Saturday 19 September 2020

Almost Autumn

 






I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this post will publish OK. I've left it so long since my last one that I no longer have the option to revert to legacy blogger and this is my first time of using the new format.
I've been busying myself adjusting to the rhythm of a new school year and adapting to a new job role, so although it means life is slightly more hectic than usual at the moment, I'm sure things will settle down once I find my feet and establish a new routine.

Lily is enjoying being back at school and being with her friends again. I have been surprised and reassured at how quickly the children have adapted to the new measures which have been implemented. And I am happy to be back working once again, I hadn't realised just how much I had missed the interaction with my colleagues.

The nights are closing in much earlier now, but although the mornings and evenings are beginning to feel much fresher, we are still being blessed with bright sunny days and by mid morning the temperatures are high enough to be without a sweater. The fine weather days also mean I've been cycling to work more regularly and, even though it's not all that far to travel, every little helps with my attempts at keeping fit, so I hope to keep it up as long as possible.

As always, at this time of year, the lovely people of the village leave their excess windfall apples for others to help themselves, so I've been putting several in my backpack as I've been passing and have made apple sauces for the freezer and a delicious apple crumble. The tree must be quite large, as there are at least two large buckets full left on the wall every couple of days.
The hedgerows have also been generous with their offerings of blackberries and elderberries. I now have a freezer full of them both. I've made several jars of jam and my usual blackberry vodka is steeping at the back of the cupboard in readiness for December. When I get a little more time this week, I will make some blackberry and elderberry compote, ready for stirring in to my morning porridge.

Today, I've pulled the remaining carrots from the garden and this week I will be enjoying the last of the fresh beetroot before digging over the raised bed. The sunflowers are all but gone now, the tomatoes are (finally) beginning to ripen and it won't be long before the grass receives it last cut of the season.

Back soon.
J. X 













43 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've been busy and life has been returning to some sort of normal, for you, with Lily back at school and you back at work. How nice of people to leave surplus fruits from their gardens out for anyone to take and how lucky you are to pick berries from the hedgerows. I love how you preserve everything to enjoy later. Hope the days unfold gently for you, and you enjoy the fall weather.

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    1. It's taken a while but I'm beginning to find my feet and I'm thriving on having more routine and structure to my days.
      The apples are delicious and it's so lovely that people are being generous in sharing them. I'm going to make my blackberry compote tomorrow. It should last me a little while. X

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  2. Windfall apples, blackberries, elderberries, carrots and fresh beetroot. It sounds a delicious beginning to your Autumn. MegXx

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    1. It has been a very tasty beginning to my autumn days and reserving some of the delicious fruits should enable me to enjoy them for a little while longer. X

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  3. Oh how I miss blackberry and elderberry picking..and the wonderful things I made with them.. elderberry jam... elderberry cordial... and elderberry throat soother. Although...I did buy some blackberries and made blackberry and apple jam.
    Are those Bramley apples? You just cant get them over here where I live in the US... but you have just inspired me to make a lovely crumble for after Sunday lunch. Hubby is in for a treat!
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend
    Phoebe x

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    1. They are indeed Bramley apples and they are very tasty :) I have some in the fruit bowl to make another crumble this week. I hope you enjoyed yours. X

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  4. I've got used to the new format now and, with the changes they have made since it was first rolled out, I quite like it now, thank goodness.
    Lovely, lovely photos that are so autumnal. I so love this season.
    xx

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    1. The new format doesn't seem to be too scary after all, Joy. Perhaps some of the initial problems have been ironed out. X

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  5. Oh, welcome back. I was getting worried about you.
    Am very glad you are both happily back at school, and the daily interactions with other people much be lovely.
    Take care, xx

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    1. d’uh. That was meant to be “MUST be lovely . . .”

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    2. Thank you, Jayne. I didn't think I'd been away all that long, it just felt that way :) I've been missing your posts too, but it's lovely to see you over on Instagram. X

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  6. I noticed the legacy blogger has gone and I don't like change but I'll have to give it a go. It seems the temperatures will be dropping soon according to the weather forecasts, it's a shame to have to put the summer clothes away. Your baking and preserving looks very autumnal and heartwarming. Enjoy the rest of your weekend x

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    1. The new format seems fairly straightforward after all, I don't really know why I was so reluctant to try it.
      I do look forward to autumn but it is tinged with sadness, as I mourn the loss of the long summer days. X

