Saturday 10 October 2020

Into Autumn



Autumn days are gathering pace, and now that we're fully immersed into our school and work routine once again, it's reassuring to feel some sense of normalcy. Everyday life, although not completely back to how it was before lockdown, has at least taken on it's usual rhythm for this time of year.

We've experienced some beautiful sunny days and enjoyed some lazy weekends. Hurried early mornings and long walks have, instead, been replaced by leisurely breakfasts and shorter rambles through nearby fields and woodlands. Wearing our wellies, as it's very muddy just now.
Acorns crunch underfoot and the trees are shedding their leaves at an alarming rate, reminding me it won't be long until the clocks go back and the days get even shorter. 





It looks so beautiful in the woods at the moment. The dappled sunlight through the trees shifts in the breeze, making patterns on the ground. Squirrels appear suddenly, scurrying along collecting nuts, before quickly disappearing out of sight again.


Although it is still a little early for us, the farm shop already has their pumpkins on display. Lily quite likes the idea of a white one for a change, but that might just be because they are HUGE. I suspect I will get an orange one as well, just because. 🎃🎃🎃
Whilst we were there we bought some decorative gourds. I have them on the mantel along with some conkers I collected when I was out running this week. Without any pockets, I needed to keep them in my hand for the final stretch home, which wasn't as easy as you might think given that they were really quite large. Lily is very happy with them, however, as is Mog, who despite me having had some new cat toys delivered for her this week, much prefers to chase conkers around the hallway. But please don't worry, she never attempts to eat them.
 





In the kitchen there's a definite comfort food vibe going on. I love this time of year for cooking up nourishing tasty meals and I've been making some of my usual go-to dishes along with one or two new-to-me recipes which I'm sure will become firm favourites. 
In two weeks time we will have begun our half-term break, then we will be slowly heading towards the end of the year, but before then I am looking forward to enjoying some glorious autumn colour and indulging in kicking through some crisp fallen leaves. 🍂🍂🍂

J. X



48 comments:

  1. I do like the white pumpkins, Jules, but like you, I couldn’t do without the traditional orange ones. Looking at all your lovely food is making me decidedly peckish, haha.

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    1. I think we will probably get one of each. :)

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  2. Your butternut squash dishes look delicious. I felt like I was in the woods with you. A lovely post x

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    1. Thank you, Rachel. I love butternut squash, especially in a risotto. X

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  3. It sounds like life is good with you right now. Everywhere is very muddy isn't it, we went for a walk in a woods to the south of us and it was as much as we could do to not slip over. Your food looks amazing Jules, it is a time of comfort food isn't it. Your food looks amazing.

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    1. Soooo much mud everywhere. It makes Lily so happy and our wellies have had plenty of use. X

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  4. Someone told us if you put conkers in the corners of rooms and on widowsills it keeps spiders away. Daughter tried it. Still have no idea whether it works because the cat retrieves the conkers to play with.

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    1. I've heard that too, but it wouldn't work here either because of the cat. X

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  5. It sounds like you are easing into autumn very nicely. I enjoyed seeing your photos of the woods around your home, the pumpkins, and all those delicious looking dishes you are turning out in your kitchen. :)

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    1. Summer feels like a long time ago now doesn't it. X

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  6. There really does seem to be an abundance of acorns this year, I suspect the squirrels are working overtime. Your food looks lovely. I love butternut risotto.

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    1. I have to mind not to slip on the acorns when I go out running. Earlier in the week I even had some drop down on me from the trees - they hurt :)

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  7. The food looks delicious Jules, it's making me feel quite hungry :) I have mixed feelings about this time of year - I love it for the colours of the trees and the photo opportunities on sunny days but hate it as I know summer is behind us and the days are getting shorter and darker :(

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    1. I feel a lot like you, Eunice. It's only been in recent years that I've come to appreciate autumn. I don't look forward to the dark winter days. X

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  8. What a lovely post it makes me want to get outside and walk in the woods too, cooler weather makes me so lazy I would much rather sit inside and crochet but it will only get colder so you have inspired me to get up and out walking before it gets too cold. Your cooking looks healthy and delicious I could just eat some right now. xx

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    1. Thank you, Linda. Like you, I usually take advantage of these autumn days to begin a new craft project but I haven't yet been inspired by anything this year. Perhaps I should make a new hat and scarf for when the weather turns cooler. X

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  9. It always takes me by surprise how quickly the trees lose their leaves, one day they're fully clothed and it seems the next day there's barely any leaves left hanging. It's definitely the time of year for comfort food, the slow cooker has been pressed back into action and stews and casseroles are back on the menu.

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    1. I noticed a huge difference in the trees just yesterday. It was really quite windy here and the leaves were just raining down. I haven't used my slow cooker yet this year. I must retrieve it from the back of the cupboard, but it's quite old now and could probably do with being replaced. X

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  10. This is my favourite time of year. Everything you have photographed is just what makes it so special, being in the outdoors, the ever changing trees, pumpkins and all their marvellous colours and sizes, conkers (yes Ginger loves playing with them too), the food and the colours. Such a special time of year.

