Tuesday 11 September 2018

Changing Seasons


I am relieved to say that, despite my concerns, the first week of autumn term has gone really well. In fact, Lily's first day back was apparently 'amazing!' but with a bit more sitting still and listening expected this year, we'll see how long that lasts :) Even so, it was sweet to see all the children lined up again wearing their shiny new shoes, and I'm sure they're all at least a foot taller than when they finished for the summer. We are, at least, finding our feet now and within the next week or so I'm sure we'll have more of a daily routine established, which will mean I might, hopefully, find the time to get out for a run, as well as opportunity for us to go swimming once a week.
The weather has really changed recently, leaving us in no doubt autumn is fast approaching. At the beginning of the week we were drinking the last of our Elderflower cordial (I thought it had all been used up, but discovered some small bottles hiding at the back of the vegetable drawer) and by the end we were eating apple crumble and custard. The central heating has been on most mornings and my summer footwear has been replaced by my socks and boots again. It's turning windy, the air is damp and leaves are beginning to fall from the trees.





Now that the weather is turning cooler, I've started using my slow cooker again. It's so simple to throw everything in the pot and leave it to cook  gently while we're out for the day. If it's a stew I just need to thicken it, add some dumplings, then serve up with some vegetables in the evening for a hearty, delicious meal. It saves me so much time when I return home, so as well as the usual soups, stews and chilli's, I'm going to hunt out some more recipes I can use it for. Any suggestions are very welcome.
As I was walking through the village one morning last week, I noticed some 'help yourself' apples in a bucket on a wall, which I used to make the apple crumble. I always think it's so kind of people to share in this way, even if they would otherwise go to waste. We don't often eat puddings in this house, but apple crumble always goes down well at this time of year, especially served with custard. I always like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to mine to give it a real Autumnal flavour.
I'm still using up  the produce from our garden. The onions are mainly being used in sandwich fillings, the beans and beetroot alongside main meals, and the tomatoes are still ripening gradually, some of which were used in last night's tomato, pesto and mozzarella slice and I think the next batch will be made into soup.




At the weekend we went for a short bike ride. From Brockhole we took a trip across Windermere on the Bike Boat, then followed the shoreline around towards Wray castle, where we stopped for a short break at the café there before returning.  It was such a fun day out. We went as part of a Let's Ride event and met up with a really friendly group of around twenty people, most of whom were small family groups. I really hope we can join in with another event in the future.
J. X

58 comments:

  1. I'm glad that back to school has gone well for Lily, I always found it took a while to settle back into a routine after the easygoing summer days. Autumn has definitely taken hold, we've had the heating on too, though I had to get out of bed to open the window again last night as it seemed to warm up again. The tomato, pesto and mozzarella slice looks delicious.

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    1. We're gradually falling into a routine Jo, but it hasn't been easy, having enjoyed such a wonderfully relaxed Summer break. There is a definite chill in the air just now, although the forecast is for higher temperatures next week. X

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  2. Sounds like a gentle slide in to the autumn term - well done Lily x

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    1. Thank you Kate. It would seem she's found it easier than me to get back in the swing of things. X

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  3. The change of seasons is always exciting. My crumble making will be tomorrow with the second flush of rhubarb and the apples that are ready now. Your tomato, pesto and mozzarella slice looks delish.
    xx

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  4. Love the second photo, it's a great reminder of the wonderful summer we've just had. The weekend bike ride sounds good - I was exploring an old attic and climbing a church bell tower :)

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    1. The attic and bell tower sound intriguing. X

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  5. Your pesto and tomato slice looks delicious. Haven’t used my slow cooker for a long time although it’s excellent for cooking Jersey beans ( recipe on my sidebar). Love the look of your outing, a bike boat indeed. Bet it was fun. B x

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    1. I will be checking out the recipe when I get chance. Thank you. X

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  6. Autumn is certainly upon us. The children look so smart in their new school uniform. Good time to dust off the slow cooker.

