surrounding countryside has taken on a distinctive russet hue, trees are almost aglow with gorgeous Autumn colour, drifts of leaves line the lanes and cover pathways and there is a comforting scent of  wood smoke in the air. There can be no doubt we are in the midst of our Autumn season and all the beauty it has to offer.
Yesterday's morning frost made way for a stunning, bright clear day which set off the Autumn scenery in all it's glory. A wonderful treat following some dark and overcast days.
The clocks going back has meant some cosy evenings in. It's so satisfying to draw the curtains, light some candles and make use of the blankets scattered on the sofas. Alongside this simple pleasure there have been some delicious aromas emerging from the kitchen. Apple and cinnamon crumble and sticky ginger cake are perfect sweet treats at this time of year.





Last week we spent a few days in Edinburgh, which always seems to happen at this time of year. We took some time to enjoy the city and relax in familiar surroundings. Princes Street Gardens are beautiful in the Autumn and there are always plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. This time we discovered a delightful walled garden just off Canongate which we had never noticed before. Lily busied herself trying to catch the leaves falling from the trees and we sat and soaked up the sunshine. Some more photographs from our previous visit can be seen here.


Since our return I have mostly been keeping busy with visiting a family member in hospital. I do feel like I have been chasing my tail the last few days but I have managed to find a little time to enjoy some walks and another bike ride to the seafront (I really, really need some padded shorts!!!)
Thankfully, within the next few days life should return to a reasonable level of calm once again but for this evening we're lighting up the pumpkins and getting ready to welcome some 'trick or treaters' and with any luck I'll have some treats left over for myself.
Happy Hallowe'en!
J. X

34 comments:

  1. Mmmm....I can almost smell those enticing wafts of temptation coming from your kitchen. Hope the hospital visits don't tire you too much. x

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    1. Thank you Jackie. They were rather delicious. I think I will make some more ginger cake in time for the weekend. X

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  2. Your photos are lovely there is something so beautiful about the colours of autumn. We didn't get the predicted frost but had the sunshine. It's lovely to be outside on these cool crisp sunny days.

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    1. Thank you Tania. The colours have been beautiful this year, I think it's something to do with the amount of sunshine we've had. I love to wrap up and get outdoors on the cold bright days. X

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  3. Lovely photos and how nice to spend some time in Edinburgh, I went in March this year for the first time and was blown away, I loved it. Its so nice to see the Autumn colours but not to sure about the dark nights.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Thank you Amanda. Edinburgh is a beautiful city isn't it? I don't mind the dark nights as long as I don't have to go out in them. X

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  4. What a beautiful setting the glimpse of the castle behind the changing leaves, stunning. Thankfully there has been no frost as yet. Look after yourself.

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    1. At least you won't need to worry about the frost on your holiday! X

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  5. We had the first frost here too, brrrr, I'm not ready for cold mornings again. I've never been to Edinburgh but it's somewhere I'd love to visit. I'm sorry to hear about the family member having a stay in hospital, I've just got back from visiting my mum, she was taken in again today and it does play havoc with any routine when you're hospital visiting. I'm ready for a treat now too.

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    1. Edinburgh is beautiful Jo, as long as you don't visit when the Fringe is on - it's chaotic! I do hope your mum will be OK. X

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  6. Doesn't Edinburgh look so wonderful resplendent in Autumn colours. I've never visited but it is a place I would like to go ...
    I'm sure there were wonderful aromas wafting from your kitchen - apple and cinnamon crumble and sticky ginger cake sound delicious.

    Happy Halloween Wishes, love your pumpkins, and have a great November too!

    All the best Jan

    PS I hope your family member gets well soon.

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    1. I think you would love it in Edinburgh Jan. If you ever get the opportunity to go I would definitely recommend it. It's my favourite city. X

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  7. Your pumpkins are great :)

    We went to Edinburgh a few years ago (pre Evie) I remember you had to pay to use the public toilets...

    I now fancy some apple crumble :)

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    1. Thank you. I chose small ones this year - much quicker to carve! X

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  8. You always take such beautiful photos, capturing the seasons perfectly. x

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  9. Stunning photos Jules.
    Hugs-x-

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  10. your title says it all, there is such joy in this season. Love your pumpkins! Gorgeous photos.
    Hope your family member is out of hospital soon. x

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    1. It's so beautiful at this time of year Sadie. Your enthusiasm for it finally rubbed off on me! X

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    1. Thank you Nil. The Autumn colours are stunning aren't they. X

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  12. Beautiful blue skies in the pictures of your trip. Great pumpkins!

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    1. We were fortunate, the weather was kind to us and the sunshine sets off the Autumn colour at its very best. X

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  13. Wonderful photos, thank you for sharing Jules. We like Edinburgh too although we have only ever visited during the Summer months. It's definitely warm blanket snuggle time now, isn't it and mmm...apple & cinnamon crumble...I can smell it now! :) x

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    1. Thank you. Edinburgh is beautiful at any time of the year but we usually visit in the Autumn for some reason. The apple crumble was delicious but this weekend's treat will be sticky ginger cake. X

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  14. Loved seeing the pictures of Autumn. Nice trio of carved pumpkins, too. I rather like the sound of that apple and cinnamon crumble!

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    1. Thank you Bless. The pumpkins are getting a bit 'gummy' now! The crumble was delicious served with custard, but oh so filling. X

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  15. Wonderful photos and writing. I like autumn too and love when it's time for parkin in my house. I do like your carved pumpkins. I hope your family member recovers soon Jules.

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    1. Thank you Eileen. Parkin in this house is usually a mild version of a gingercake. This cake has more flavour and just delicious, especially when the weather has turned chilly. X

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  16. Beautiful photos as always Jules. Love the pumpkins - I have been known to accidentally drop some sweets in the kitchen drawer just in case they all get given out on the night! Hope your relative is on the mend and life is getting back into some sort of routine for you. xx

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. At Hallowe'en I always buy in too many sweets on purpose. That way it's not like I'm buying them for myself so, of course, they don't count!
      Family member back home and improving every day, thankfully and now Lily has returned to school I am getting a routine back in place. Also, operation 'doing up the house' has commenced - it is going to be a long and slow process. Hope you and yours are OK. X

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  17. Drawn curtains and candles here too.

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