Wednesday 11 November 2020

Autumn Days

There are many reasons I enjoy writing my little blog. It is especially important in  times such as this, when it feels like all I do is eat, sleep, work, repeat. Weekdays seem to blur into one another with rhythmic ease and  my weekend activity becomes less as the sun sets earlier each day and the nights grow longer. During these dark evenings it's lovely to have a reminder of the bright sunny days and to be reassured I do still get the opportunity to spend plenty of my time outdoors, even if sometimes it feels otherwise.


Recently we have seen some beautiful sunny days. Not enough to dry out the well trodden muddy fields and tracks but enough to enjoy some walks without the need for waterproofs, which at this time of year is often unheard of. 




Disappointingly, with the announcement of the second lockdown, our planned visit to Hill Top didn't get to happen but, having remembered to book in advance, last week Lily and I spent a lovely morning in the grounds of another National Trust property. It was lovely to see the change of seasonal colour throughout the gardens and we enjoyed a hot chocolate along with some delicious home made banana and chocolate loaf at a secluded little spot, overlooking the pond. It felt good to sit for a while in the warmth of the sun and it was hard to believe there had been a heavy shower of hail a few moments earlier.






Hallowe'en was a quiet affair this year, but we still carved our pumpkins and displayed them in the window. This year more than ever before I've been determined to be much less wasteful, and so I made a very tasty risotto with the flesh of the pumpkins and I can definitely recommend roasting the seeds. They don't take a lot of time to prepare and make for a delicious snack. It would have been very easy for me to have eaten them all at once but they do store well in an air tight jar.

On Bonfire Night we wrapped up well and went out into the garden to make some pretty patterns and write our names with sparklers. We could hear fireworks being set off in the distance but there didn't seem to be anywhere near as many as usual, which must have come as quite a relief for many pet owners. I was still anxious, however, as Mog headed out of the cat flap as always, completely unconcerned by them.







Last weekend, on another gloriously sunny morning, we went for a short walk up Gummer's How. It's always been a favourite little climb of ours, especially as for minimal effort we get rewarded with some of the most beautiful views across Windermere and the Lakeland fells. There was barely a breath of wind and we spent quite a while simply sat overlooking the lake, enjoying the view.


A few days later than I intended, I made some treacle toffee. It is something I always love to have at this time of year and is so quick and easy to make but, for some reason, I just hadn't got around to it. It seems to be a common theme with me lately, in that I seem to be constantly playing catch up. With this in mind I have recently turned my thoughts towards Christmas 🎄 and, in an attempt to be slightly more organised than usual, I think I need to start some planning. 

J. X


45 comments:

  1. I love the first few autumn shots, the colours are gorgeous, though my favourite is the lake shot, it looks very pretty. Great shots from up on the fells too, it looks like you had a lovely walk up there :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice. The light that morning really accentuated the colours of the leaves. X

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  2. Oh my goodness treacle toffee I haven't had any for years, I think it would pull my fillings out now but I could just eat some. Stunning scenery and beautiful photos, it's those special little moments when you can sit down, take in the view have have your little treat and a cuppa that lifts your spirits and makes the day worthwhile. xx

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    1. Treacle toffee is very moreish but I do have to be careful whilst eating it. X

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  3. Gummer's How looks a nice walk for a lazy day.

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    1. It's a steep but short walk. Very enjoyable. X

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  4. Brilliant photos. Great to get out is it not!

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    1. Thank you, Jill. The fells are my prom. X

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  5. I know what you mean about weeks blurring into each other, but glad you’ve managed to have some good walks. As usual your photos, are fab, Jules. The sunlight coming through the trees is beautiful and the scenery you have in your part of the country is breathtaking! Do you know I’ve never had treacle toffee, let alone made it, I must try some :)

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    1. The days have become rather samey haven't they and it doesn't help that it's not easy to make any plans just now. Treacle toffee is delicious and it's very simple to make. The method I use is on my recipe page. X

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    2. Thanks Jules, I’ll have a look x

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  6. Your treacle toffee looks amazing.it would make a wonderful Christmas present.xx

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    1. I'm not sure how well it would keep. It never lasts very long in this house. :)

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  7. What beautiful scenery! I'm glad you are still getting some nice, sunny days and are able to go for walks. I like your carved pumpkins and toasted pumpkin seeds are yummy! That treacle toffee looks yummy, too! :)

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    1. The treacle toffee is gone already. I think I'll make some more this weekend. X

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  8. Autumn is the prettiest of seasons, and your pictures show it off beautifully.

