Monday 27 September 2021

Misty Mornings

 


As the seasons shift into autumn we have seen some beautiful mornings here. Early mists and clouded valleys dispersing to reveal bright sunshine and clear blue skies. I'm back in the swing of things at work now. Summer is definitely long gone, although it still feels very mild for the time of year. On days like this my early morning commute feels such a joy, especially when I've been greeted with views like this.








Following a busy week, I enjoyed a more relaxed weekend. We took a walk down by the fields and through the woods. The trees are beginning to shed their leaves and soon the woodland floor will be carpeted. It's coming time for me to be putting on my wellies and thicker socks once again. 


I like to think autumn calls for lots of woodland walking and some baking. Or perhaps that should read some woodland walking and lots of baking ;) And so during the week I've baked shortbread using one of my Herdy cutters and also some banana and cinnamon cake. Delicious! I've even been passed a cookie recipe which I'm really looking forward to trying, well it would be rude not to :)


Going out walking is also my way of putting off the inevitable task of clearing the garden ready for winter. It is definitely looking past it's best out there now. I've already dug out the sweet peas and sunflowers, saving some of the seeds for next season, and I have also trimmed back the Thyme, which had grown so much that it had begun to hang over onto the path. The grass will soon be getting it's final cut of the year, a job which needs to be timed carefully in order  to avoid either wet weather or early morning dew. Not that there is all that much left, since much of it has been worn away by someone playing so much swingball!
The hedge needs trimming right back and I also need to re-pot one of the apple trees, which has almost doubled in size over the summer. 


The plants in the container pond will soon need cutting back to the level of the water and I really should clear the blanket weed. I didn't expect much when I put it together earlier in the year, so it was a wonderful surprise to see a little visitor in there a short while ago. Then the wildflower bed, which has given me so much pleasure this year, will be the last thing to deal with, as there are quite a few flowers still hanging in there and attracting the pollinators.

J. X




42 comments:

  1. Definitely, felt cooler on the walk to school this morning, and although the sun is shining at the moment we have a lot of rain forecast this week so I think this coming weekend will be spent swopping my wardrobe over. Love your shortbread biscuits!

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    1. I've just seen the forecast. I have a feeling this weekend will be spent at home :)

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  2. Our garden is at that stage of beginning to fade but not quite fully finished - quite a tatty stage and it is hard not to want to sweep it all away. I am holding off the full on winter clearance so that the garden can remain a refuge for insects etc, the only problem is after a while it goes to a soggy mushy mess - none of those crisp skeletal plant forms capturing frost - no ... more of a pile of semi composted bleugh... sigh!
    Gorgeous photos - a lovely antidote to today's rain 😊

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    1. I think this week will see more change in the garden. The wet weather has arrived and things are beginning to turn muddy! X

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  3. Wonderful photos. We had torrential rain this morning, though it's the first proper rainfall we've had for quite some time so it's needed really. It's amazing how much wildlife a small pond attracts isn't it. Mick's just cut all the plants back in our little pond, it had got quite wild.

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    1. Ah yes, that rain! I cycled to work in it :)
      I need to tackle the container pond very soon. X

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  4. I think this is one of my favourite times of the year, your pictures capture it just right. I love those sheep biscuits !

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    1. I much prefer the cold and misty mornings to the grey and damp ones. X

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  5. I experienced some lovely misty mornings while I was away just recently, the camp site is in a lovely location for things like that - the photos I took will hit the blog eventually. It was a lovely warm sunny weekend here but much cooler today and lots of rain this morning. My back garden needs strimming again but I'm not stressing if I don't get round to it, it'll die back in the colder weather anyway.

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    1. It must have been beautiful there and, I imagine, much quieter at this time of year. I'm looking forward to reading all about your latest visit. I was near Bassenthwaite at the weekend. X

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  6. How gorgeous is your area!

    Delightful...