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  7. You sound very busy Jules and yet still have the time to make all those yummy things, everything looks so tempting in your photos. How nice that your village can leave surplus fruit out for others to take I don't think it would work here. I'm glad you are enjoying being back to work it does make a big difference when you can interact with your work colleagues that's what I miss about retirement. Your post looks great I hope the new blogger interface behaves itself for you. Have a great week. xx

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    1. I feel busy, Linda :) To be honest it's just part of getting used to a new routine, that's all. Things are beginning to settle down now and I'm enjoying my new role at work. X

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  8. Yum, apple crumble is my favourite. I'm glad school is going well for Lily, it's amazing how quickly children adapt to change, I wish the same could be said for adults, I've been changing back to legacy but with the option no longer there I'm being forced into using the new format and I'm really not one for change. I'm sure we'll all get used to it in time.

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    1. I love apple crumble, especially with an added pinch of cinnamon and served up with some hot custard :) Delicious.
      I've found the new format to be fairly straightforward after all. I don't really know why I put off trying it for so long. X

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  9. So glad you and Lily have settled into the new rhythms of school and work. I love this time of year as we reap the rewards of all our hard work and stock the store cupboard and freezer for those Winter months. Have a great weekend.

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    1. We're getting there, thank you Lorraine. It feels good to have more structure and routine to our days once again. I imagine your cupboards will already be well stocked with food for the autumn and winter months. X

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  10. It sounds like you are living a life of normalcy. How wonderful is that!

    New blogger is not so bad. I have adjusted to it.

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    1. It feels good, thank you Arleen. Yes, the new format seems fairly straightforward after all. X

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  11. I've noticed plenty of windfall apples in the villages too. Got some from Langwathby and made a crumble at the caravan. :)

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    1. I will be using them in a compote soon. X

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  13. I am so glad to hear that you and Lily have settled into a new routine and it is working well for you both. I love that you can cycle to work. It is the time of year to be filling our freezer and store cupboards isn't it. It sounds like you have been making the most of what you have grown, foraged and been given.

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    1. I like that I have more routine to my days, it's just taken a little bit of getting used to, following the extended summer break.
      I enjoy being able to cycle to work. The 7.30a.m. commute is best, it's oh-so-quiet with the sun rising above the hills. X

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  14. Oh, those elderberries and green apples look amazing! I have received some incredible red apples up at the cabin, too. The tree is overloaded with fruit. They are tart and full of flavor. Glad to hear that you and Lily are back in a comfortable routine with other people.

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    1. It's so lovely that people are willing to share their fruit harvests. Together with the blackberries and elderberries, I have a a freezer full of delicious goodies. X

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  15. Pleased that both you and Lily have settled into a new Autumn routine.
    The grandchildren were pleased to be back at school, they do enjoy seeing their friends as well as doing school work!

    Lovely photographs.
    Enjoy these remaining September days.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. It's lovely to be back to some sort of normal once again. X

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  16. It's good to read that Lily has adjusted to the new measures in school. I do wonder what the long-term effect of this year will be on children. Your post is full of lovely things which I instantly associate with autumn - cooking apples, crumble and blackberry jam. Would you like to share your compote recipe? x

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    1. Thank you. The sudden change in the weather has left me in no doubt that autumn has arrived here now. I'm hoping to make the compote tomorrow, so I will be sure to share the recipe then. X

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  17. There is something very good about routines, which I think keeps us grounded. Your applesauce looks delicious, and the aroma so wonderful. Looking at those apples, I am reminded that it is time to go and get some at the apple orchard, and prepare them for pies over the winter. Autumn, Apples and a chill in the air, so much to love about this season.

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    1. I completely agree, Faith. I find that I am far more productive if I have routine, even if it means I'm much busier as a result. I hope you manage to harvest plenty of delicious apples. X

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  18. You always seem so organised Jules...life here is just so cramped and hetic at the moment it's easy to just give up trying to keep everything just so! x

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    1. I appreciate your confidence in me, Jackie :) I try hard to stay organised but it's never straightforward and often feels like I'm playing catch up. I hope your daughter won't need to wait too much longer for her new home. X

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  19. Your food photos always look so appetising. I too like routine. I need structure to my life and these past months have left me a bit out of sorts.

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    1. Without some sort of structure to my days I find it all too easy to let some things slide. It's taking a little longer than usual to settle back into the daily routine, but that's only to be expected this year. X

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  20. Elderberries?? That sounds incredible. Around here Elderberries syrup is so incredibly expensive.

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    1. I've made elderberry syrup previously but I now prefer to use them in a compote. X

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