    I thought it sad that Halloween was not to be celebrated this year. There was a group of parents around me that decided to have a scaled down Trick and Treat for an hour that night. I participated and while sitting in my garage with the lights on, I wished all the dressed up little ones Happy Halloween while they took one of the many bags of candy that I had set up at the bottom of my driveway. It was a safe way of doing it and the kids did not miss out on that special holiday.

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    1. Thank you, Arleen. Although we don't usually make a big thing of Hallowe'en here, it felt very strange not to receive any trick-or-treaters this year. I love how where you live the children were still able to participate. X

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  9. Oh yum, treacle toffee. I can't remember ever making it but I used to love those bonfire lollies which were made from treacle toffee. There's been a lot of fog here over the last week or so but it seems to have finally cleared so we're set for some nice walks over the weekend, just so long as the weather holds. You've captured autumn perfectly in your photos, we need to make the most of it now before winter finally settles in.

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    1. Foggy, damp weather, turnip lanterns, treacle toffee and bonfire smoke. That's what I think about at this time of year. Bright sunny days are few and far between but are always most welcome. X

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  10. Such stunning photographs, such a beautiful place that you live. Thrilled you are still able to get out and about on your walks. I didn't bother with bonfire toffee this year it was a bit of a let down all round really. I wished I had now seeing yours, it looks yummy. Take care.

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    1. Thank you, Lorraine. The toffee didn't last very long, so I'm going to make some more tomorrow. X

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  11. Lovely photos of the views and Autumn colours. The treacle toffee looks wonderful. Think it's a few years since I've had any. My mum used to always make it every bonfire night when we were kids, as well as potatoes in their jackets. Happy memories. X

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    1. Thank you, Shazza. I've always loved treacle toffee. X

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  12. Your toffee looks really delicious. My mom always love Almond Roca this time of year. I know what you mean about our routines now. It's healthy to get out in nature, like you are doing.

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    1. Even when I don't always feel like it, I know getting out in the fresh air will do me the world of good. It's so easy to hunker down indoors when it is cold and wet outside. X

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  13. Some wonderful photography. Your pumpkins have an impish face which is very charming. Jo x

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    1. Thank you, Jo. After seeing yours I might just try carving a cat pumpkin next year. X

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  14. Fabulous scenery and lovely walks, your photographs show Autumn at its very best.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. The autumn colours look so vibrant in the sunshine. Sadly, I don't think there will be many leaves left on the trees after tonight's wet and windy weather. X

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  15. What a lovely post. Fabulous photos and views...big sigh. Well done on the pumpkin and delicious looking toffee. I’m busy making quince jam at the moment. It’s good to have all these seasonal things to enjoy. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. Your quince jam sounds delicious. X

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  16. OK Jules...so I was going to make some cinder toffee...why do things always happen to make me not do the things I really want to?! x

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    1. I love cinder toffee but I never manage to get the timing just right. I should try making it again sometime. X

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  17. Oh my goodness, I was salivating over the cake and coffee and then I saw your treacle toffee!!!..one of the most amazing things on the planet! Gorgeous photos, as always. Lulu of Long Mizzle x

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  18. I've never had treacle toffees. They look delicious.

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    1. Thank you, Nil. It's on my recipe page if you'd like to try making some. X

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  19. Wow what beautiful photos and love treacle toffee

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  20. Wonderful photos, as always! I could scoop up a handful of pumpkin seeds and eat them right now, they look delicious! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix. The pumpkin seeds disappeared very fast. They were delicious. X

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  21. Wonderful autumnal photos. It's nice to get out and about in the countryside, isn't it?

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    1. Thank you, Nikki. I always feel better following a walk in the fresh air. X

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  22. I'm glad that you've had some sunny days and made the most of them - and shared your beautiful views with us. I love to be out in the woods at this time of year, the trees look different every time. I'm impressed that you used your pumpkin innards, too, I think most people just throw them away. x

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    1. I am usually most people :) so it felt good to make use of the whole pumpkin this time. And it definitely wont be the last, the roasted seeds were delicious. X

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