Monday 28 September 2015

September


I know we're not quite at September's end yet, but it's been a while since I last wrote a post and it's been a month filled with all kinds of things. New discoveries, projects completed and new ones started, a house to renovate. But in between we've managed to fit in lots of family time and outdoor adventures.


I've been making some more lino cuts ready for a craft fair (which will be held on Halloween). Also, drawing and painting - fuelled by treacle toffee and cups of tea - and so many meetings at the printers. But my A-Z prints are due to arrive any day now. I'm trying not to think about putting them all into frames...


We've been on family walks. The weather's just perfect for me right now: sunshine, breezes and that slight chill in the air.


Joe's settled into his new preschool routine after an initial wobble. I drop him off in the mornings and he asks why I can't stay and play.
Me: 'Because preschool's for little boys and little girls. They go there and play.'
Joe: 'And mummies go to parties'.
I can assure you, my child-free time is not spent attending parties.


It's such a beautiful time of the year. We've gathered seed heads and displayed them in vases, and have been out picking berries.


A few weeks ago we stumbled upon a field filled with nodding sunflowers. I took a lot of photographs and brought a few dried heads home for the squirrels.


The chillier nights have been all about staying home, keeping cosy and relaxing. I love to read in bed and have finished a few Armistead Maupin books. They're the most recent from the 'Tales of the City' series and make for good reading when you're tired: not too challenging but funny. Probably a complete contrast to what I'm about to start. I picked up a dog-eared copy of 'The Bridges of Madison County' last week in a charity bookshop. The film makes me sob inconsolably so I've no idea what the book's going to do to me.


After that I'm going to read 'Housekeeping' by Marilynne Robinson. Having scanned the blurb on the back cover it looks like it could be just my kind of thing.


We've been eating lots of keep-the-cold-out food: cauliflower cheese, braised chicken, curry. And there have been seasonal bakes too. Yes, the recipes are Nigel Slater ones (chocolate and damson cake and a sticky ginger cake). Yes, I desperately want Kitchen Diaries III. It's on my list. Along with the Laura Ingalls Wilder 'Little House' books.


I've noticed that things are getting a little bit festive in the supermarkets. It doesn't bother me too much but I did feel a bit irritated when I saw Christmas cards on display in late August. Time flies too much as it is; I know it's sensible to start putting a bit of money away and maybe start making things in advance but what about savouring autumn? All Hallow's Eve, bonfires, mists and mellow fruitfulness?


There's so much to enjoy right now. The food, the weather, the little details. The days are getting shorter and the sun's getting lower in the sky. 


I want to make the most of golden autumn before winter comes along. 


Speaking of seasonal abundance, we've been on a few blackberry picking expeditions. They were - excuse the obvious pun - fruitful. But our usual spot wasn't great this year. We may well have timed it wrong, but the berries just weren't there. Instead there were plenty of elderberries ripe for the foraging so we filled our bag and felt lucky that one absent hedgerow delicacy had at least been replaced by another.


The result: bramble and elderberry jelly. Nine jars of it. Much will be given away; I'll keep a few back for ourselves. I'm thinking pancakes and perhaps a Victoria sponge.


The house renovations continue. Despite having met quite possibly the rudest plasterer ever, everything's going (more or less) to plan. We spend any Joe-free time sanding, filling and applying undercoat. It's dusty and dirty but things are taking shape. Yesterday we spent the day there and ate a picnic lunch in the back garden. It was really warm and sunny. The buddleia next door is still in flower and was smothered in butterflies, and I'm pleased that the violets poking through the grass haven't been squashed by the tradesmen.


We received compensation from the vendors because of the time and money we had to spend clearing the house. It's most welcome. Even a modest little cottage costs a lot of money to renovate. We're not talking fancy finishes or top-of-the-range fixtures and fittings, just simple and basic stuff. My, how it all adds up.


So, September's almost at an end. But not quite. Despite this constant busy-ness, the plate-spinning and multi-tasking, I'm trying to find time to stop and enjoy the little things. I hope you are too. Have a good week.

PS. I had a sleepless night last night and am kicking myself for not having got up to watch the eclipse...




28 comments:

  1. Damson and chocolate cake sounds delicious! Which Nigel Slater book is it from>??

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  2. I love your beautiful autumnal photos. It really is a lovely time of year, especially with the warm, sunny weather we are having at the moment. Nigel Slater's new book is on my list too!

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  3. What evocative photos. Don't you just love the scent of Autumn? Glad to hear the house is taking shape.

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  4. Autumn is my favourite time of year too and this one has been perfect weather so far. Fingers crossed it lasts a little longer. I think you will enjoy the Marilyn Robinson book but beware, some of hers are harder going (I gave up on the last one and that's not like me!).

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    1. I'm really liking this book so far and will be on the lookout for others by her. We'll see how far I get with them!

