My goodness summer passed quickly this year and it was so busy. We had two graduations, lots of visits from the children and friends (including a wonderful week with my best friend), there's been house clearing, flat moving and there have been stays in hospital and visits to walk ins. Our daughter got engaged and started her first teaching job (schools go back in August in Scotland) and our youngest started the year in Industry part of their degree in another part of the country. It has been non stop. Unfortunately in all this chaos the garden has mostly been just ticking over and is in need of some real TLC.
So when meteorological autumn begins tomorrow the pace will begin to slow and that is much needed. Though I did promise a lot of people that we would meet up for lunch/coffee/walks once the busy summer passed so maybe not quite so quiet.
So what are my autumn plans?
1) I let my sourdough starter go so it's time to set a new one going. The bread is always welcome with cold weather soups.
2) The gardens will be trimmed back, tidied and the last of the fences painted before winter hopefully.
3) I will start regular nature walks. I need the exercise.
4) Apple pies, parkin and muffins will be baked then, later in the season, Christmas cake and pudding made.
5) I will get my knitting needles back out as I have promised two young ladies in Scotland hat, scarf and gloves sets before the really cold weather sets in
6) I will try some new autumn recipes to keep meals interesting. I may even be adventurous and buy one of these air fryers everyone is talking about and experiment with that.
7) I will take some time to slow down, wear snuggly sweaters and socks and sit under a cosy blanket with a hot drink and read exciting new books.
8) As the days get darker and gloomier I shall put up more fairy lights and candles and bring light into my home.
9) I have written the first of my feel good lists of activities so that I can try to get on top of my Winter SAD before it kicks in but I have my SAD lamp and I will try to get out walking and soak up as much daylight as I can.
So, in a nutshell, I intend to soak up the best of autumn and try to celebrate the slow, snuggly pace, and just make some time for me.