    Ahhh the putting the garden to bed. Since we do not garden much anymore, it is not a daunting task. And the flowers in our pots, are still far from being done. So we don't want to pull them out... Yet...

    Enjoy this delightful season!

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    1. I won't complain, it is a beautiful area :)
      The garden is only small but between October and March the weather is usually so damp that it tends to become a muddy mess. I like to leave it alone over the winter months. X

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  7. Lovely photos and those sheep biscuits are wonderful. x

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  8. Such beautiful photos! And what delightful biscuits! Now, both my daughter and I want shortbread cookies! :D

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    1. Thank you, Bless. Shortbread is a favourite here. X

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  9. I'd say it's milder now, still no need to put the central heating on yet but maybe need a thicker duvet for getting into bed. Your sheep shortbread look divine as does your cake. Yur photos are wonderful as always.

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    1. The weather seems undecided for now, but I think it's the damp air making it feel cooler. X

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  10. Your post reminds me of all the things I love at this time of year I can almost smell that baking. B x

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    1. It is a beautiful time of year. I'm looking forward to seeing some autumn colour. X

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  11. Our weather changed literally over the course of Sunday night. A warm Autumn has been blown away by a terrific storm. Not good with missing windows! x

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    1. I think your storm blew further north. Following a windy few days, it's now gloomy and damp. I hope you can get your windows fitted soon. X

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  12. Such beautiful scenes in your photographs, a lovely selection, thank you.

    That shortbread looks good, and the banana and cinnamon cake looks delicious.

    I can't believe we are at the end of September!
    Keep enjoying these Autumn days.

    All the best Jan

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    1. September went by so very fast. Time flies once the schools go back. X

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  13. We are up for the weekend this week, it doesn't look that great. Waterproof weather for sure. Love the Herdy Biscuits. X

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    1. I hope the weather clears for you, Shazza. It's not looking great just now. X

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  14. Your first two photos have transported me back to early morning Autumn walks particularly in Borrowdale (I used frequently to stay in Grange-in-Borrowdale when I went walking at weekends). I love the ewe cutters! Things like that always happify me.

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    1. Autumn mornings in Borrowdale would very likely be misty and damp, it's a beautiful part of the Lakes though.
      I couldn't resist treating myself to some Herdy cutters earlier this year. The biscuits make me smile - they taste good too!

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  15. Lovely post especially like the spiders web and the bark of the tree.
    Briony
    x

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  16. Everything looks so pretty. I love the shortbead; they are so sweet. I feel the change of seasons here, too.

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    1. It has turned much cooler here during the last few days. X

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  17. Hi Jules, your woodland photos remind me of walks in England when I was little. The bush (woods) here in New Zealand are very dense and evergreen, quite different.

    I love your shortbread sheep biscuits, they made me laugh they are so cute! Did you buy the herdy cutters on the net? Hugs Rose x

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    1. I treated myself to some Herdy cookie cutters earlier this year, from the Herdy store in Grasmere. It is possible to purchase them (and other Herdy products) online but international shipping can be quite expensive. X

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  18. Wonderful photos! I'm loving those shortbread biscuits.

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    1. Thank you, Nicki. I think I'll bake some gingerbread ones next time :)

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  19. Beautiful photos. You captured some wonderful shots in nature. I love the tree closeup and the spider web. Yes, I agree it's time to bake.

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    1. Thank you, Judee. I took the photograph of the gate first, before I noticed the cobweb. X

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  20. Yummy baking and the most beautiful misty gate photo! x

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    1. I couldn't resist stopping my bike, so I could take a photograph of the gate. It was such a beautiful morning. X

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  21. Those sheep biscuits are gorgeous, even I'd be tempted to bake if I owned such lovelies!
    My nasturtiums, geraniums and dahlias are still blooming like mad - turn the heating up and squint out of the window and you'd almost believe it was August! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix. I imagine the garden is looking glorious, as always. X

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