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  5. Loving your photos, September looks beautiful, especially with the sunny weather. Could you ask Joe about the parties, in all the years of dropping off at nursery and school I've never been lucky enough to head off to a party!! Maybe I just don't hang around with the 'party people'. Sarah

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  6. i was thinking to myself just yesterday, how autumn is the most beautiful feast of colour and light. and i definitely don't want it rushing off as, unfortunately, winter tends to follow. ;)

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  7. I just did a very similar post myself today. Not with such stunning photos of course! isn't it a beautiful time of year and it seems we are being blessed with some extra lovely weather right now. Your lino cuts are absolutely lovely. I went on a course earlier this year, if I could make anything nearly as lovely I would be so chuffed. Mmmm reading the lovely Nigel Slater and the Bridges of Madison County - cosy reading, even if rather sad. Did you know there is a Epilogue to the Bridges called a Thousand Country Roads? Good luck with your fair, I am sure your makes will sell so well. Elaine x

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    1. I'll keep an eye out for that book, thanks for the heads-up. x

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  8. What lovely photos, and I'm glad things are going well with the house, except for the plasterer! I find that fruit can be a bit temperamental too, sometimes there's a glut, sometimes you wonder where it all is. So pleased you got some compensation for the horror that was left for you to clear up. Wishing you a good week Sarah. CJ xx

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  9. You are succeeding in savoring this season and helping me do the same through this beautiful post, Sarah. While I tried to get photos of the eclipse last night, I was disappointed in my efforts, but am working on a post to share what I did see across the pond from you. Cheering you on to a happy week! xx

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  10. I love your photos and the linocuts are beautiful. I think yours is the only blog that shows a Northern climate like mine! (I am in Halifax, NS Canada) - from Dar @ anexactinglife

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    1. I'm a big fan of Northern climates, and would love to visit Canada one day. It's on my list!

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  11. What a lovely and busy September you've had Sarah! I have yet to pick some blackberries... maybe this weekend. Children have the funniest ideas of what their parents do when they are not playing together! Have a lovely week. x

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  12. I never saw the film but I read a very old and tattered copy of the book when it was titled 'Love in Black and White'...I believe that's the original title and then after the film was made the name was changed . You are in for a treat ,but it will reduce you to tears I'm sure.
    Love your posts,photos and beautiful artwork ....hope you do well at the Hallowe'en craft fair .

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  13. It only seems like yesterday that September began... I love your photos Sarah, without meaning to sound corny they really move me x

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    1. Not corny at all! Thanks Annie - a real compliment coming from an ace photographer :) x

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  14. Such gorgeous, evocative photos Sarah. Autumn encapsulated. By the way, I found the Bridges of M County book just as emotional as the film! Sam x (PS I've been having trouble leaving comments on your blog. I can't comment via wordpress, only google, hence my silence lately!)

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    1. Hi, I'm not sure whether that's because I disallowed 'anonymous' comments due to a persistent and rather unpleasant visitor. Apologies if it's made things difficult, and don't worry about leaving comments. I read lots of blogs but often don't write anything... so long as you're enjoying the posts I'm happy!
      S x

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    2. I do enjoy your posts very much – thank you! Sam x

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  15. Oh yes, let's savour autumn, it's the best season by a mile. And that's coming from someone who loves Christmas. Your bramble and elderberry jelly sounds divine. I wish I'd made more of that...it's probably a bit late in the season to pick and make any more now. I'm glad to hear the house renovations are coming along well and that you're finding time to pause and enjoy life in amongst the hustle and bustle. x

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    1. I love Christmas too... New Year, not so much! I think September to the end of December is such a lovely time of year x

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  16. Lovely photos and blog, I love autumn, it's my favourite time of year, especially the cold mornings and beautiful sunny days we've had recently, the autumn colours on the trees and late flowering plants in the garden :)

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  17. So lovely to catch up with what you've been busy with Sarah! And yes, let's savour precious autumn. It's my favourite. Your elderberry and bramble jelly sounds delicious. We have an elder tree in our garden and the berries are just beginning to turn purple. I must pick a few and make something. Your photos are beautiful, all glowy autumn light. And your conversation with Joe made me giggle. Little rascal! Hope you're having a lovely weekend and the house is coming along nicely. Bee Xx

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  18. How lovely to catch up. I just loved Joe's reply that mummies are at parties. Priceless!

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  19. Ooh, that jelly looks fabulous. I imposed a moratorium on jam and jelly making this year as we still have plenty from previous years and I suspect so do the people I tend to hand vast numbers of jars over to!

    I had a sleepless night that same night but luckily I did remember to get up and watch the eclipse ... I think I'd have rather been asleep though!

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  20. Elderberry is very healthy for your health. I wish I could get some around here but I have never seen it. Although I am new to this are so I presume I need to ask around. Love to see good homemade things like jelly. Thanks for sharing.

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