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    1. The slow cooker has been hiding at the back of the cupboard for a few months now. I did think about replacing it, as it's quite old and shabby looking, but it still works just fine so it's become an old faithful now. X

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  7. Exciting times ahead...Autumn...socks...hit chocolate...fires...candles...blankets...bliss! x

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  8. That slice looks really delicious.
    I hope Lily's term continues to be amazing. :)

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    1. Thank you Nil. It's a favourite here as it's so quick and easy to make. X

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  9. I am so pleased that things are going well with Lily at school.
    Oh I do so love these earlier dark nights and the signs of Autumn. Just waiting for my first smell of a bonfire on the evening breeze. We too have had the heating on a couple of times in the morning as it has been quite chilly but the days still seem to warm up still and we have only had it on once or twice.
    We are stocked up with things for soups, stews and other warming meals when the time comes but in the meantime we are still eating mostly salads and lighter meals.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Lily is really enjoying it Sheila, which is a relief, as I have have noticed a few tears from some of the other children at morning drop-off.
      The weather here is mixed just now. Some days it feels like Autumn and others it's still late Summer. X

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  10. Glad to hear Lily has settled well back to school. Does she enjoy school even though it’s not as active as her other activities? Autum is certainly here now and the soup pan has been very busy.

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    1. It has been a relief Catriona. Lily really enjoys school and fortunately she loves all aspects of learning. It probably helps that there is a large outdoor area ;) X

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  11. I love Autumn. It's such a gloriously colourful season and we usually have plenty of very fine weather to go with the colours. Just lovely.
    xx

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  12. I like seeing the new reception year kids :) especially as I know some of them from their older siblings being in Evies class :)

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    1. Their uniforms always look a little on the large size, but they grow so quickly during that first year. X

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  13. Gosh, I haven't put our central heating on yet or thought about making stews and puddings. We must have a milder climate here on our coast. Your trip on the boat and bike ride event sounds good fun.

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    1. The weather hasn't really made it's mind up Eileen. This morning it was really chilly, yet as it's been sunny, it became quite warm as the day went on. We are forecast some higher temperatures for the coming week, however, and I've yet to smell that Autumnal scent in the air. X

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  14. My thoughts too are turning towards Autumn and the slow cooker and soup making. One of my favourite things to come out of the slow cooker is pulled pork, a real treat. I use shoulder pork, once cooked it breaks down easily with 2 forks and then I freeze small portions so quite cost effective. It is amazing with bbq sauce.

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    1. I made a mince stew in mine the other day and I've frozen half to use for a cottage pie at the weekend. It's very useful for soup making too. X

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  15. So glad to read that the first week went off quite well and Lily thought the first day was 'amazing'. :) It might be getting cooler, but you are still managing to get out and about during your free time, enjoying the last few days of summer. Apple crumble and custard sounds delicious! And your photos are as lovely as always. Hope this week is going well, too.

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    1. Thank you Bless. Whatever the time of year we try our best to get out on the weekend, as long as the weather is dry-ish. The apple crumble was so tasty I'm going to make another this week :) X

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  16. Cooler with you than here I think, although I am considering putting summer clothes away this week. No heating on here yet but it won’t be long! Loved the sound of the boat trip and bike ride and glad all is well with Lily x

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    1. The weather is back and forth CT but, I think I can safely put my Summer dresses away now. X

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  17. Fall is such a wonderful time for cooking and, like you, I especially love my slow cooker then. I love to be barefoot in the summer, but there is such comfort when I get out my socks when the cool air comes around. It is such a cozy feeling.

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    1. I love to be barefoot during the Summer months too Arleen, but I can't bear to have cold feet, so I do love to put on my cosy socks at this time of year.

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  18. I love hearing that fall has arrived for you. The thought of turning the heater on and wearing socks sounds so wonderful to me. I'm really not sure why we don't live in England, as I think the weather would be right up my alley. What part of England do you love in? The scenery looks so beautiful there. I'm planning to turn on my slow cooker in the morning. It's nice to have an evening to not have to think about what to cook for dinner every now and then. Your tomato, basil and mozzarella slice looks yummy! Glad to hear your daughter had an excellent first day back to school!

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    1. Autumn hasn't quite arrived Julia, but it's definitely on it's way, although I've yet to smell it in the air. We live in the North of England so are usually the first to get the cooler temperatures. X

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  19. Lovely photos, I love seeing your Lake District photos. I'm guessing it's right on your doorstep. My husband always wanted to live there but we ended up moving to Lincolnshire from Hampshire originally - with 6 ish yrs in Kent, then 2 years in S/Yorkshire. We stayed at Scotgate campsite in Braithwaite a lot over the years.
    Glad the return to school for Lily is going ok. Teen 2 is in his last yr but will then need to do a further 2 yrs in 6 form next. Teen 1 is working a series of P/T jobs, but he's happy. He's gained 2 A levels and for now just wants to keep his car on the road, be independant, see his girlfriend and trash his room, oops! Did I say that outloud, lol. Have a good week. Cathy x

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    1. Thank you Cathy. The Lake District is a beautiful area and I'm sure you have lots of happy memories from your camping trips.
      And yes, I believe you did say that out loud :D X

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  20. Lovely to read that Lily has settled into her school year so well. Touch wood Thomas seems to be doing the same and we dropped Amy at Uni yesterday so I hope the same can be said for her.

