So autumn seems to be hastening on (not as much as in the photo though, that was taken last year). So many trees are already turning golden/brown and quite a few are shedding their leaves already. I was beginning to think that autumn was coming earlier with climate change. Then I read a Guardian article about how it is a false autumn. Apparently because of four heatwaves this summer the trees are under stress and are shedding their leaves early and so much is out of sync, nature wise. So climate change, yes, early autumn, no.
So how has this week gone?
Nature spotting - I went to visit my cousin and, as I stepped from the car, a beautiful fox appeared from behind it, obviously hoping that I would have food.
The garden has started getting busier with birds coming to feed - bluetits, great tits, blackbirds, goldfinches, magpies, feral pigeons. Soon I shall be expecting the collared doves, woodpigeons and starlings back.
The squirrels have been coming regularly. Mrs Tufty more regularly than usual but I notice that she has teats now so obviously has a family to feed. When she sees me through the window she has taken to standing on her back legs in a pleading manner and doesn't run when I go out, just waits for the monkey nuts.
In the kitchen this week I have made some ciabattas and French country bread for the freezer for busier autumn/winter days. I haven't baked much else as I have been busy catching up with family and friends who were neglected over the busy summer. In the coming week I'll hopefully get the first sourdough loaf baked (the starter should be ready to use by Tuesday). Then the plan is to bake some focaccia to go with soup and to attempt an Italian rosemary and raisin loaf to go with soft cheeses.
For sweet baking I am still using up the apples from the trees so, assuming I have time, I hope to make apple and sultana scones, apple tea loaf cake and stew some apples for pies and crumbles later in the year. The freezer may well be full then, we'll see.
I always like to try new recipes so this week I'm going to try a cannellini beans and greens soup. Should be some to freeze too.
A new autumn dinner recipe to try this week will be mushroom, leek and chestnut pie. Just right for these cold evenings.
In the garden this week I have mostly been tidying - lawn mowing, cutting back trees, shrubs and died back summer plants such as monbretia in the back garden. Weather permitting I'll carry on with that this coming week, trimming and weeding the front garden and raking up some of the falling leaves. I may get some spring bulbs planted too. The runner beans are mostly ready so I shall pick them and we can have those with a meal sometime. Only three tomatoes have ripened so far, the rest remain green. I shall give them another week and then I shall concede defeat and look for some green tomato recipes.
Book wise this week I have finished King Solomon's Mines by H Rider Haggard. I enjoyed the adventure a lot more than I would have expected but I did struggle with the superior colonial mindset and demonstrations of hunting prowess. I do remember lecturers at university saying that some books had to be read as 'of their time'. This was definitely one of them and some of the attitudes would have gone unnoticed reading them in Victorian times I'm sure and it would be considered a fine adventure novel.
I have now begun a light romance book - Jenny Colgan's Meet me at the Cupcake Cafe which I am enjoying immensely.
Well that's this week's nature, cooking, gardening and book news. I hope I haven't bored you. I'll let you know next week how I get on with my plans. I hope you all have a wonderful week xx
It looks like you had a busy, but enjoyable and worthwhile, week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you too. xx