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    1. It's a beautiful time of year isn't it. I'm happy as long as the days are bright and sunny, not dark and wet. I wonder what makes conkers so appealing to cats?

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  11. Hello Jules, lovely photos again and the food looks delicious. I am counting the days down already to the October half term break! Sadly, we put our home grown pumpkins in far too late again, so they'll not be ready for Hallows' Eve. One year, we gave them away as Christmas presents! Lu x

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    1. Thank you, Lulu. Yes, I'm on countdown as well. After so much time away from school this year, being back again has taken a lot of getting used to.
      I love the idea of pumpkins as Christmas presents :)

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  12. Kicking through fallen leaves here too. Your dishes look delicious, especially the squash risotto. Autumn seems to be zooming by this year. Have a lovely week. B x

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    1. The way the wind has blown the leaves from the trees here, I think there will be many more to kick through this weekend. X

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  13. I quite like the look of those huge white ones too. I love this time of year and the preparations for Winter. The comfort food and the wonderful array of colour, the harvest and the warmth it doesn't get better.

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    1. They're quite impressive aren't they and seem to be becoming much more popular for autumn decorating. Although, I still like the orange ones for Halloween. X

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  14. Your homemade meals look so delicious! I love the photos in the woods, too. It looks so peaceful and natural there.

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. The woods are very peaceful. Often we can be the only ones in there, besides the wildlife, of course. X

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  15. What a lovely post.
    Your food looks very tasty, just what you need after a walk in those beautiful woods.

    I hope the new week ahead will be a good one for you.

    All the best Jan

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  16. The woods bathed in sunlight are so beautiful.
    Can I come over for tea? Your food always looks so enticing and beautifully presented.
    I love conkers, my pockets are always stuffed with them if I come across a horse chestnut tree. Stephen, like Mog, shuns toys for conkers. Cats aren't daft though, unlike dogs they know what they can eat! xxx

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    1. You would be welcome for tea any time, Vix :)
      What is it with cats and conkers? Mog loves to play with them and I'm always finding them under the sofa and sideboard when I clean. X

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  17. Those white pumpkins are HUGE!
    Our favourite comfort food at the moment is risotto and roast veg - seeing your photo makes me think I will be making that tonight - nom nom. Need something to look forward to having had ten days off rattling around the countryside avoiding the madding crowds and walking for miles and miles. It has helped come to terms that autumn is really here. Lovely post and photos, thank you for sharing x

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    1. I love risotto, it's delicious and so simple to make. The perfect comfort food at this time of year. X

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  18. Squash risotto! One of my favourite meals ever. I wonder if the white pumpkins still have orange flesh? Early autumn is always lovely, isn't it? The blue skies set against the colourful foliage make me happy.

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    1. Squash risotto is one of my favourites as well, especially with a sprinkling of sage. Perfect comfort food for chilly autumn evenings. X

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  19. It's definitely felt like Autumn today. Lots of leaves to crunch on. Your comfort food looks delicious. I'm imagining your Mog chasing conkers down the hallway. :)

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    1. It feels like autumn has really arrived this last week and I've been enjoying the dry bright days and changing colours.
      Mog goes wild when she's chasing conkers around the house :D

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  20. I love the white pumpkins, but I do have to have a nice orange one to go alongside. It's amazing to me that we are already in mid October. How did that happen so quickly? I especially love this time of year from now until New Years is probably my favorite.

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    1. I'm sure we'll be getting one of each colour, Julia. It just has to be orange for Halloween doesn't it, but Lily liked the idea of a white one as well.
      Autumn does seem to have arrived much quicker this year, it will be Christmas before we know it. X

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  21. I love woodland no matter what the season. I doubt that anyone could walk past a large shiny conker without wanting to pick it up

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    1. I love to walk in the woods at anytime, but they are especially beautiful in autumn. We collected some more conkers at the weekend. X

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  22. A definite comfort vibe is also evident in my kitchen. I love winter food! Trouble is I love pastry too but it doesn't love my waistline :(

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    1. I love comfort food and have to be careful not to over indulge at this time of year. I refer to my cheese and potato pie as carbohydrate pie :) It's a good thing I've been cycling to work more regularly. X

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  23. I'm partial to a while pumpkin, there is just something so beautiful about them. And the greeny/grey ones. Think we need to try to grow some of those next year.

    Gorgeous photos as always, now, when can I come round for something to eat? Your pics have my mouth watering! xx

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    1. They are really pretty for autumn decoration aren't they, and they appear to be very popular. I've not seen any at the farm shop in previous years, so we really must get ours this weekend, before they're all gone.
      There's plenty of room at the table and you are welcome here at any time, Sadie :)

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  24. Jules. I do hope you have managed to crunch through some beautiful leaves as opposed to slipping on wet ones...the weather has been a little inclement here of late! x

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    1. Thank you, Jackie, yes I have :) The lanes are edged with deep drifts of leaves just now. X

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