    I love apple crumble and apple pie and I'm sure it'll taste all the better for the apples being 'given' to you. Now Amy isn't home there will be plenty of stews on the menu here in the coming weeks as well.

    Love the photo of the bike boat. That's a lot of excitement rolled into one, a day out, a boat trip, a bike ride and meeting new people. Sounds a lovely way to spend the day. xx

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    1. It's such a relief to know they are settled and happy, whatever their age isn't it. Amy must be so excited about her new adventure, and I expect your house feels very quiet now.
      Yes, I'm sure the crumble tasted so much better for the apples being given and I'm going to make another this week. I am a huge fan of comfort food even if my waistline is not :)
      Our trip on the boat was a lot of fun and the other families on the ride were really lovely company. I hope we get the chance to go again some time. X

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  21. This is my favourite time of year for food, I love soup, stews, crumbles and pies. There's one particular variety of apple Dan really likes, he only eats them in October and November so he's starting to get excited.

    I really hope Lily continues to see school as amazing!

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    1. I feel exactly the same td. Lots of lovely comfort food. X

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  22. I just love the Autumn, the colours are just amazing.
    Lovely to see all of your photographs … your tomato, basil and mozzarella slice looks delicious.

    Pleased that back to school for Lily went well. I must say all of our five grandchildren seemed quite happy to start back to school - mind you they all had a wonderful summer full of good things to do and enjoy.

    Enjoy this wonderful month of September.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm looking forward to Autumn now, Jan. I think really I just needed to know Lily would be OK. I'm pleased your grandchildren have enjoyed their start to the new school year too. It seems that everyone has enjoyed a wonderful Summer, although I'm sure there will also be many fun adventures ahead. X

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  23. The adventure on the bike boat sounds like fun with other families.
    So good to read Lily is enjoying being back to school with her friends.
    Quite a bit cooler here too, today the bedlinen is blowing about with great gusto on the washing line.

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    1. It's been quite blustery here this week too. Good for getting the washing dry though. X

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  24. We always find it hard to go back to school too after blissful holiday breaks where time is our own. It's just so lovely to decide what to do with holiday days! Apple crumble and stew with dumplings sounds heavenly to me and our early Spring nights may just still be cool enough for crumble. I am loving the change of season here this year. Meg☺

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    1. It can take time to settle into a routine again, following a long break, but we're finally getting there now. Enjoy your journey into Spring. X

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  25. That tomato slice looks delicious. I love basil - my favourite herb. The apples look good too. Apple crumble (in fact, almost any crumble) beats pie in my book every time, and definitely must be served with custard. My sandals have given way to shoes and boots will follow. Autumn is well and truly in sight.

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    1. Thank you, Eloise. It's one of my favourite go to meals, as it is so quick to throw together, and the fresh Basil is so delicious. I do love apple crumble and always with custard. I couldn't imagine it with ice-cream and definitely not cream. X

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  26. Hello!
    New follower here!
    Your space is simply lovely.
    Autumn is here in Pennsylvania, and I am happy.
    Have a cozy evening!

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  27. Lovely pictures of Autumn - even I am having to accept that Autumn is here and we are not going to have one of those Indian summers in September!

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    1. Thank you Vivien. It is quite warm, but wet and windy here today. I'm no longer expecting an Indian Summer either. X

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  28. hello.I love watching the little ones going off to school for the first time,they look so cute and a bit worried but excited too.They walk back past the house looking soooo tired,bless them.Loving the photos gorgeous Lake pics.x

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    1. They do look so sweet in their slightly too big uniforms, but they grow into them before you know it. Lots of very shiny shoes during the first few weeks too. Lily has been really tired these last couple of weeks, as she has readjusted to the school day once again. X

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  29. That bike event sounds fun. The autumn photo's look lovely. I have been trying to deny that autumn has arrived but there is a definate nip to the air.

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    1. The bike event was great fun, Faith. I really hope we get the opportunity to join in with another. It's getting even cooler here now and and I would say Autumn has certainly arrived. X

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